If you have been in a car accident and are unsure as to who caused the accident, you may still be entitled to a recovery under New Jersey’s no-fault, personal injury protection (PIP), insurance policies. There are certain things you can do to assist in making the claim under this portion of your policy.
Regardless of your policy coverage and who may have been involved in the accident, you must contact your insurance company immediately and put them on notice of the accident. In addition to contacting your insurance company, there are other things you should do that help to establish grounds for a claim.
Always call the police when you have been in an accident. The police can help identify witnesses and take statements from people who may have seen the accident. These witnesses’ statements may help prove that the accident was not your fault or that another driver actually caused the accident. Additionally, the officers will assess the scene, take photographs, and eventually write an accident report. This report will provide insight into the insurance company as to how the accident happened and who is at fault. It will also assist your attorney if you choose to pursue a lawsuit or hire a lawyer to seek recovery from your insurance company on your behalf.
You should also take pictures of the accident and any damage to your vehicle. A clear picture of the location will provide critical information to your attorney, insurance company, accident reconstructionists, and others who are not present at the scene. Ultimately, these photographs can help prove your claim.
In addition to speaking with police and taking photographs, you should seek medical attention. If an ambulance or other emergency services have been called, allow them to examine you for injuries. You should allow them to examine you even if you feel fine after the accident. A physical examination by qualified medical personnel can help safeguard you against unknown injuries. You may not immediately realize that you are hurt and often, injuries begin to materialize later. It is important to always seek help when you have been injured and follow through with the doctor’s recommendations. Following through will help establish a legal claim and assist attorneys in seeking reimbursement from insurance companies or damages from third parties for negligence.
Our Personal Injury Lawyers at CR have years of experience handling these types of cases. We will do our best to seek fair compensation for your case.
Contact us today to get started with your personal injury claim. Get started by calling (609) 528-2596 or checking our online form to schedule your consultation today.