Car Accident Victim Representation For Ocean And Monmouth Counties

Most of us in New Jersey are careful, attentive drivers because we want to reach our destination safely. It is the few people on the road who put the rest of us in danger of serious injury with their reckless or negligent behavior.

Ocean And Monmouth Counties Car Accident Lawyers

Bedell & Stripto is one of the top personal injury law firms in Ocean County. We take action to obtain maximum financial compensation for car accident victims. Donald Bedell and Jeff Stripto are experienced and aggressive trial lawyers who are prepared to help you get payment for your car crash injury.

Common Types Of Car Accidents In New Jersey

• Single vehicle crashes
• Multivehicle collisions or pileups
• Speeding, aggressive driving accidents
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Wrong turns at intersections
• Rear-end collisions
• Head-on collisions
• Side-swipes
• T-bone collisions
• Distracted driving accidents

The Consequences Of Negligent Car Accidents

Car accidents happen every day in New Jersey. They can appear minor at first but actually cause significant injuries. Or, the accident can be significant from the start, causing a serious, permanent injury.

The injuries may include:

• Spinal injury to the neck or lower back
• Neck or back surgery
• Brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Herniated or bulging disk in the neck or back
• Neck injury
• Back injury
• Amputation
• Impingement of the nerve or spinal cord in the neck or back
• Radiculopathy or radiating pain
• Numbness and tingling in the arm or leg
• Torn meniscus in the knee
• Fractured tibial plateau of the knee
• Arthroscopic surgery of the knee
• Torn rotator cuff in the shoulder
• Torn labrum in the shoulder
• Arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder

Personal injury law can be complicated, especially when it comes to establishing the precise cause of the injury. Prior conditions or prior injuries to a body part will complicate the case, but it can be handled effectively with the right knowledge from Bedell & Stripto.

As experienced personal injury attorneys, Mr. Bedell and Mr. Stripto have handled hundreds of car accident cases. They will aggressively pursue a successful trial verdict or settlement with the defendant’s insurance company – whatever it takes to help you pay your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, disability, impairment, loss of enjoyment of life and other damages.

Whiplash Is One Of The Most Overlooked Car Accident Injuries

Whiplash is a common injury following vehicle collisions across New Jersey. This type of spinal injury happens when your head and neck quickly snap back and forth, similar to a whip’s movement, during a crash’s impact. While many people dismiss whiplash as a minor inconvenience, this neck injury can lead to serious, long-term health complications if not properly diagnosed and treated.

The forceful movement damages muscles, ligaments, tendons, discs and nerves in the cervical spine. Whiplash is particularly dangerous because symptoms often do not appear immediately after an accident. Many car accident victims we advocate for feel fine at the scene, only to experience debilitating pain and complications hours, or even days later.

Whiplash symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include:

• Neck pain and stiffness that worsen with movement
• Loss of range of motion in the neck
• Headaches that typically start at the base of the skull
• Tenderness and pain in the shoulders, upper back or arms
• Tingling or numbness in the arms and hands
• Fatigue and dizziness
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering
• Sleep disturbances and irritability

Since whiplash affects the spinal column, untreated injuries can progress into chronic conditions requiring extensive medical treatment, physical therapy and potentially surgery. The cervical spine houses critical nerves that control various body functions, making proper diagnosis and treatment a must to prevent permanent damage.

Many accident victims we represent attempt to manage their symptoms at home with over-the-counter medications and rest. However, this approach can be detrimental to your health and your potential legal case. Medical professionals need to conduct proper imaging and examinations to determine the full extent of spinal damage and rule out more serious injuries like herniated discs or nerve impingement.

Seeking immediate medical attention after a car accident protects your health and legal rights. This is because insurance companies often argue that delayed medical treatment indicates minor injuries, potentially reducing your compensation. Our lawyers’ comprehensive medical documentation from the onset strengthens your personal injury claim and helps ensure you receive appropriate treatment for your spinal injury.

Car Insurance Policies In New Jersey

Auto insurance is mandatory under New Jersey law. Drivers must have insurance and can choose from various policies, adjusting them based on their needs.

Different insurance companies offer various packages and deals, but you can obtain the coverage required by law with the basic policy. This policy can provide fundamental accident and injury coverage at a lower overall cost.

It can include:

• Property damage liability: Mandatory, it provides up to $5,000 per accident for claims and lawsuits by people whose property is damaged by the policyholder.
• Bodily injury liability: Optional, this addition can provide up to $10,000 for all, per accident. It covers insurance claims and lawsuits filed by those injured in an accident caused by the policyholder.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM): Optional, but adding it can protect against costs involving accidents where the liable party has no insurance or insufficient coverage.
• Personal injury protection (PIP): Mandatory in New Jersey and provides up to $15,000 per person, per accident, for injuries sustained by the policyholder or others – regardless of who caused the accident. For certain severe injuries, coverage can soar up to $250,000.

These mandatory and optional auto insurance components provide injured victims and policyholders with various forms of coverage:

• Bodily injury liability covers the cost of claims and lawsuits for injuries caused by the policyholder.
• Property damage liability covers the cost of claims and lawsuits for property damage caused by the policyholder.
• PIP covers injuries to the policyholder or others involved in an accident, regardless of fault.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage helps to recoup costs from accidents where the liable party lacks sufficient insurance or flees the scene.
• Collision coverage applies to damages to the policyholder’s vehicle from collisions with other vehicles or objects.
• Comprehensive coverage addresses noncollision-related damages to the policyholder’s vehicle, such as theft, vandalism, flooding, fire, broken windshields and even collisions with animals.

We can offer informed guidance on which policies make the most sense and will provide the coverage you need for car accident injuries and legal issues.

Answering Your Questions About Car Accidents

We know how many questions our clients have surrounding car accidents, and we want to take the time to address some of those questions here:

How common have road fatalities been in recent years?

According to NJ.gov, in 2020, 587 people died from car accidents, with the number of victims increasing to nearly 700 in 2021 and 2022. These fatalities are so prevalent that they have become the second leading cause of unintentional death in both the United States and New Jersey.

Which counties are more likely to see a fatal car accident?

Some counties, either because of population, environment or other factors like road conditions, are more prone to fatal injuries than others. According to NJ.gov, the New Jersey counties that have seen the most fatal car accidents as of the end of 2022 are, in descending order:

• Middlesex County
• Burlington County
• Camden County
• Essex County
• Ocean County
• Monmouth County
• Gloucester County
• Bergen County
• Atlantic County
• Union County
• Mercer County
• Passaic County
• Cumberland County
• Morris County
• Salem County
• Somerset County
• Warren County
• Hudson County
• Cape May County
• Sussex County
• Hunterdon County

Although some areas experience more frequent auto accidents, it’s important to remember that an accident can happen anywhere. Regardless of the location of your crash, Bedell & Stripto is ready to help.

What is the right-of-way for traffic?

New Jersey traffic laws don’t define specific right-of-way rules but instead outline when vehicles should yield. At intersections, drivers must yield to vehicles that are already there and to those on their right when entering simultaneously. Left-turning vehicles must yield to oncoming traffic. All drivers must yield to emergency vehicles using signals.

Moreover, drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and exercise caution even when pedestrians cross elsewhere. According to the New Jersey Safe Passing Law, bicyclists have the same rights as motorists. In roundabouts, entering vehicles yield to those already in the circle.

These laws promote safe traffic flow, and all road users should remain alert and prepared to yield when necessary to prevent accidents.

We hope these FAQs provide some insight into your current situation. For more tailored legal advice, don’t hesitate to contact us today.

What is comparative negligence?

Comparative negligence is a New Jersey rule that explains how the law assigns fault after a car accident by weighing each driver’s actions, decisions and conduct leading up to the crash. The law does not assume that one driver caused the crash alone. Instead, it assigns each party a percentage of fault based on driving behavior before and during the collision.

Insurance companies use this rule when they evaluate car accident claims. Adjusters review police reports, scene photos, vehicle damage, witness statements and medical records. They analyze this information to decide how much responsibility each driver carries. That percentage then shapes how much compensation the insurer may offer.

Your share of fault has a direct effect on recovery. When you hold partial responsibility, the insurer reduces your compensation by the same percentage. A driver with 20% fault may recover 80% of damages. A driver with 40% fault may recover 60%. When a driver carries more fault than the other party, New Jersey law may block recovery from the other driver.

Insurance companies often focus on comparative negligence because fault arguments reduce payouts. Adjusters look closely at driving choices made before the impact. They may point to actions such as:

• Speeding beyond posted limits
• Using a phone or other distractions
• Making unsafe lane changes
• Delaying braking before impact
• Failing to yield at intersections

Even small increases in assigned fault can lower compensation in meaningful ways.

Comparative negligence applies to injury claims and property damage claims. Medical bills, lost income and pain-related damages all fall under fault allocation. Early documentation matters. Police reports and prompt medical care help explain how the crash occurred and reduce disputes over responsibility later in the claim process.

Safe driving plays an important role in this system. Obeying traffic signals, maintaining safe speeds and staying alert reduces injury risk and legal exposure. Even when another driver causes the crash, unsafe conduct can still increase personal fault and reduce available compensation.

Understanding comparative negligence helps drivers see how insurers evaluate claims. It also explains why fault discussions matter after a car accident. This knowledge encourages safer driving habits and helps protect financial interests when collisions occur.

Protect Your Right To Compensation

If you have been badly injured in a car accident, you have a limited time to take legal action. For a free legal consultation, please call our office at 732-348-3439 and schedule an appointment. We can also be reached via email.