How to protect your rights and get full compensation after NJ car accident
Morris County auto accident attorney advises on ways to help your potential case
New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the union and is traversed by major, high-speed arteries, including the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike. So it should come as no surprise that the state suffers a high number of motor vehicle collisions. In fact, according to the NJ Department of Motor Transportation, the Garden State racked up more than 270,000 reported accidents in the years 2016 through 2018. You never know when you might be involved in a collision, and my Morris County law firm, Kevin T. Kutyla, Esq., can help you learn what to do if you’re in a crash. I hope the steps suggested below will help keep you safe and lay the groundwork for a strong legal case, if necessary.
12 steps after a car accident in New Jersey
In the wake of a crash, you need to keep a cool head and take swift measures to limit the harm. I therefore urge you to:
- Prevent a secondary collision — Some of the worst injuries occur after the initial impact. If at all possible, you must get your vehicle out of traffic onto the side of the road. If you cannot move your vehicle, place fluorescent triangles or flares in the road to guide oncome vehicles around the accident scene.
- Get to a safe place — If you can get your car to the side of the road, stay inside. If you can’t move the vehicle, you have to make a prudent judgment about whether you are safer in the car or must get out and cross to the median or the shoulder. Leaving a disabled car can be extremely dangerous, depending on the speed of traffic and visibility.
- Render first aid — If your passengers are injured, do what you can to help.
- Assist passengers in the other car(s) if necessary — The law also requires you to do what you can to aid injured parties in other vehicles.
- Call 911 — Tell the dispatcher where you are and request police and an ambulance.
- Exchange identifying information with the other driver(s) — You are required to show ID and proof of insurance to other drivers. If you believe the other driver may be intoxicated or is behaving aggressively, stay in your car and wait for the police.
- Take photos of the accident scene — Cellphone photos of the scene, the damage to vehicles, and injuries can be important for a future case.
- Get contact information from witnesses — Eyewitnesses to the crash can be helpful to a personal injury Collect business cards, names, phone numbers and email addresses.
- Limit your comments — Anything you say immediately after an accident can come back to haunt you. Refrain from discussing the crash. Just take care of the tasks at hand.
- Talk to the police — Let officers know if you have concerns about the other driver. Ask where you can get a copy of the accident report.
- Go to the ER — Getting checked out immediately protects you and helps you prove the crash caused your injuries.
- Call an auto accident attorney — The sooner you retain capable representation, the stronger your case will be.
The shock of an accident can leave you disoriented, making it impossible to cover all of the above steps. Such circumstances make it even more important to contact a Morris County car accident attorney as soon as possible. With more than 25 years of auto accident experience, I am prepared to deliver capable representation focused on results.
Contact a board-certified New Jersey trial lawyer about your auto accident claim
Kevin T. Kutyla, Esq. represents clients in Morris County and the surrounding areas who have been injured in vehicle collisions. Call 862-354-8931 or contact me online to schedule an appointment. My office is conveniently located in Succasunna at 15 Commerce Boulevard, just off Route 10.