Steps to Take After a Car Accident
The moments following a car accident can be overwhelming. It’s important to stay calm and take the proper steps to protect yourself, your passengers, and your legal interests:
- Ensure Safety: Moving your vehicle to a safe location and activating your hazard lights to warn other drivers.
- Call Emergency Services: Call the police and emergency medical services. A police report is vital for supporting your claim.
- Exchange Information: Get the names, addresses, phone numbers, driver's license numbers, and insurance information of everyone involved in the accident.
- Record the Incident: Capture photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. Be sure also to document the weather and road conditions during the crash.
- Get Medical Care: Even if you don’t feel any immediate discomfort, it’s crucial to consult a medical professional, as some injuries might not immediately appear.
- Avoid Admitting Fault: Do not admit fault at the scene, even if you think you may have caused the accident. Your attorney and insurance company will need to review the accident details.
Common Injuries from Car Accidents
Car accidents can result in many injuries, some of which may affect your health and quality of life. While each accident is unique, these are some of the most common injuries sustained in car crashes:
- Whiplash: This injury occurs when the head is jerked violently, often causing neck and back pain, stiffness, and headaches.
- Bone Fractures: Impact from a crash can lead to broken bones, particularly in the limbs, ribs, or pelvis.
- Head Injuries: A severe collision can result in head injuries such as concussions, skull fractures, or traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which may lead to long-term health challenges.
- Spinal Injuries: Injury to the spine can cause long-lasting effects, such as paralysis or chronic pain, often requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
- Internal Injuries: Even if there is no outward sign of injury, the force of a collision can cause damage to internal organs.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Strains, sprains, and muscle damage are common after an accident and may require extensive rehabilitation.
- Mental Health Issues: Emotional consequences, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, are common after experiencing a traumatic accident and can significantly impact a person’s well-being.
Reviews & Testimonials
*Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
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I want to thank you for all of your help settling my case seamlessly and promptly with an unexpected, and speechless outcome. I'm still in a bit of shock and I'm still processing it all. After my case bounced from associate to associate, I had...- G.K.
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Celine took what I thought would be a stressful situation and turned it into a wonderfully positive experience for me and for my family. Her passion for her job, and her compassion towards her clients, is without limit. She is a fighter.
- P.G. -
I recently had the pleasure of working with the remarkable attorneys, Celine and Richard, at Levinson Axelrod, and I cannot recommend them highly enough! Thank you for your exceptional work and for going above and beyond to secure justice for your clien
- P.T. -
"Thank you and your team for fighting so hard for me."
Thank you for your quick response and for the information. Most importantly, thank you and your team for fighting so hard for me. I am grateful to have had such a caring and diligent team representing me throughout this ordeal.
- M.F.
The Legal Process for Car Accident Claims
Filing a claim for a car accident involves several steps. Having an experienced Ocean County car accident lawyer by your side can make the process smoother and more efficient. Here’s an overview of the general legal process involved in car accident claims:
- Initial Consultation: Discuss the accident details with your lawyer, providing them with all relevant information, such as medical records and the police report.
- Investigation and Evidence Gathering: Your attorney will gather evidence, including photos, witness statements, medical records, and any available surveillance footage to build your case.
- Dealing with Insurance Companies: Your attorney will manage all interactions with the insurance companies to ensure you receive a fair offer for your claim.
- Pursuing Legal Action: If a reasonable settlement isn’t offered, your attorney may initiate legal action to pursue compensation through the court system.
- Discovery Phase: Both sides exchange evidence and information during this phase, which helps clarify the case's facts.
- Settlement or Trial: While many cases are settled before trial, if necessary, your lawyer will take your case to court to secure the compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Ocean County Car Accident Attorney Today
Car accidents can have a profound impact on your life, leading to medical bills, lost income, and emotional distress. By working with a skilled Ocean County car accident lawyer, you can secure fair compensation for your injuries and losses. As you focus on your recovery, your lawyer will manage the legal details of your case. Whether through negotiations or court proceedings, a committed attorney will seek to secure the compensation you deserve.
Don't navigate the legal process alone if you've been involved in a car accident. Contact our Ocean County car accident lawyer for dedicated support and to protect your rights.
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$1,200,000 Personal Injury Settlement
While stopped in traffic, an Ocean County man was injured as a result of being rear ended by a dump truck. The plaintiff was receiving treatment for a prior neck problem at the time of the collision but required surgery after the additional problems caused by the accident. Our attorneys were able to combat the defense's arguments through the use of very skilled and competent medical experts and ultimately obtained a settlement of $1.2 million.
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$987,500.00 Premises Liability Settlement
Associate Kelley Lavery recently secured a nearly $1 million settlement for a client who fell and fractured both ankles at a parking garage in Jersey City, NJ.
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$650,000 Personal Injury Settlement
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$300,000 Workers' Compensation Settlement
Partner Rich Marcolus obtained a $300,000 workers’ compensation settlement for a law enforcement officer injured in the line of duty.
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$263,000 Workers' Compensation Settlement
Attorney Celine Vitale of our firm secured a six-figure workers’ compensation settlement for a sales rep injured while lifting a dresser.
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