Auto Accident Attorneys in North Plainfield, NJ, Supporting Clients Through Recovery in Somerset County and Throughout New Jersey
You might be waiting at a light on Route 22 or anywhere else when a driver rear-ends your car. Now you're dealing with injuries, therapy appointments, and can't return to work. Our North Plainfield car accident lawyers see how these crashes can derail your life plans.
We work hard to get you compensation for health care costs, car damage, and other losses. Our team knows North Plainfield neighborhoods and New Jersey's complex injury laws.
Don't face this hard time by yourself. Contact us today for a free meeting to discuss your next steps.
Steps You Can Take to Pursue Compensation After a Car Accident in North Plainfield
Step 1: Use Your PIP Coverage
North Plainfield drivers should know that New Jersey uses a "no-fault" system. This means after an accident, you first turn to your own insurance—even if someone else caused the crash.
Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy helps with:
- Medical expenses, coverage ranges from $15,000 to $250,000
- Lost income, typically pays 75% of your normal wages
- Essential services you can't do yourself while injured
The good part about PIP is that it pays quickly without having to prove who was at fault. The downside? PIP has strict limits that often don't cover serious injuries common in North Plainfield accidents.
Step 2: File Your Claim Against the At-Fault Driver
When your injuries and losses go beyond what your PIP covers, you can look to the at-fault driver's insurance for help. The at-fault driver’s insurance company can pay for:
- Car repairs or replacement
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Other costs PIP doesn't cover
Be careful, though—insurance companies often rush to offer accident victims a quick settlement. These first offers are usually much lower than what you really deserve.
Step 3: File a Lawsuit
Sometimes you need to file a lawsuit to get fair compensation. This is where many North Plainfield residents discover an important detail about their insurance they never noticed before.
When you bought your auto insurance, you chose one of these options:
- Limited right to sue: This option means you can only file a lawsuit if you have serious injuries—like broken bones, permanent injury, or significant scarring.
- Unlimited right to sue: This option costs more but lets you sue for any type of injury, including less severe ones like soft tissue injuries or temporary pain.
Your choice affects your rights after an accident.
Recovering from a North Plainfield accident isn't simple. Each option has its own rules, timelines, and requirements. The best path depends on:
- The severity of your injuries
- Which insurance option you selected
- Who was responsible for the accident
Talking with our North Plainfield car accident lawyers can help you find your best choices and avoid common mistakes.
Important Car Accident Laws Every North Plainfield Driver Should Know
Understanding New Jersey's laws is key to getting the compensation you deserve.
How Fault Affects Your Compensation
North Plainfield follows New Jersey's "modified comparative negligence" rule. In simple terms, this means your compensation depends on how much of the accident was your fault.
But it’s important to remember if you're found to be more than 50% responsible for the accident, you cannot receive any compensation at all.
For example, a local resident was injured when another driver ran a red light. The court found the other driver 90% at fault, but the North Plainfield resident was 10% at fault for driving slightly above the speed limit. Instead of receiving $70,000 in damages, they received $63,000, reduced by their 10% share of fault.
The Two-Year Deadline To File Your Lawsuit
After an accident, you have exactly two years from the crash date to file a lawsuit. Two years might sound like plenty of time, but between medical treatments, insurance negotiations, and evidence gathering, those two years can disappear quickly.
If you miss this deadline, you lose all rights to compensation, regardless of how serious your injuries are.
What Compensation You Can Receive for Your Car Accident in North Plainfield
Following your crash, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Emergency room and ongoing medical costs
- Wages lost while you couldn't work
- Reduced earning ability due to permanent injuries
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Decreased quality of life
Our North Plainfield car accident lawyers have successfully recovered over $1.5 million for injured people.
How Our North Plainfield Car Accident Lawyers Help Victims Rebuild and Recover Compensation
We Investigate Your Accident
Finding out exactly what happened is essential for your case:
- We visit accident scenes to gather physical evidence.
- We locate and interview eyewitnesses before details fade from memory.
- We obtain traffic camera footage from busy North Plainfield intersections.
Our detailed investigation reveals who was truly responsible and builds your case on solid evidence.
We Guard You From Insurance Company Pressure
Insurance companies use many strategies to minimize your payment:
- They rush to get statements from you before you understand your rights.
- They make early lowball offers hoping financial stress will make you settle.
- They shift blame to you to reduce what they owe.
Our auto accident attorneys in North Plainfield, NJ, step between you and these tactics, handling all insurance communications so you don't face their pressure alone.
We Take Care Of All Legal Requirements
The legal process has many complicated steps that we manage completely:
- Filing all necessary paperwork with North Plainfield courts
- Tracking and meeting every deadline in your case timeline
- Gathering and organizing medical documentation from your North Plainfield healthcare providers
- Preparing all settlement demand documents with complete evidence
You can focus on healing while we navigate the legal process for you.
We Provide Courtroom Representation
While most cases settle outside court, we prepare yours fully for trial:
- We develop a clear, compelling presentation of how the accident affected your life.
- We anticipate defense strategies and prepare effective responses.
- We question witnesses in ways that strengthen your case.
- We have a history of success in local courtrooms.
Our experience gives you confidence that your case is in capable hands from start to finish. Contact us today to see how we can help with your case.
Why North Plainfield Residents Choose The Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr for Their Car Crash Case
Having represented North Plainfield residents for four decades, we understand the local factors that affect accident cases. The local knowledge helps us build stronger arguments for maximum compensation.
Comprehensive Support Beyond Legal Advice
When you choose us, you're not just getting legal help—you're getting a dedicated ally who:
- Takes time to understand your specific situation and needs
- Explains complex legal matters in clear, straightforward language
- Remains available to answer your questions throughout your case
Recovering from an accident involves more than just legal proceedings. We help connect injured people with excellent medical care and provide guidance on dealing with work absences. Our goal is to address all aspects of your recovery.
Safeguard Your Interests From Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters know us. When they see us on your case, they understand we’re prepared to take your case all the way to trial if necessary. This reputation, built over 40 years of practice, often leads to better settlement offers without the need for lengthy court battles.
Extensive Experience in Personal Injury Law
Our dedication to helping injured people has earned us recognition from respected legal organizations, including the National Trial Lawyers: Top 100.
For 40 years, North Plainfield residents have trusted us with their most important accident cases. We bring this experience, coupled with genuine care for your-wellbeing, to every case we handle.
Talk to our auto accident attorneys in North Plainfield, NJ, and discover the difference 40 years of experience can make.
Contact Our North Plainfield Car Accident Lawyers at The Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr Today for a Free Case Consultation
We have successfully represented many North Plainfield residents through the challenges of car accident claims. We can review your situation, answer your questions, and show you how we can help you move forward after your accident.
For help from car accident lawyers in North Plainfield, contact The Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr online or call today.
