Camden Car Accident Lawyer

Jacobs, Schwalbe & Petruzzelli, P.C., has served the Camden community as a full-service personal injury firm since 1977. With over 45 years of experience, our tight-knit team has helped countless individuals recover millions of dollars in compensation.

Our firm is known for its integrity, compassion and the skill of our attorneys. We are supportive, friendly, professional and responsive. We genuinely care about getting you back on your feet after an accident. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t pay any fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.

We’ve built our reputation in Camden and the surrounding areas on the relationships fostered with our clients. As a firm, we pride ourselves on being approachable and understanding, making sure you feel heard and supported throughout the legal process.

Understanding The Role of a Camden Car Accident Lawyer

When you are involved in a car accident, having a skilled attorney can make a significant difference in your recovery process. An experienced lawyer can help investigate the accident scene, gather crucial evidence and obtain witness statements. These steps are vital in building a strong case.

Negotiating with insurance companies can be frustrating as they only look out for their own interests, not yours. However, our experienced attorneys protect you by holding negligent parties and their insurers accountable. We work tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve, allowing you to focus on healing and moving forward with your life.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Camden

Car accidents can occur for various reasons, many of which are preventable. They can include the following factors:

• Distracted driving often leads to accidents as drivers take their focus off the road
• Drunk driving impairs judgment and reaction times, causing many serious accidents
• Speeding reduces the driver’s ability to react quickly, increasing the likelihood of a crash
• Reckless driving, including aggressive maneuvers, poses a danger to everyone on the road
• Failing to obey traffic signals leads to dangerous situations at intersections
• Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as driving under the influence
• Tailgating reduces the time available to stop and avoid collisions
• Vehicle defects can lead to sudden failures, resulting in accidents
• Inexperienced drivers may not have the skills to handle complex driving situations

By being aware of these causes, you can take steps to protect yourself and others on the road.

Injuries People May Suffer in Serious Car Accidents

Serious car accidents can lead to severe or catastrophic injuries, including:

• Fractured or crushed bones: Not every broken bone heals properly or completely. Compound fractures or crushed bones require surgery or, in some crush injury cases, amputation;
• Spinal cord injuries: Severe spinal cord injuries can cause temporary or permanent paralysis below the level of the injury;
• Nerve damage: Whether from a spinal cord injury or another injury, nerve damage can be painful and debilitating;
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Even a mild or moderate TBI can affect many parts of your life. A severe TBI can result in a coma, vegetative state, or death;
• Severe scarring: Scarring or permanent disfigurement is common after burn injuries, road rash, severe lacerations, or surgery;
• Burns: A fire caused by a car accident can cause painful burns and may lead to infections. Burn treatment can take months and may leave scars; and
• Internal bleeding: Collisions can cause damage to internal organs, such as the liver, kidneys, spleen, and lungs. Internal bleeding is a dangerous complication.

Any of these injuries can drastically change your life. In the worst instances, serious injuries may be fatal.

Who Can be Held Liable After a Serious Car Accident?

There may be more than one liable party in a car accident. Most often, the negligent party is the driver of another vehicle, but there can be other negligent parties, too. This is especially common when there is a large truck or commercial vehicle involved. In these cases, the trucking company, driver, cargo loading company, manufacturer, and mechanical maintenance provider may play a part in the accident. If poorly maintained roads caused your accident, the entity responsible for the roadways may be liable.

Because New Jersey is a no-fault car accident state, each driver will first file an insurance claim with their own carrier for medical benefits. If your expenses meet or exceed the threshold for serious injuries, you can also sue the liable party or parties for damages such as medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

What Types of Compensation Are Available for a Motor Vehicle Accident?

There are several different forms of compensation available to you after a New Jersey car crash. Immediately after the collision, your no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) coverage may help pay your initial medical expenses and offset your lost wages.

If your total lost wages and injury-related expenses go beyond the limits of your no-fault coverage, then you may be able to file a claim against the other driver’s liability insurance coverage. Catastrophic car crash injuries and fatal wrecks often produce higher expenses than the average policy limits in the Camden, New Jersey area. If your losses are substantial, then a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit may be necessary.

In that scenario, you potentially have the right to pursue economic and non-economic damages. The economic damages that contribute to a lawsuit in New Jersey include current and future medical expenses, lost wages during your recovery, and lost future earning potential due to lingering symptoms and functional limitations.

Non-economic damages may include financial compensation for your pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of life caused by injuries or disfigurement. You are also typically eligible for property damage compensation, including the cost to repair or replace your vehicle, as well as all of its contents at the time of the collision.

In rare cases, you could also be eligible for punitive damages, which serve as punishment for the party at fault, rather than compensation for your losses. You must prove that the party at fault acted with an intention to harm others or displayed extreme recklessness to be eligible for punitive damages. Working with the team at Jacobs, Schwalbe & Petruzzelli, P.C., can help you properly quantify your losses and optimize your financial recovery after a wreck.

How Long do People Have to Seek Compensation After an Accident?

After a car crash in Camden, New Jersey, you typically have up to two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. There are certain exceptions to this rule, so it is important you speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible after the crash to protect your rights. 

Steps to Take After a Car Accident

If you are involved in an accident, it is essential to take immediate action to protect your rights and well-being. Here are several steps to consider:

• Ensure safety by moving to a safe location if possible
• Call the police to report the accident and obtain a police report
• Exchange information with the other driver, including insurance details
• Document the scene with photos and notes
• Seek medical attention, even if you feel fine at first, to check for hidden injuries
• Notify your insurance company about the accident
• Contact a lawyer to discuss your case as soon as possible

Taking these steps ensures your rights are protected and you have the necessary information to pursue a claim.

Timely Legal Action in Car Accident Cases

Consulting with a car accident lawyer promptly is in your best interest. The statute of limitations limits the time you have to file a claim, so acting quickly is crucial.

Contacting us promptly helps preserve evidence, which, like eyewitness accounts, can fade or be lost over time. Working with an experienced attorney ensures that you comply with all legal deadlines and requirements that are essential to building a strong case.

Contact Us Today to Schedule a Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contact Jacobs, Schwalbe & Petruzzelli, P.C., to schedule a free case evaluation. We will focus on the legal process to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve, so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.

Over the past 45 years, we have helped many satisfied clients in Camden and the surrounding areas recover millions of dollars. Our clients can attest to how we build a strong foundation of trust and success.

Call us today at 856-528-7991 or email us to set up your free consultation.