New Jersey Police Crash Investigation Report Number Meaning

People injured in New Jersey automobile collisions and highway accidents caused by the carelessness of others have strong legal rights. But it is crucial to avoid saying anything or doing something that undermines your own case. A person injured in an automobile accident has many critical decisions to make in the days after an automobile crash. It’s important not to make those decisions without experienced counsel. Under the terms of your insurance policy, you are required to give a statement to your own automobile insurance company. But some accident victims make the mistake of speaking to an insurance claims adjustor representing the at-fault driver who caused the accident. You may believe it is okay to talk since you weren’t at fault in the traffic collision. Unfortunately, some people unknowingly hurt their own claims by giving the other driver’s insurance company information they’ll use to deny or minimize their claim.

If you have been in an automobile accident, it’s important to consult an experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyer who is skilled at handling automobile accidents and negotiating with insurance companies. Insurance companies will have experienced accident lawyers representing their interests. You should too. Hiring an experienced NJ auto accident lawyer to stand up for your interests is one of the most important decisions you can make after a serious automobile accident.

For more than 30 years, the skilled car accident attorneys at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., have focused their legal talents on assisting people seriously injured through the carelessness of others. Our law firm, serving all of New Jersey, is highly regarded throughout the New York metropolitan area for the quality of the counsel and legal representation that our personal injury attorneys provide. We are justifiably proud of our record of success in representing more than 30,000 accident victims in cases involving automobile, motorcycle, trucking, pedestrian, construction site and other kinds of personal injury accidents.

Call our auto accident lawyers today at (800) LAW-2000 or use our online form to receive a free initial consultation. Translators for all languages are available.

Home and Hospital Consultations Available—No Fee if No Recovery.

It varies, but most claims are resolved within several months to several years.  Usually, higher value claims take longer to resolve.

Some minor insurance claims may be filed without a police report. However, NJ law requires you to file an accident report with the police for all incidents with personal injury, death, or property damage over $500. Police reports can be crucial to defending your claim.

Call 911 and report the crash to the police, seek medical attention for yourself and any injured passengers, exchange information and photograph the other drivers’ license registration, license plates and insurance cards, document the scene, take photos of the vehicle positions, property damage, take a video statement from any eye witnesses with their name and phone numbers.

You may be barred from suing and limited in recovering damages — even if the other driver was at fault.

Not always. Most cases settle out of court. But if you are injured, never file a claim in Small Claims Court because if you settle there, you will not be able to pursue a claim for personal injuries.  Talk to a lawyer first.

Rarely. Punitive damages apply only in extreme cases of gross recklessness or intentional harm.  Insurance carriers normally do not cover punitive damage claims. They are often effectively used in the context of suing a drunk driver for their gross negligence or disregard for the safety of others.

It’s based on medical bills, lost wages, severity of injuries, pain and suffering, liability, and the available insurance coverage.

You may still bring a claim under NJ law if the crash occurred in the state. In fact, under New Jersey’s “Deemer” law, you may be entitled to up to $250,000 in medical coverage.

Yes, under a product liability theory, if a defect contributed to your injuries.  You must take action to preserve your vehicle prior to repair.

This happens frequently. Whether in Newark, Hoboken, Jersey City, or another community, police write an initial report based on a brief investigation of an accident. The report may contain inaccuracies or false assumptions. If a police report contains errors or you disagree with the officer’s conclusions, you should promptly file an amendment to the police report with the investigating police department. An experienced auto accident lawyer can advise you on drafting an amendment. Once the accident report is finalized, police in New Jersey may be reluctant to change the report. You may have to speak to the police captain to file a statement to be added to the report.

The law firm of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., based in New Jersey, is highly regarded throughout New Jersey for the quality of the counsel and legal representation that our NJ car accident lawyers provide. The focus of our practice is representing people who were injured in accidents through the negligence of others. We are justifiably proud of our record of success in representing more than 20,000 accident victims in cases involving medical malpractice, defective drugs, automobile accidents, truck accidents and bus accidents, motorcycle accidents, and other kinds of personal injury accidents. We have obtained millions of dollars in settlements, verdicts and workers’ compensation claims on behalf of our clients.

Call our auto accident lawyers today at (800) LAW-2000 or use our online form to receive a free initial consultation. Translators for all languages are available.

Home and Hospital Consultations Available—No Fee if No Recovery.

No. Filing a small claims lawsuit is one of the biggest mistakes you can make after a New Jersey car accident. Why? In New Jersey, there is a legal rule called the “Entire Controversy Doctrine” that permits you to file only one lawsuit per event. By filing a lawsuit in small claims court, you may unknowingly give up your right to file a lawsuit for personal injuries or financial losses that would provide a much large recovery.

You would be well advised to consult with an experienced New Jersey car accident attorney to protect your legal rights.

For more than 30 years, the skilled attorneys at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., have focused their legal talents on assisting people seriously injured through the carelessness of others. Our experienced automobile accident lawyers understand how crashes occur and how to help people recover. Our law firm, based in New Jersey, is highly regarded throughout New Jersey for the quality of the counsel and legal representation that our personal injury attorneys provide.

Call our auto accident lawyers today at (800) LAW-2000 or use our online form to receive a free initial consultation. Translators for all languages are available.

Home and Hospital Consultations Available—No Fee if No Recovery.

Generally not. In fact, the law in New Jersey specifically allows for compensation for a pre-existing injury or medical condition which may have been aggravated by the accident. As a matter of fact, this is exactly the explanation of the law that is read to a jury by the judge before they begin their deliberations.

You can be sure, though, that insurance company investigators will delve into your driving record and look at any insurance claims you have made. The insurance industry keeps records of all your past claims. They’ll try to use this information to discount your claim, if possible. Inform your lawyers of any past accidents and any past claims. Your attorney needs to be aware of this information to negotiate effectively on your behalf. Also inform your lawyer of any past bankruptcies or contemplated bankruptcies, unpaid child support, divorces and past criminal convictions. Your conversations with your attorney are confidential.

A previous insurance settlement or car accident that was your fault in no way prevents you from bringing a successful personal injury claim for an automobile accident caused by another driver. But your attorney needs to have this information at hand and be prepared to respond to it if an insurance company brings it up as part of auto accident settlement negotiations.

The law firm of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., based in New Jersey, is highly regarded throughout New Jersey for the quality of the counsel and legal representation that our NJ personal injury lawyers provide. The focus of our practice is representing people who were injured in accidents through the negligence of others. We are justifiably proud of our record of success in representing more than 30,000 accident victims in cases involving medical malpractice, bus, train and boating accidents, automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, and other kinds of personal injury accidents. We have obtained millions of dollars in settlements, verdicts and workers’ compensation claims on behalf of our clients.

Call our auto accident lawyers today at (800) LAW-2000 or use our online form to receive a free initial consultation. Translators for all languages are available.

Home and Hospital Consultations Available—No Fee if No Recovery.