If you have questions about collisions, you are not the only one. Most driver’s education classes cover the basics of operating a vehicle safely on roads and highways. Yet, they never teach you what to do if you have an accident. Some fortunate individuals go their entire lives without experiencing a motor vehicle collision, but those who have car crashes are often unprepared for the aftermath.
Why struggle alone? The attorneys of Judd Shaw Injury Law want our clients to understand their rights and make informed decisions. Today, you can find out whether your rear-end collision accident qualifies you for compensation.
Start chatting with us online, or call (866) 909-6894 to schedule a free, personal consultation. Our car accident attorney team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so please don’t hesitate to reach out at your earliest convenience.
Why Take Legal Action After a Collision
Accidents can be devastating while hospital bills can quickly cripple families financially, especially when the vehicle occupants are temporarily or permanently unable to work. Some victims also experience emotional distress and mental anguish that impacts their daily lives.
Legal action is often necessary to:
- Insist that the liable parties pay for damages
- Secure a fair amount of compensation for losses
- Ensure that insurers pay promptly
- Appeal rejected insurance claims
At our law firm, there is no upfront cost to pursue a legal case. Our lawyers get paid when we win settlements, so our clients don’t need to worry about paying anything out of pocket.
If Someone Rear-Ends You
Why would a car hit you from behind? Many rear-end accidents occur due to negligence. Note the following examples of reckless or careless behaviors that can lead to a crash:
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- Tailgating: Traffic regulations require motorists to follow other cars at reasonable distances, factoring in road conditions, traffic, and vehicle speed. Similar laws in New Jersey define 2-second time delays as a “safe following distance” in good weather. Whereas in unfavorable conditions, drivers should increase the distance to 4 or 5 seconds.
- Distracted driving: In most US states, laws ban the use of handheld communication devices while driving. Yet, any behavior that takes a driver’s attention away from the road could cause an accident. Distracted driving contributed to nearly 800,000 crashes over 4 years in New Jersey.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol: Did you know that a person can be convicted of driving impaired even if his or her BAC percentage is below 0.08 percent? Since alcohol affects people differently, you are legally intoxicated if alcohol negatively impacts your driving – regardless of how little you drank. Drugs and illegal substances can also decrease your reaction time and affect your judgment.
- Speeding: Driving too fast increases your chance of losing control of your vehicle and reduces the effectiveness of safety features like seat belts and car seats. Speeding drivers need more time to stop, while their velocity increases the severity of crashes and resulting injuries.
- Disobeying traffic signals: Someone who ignores a stop sign or red light could be liable for the injuries he or she causes to pedestrians and motorists.
You can find out if you are eligible for compensation during your free, no-obligation consultation with our law firm. It will be well worth your time.
If Your Car Rear-ends Someone
Some rear-end accidents occur due to less controllable factors. Consider the following factors that may lead to collisions in the United States.
Poor weather
Weather on the East Coast can vary drastically from one month to the next. These climate conditions can make driving a challenge:
- Rainfall can make roads slippery and reduce visibility. If you try to stop or slow down suddenly on wet roads, your vehicle can hydroplane, causing you to lose control. Puddles can also hide obstacles and potholes.
- Snow is a yearly challenge for motorists. In some locations of New Jersey, snowfall exceeded the total of the 3 winters preceding 2022. Snowfall can be dangerous in all of its stages. Blowing snow decreases visibility. Snow can hide obstructions in the road and becomes slippery once it begins melting
If inclement conditions contributed to your car accident, you might feel hopeless as to your situation. Yet, our experienced lawyers know that human factors sometimes increase the likelihood of weather-related accidents – and liability means you have a case.
Road conditions
Please contact our law offices immediately if you suspect poor road conditions like the following led to your accident:
- Ice
- Uncleared snow
- Flooding
- Mud
- Broken streetlights
- Damaged, missing, or hidden signs and signals
- Potholes and cracks
- Junk and debris
- Faded road markings
- Sharp turns or blind curves
- Detours and construction
Most cities have services to clean and maintain roads. If a street floods due to a blocked drainpipe, or slippery roads develop, because municipal workers failed to spread salt on time, you could have grounds for a lawsuit. In the two examples above, weather plays a role in the problem, but the real issue is negligence.
Mechanical issues
On the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website, you can find dozens of recalled cars, auto parts, tires, and car seats. Many of these items appear because they are defective or unsafe. The passionate lawyers of Judd Shaw Injury Law employ product liability laws to assist victims of accidents caused by mechanical problems.
Generally, vehicles and their components work fine as long as they are correctly serviced and maintained. What if a negligent auto technician caused a problem that led to your accident? Only a thorough investigation will reveal the truth.
A personal injury attorney can determine whether car components like those listed below played a role in your collision:
- Tires
- Brakes
- Steering
- Suspension
- Transmission
- Engine
- Headlights
- Taillights
- Windshield wipers
Accidents can happen for various reasons. In cases like those mentioned above, the other driver might not be at fault. Yet, personal injury lawyers can seek compensation from car manufacturers, city maintenance organizations, and product designers who are liable for rear-end crashes.
When time has passed
Accident victims have many concerns after an accident. They are recovering from injuries and managing the impact of their financial losses. Some families are mourning the loss of loved ones.
At Judd Shaw Injury Law, our hearts go out to those impacted by car crashes. We know that resuming daily life is not easy, and pursuing a lawsuit might seem very overwhelming.
The statute of limitations for your state and insurance deadlines could affect your case. If you waited a while after your rear-end accident, you might wonder if it’s too late to claim the compensation you deserve.
In some instances, you can still sue for damages several years after an accident occurs in New Jersey. If you were a minor at the time of the crash, you might qualify to file sometime even later.
Get the Answers You Need Today
Our team can help you and your family sue for maximum compensation. We can start by answering your questions and informing you of your rights. When we resolve your doubts, you may feel a tremendous burden lifted off your shoulders. So take advantage of our free case reviews to determine if your rear-end collision qualifies for a lawsuit.
You deserve high-quality representation without worrying about upfront legal expenses. At Judd Shaw Injury Law, that is just what you will get. We charge no fees unless we win a settlement, so there is no risk to you. It’s the “Judd Shaw Way.”
Call (866) 909-6894 to speak with one of our representatives or complete our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.