When people think of vehicle accidents, a crash involving multiple vehicles or trucks may come to mind. But single vehicle accidents can cause devastating injuries and even fatalities, just as much as a crash involving more than one driver. Single vehicle accidents can affect more than the vehicle driver – passengers in the vehicle and pedestrians can also suffer injuries in an accident.
If you were injured in a single-vehicle accident in New Jersey, you may have questions about how you pay your medical bills and recover financially from other losses, like missed income. If no one else is to blame for the accident, how can you file a claim? Because New Jersey is a no-fault car insurance state, injured victims are likely eligible to file a claim. And, it’s possible a third party may bear some liability for the accident.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a single vehicle accident in New Jersey, the car accident attorneys of Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, can help. We offer free consultations to review your case and suggest options.
Types of Single Vehicle Accidents
New Jersey crash reports offer five different ways of categorizing single vehicle accidents:
- Accidents Involving an Animal – These types of accidents are exactly as they sound. When a driver hits an animal – often a deer – the driver and passengers may suffer serious injuries.
- Single Vehicle Pedestrian Accidents – While multi-vehicle accidents could cause a ricochet effect that results in a passenger being struck, many times pedestrian accidents only involve one vehicle. Drivers owe a special duty of care to pedestrians and thus, many times a driver may be found to be at-fault in a pedestrian accident.
- Single Vehicle Bicycle Accidents – Like pedestrian accidents, a single vehicle may hit a bicycle rider causing serious injury. Similarly, drivers may be liable if their actions are considered negligent driving.
- Fixed Object Accident – In this type of single vehicle accident, a driver hits a stationary object such as a pole, concrete barrier or tree
- Non-Fixed Object Accident – This type of crash involves temporary objects in the roadway such as debris, tree limbs, or large objects falling off a truck and landing in the roadway.
In all of these types of single vehicle accidents, serious injury can occur. And, New Jersey’s no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) insurance would apply to recover.
New Jersey No-Fault Insurance
New Jersey, and 11 other states like New York, have no-fault car insurance laws. In the state of New Jersey, no matter if you’re in Jersey City or Trenton, your primary insurer in the event of an accident is your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance -- regardless of who was at-fault in the accident. If you’re injured in an accident, the amount of compensation you may be eligible for and your ability to file a claim outside of the no-fault system depends on the type of PIP insurance you have.
PIP insurance covers medical bills, such as:
- Surgery
- Hospital stays
- Surgery and doctors’ fees
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Prescription medications
- Pain management services
You may also be able to recover compensation for income lost due missed time while you were recovering from your injuries.
Liability in a Single Vehicle Accident in New Jersey
In some cases, a third party may bear some liability for the accident. If this can be proven, you may be able to file a claim against the third party to recover compensation not available through PIP. Examples of other liable parties include:
- Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers. If your accident was caused by a malfunction or defective part of your vehicle, it may be possible to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer.
- Municipal or State Governments. Poor signage, potholes and roadway conditions could be a preventable hazard. In these cases, it may be possible to file a claim against the entity responsible for maintaining the roadway.
- Phantom Drivers. If you were in an accident caused by another driver who fled the scene or did not stop, you may be able to pursue compensation through Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage, if you have it.
Regardless of the cause, it can be challenging to navigate the complex world of car accident claims after a single vehicle accident in New Jersey. It’s in your best interest to discuss your case with a New Jersey car accident lawyer who can advise you of your options and pursue maximum compensation for your claim.
The Office of Brandon J. Broderick, New Jersey Car Accident Lawyers, Can Help
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, don’t go it alone. An experienced car accident lawyer can advocate for your best interest and pursue fair compensation for your damages. At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, you can count on us to work tirelessly for your quality of life. With our long track record of success, we’ve helped people just like you move forward after sustaining an injury that was caused by another’s negligence. Contact us now for a free legal review.
Locations and offices across New Jersey and the tri-state area.