Car accidents can come out of nowhere, especially in states like New Jersey where traffic is very heavy. When they occur, there are sometimes injuries and the victims are usually confused and have questions. Beyond your injuries, you may wonder who will cover your medical expenses and how you will get paid for your losses. After a NJ car accident, many people ask how much money their claim is worth.
A car accident claim or personal injury lawsuit will pay for your medical costs and any damage to your property, assuming you are successful. But, you may have more than just car repairs and medical bills to pay for. Your injuries may necessitate time away from work while you heal. If the injury is serious, you may not be able to go back to work or you may be forced to take another, lesser position because you are no longer able to perform your previous job duties. Your quality of life has likely declined due to the physical and mental harm you've endured, such as emotional distress. There are several factors you must weigh. If another party's negligence caused the vehicle accident and injuries, you have the legal right to seek full compensation through a lawsuit, depending on the severity of your injuries and the specifics of the case.
You do have a time limit to filing a lawsuit in New Jersey. So, it's important to seek counsel. The NJ car accident lawyers at Brandon J. Broderick will get you the resolution you need to move on with your life.
New Jersey Is A No-Fault State: How Does That Impact My Claim's Value?
Everyone who drives a motor vehicle in New Jersey is required by law to have PIP insurance with a minimum coverage of $15,000. When you are in a car accident, this insurance will pay for your own medical bills, lost wages, and other immediate financial losses. This is why most drivers in New Jersey opt to have PIP coverage exceeding $15,000.
In a "no-fault state", your own auto insurance provider will cover medical medical bills, property damage, and other losses under New Jersey's no-fault laws, regardless of who was at fault in the collision. You also have limited options to sue under these laws as well. You may only pursue a personal injury lawsuit in the event of serious injuries sustained in a NJ accident, such as:
- Displaced fractures
- Permanent injury
- Loss of a body part
- Severe scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of a fetus
- Death
Your only legal option for compensation will be your PIP policy unless your case meets the "serious injury" requirement to sue, where you will be able to sue for non-economic losses such as emotional distress.
You also have the option of selecting a "standard" coverage policy that provides limited or unlimited liability protection. An unlimited right to sue police allows you to sue the negligent driver for your injuries and obtain full compensation, including non-economic losses like pain and suffering, but will cost a higher premium.
The average payout amount is dependent on the policy you have for your vehicle. Your case value is also affected by other factors, such as the severity of your injury and how likely it is that you will make a full recovery.
Average Settlements For NJ Car Accidents
Most car accident claims are unique in their own right. The circumstances of one can be very different from the next. When a settlement is reached, the specifics are usually confidential, which makes it difficult to provide a specific answer about a claim's value.
An experienced car accident lawyer can assess your case's value by looking at average settlements, as well as the specific details of your case. Factors that will impact your case will be:
- Medical costs
- Future medical care (if needed)
- Paycheck stubs
- Repair estimates
- Insurance coverage limitations
When there is a serious injury sustained, your lawyer may opt to file a personal injury lawsuit against the other party, where you may seek non-economic damages or punitive damages. Compensation for intangible losses is the goal of non-economic damages. These damages include pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, mental or emotional distress, scars, and disfigurement.
Lastly, the purpose of punitive damages is to punish an offender. These are not often included in personal injury settlements in New Jersey since they necessitate evidence of willful or careless behavior on the part of the motorist who caused the accident (drunk driving, for example). The maximum amount that can be awarded as punitive damages in New Jersey is $350,000, or five times the total of economic and non-economic losses, whichever is higher.
In light of these considerations, your lawyer will give you an estimate of how much your accident lawsuit could be worth, which could be higher or lower than the typical settlement for claims like yours.
NJ Car Accident Lawyers Are Here to Assist You With Your Case
Your chances of winning your car accident lawsuit improve dramatically if you choose an attorney with experience in situations specific to your case. There may be multiple parties at fault and to seek compensation.
Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law has a team of car accident lawyers to fight for your best interests and puts your needs first. The success of your case is the only time we will be paid. You do not pay if we cannot reach a successful resolution in your case.
Contact us today to schedule a no-obligation, free consultation.