Automotive Accident Lawyer Trenton NJ 

Our automotive accident lawyers in Trenton, New Jersey will tell you that in the wake of an auto accident, it’s important that you take the time to find an attorney who can help protect your interests. An auto accident can happen in a moment’s notice, forever changing the course of your future. In addition to acquiring costly medical bills while obtaining treatment, you stand to be facing significant injuries that can leave you impacted for the long term. Because of this, it’s important that you take the time to find the right attorney for the job. With so many auto accident lawyers available in Trenton, NJ, the process for choosing the right lawyer for the job can be overwhelming. At Davis & Brusca, LLC, our experienced lawyers are prepared to assist you in facing the process head on. 

Top Reasons Car Accidents Occur

When you set out in your motor vehicle, one of the last things on your mind is the likelihood that you would fall victim to a car accident. There can be a number of factors that contribute to a car accident. The following, are some of the most common reasons that car accidents occur:

• Distracted Driving
• Drunk Driving
• Reckless Driving
• Speeding
• Improper Turns
• Weather
• Road Rage

Our auto accident lawyers from Trenton, NJ have represented auto accident cases that have occurred in a number of ways. Because of this, we will know exactly which elements to look for in order to build a strong case for you. 

Common Types of Injuries From Car Accidents

Injuries can range in severity. Some injuries may be minor enough to allow an auto accident victim the opportunity to sustain a full recovery. However, our Trenton, NJ auto accident lawyers have seen injuries impact a person’s life forever. Common injuries that could result from a car accident include: 

• Head Injuries
• Back Injuries
• Broken Bones
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Soft Tissue Damage
• Internal Bleeding

Even minor injuries can take time to heal. Following an auto accident, your life is surely to be impacted. You may be contending with lost wages from time away from work, exorbitant medical costs, physical suffering, emotional trauma and more. Call our trusted Trenton, NJ auto accident lawyer today, we are fully prepared to represent you to our fullest extent. 

Tips for Finding Choosing the Right Trenton, NJ Auto Accident Lawyer

Following an auto accident, it’s imperative that you act quickly. Your time to take action will be limited. Although it’s important that you not delay in contacting a lawyer, you will want to be sure that you choose a qualified Trenton, NJ auto accident lawyer to take your case. Take the time to:

• Research attorneys in your area
• Ask prospective attorneys for references
• Take advantage of their complimentary consultation
• Choose an attorney experienced in representing auto accident cases

No person should manage their car accident without the legal protections that an auto accident lawyer based in Trenton, NJ can offer you. Our experienced and dedicated legal staff can provide you with peace of mind in knowing that you are in the very best of hands. Call Davis & Brusca, LLC, Trenton, New Jersey auto accident lawyers who are standing by to help you take control of your auto accident. 

Working with an Auto Accident Lawyer Trenton, NJ

If you are injured by someone else’s actions, it is in your best interest to speak with an auto accident lawyer Trenton, NJ to get the legal representation you need. You are likely owed compensation for their actions, and it is much easier to win the trial and get that compensation with the help of a specialized lawyer. You may be wondering what you should bring to the first visit with your auto accident lawyer Trenton, NJ. Of course, any lawyer who is worth hiring will be more than happy to answer this question if you ask when setting up the appointment, but in case you still do not know, take a look at this list.

Your First Lawyer Visit Checklist

There are a few general things that you should always bring when visiting your auto accident lawyer Trenton, NJ no matter what your specific situation is. These are:

• Pen and paper to take notes.
• Payment for the consultation. Some lawyers do not charge for the initial visit.
• A list of questions you have for your lawyer.

Specific Things To Bring

Depending on your situation, there are probably many other items that you should bring alongside the general items listed above. However, it will depend heavily on your case. It is theoretically possible for none of these items to apply to you, so do not worry if you show up with your hands nearly empty. Your auto accident lawyer Trenton, NJ is there to help you, after all.

• Accident report – If you called 911 after the accident, they will have also filed a police report, which is good to bring. Police will provide you with a copy if you ask for one.
• Witness statements – It is always a good idea to talk with anyone who witnessed the accident. Bring witness contact information as well.
• Medical reports and bills – It is important for Trenton, NJ auto accident lawyers to understand the extent of your injuries and how much you had to pay.
• Personal information – The more personal information on both you and the defendant, the better.
• Relevant insurance documents – These may include automobile insurance policies if you were in a car accident, health insurance policies, or homeowner’s insurance policies. Also, bring your insurance contact information.
• All contact you have had with the defendant since the accident – You should avoid contacting the defendant, but always keep any contact they make with you, including letters and emails.
• Receipts – If you had to purchase anything because of the accident, such as medication or a cane, you can be compensated for it.

If you have not contacted an auto accident lawyer Trenton, NJ yet, that should be your first step. The team at Davis and Brusca, LLC is ready to help.

What is an independent medical exam?

When a person has been injured in an accident and needs medical treatment, the extent of the injury will be a central focus. The parties responsible for the injury, or the insurance companies paying for the treatment, may seek to dispute the need for care or the extent of the injury and may hire an “independent” doctor to examine the injured person. This is commonly called an “independent medical examination”, or IME. As a skilled Trenton, NJ auto accident lawyer at Davis & Brusca, LLC can explain, this is more properly called a defense examination, as the goal is to resolve the opponent’s questions about your injury or medical condition, as well as, the necessary treatment, and the possibility of permanent impairment, in a manner favorable to the insurance company or defendant; not the injured person.  This is certainly “not fair” and can feel a bit like adding “insult to injury.”  Unfortunately, the process is mandatory. Learn More About The Emotional Impact Of Auto Accidents.

Who Can Request an IME?

In general, any of the following most commonly request IME’s:

• An insurance company

• A workers compensation insurance company

• A self-insured employer

• A Trenton, NJ auto accident lawyer

 Who Chooses the Doctor for an Independent Medical Exam?

In theory, independent medical exams should provide an “objective” assessment of your injury or condition. The goal is to:

• Confirm you were injured, or are ill;
• Verify the treatment you have received and need;
• Whether you are permanently impaired; and,
• Your ability to work in the future.

Whether your IME is actually objective will be dependent on how the doctor is chosen, and how that doctor is aligned with the defendant or requesting carrier. As an experienced auto accident lawyer in Trenton, NJ can tell you, many of these exams are performed by doctors who are essentially on the insurance company’s payroll and who rarely, if ever, provide a neutral and objective opinion.

The rules governing IME’s vary from state-to-state. In general, when an insurance company requests an IME, they will also choose the doctor. Our Trenton, NJ auto accident lawyers have seen this cause significant controversy because these doctors are being paid by the insurance company. Therefore, there is a risk of subjective opinions and biases. Furthermore, it would be in the doctor’s benefit to reduce the insurers costs by minimizing the extent of your injury or illness, as well as, the need for treatment. Depending on the state you are in, you may be able to request a second IME if the first gives an opinion in conflict with your own treating doctor and with which you do not agree. However, you generally do not have a right to refuse the examination, as it is generally a condition of your right to have the insurance company pay for your medical treatment or of the right to prosecute your legal claim.

What You Should Know About an Independent Medical Exam

Before you undergo an independent medical exam, there are a few things our Trenton, NJ auto accident lawyers want you to consider carefully:

1. Be prepared to answer questions. During the exam, the doctor will likely ask you questions about your medical history, how the injury or condition occurred, and what treatment you have received. Conflicting information about this history may jeopardize your rights or your case. If you have a Trenton, NJ auto accident lawyer, you should discuss how to deal with this for your particular case and whether it is a good idea to have this information written down beforehand so that it is as accurate as possible.
2. An IME is not private or confidential. Our auto accident lawyer in Trenton, NJ stresses the importance of having careful conversations with the doctor of the exam as it will not be kept confidential. Unlike a typical patient-physician conversation, anything you say to the “IME” doctor, as well as anything that a doctor observes, could be used in court and will be conveyed to 3rd parties.
3. The doctor may review your medical records first. The doctor performing the examination will likely be sent any relevant medical records or other documentation, possibly including the accident report. The doctor may also review details about the emergency care you were given, and will likely scrutinize these reports for anything which conflicts with your reported complaints or history. An auto accident lawyer from Trenton, NJ wants you to be aware that the person requesting the IME (usually a lawyer or insurance company), may also send a letter to the doctor beforehand containing a summary of what happened, and specific questions they want the doctor to ask you. It will, therefore, be very important that you are prepared to give accurate information about your medical history and that you choose your words carefully.
4. A draft is sent to all parties. After the IME has been performed, the doctor will draft a report and send it to all involved parties. You can ask for a copy of the report to evaluate its accuracy. If you’re unsure about anything in the report or have concerns about your IME, you should speak with an experienced Trenton, NJ auto accident lawyer.

Have You Been Asked to Undergo an IME?

Regardless of what your situation circumstances might be, if you have been asked to partake in an independent medical examination, you should call the lawyers at Davis & Brusca, LLC to help ensure your rights are protected. Davis & Brusca are proud to be the auto accident lawyer Trenton, NJ relies on. Call us today so that we can help.

Sudden Medical Emergency Defense in Car Accidents

If a person suffers a medical emergency and then gets into a car accident, can they be held liable for any damages victims of the crash suffer? The answer may surprise you. The following is a brief overview, but for a more detailed answer, contact a Trenton, NJ auto accident from Davis & Brusca, LLC.

In order to understand when a driver can and cannot be held liable, let’s consider a hypothetical car accident situation:

Driver A stops her vehicle at a four-way stop sign intersection. No other vehicles are at the intersection, so she proceeds to go. As she is driving through the intersection, another vehicle comes up to the intersection on Driver A’s right side, but instead of stopping, Driver B plows through the stop sign and slams into Driver A’s vehicle. Driver A is left seriously injured and unable to work. She retains a Trenton, NJ auto accident lawyer who is able to prove by the evidence that Driver B was negligent by running the stop sign, thereby causing the accident and Driver A’s injuries.

Now let’s picture the same situation, only instead of Driver B carelessly running the stop sign, it turns out that Driver B suffered a medical emergency which caused him to pass out just as he was approaching the stop sign. Under this situation, the law may not hold Driver B liable for Driver A’s damages because of the “sudden medical emergency defense.”

Some of the more common conditions that may fall under this defense include:

• Diabetic reaction
• Fainting
• Heart attack 
• Reaction to medication
• Seizure
• Stroke

In order to collect damages, an auto accident lawyer in Trenton, NJ must show that Driver B was negligent in some way, despite the medical emergency. For example, if Driver B was warned by their physician that they should not drive because their medical condition could cause them to pass out, but they drove anyway and the accident was a result, then the sudden medical emergency defense may not apply and they could be liable for Driver A’s losses.

A Trenton, NJ auto accident lawyer may also be able to prove that Driver B failed to follow the treatment plan or take the medications prescribed by their physician and, as a result, suffered loss of consciousness that caused the accident.

Call a Trenton, NJ Auto Accident Lawyer Today

If you were injured in a crash caused by a person claiming the sudden medical defense, it is crucial to contact an auto accident lawyer Trenton, NJ clients recommend from Davis & Brusca, LLC right away. New Jersey has strict statute of limitation laws and if you wait too long to file your claim, you may lose your right to compensation for your accident losses.