Why Should The Police Be Called After An Auto Accident In New Jersey?

The police should always be called after an accident for several reasons, among those are:

1. Many, if not most, if not all, jurisdictions require that accidents involving injuries or property damage must be reported to the police at the scene, or at the station immediately after.
2. The report serves to memorialize the accident facts as the police are trained to obtain and accurately record those facts and to obtain the appropriate credentials (insurance info, driver’s license, registration) from those involved.
3. Most insurance companies will look to the police report as the authoritative statement of the accident details.
4. It is safer to allow the police to collect the accident information, than for you to engage with the other parties in the accident, under what will be an extremely stressful event.

Is The Police Report Of An Accident Important For My Personal Injury Case?

It is recommended that you obtain a copy of the police report so that you can check it for accuracy. If you notice an inaccuracies, those should immediately be reported to police, so that an amended report can be prepared and issued as a part of the entire report. Some police departments will not issue amended reports. Nevertheless, it is important that the effort be made because the longer it take for you to comment on the inaccuracies, the less believable your version of the disputed fact(s) will become.

Should I Ever Admit Fault In An Auto Accident Scenario?

Never admit fault to any degree. Fault is a conclusion not a fact. Report only the facts of the accident to the police. Your admission of fault can be used against you in any resulting legal proceedings. In addition, your insurance company may use that statement of fault to charge you with an “at fault” accident, thereby subjecting you to surcharges and increased premiums.

What Should I Do If The Other Party’s Insurance Requests Access To My Medical Records?

The only circumstance in which the other driver’s insurance company will need your medical records, is if you are making a claim for injuries to that insurance company based upon the other’s fault in causing the accident. If you are making such a claim, it is recommended that you do so through an attorney. The request for the records should then go through the attorney. The attorney will be able to determine if the records requested are relevant to your claim. Even if you choose not to use an attorney, you need not obtain records for the purpose of handing them over. All you need to do is sign a medical authorization and the contact information of your medical provider(s), and the insurance company can obtain the records for themselves.

What Are The Auto Insurance Requirements In The State Of New Jersey?

In New Jersey all owners of vehicles registered or principally garaged in the state, are required to purchase automobile liability insurance. The penalties for not purchasing insurance, when required, include significant fines and even imprisonment. In addition, if you are injured while driving the uninsured vehicle, you will not be able to obtain compensation for your injuries or property damage even if the other driver in the accident was at fault.

Is It Easy To Bring A Personal Injury Lawsuit Against A Government Entity Or Employee?

Bringing a claim against a public (government) entity (City, Board of Education, Public Authority, etc.), or employee is a very involved process, and requires the services of an attorney who is knowledgeable in that area. The general principal at play in such cases is that the government and its agents (employees) are immune to claims for injuries caused by its negligence, except in certain circumstances. One New Jersey example, of the special nature of such claims is the entity of employee against whom the claim is to be made must be notified in writing on special forms of the details of the claim, within ninety (90) days of the accident causing event. If such notice is not given in a timely manner, the injured party may be precluded from obtaining compensation for his/her injuries.

What Is The New Jersey Tort Claims Act? What Does It Do?

The NJ Tort Claims Act is the law the covers the procedure and substance of claims against New Jersey public entities and employees.

For more information on Calling The Police After an Auto Accident In NJ, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (973) 763-8500 today.