You never really know what is going to happen when you take to the road in New Jersey. Although you might be in complete control of your own vehicle, there is no telling what other people will do when they get behind the wheel. And as it turns out, it is not just human beings that are potential sources of danger. Sometimes, animals can also cause accidents, especially when they suddenly appear in the middle of the road. Faced with a collision, many drivers swerve to avoid animals. This in turn can lead to serious pileups, causing serious injuries to innocent motorists. If drivers simply put their foot on the gas and ram straight through the animal, they also run the risk of a shattered windshield with potentially fatal consequences.
As you will soon see, even a relatively small and slow-moving animal has the potential to cause serious accidents. While not all situations would constitute a case, as wild animals can’t be held liable for your injuries, in some cases, other motorists could have acted negligent, which could provide a potential source for compensation. But what should you do if you were injured in New Jersey due to an accident involving an animal? The answer is simple: Get in touch with a qualified personal injury attorney in New Jersey as soon as possible. Our legal professionals can help you strive for a considerable financial settlement that you can use to pay for medical bills, missed wages, and any other damages you might have incurred. In these unique situations, it is very important to have an experienced attorney on your side. They can help to determine if there is a party to hold negligent, or realistically set expectations if there may not be. Due to the statute of limitations, it is best to get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.
Turtle Causes Multi-Vehicle Pileup in New Jersey
On June 29th, it was reported that a turtle had triggered a three-vehicle crash in Cape May County. The incident began when a driver stopped for a turtle that was crossing the road. This particular road is apparently a hotspot for crossing turtles during egg-laying season, causing many of these reptiles to be killed by motorists. Technically speaking, the turtle was not the at-fault party with this particular accident. In fact, it was the driver that stopped for the turtle who actually caused the collision. By stopping for the turtle, this driver put many other lives at risk. Local police department stressed the importance of glancing in your rear-view mirror before you slam on the brakes – especially during turtle season.
Other Animals Can Cause Injuries as Well
It is worth pointing out that a turtle is not the only type of animal that can cause serious injuries for motorists. Deer are much more common threats, and striking one of these animals can cause serious consequences. Trying to dodge a deer can be equally dangerous. On June 20th, it was reported that a struck deer caused a fatal crash. The initial impact was not fatal – but it did cause the drivers to pull over. For reasons unknown, the SUV then reversed into the opposite lane, where it was hit by a semi-truck. One individual was killed by the impact, while another suffered minor injuries. Both were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
Of course, sometimes animal injuries do not involve cars whatsoever. On May 16, 2022, a New Jersey woman was mauled by a black bear while checking her mail. While this woman suffered multiple injuries to her back and arm, she was eventually released from hospital. The woman was lucky enough to be assisted by a motorist who honked their horn numerous times, scaring off the bear.
Who Can You Sue in an Animal Crash?
If your crash was caused by an animal, then who can you sue? The easy answer is that many not be able to sue anyone if not other motorists or individuals were involved in the happening of the accident. Despite not being able to sue for your pain and suffering, you may be able to receive assistance with your medical bills since New Jersey is a “no-fault” state. This means that in most cases, you can simply turn to your own PIP insurance without having to establish the negligence or fault of another individual or company. This makes receiving help for medical bills for your injuries relatively easy. It definitely helps to work with a qualified attorney, since compensation for other aspects due to the negligence of other parties may be hard to prove and possibly not even an option.
Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today
If you have been searching for a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney in New Jersey, look no further than Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC. Over the years, we have helped numerous injured victims pursue considerable financial settlements. We know that injuries involving animals can be both psychologically and physically traumatic, and we are here to help you recover in the best way possible. With our assistance, you can get the compensation you need to cover medical expenses, missed wages, and any other damages you might have incurred. Remember, internet research only gets you so far – so book your consultation today to get started with an effective action plan.
