Auto accidents can happen to any driver – even the most cautious drivers. Although many accident victims walk away unscathed, others are not as fortunate. Every year, hundreds of people are either hurt or killed in traffic accidents across the State of New Jersey. When a serious accident happens, the surviving victim may endure a lifetime of physical pain, emotional distress, and financial hardship.
If you or someone you love was recently hurt in a traffic accident on a New Jersey road, such as the Garden State Parkway, Interstate 78, or the New Jersey Turnpike, the auto accident attorneys at Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC can help. For many years, the attorneys at Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC have advocated on behalf of those who have been harmed in auto accidents across the Garden State. The premier attorneys at Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC offer a no-obligation case evaluation. Consider contacting the law firm by completing the online contact form here.
Types of Auto Accidents Typically Seen in New Jersey
An auto accident can happen in a number of different ways and there are a multitude of factors that can go into causing an accident. For instance, a person who is distracted by his cell phone is likely to rear-end the vehicle in front of him. The following are common types of accidents that happen on New Jersey roads, their potential causes, and the type of injuries they tend to result in.
T-Bone Collisions or Side Impact Accidents
Side-impact car accidents usually happen at intersections since they usually involve drivers who carelessly fail to abide by traffic signals and signs. This type of motor vehicle accident happens when the front side of a vehicle collides with the side of another. In some collisions, the vehicles end in a T position, making them T-bone collisions.
T-bone accidents usually lead to catastrophic injuries, particularly for those on the same side of the vehicle that was impacted.
Rollover Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 280,0000 rollover auto accidents happen every year. Rollover accidents happen for a wide range of reasons, including speeding, vehicle defects, and distraction. When they happen, these accidents can result in catastrophic injuries including, but not limited to: Broken and fractured bones, Deep lacerations, Internal injuries, Spinal cord injuries, and Traumatic brain injuries.
Head-On Collisions
In a vast majority of cases, head-on accidents happen on roads and highways that lack a center divider or barrier. These types of accidents happen when two motor vehicles collide with one another, front end to front end. Among all types of car accidents, head-on collisions are regarded as being the deadliest.
Head-on accidents are usually caused as a result of: Speeding, Improper passing, A lack of street lighting, Driving while distracted, Driving while sleep-deprived, Driving on the wrong side of the road, and Driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
Sideswipes
Sideswipe accidents occur when one vehicle swipes a vehicle traveling alongside it. In most cases, these accidents can happen as a result of an improper lane change. They can also happen when the driver is distracted and proceeds to veer out of his or her own lane.
Similar to T-bone accidents, sideswipe accidents tend to affect those sitting on the same side where the vehicle was impacted. Injuries typically associated with sideswipe accidents include the following: Spinal cord injuries, Head trauma, Whiplash, Broken bones, and Lacerations.
Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end accidents are considered by many as being the most common type of auto accident. These accidents happen when the front side of a car strikes the backside of another. These accidents can happen as a result of: Speeding, Tailgating, Driving while distracted, and Engaging in road rage.
By far the most common type of injury resulting from a rear-end accident is whiplash. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, whiplash is a soft tissue injury that happens on the neck. This injury usually happens as a result of an over-extension or flexion of the neck. Whiplash can lead to long-term injury of the joints, discs, muscles, ligaments, and nerve roots of the neck. This type of injury can lead to neck pain and neck stiffness.
Obtaining Compensation After a Car Accident
Many car accidents result in minor injuries that heal relatively quickly. Unfortunately, this is not the case in every situation. When a person is injured in a car accident, obtaining compensation may be possible by filing a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim. A PIP claim can provide fast payouts to those who have been injured in an accident because claimants are not required to establish liability.
A Personal Injury Protection claim can provide coverage for past and present medical costs and the loss of wages. Unfortunately, this is oftentimes not enough compensation for a person who has been seriously injured in a car accident. When a serious accident occurs, the injured person may be eligible to file a personal injury claim against the party who caused the accident.
Obtain the Representation You Deserve Following an Accident
There are many types of auto accidents that can happen as a result of many different reasons. While understanding their causes is important, it is more important to understand what happens after an accident. Following a car accident, some victims may walk away unscathed. Others, unfortunately, do not. Every year, many car accidents result in catastrophic injuries and even death. When this is the result of an accident, it is unequivocally important to obtain the support of a well-versed auto accident attorney who can advocate for the victim’s best interests.
The personal injury attorneys at Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC are proud to represent auto accident victims throughout the State of New Jersey. The law firm has achieved successful case settlements in cases involving rear-end collisions, head-on accidents, rollover accidents, and more. After you have been injured in a car accident, take swift action and obtain the support of a qualified auto accident attorney you can depend on. Consider scheduling a no-obligation case evaluation with the attorneys at Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC by completing the online contact form here.
