South Jersey Car Accident Attorneys
At Cockerill, Craig & Moore, LLC, we have represented hundreds of injured people in South Jersey car, truck, RV and motorcycle accidents. Whether you suffered a serious injury or lost a loved one, our compassionate and knowledgeable attorneys are prepared to investigate the accident, determine liability and seek the compensation you need for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Our partners have decades of trial experience. This means that we are skilled trial lawyers and negotiators. We know when negotiations are productive and when a case needs to go to trial to protect our client’s interests. While most cases settle out of court, you can be certain that we will and do take cases to trial when that is best for our client. If you or a loved one was involved in an accident, please speak with one of our South Jersey trial attorneys today to learn more.
We Take All Types Of Serious Car Accident Cases
Even a relatively minor car accident can leave you with serious or catastrophic injuries. We handle accidents involving:
- Trucks and other commercial vehicles
- Drunk drivers
- Distracted drivers
- Reckless drivers
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Head-on collisions
- T-bone collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Motorcycle accidents
- Motor vehicle v. pedestrian accidents
- Motor vehicle v. bicycle accidents
- Rollovers
- Uninsured and underinsured drivers
We also represent motorcycle crash victims and surviving family members in fatal car accident claims, known as wrongful death accidents.
Determining Fault In A Car Accident
Assigning fault in a car accident has a direct effect on the compensation an injured person is eligible to receive. In New Jersey, if the court determines a driver is 51% or more at fault, they are not eligible to recover damages. Alternatively, when a driver is 50% or less at fault, damages are reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to a driver. This means if a driver suffers $100,000 in damages but is found to be 30% at fault, their damages will be limited to $70,000. Known as the doctrine of “modified comparative negligence,” this doctrine affects the amount of recovery an injured party is eligible to receive as a function of their fault in causing a car accident.
As a result of the doctrine of modified comparative negligence, it’s essential to determine the causes of a car accident. Conflicting claims on the part of those involved in an accident, as well as unreliable or unclear police reports and eyewitness statements, make it important to thoroughly investigate all relevant contributory factors. At Cockerill, Craig & Moore, LLC, we represent plaintiffs in legal claims involving auto accidents. To ensure the interests of our clients are protected and leveraged in court, our Woodbury, New Jersey, personal injury attorneys work closely with experts, including accident reconstruction specialists, computer animation specialists and more.
Evidence: Meeting The Challenge Of Today’s Courtroom
In car accident cases, several technical issues are likely to arise that demand scientific, medical, economic and financial competence. Along with our ability to investigate car accidents, we have the resources needed to address issues associated with the cost of certain injuries. In some cases, cost projections about the extent of a head or back injury must be proposed or challenged, depending on what is presented before the court.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey Car Accident Injury Claims
At Cockerill, Craig & Moore, LLC, our auto accident attorneys regularly speak with injured clients from Gloucester County and throughout New Jersey who are unsure about their claims. We have provided clear answers to common questions.
What is PIP in New Jersey, and who pays my medical bills after a crash?
In New Jersey, personal injury protection (PIP) is mandatory auto insurance coverage that pays medical bills for you, your family members or passengers after a car accident, regardless of who was at fault.
The standard policy typically provides up to $250,000 in PIP benefits, but some policies have less PIP coverage. It is important to ensure that you have adequate PIP coverage and/or medical coverage to ensure that treatment for medical injuries is covered.
Generally, it covers:
- Emergency room treatment
- Hospital stays and surgeries
- Follow-up doctor visits
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Some lost wages
- Home care expenses
- Funeral and burial expenses
What if the other driver is uninsured, or it was a hit-and-run in New Jersey?
If the at-fault driver is uninsured, underinsured or has fled the scene and cannot be traced, your injuries are severe, there is an optional insurance policy in your own policy that can cover the damages. This coverage is uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM).
UM and UIM coverage are designed to step in this situation, with the minimum limits set at $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury and $5,000 for property damage. Although the coverage is not a mandatory requirement for New Jersey drivers, it is automatically included when you choose a standard auto insurance policy.
Do I need a lawyer if the insurance company offered me a settlement already?
Yes, you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer when dealing with insurance companies. While the insurance company may try to make an early settlement, the amount may be significantly lower than what your claim may truly be worth.
An insurance company may use this strategy to minimize your payouts, and accepting one often prevents you from seeking further compensation. Therefore, hiring an experienced car accident attorney can help you investigate and negotiate for a fairer amount to cover long-term expenses.
Contact Our New Jersey Personal Injury Attorneys At Cockerill, Craig & Moore, LLC
Motor Vehicle accident cases can be deceptively complicated. Our years of experience in personal injury law have provided our car accident attorneys with the knowledge necessary to anticipate our opponents’ strategies and tactics.
To learn how we can help you and to discuss your case, contact our experienced Woodbury and Cherry Hill auto accident attorneys at Cockerill, Craig & Moore, LLC, in New Jersey today online or call us at 856-440-1231.