If you were injured in a car accident in New Jersey, you are likely concerned about how you will pay for your car repairs, medical bills, and other losses. The damages you may be able to recover after an auto accident depend on your insurance coverage and the circumstances surrounding the crash.
No-Fault Insurance Benefits
New Jersey is one of a dozen states that uses a no-fault system for car accidents. This means that car accident victims file claims with their own insurance companies, regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
Under this system, all drivers in the state must carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which pays for their own medical bills and other specified losses caused by a car accident. The minimum amount of PIP insurance is $15,000, but you can purchase PIP insurance that provides up to $250,000 in coverage.
PIP insurance pays for necessary medical treatment, such as:
- Surgeries
- Emergency treatment
- Diagnostic tests
- Medicine
- Therapy
When you purchased PIP insurance, you selected whether you wanted a basic or standard policy. This will affect whether you can recover other damages associated with the car accident. If you purchased a standard policy, you may be able to recover compensation for economic losses, such as:
- Reimbursement for lost income
- Rental car costs or other transportation costs
- Payment for replacement services
You cannot recover compensation for these losses under a basic policy.
Third-Party Claim Damages
When you purchase insurance in New Jersey, you decide whether you want to retain an unlimited right to sue or have a limited right to sue option. If you choose the unlimited right to sue option, you can sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering for any injury you suffer. Your PIP coverage pays for your other damages, up to your policy limits.
If you choose the limited right to sue option, you can only sue for pain and suffering if you suffer one of the following permanent injuries:
- Loss of a body part
- A displaced fracture
- Loss of pregnancy
- Permanent injury, in which a body part or organ has not healed to function normally and will not do so with further medical treatment
- Significant disfigurement or scarring
- Death
The other driver’s liability insurance policy can pay for various damages when you step outside the no-fault system, including medical expenses, property damage, and out-of-pocket costs.
Contact a Cherry Hill Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Review
The damages you can recover and the value of your car accident claim will depend on various factors, including the severity of your injuries and the costs associated with the accident. An experienced Cherry Hill car accident lawyer from Aronberg, Kouser, Snyder & Lindemann, P.A. can evaluate your claim, review your insurance coverage, and fight for the compensation you deserve from all avenues of recovery. Contact us today to get started with a free consultation.
