After any motor vehicle accident, it’s important to handle interactions with the other driver in the right manner. At Gold, Albanese & Barletti, LLC, our legal team has handled thousands of motor vehicle accident cases, and these tips from our attorneys can help you stay calm and protect your rights after an accident.

At The Accident Scene

Immediately following a motor vehicle accident, you may feel frightened and angry. Once you have checked that everyone in your vehicle is okay (including yourself), ask the other involved parties how they’re doing. Losing your temper can lead to unnecessary conflict and miscommunication—if you feel agitated, take some deep breaths and compose yourself before speaking to the other driver. Taking photos and notes or just sitting in your car can also help you calm down and distract you from the chaos.

While it’s important to keep your cool, do not take responsibility for the accident or make any statements such as “It was my fault,” while talking with the police or others who may have been involved in or witnessed the accident. Make sure to politely ask for other driver’s insurance information, address, phone number, driver’s license number and license plate number. It’s also a good idea to get contact information and statements from any witnesses.

What To Do If The Other Driver Asks To Avoid Insurance

In some instances, a driver may want to pay you directly for the damage to your vehicle to avoid filing an insurance claim. Failing to report an accident to your insurance company can backfire, even if the damage to your vehicle is minor. Injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents may not manifest themselves until days or weeks later; or the other driver may change his or her mind and end up suing you for damages.

If a driver asks you not to contact the insurance companies, politely decline. Even if the other driver did not file a claim with his or her insurer, your insurance company will contact the other party’s insurer after you file a claim. At this point, contacting an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney is vital—unfortunately, insurance companies are in the business of making money and both your own and the other party’s insurer may not have your best interests in mind.

After The Insurance Claim Is Filed

After you’ve filed a claim with your insurance company, you should not have any further contact with the other driver. If the driver contacts you for any reason, refer him or her to your attorney or insurance adjuster. Negotiating or discussing the accident without the assistance of a professional could cause serious trouble for you down the road.

Contact A Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been the victim of another driver’s negligence, don’t let your frustration get in the way of recovering compensation for your damages. Our attorneys at Gold, Albanese & Barletti, LLC, will protect your rights and work to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us online or call 732-936-9901 to schedule a free consultation.

Inclement weather such as snow, slush, sleet, hail and ice on the road can present formidable challenges when you get behind the wheel in the winter. These conditions can make it difficult to see, cause vehicles to slide and hinder a driver’s ability to slow down and stop, increasing the chances of an accident.

How to Drive Safely In Winter Weather

Be prepared. Before cold weather strikes, it is essential to make sure your vehicle is in good working order. Top off all fluids, especially antifreeze/coolant and windshield washer fluid. It’s also a good idea to check tire pressure, lights, windshield wipers, and your spare tire and jack before hitting the road.

Put together a roadside emergency kit that includes blankets, a first aid kit, road flares, jumper cables, a flashlight with extra batteries, and a small tool kit. Keep a working cell phone and charger in your vehicle, but do not use it while driving.

A shovel, cat litter, and sand are useful during the cold winter months if you need to dig your car out of the snow or get traction if you encounter icy roads. Keep your gas tank at least half full so you can run your engine and stay warm if you get stranded. Always check to make sure that your exhaust pipe is not blocked with snow, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning when you run your vehicle. Open your window slightly to help prevent any buildup.

Pay attention to the weather. Sign up for alerts or check road and weather conditions on local news stations, weather sites and apps to see what’s happening outside before you leave. If going out isn’t absolutely necessary when the weather gets bad, stay home.

Use extreme caution on the road. Before you embark on any journey, clear all of the snow and ice off your car completely, including hood, roof, and trunk. Drive with your headlights on, and keep windows, mirrors, and lights clear to improve visibility.

Bear in mind that speed limits are meant for dry roads and ideal weather conditions. Pay close attention to your surroundings, reduce your speed and increase your following distance in inclement weather. Slow down and drive cautiously on bridges and overpasses, as they are the first areas to become icy.

Our Skilled Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys In New Jersey Can Help

If you have been injured in an accident, our experienced motor vehicle accident lawyers in Red Bank, NJ can assess your case and help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact Gold, Albanese & Barletti, LLC, at 973-326-9099 to learn more or to schedule a free consultation.

Driving on the road with tractor-trailers and other large vehicles can be nerve wracking. Due to their substantial weight and large size, trucks can cause serious injuries and fatalities when they are involved in accidents with smaller vehicles. There are a few things to keep in mind when driving near big trucks. Staying aware and knowing how to share the road can help you safely arrive at your destination.

Keep a safe distance. Avoid tailgating or cutting in front of large vehicles. Tractor-trailers, box trucks, buses and other large vehicles require significantly longer stopping times and distances than smaller vehicles.

Avoid driving in a truck’s blind spot. A blind spot is an area that is not visible by a driver when he or she looks in side or rearview mirrors. Most trucks have large blind spots on the sides and directly in front of and behind them. Spend minimal time in these areas when you are driving near or passing a truck.

When you are following a truck and can’t see its side mirrors, the driver most likely can’t see you. In addition, if a truck is behind you and you can’t see its mirrors reflected in your own, the driver is probably unable to see you. If a truck is trying to pass you, slow down slightly to make it easier for the truck to go around you.

Do not pass trucks that are turning. “This vehicle makes wide turns” is on the back of most large vehicles because they do make much wider turns than smaller vehicles. When making a wide right turn, a truck driver may not be able to see cars directly behind or beside them. Attempting to pass on the left or cutting to the right of a turning truck can cause an accident.

Obey road signs and traffic laws. You should always practice safe driving habits when you’re behind the wheel. Pay attention to posted speed limits, slow down in inclement weather, keep a safe distance and pass on the left. Avoid aggressive or distracted driving and running red lights. Driving carefully, consistently, and predictably makes it much easier to stay safe on the road.

If You Have Been Injured In An Accident With a Large Truck, Our New Jersey Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys Can Help

If you have been involved in an accident with semi-truck or other large vehicle, our skilled New Jersey motor vehicle accident attorneys can help get you the compensation you deserve. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, contact Gold, Albanese & Barletti, LLC at 732-936-9901.

Car accidents can be physically, emotionally and financially damaging. After an auto accident, insurance companies need to discern who is at fault, as this will determine who is awarded damages and how much compensation each party receives. Understanding how insurance companies determine liability can help you to avoid paying unnecessary damages.

Insurance companies are in the business of making money. Whether you are at fault for an accident or the other party is responsible, both insurance companies’ top concern is paying as little compensation as possible.

How Is Fault Determined?

In general, insurance companies determine fault based on the state’s legal definition of negligence.

Under New Jersey law, negligence is defined as “a party’s failure to act as a reasonable person would, or failure to exercise the “degree of care for the safety of others” which a “person of ordinary prudence” would exercise under “similar circumstances.”

How To Protect Yourself From Auto Accident Liability

File a police report. A police report plays a key role in helping insurance adjusters determine what happened. Law enforcement’s official version of what transpired is considered more reliable than the versions of those involved which often conflict with one another and reflect personal biases.

Do not admit fault at the scene. Be honest and state the facts about what happened, but avoid saying things like “I’m sorry,” or “this was my fault.” Even if you think you’re at fault, the cause of your accident may be something you’re unaware of, like a driver who suddenly swerved into another lane, causing a chain reaction that led to your accident. Let the authorities and insurance companies objectively determine who was liable for the accident.

Gather evidence. The evidence you gather at the scene of an accident can help insurers calculate the degree of fault. Take photos, detailed notes and gather information from other drivers and witnesses. This will help to support your case and give insurers the information they need to determine who was at fault.

Our Experienced Auto Accident Liability Attorneys In New Jersey Can Help

If you have been involved in a car accident and are unsure about the next steps you should take, the experienced auto accident liability attorneys at Gold, Albanese & Barletti, LLC, can assess your case and advise you on the best course of action to take. Contact us at 732-936-9901 today.

Auto accidents can occur in many different situations. Regardless of the circumstances, if you are injured it is vital to seek medical attention and make sure that your rights are protected.

Rear-end collisions are the most common type of auto accident in the United States. They occur when a vehicle crashes into a vehicle in front of it. The injuries of the occupants of the vehicle that is rear-ended are usually more severe than those in the car behind. Harmful injuries such as whiplash and back injury can occur even if both cars were traveling at moderate speeds.

Side-impact collisions, sometimes called T-bone collisions, side-impact collisions occur when a vehicle is hit broadside by the front or rear of another vehicle. Occupants sitting on the side where the vehicle is struck often suffer grave injuries such as trauma to the head, neck and spine, broken bones and severe internal injuries. Of course, no two car crashes are alike, and many variables come into play: where the vehicle was struck, the vehicle’s weight, construction and safety features and the speed of the vehicles involved.

Sideswipe collisions happen when the sides of two parallel cars hit and “swipe” each other. If either driver loses control, vehicles may run off the road and hit objects or people in their paths, resulting in severe vehicle damage, injury or death.

Vehicle rollover accidents happen when a vehicle flips over onto its side or roof. Any vehicle can roll over, but vehicles such as SUVs are at a a greater risk of rollover due to a higher center of gravity. Vehicle rollovers can result in fatal injuries, especially if occupants are not wearing seat belts.

Head-on collisions occur when the front ends of two vehicles hit each other in opposite directions. Head-on collisions are often fatal.

Multi-vehicle collisions, or pile-ups, are one most deadly types of traffic accidents. They usually occur on highways or freeways, and may involve many vehicles. Tractor trailers are often involved in multi-vehicle collisions, increasing the likelihood of injury or death to those in vehicles that are impacted.

Our Experienced Auto Accident Compensation Attorneys In New Jersey Can Help

If you have been injured in an accident, the experienced legal team at Gold, Albanese & Barletti, LLC, can assess your case and help you get the auto accident compensation you deserve. Contact us at 732-936-9901 today.