Morristown, NJ Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Why Choose Our Morristown Legal Team for Your Auto Accident Case
Have you been hurt in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident in Morristown, New Jersey? Has your whole life changed because of the careless act of another person? Are you unable to work and meet your financial obligations? Do you have medical bills that are not covered by insurance? Do you live in constant pain, making it difficult or impossible to do many of the things you used to love to do? Does the pain keep you from enjoying close personal relationships with family?
If you have suffered any type of loss in a Morristown motor vehicle accident caused by another driver, you have the right to seek full and fair compensation for your losses. We can help.
At the law offices of Howard D. Popper, with locations in Morristown and Newton, New Jersey, we have more than 35 years of experience helping victims of personal injury. To schedule a free initial consultation, call us in Morristown at 973-659-4144 or in Newton at 973-300-4040. We can also be contacted online.
Common Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Morristown
Motor vehicle accidents are the most frequent cause of personal injury in the United States and the basis for the largest number of personal injury lawsuits. Auto, truck, and motorcycle accidents take many different forms, including:
- Rear-end collisions, the most common type of motor vehicle accidents, caused by inattention, distracted driving, excessive speed, drunk driving, and failure to take adverse weather conditions into account
- T-bone accidents, usually the consequence of one driver running a stoplight or stop sign
- Sideswipes or side-impact accidents, most often resulting from illegal lane changes or distracted driving
- Rollover accidents, commonly involving a single vehicle traveling too fast or taking a corner too sharply
Damages You Can Claim After a Motor Vehicle Accident
When you have suffered needless loss because of the negligent acts of another person, you have a right to pursue full and fair compensation. At the highest level, those damages are categorized as either compensatory damages or punitive damages. Compensatory damages are intended to reimburse the injured party for losses, whereas punitive damages are intended to both punish the defendant and serve as a deterrent to others.
Punitive damages are rare in personal injury lawsuits and typically awarded only when the defendant’s behavior indicated a “wanton disregard for the value of human life.”
The different types of compensatory damages include:
- Economic damages—Economic damages are those that are tied to a specific and easily identifiable monetary loss. Examples include lost wages (calculated by wage or earnings statements) and unreimbursed medical expenses (represented by medical bills). Economic damages also include damage to or loss of personal property.
- Non-economic damages—There are also losses that are less tangible and more difficult to calculate with certainty, including pain and suffering, loss of companionship or consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages are classified as non-economic damages.
How We Can Help You Get Compensation After a Motor Vehicle Accident
At the Law Offices of Howard D. Popper, we have obtained positive results for many New Jersey motor vehicle accident victims. We understand the types of evidence that are most compelling to a judge and jury, and we can quickly and accurately determine the potential value of your claim. We know when expert witness testimony can be critical, and we have considerable experience working with accident reconstruction specialists, financial experts, and medical professionals.
We are experienced trial attorneys who know how to prepare and present compelling arguments in court, but we’re also skilled negotiators who can recognize when it’s in your best interests to pursue a settlement.
Contact Our Morristown Car Accident Lawyers Today
At the Law Offices of Howard D. Popper, we can help protect your rights. For a free initial consultation to discuss your options after any type of personal injury, including the consequences of a motor vehicle accident, contact us online or call our offices at 973-993-8787 to set up an appointment. We have offices in Morristown and Newton.
Frequently Asked Questions about New Jersey Motor Vehicle Accidents
What steps should I take immediately after a Morristown motor vehicle accident?
In the immediate aftermath of a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, your first concern should be your health. Assess your injuries and determine whether you can move under your own power. If you have injuries to your head, neck, or back, it’s best to stay right where you are, provided you can do so safely, until EMTs arrive. Even if you can walk away from the accident, you want to get medical attention as soon as possible, so that you protect both your health and your legal rights.
If possible, gather information while still on the scene of the accident. Use your phone camera to get pictures of anything relevant to the accident, including your injuries, damage to the vehicles, road conditions, weather, or other factors. Ask the at-fault party and any witnesses for contact information, so that your attorney can find them later. Retain experienced legal counsel as soon as possible.
How is fault determined in a Morristown car accident, and what evidence is necessary to establish liability?
In New Jersey, as in all states, liability or fault in a personal injury claim is almost always based on a finding of negligence. To prove negligence, you must show that the defendant (person from whom you seek compensation) failed to act as a reasonable person would, causing an accident or event that led you to suffer injuries. In most instances, the jury will determine, based on the facts presented at trial, whether the defendant breached the duty to use reasonable care. The evidence at trial may include eyewitness accounts, physical evidence, and even expert witness testimony.
Should I accept the insurance company’s initial settlement offer after a Morristown motor vehicle accident?
Accepting an insurance company’s initial offer is almost never in your best interest. Insurance companies are for-profit entities with a legal obligation to maximize value to their shareholders. Accordingly, it’s in their interest to minimize what they pay out on claims. Their initial offer rarely, if ever, represents what you are actually entitled to receive.
What types of compensation can I claim after a Morristown motor vehicle accident?
After any type of personal injury, including a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, you have a right to seek full and fair compensation for your losses, including lost wages or income, unreimbursed medical bills, physical and mental pain and suffering, loss of companionship or consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and property damage or loss.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit after a Morristown motor vehicle accident?
The time allowed to file a personal injury claim in New Jersey is set forth in the statute of limitations. For personal injury lawsuits, the claim must generally be filed within two years of the date of the accident. However, New Jersey has adopted the “discovery rule” with respect to the statute of limitations. Under that principle, the statute of limitations can be suspended (or “tolled”) in certain situations where an injured party doesn’t discover their injuries until well after the accident occurs.