If an improper turn accident has left you with injuries or property damage, you should talk to a lawyer to discover the legal options open to you. New Jersey is a no-fault car insurance state, meaning that your own insurance provider may cover your medical expenses and property damage. However, you may still have legal recourse to recover damages from the at-fault party.
Judd Shaw Injury Law attorneys have secured millions of dollars in compensation for clients who were injured in car accidents. Our compassionate yet tenacious lawyers are ready to hear your story and advise you on the legal avenues you can pursue.
Schedule a free case review by calling (866) 909-6894 or contacting us online today. Let’s explore how a New Jersey car accident lawyer can help you to maximize your chances of receiving compensation for your improper turn accident.
The Seriousness of Improper Turn Accidents
Improper turns may place a vehicle in your path completely unexpectedly. You may have little time to react, leading to forceful collisions that cause serious damage to your car, your body, and your passengers. Tragically, in 2020, 368 people lost their lives in improper turn accidents.
If you have lost a loved one in an improper turn accident, a wrongful death lawyer may be able to help. He or she will listen to your story and explain your legal options.
If you were injured in an improper turn accident, your medical bills might be astronomical. You may be left with a totaled car, unable to work for a time, and desperately worried about how you will provide for your family.
In this situation, you need a New Jersey car accident lawyer on your side, fighting for your rights. Sadly, the insurance company does not have your best interests at heart, but if you hire an attorney, he or she will be 100-percent on your side.
Your car accident lawyer will aggressively fight for compensation, possibly including:
- Lost earnings
- Medical expenses
- Future medical and caretaker expenses, if you are disabled as a result of your accident
- Loss of enjoyment of family life
- Loss of future earning/business opportunities
If you represent yourself, you may find it very hard to achieve a fair settlement from the insurance company. However, with a New Jersey car accident lawyer on your side, you can maximize your chances of success.
How a New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer Can Strengthen Your Case
Our New Jersey car accident lawyers bring an in-depth knowledge of state and federal law, plus years of experience to the table. In addition, we work with a team of professionals who are dedicated to giving your claim the best chance of success.
To secure compensation, your car accident attorney must prove the following:
- Duty of care: The driver had a duty of care toward you
- Breach: By making an improper turn, he or she breached the duty of care
- Cause: The breach was the direct cause of your injuries
- Damages: You have suffered losses that can be compensated with monetary damages
Gather evidence
The first stage in building a strong case for compensation is gathering evidence to prove fault. Your legal team will collect this from a variety of sources, possibly including:
- Witness statements
- Security or traffic camera footage
- Police reports
- Medical reports
- Photographs of the accident scene
Prove liability
To prove fault, your attorney must demonstrate that the turn that caused your accident was a violation of a New Jersey traffic law. For example, the driver may have:
- Turned right at a “no right turn on red” sign
- Failed to come to a full stop before turning right at a red light
- Made an illegal U-turn
- Failed to signal a turn
- Made an unsafe lane change
- Unsafely turned left in front of oncoming traffic
- Backed onto a street when unsafe to do so
To prove fault in a civil case, a car accident lawyer must demonstrate that the defendant’s actions constituted a breach of his or her duty of care toward you. Next, it must also be shown that your injuries were directly caused by this breach.
Regrettably, insurance companies may try to claim that your injuries were not caused by your improper turn accident. To prove that this is the case, your attorney will use your medical records and may call an expert witness to provide an opinion.
This is why it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a car wreck. It may make it easier for your attorney to prove that your injuries were caused by the other driver’s negligent actions.
Calculate damages
The purpose of damages is to make you whole again – to repay the losses you have sustained because of the accident. If you suffered serious injuries or property damage, you are more likely to receive a larger settlement. Damages will be calculated based on your actual economic losses, anticipated future expenses related to your injuries, and non-economic damages in some cases.
Non-economic damages are usually awarded in cases involving serious injuries or disability. These can include compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of family life
- Loss of consortium (normal marital relationship)
- Disfigurement
Without the help of a car accident attorney, you may find it difficult to build a strong claim for damages. However, if you hire a lawyer, the legal team will take all of your losses into account and calculate a fair settlement to cover your current and long-term expenses.
Negotiate
Most car accident lawsuits are settled without going to court. This is when an experienced and aggressive car accident lawyer fighting in your corner becomes a real asset. He or she can prepare and send a demand letter to the insurance company and then the negotiations will begin.
It may take a lot of back-and-forth, but it is usually possible to agree on an appropriate figure. Your lawyer will liaise with you at every stage to make sure that you are comfortable with the settlement before it is accepted. If it is not possible to find a mutually acceptable solution, the case will proceed to trial.
Represent you in court
Although a car accident lawyer will always try to settle out of court, he or she will prepare for the possibility of a trial from day one. In court, your attorney will present your case to the judge or jury. He or she will cross-examine the defendant’s witnesses and battle to defend your rights. Ultimately, the judge or jury will rule on the case and the terms of the settlement.
You Can Trust Judd Shaw Car Accident Attorneys
After an improper turn car accident, you need an experienced, compassionate attorney you can trust to give your case the attention it deserves. At Judd Shaw Injury Law, our car accident lawyers are committed to going above and beyond for our clients.
We follow the Judd Shaw Way – four core values that guide everything we do. We aim to be our clients’ knights in shining armor, fighting for their rights and delivering client service with chivalry and honor. You can rest assured that we will not give up on pursuing the damages you deserve. With our No Fee Guarantee®, you will pay nothing until we secure compensation for you.
It all starts with a free case review with one of our car accident lawyers. Fill out our online form or call us 24/7 at (866) 909-6894 to take the first step on the road to justice.