As with any new year ushered in, there is the hope that carnage on the highways and byways is less than the year previous. 2024 is not off to a good start, state-wise and locally, in Camden County. Camden County’s current crash stats, which constantly change and are updated frequently, indicate 18 crashes to 04/21/2024, a figure that includes 7 drivers, 2 passengers, and 9 cyclists killed. 

Statewide the crash deaths from 2023 to 2024 was 38, a 21.6 percent change from 2023 to 2024. State fatal collisions to May 9, 2024, were 206 with 214 deaths. In 2023 there were 169 crashes and 176 fatalities, and in 2022 there were 200 collisions and 29 deaths.

In 2022 there were 121 drivers killed, 23 passengers that perished, 9 cyclists, and 56 pedestrians for a death toll of 209. In 2023 there were 92 driver fatalities, 19 passenger deaths, 3 cyclists, and 62 pedestrians for a death toll of 176. In 2024 there were 110 driver fatalities, 30 passengers killed, 3 cyclists, and 71 pedestrians for a death toll of 214. These disturbing statistics change rapidly, often daily.

No one wants to be in a car accident and live through the upsetting aftermath. If the injuries sustained were serious and require significant medical care, who is going to pay the bill? When can the injured individual return to work? What happens next? Do they need a car accident attorney? At Petrillo & Goldberg Law, we have the answers to all of your questions.

Driver Error Causes Car Accidents

The most common causes of New Jersey car accidents are:

• DUI/DWI
• Driving while distracted
• Driving aggressively
• Driving while fatigued
• Bad decisions or miscalculations while driving
• Unsafe lane changes
• Reckless driving
• Speeding
• Driving aggressively
• Inexperienced driver
• Driving while under the influence of drugs

The aftermath of a car crash is always frightening. There may be injuries or even a fatality. This is a time fraught with uncertainty, fear, and pain. The most important question for many car crash survivors is, “Who is going to pay for all of this? My medical bills and the damage to my car?” While these are crucial questions, the most important thing that needs to be dealt with first in the aftermath of a crash is seeking medical and legal assistance as soon as possible. 

Personal injury lawsuits can be complex or straightforward, but whatever the lawsuit focus is, it is usually difficult for those participating in the process to seek justice. This is what you need to rely on your Petrillo & Goldberg Law attorneys for – the answers to your questions about the process, the whys, and what you need to know to understand how justice may work in your case. 

What To Do After A Wreck

If you can do the following after being involved in a car accident, it helps your success in a claim for compensation for your injuries. It is important to preserve evidence and speak to witnesses who saw the accident. 

Follow these steps if you can, and if you cannot, perhaps another driver, passenger or witness can do this for you:

• Call 911 to alert authorities and ensure a police report is generated.
• Do not place blame on anyone or admit fault. This is the first thing your car accident attorney will tell you.
• Exchange contact information, e.g., insurance policies and driver’s license.
• Record or write down what you recall about the accident. Detail as much as you can about what happened just before the collision.
• If you are unable to write anything down, try using your cellphone to dictate what happened. Also, try to get a video of the crash scene if possible.
• Never provide a verbal or written statement to the insurance companies. Discuss this first with your Petrillo & Goldberg Law car accident attorney.
• If you do not already have an attorney, contact a Petrillo & Goldberg Law car accident lawyer as soon as possible to represent you.
• File a lawsuit as soon as possible. In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit is two years from the date of the crash. This applies to personal injury and property damage claims. 

Do You Need To Hire A Car Accident Lawyer?

Survivors who hire a car attorney typically get significantly higher settlements. A Petrillo & Goldberg car accident attorney deals with everything related to your case, including insurance companies who attempt to get you to settle quickly for a lower dollar amount than you may be awarded in court. They only care about protecting the insurance company’s bottom line.

Part and parcel of hiring an experienced car accident attorney at Petrillo & Goldberg Law is that they help you understand the confusing insurance questions arising after an accident and find out who is liable for your medical, property damage, and other expenses. 

Do not say anything, sign anything, or permit anyone else to record you after an accident, as anything you say may be used against you later to reduce or deny your claim. It is your right to file a claim for compensation after an accident. Your New Jersey car accident lawyer from Petrillo & Goldberg Law has your back.

Speak With an Experienced New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer About Your Case Today

If you or a loved one were injured in a New Jersey car accident, the personal injury lawyers at Petrillo & Goldberg are here to help. At Petrillo & Goldberg, we have been successfully representing families in motor vehicle accident cases since 1993 and know what it takes to build a successful case.

Our skilled negotiators resolve a majority of cases without the need for a long, drawn-out trial so that you can get back to your life as quickly as possible. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation with one of our New Jersey car accident lawyers, call us today at 856-486-4343. Calling us is free, and because we take all cases on a contingency basis, we won’t collect a fee for our representation unless we can recover compensation on your behalf.