Many individuals who are injured in car, truck or bus accidents in New Jersey often feel lost and confused after the accident. Most do not know what to do or where to start. Many questions and concerns go through their minds, such as:
- Who is going to pay for my medical bills?
- Does my car insurance cover my medical expenses?
- If I can’t work for a period of time, can I get my lost wages back?
This article is the first part of a series of articles discussing New Jersey car accident law and no fault law or what is commonly referred to as “personal injury protection” (PIP). This series will also discuss the legal rights of those injured in car or truck accidents pursuant to New Jersey no fault law. N.J.S.A. 39:6A-1 et seq.; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8.
New Jersey Car/Truck Accident Lawyer Discusses PIP
New Jersey is a no-fault state. This means that regardless of fault, the injured victim’s own car insurance company pays for his or her medical expenses for bodily injuries suffered in a car accident. N.J.S.A. 39:6A-1 et seq.
PIP not only covers medical expenses, it also covers other things such as wage loss sustained as a result of the car accident.
For example, driver 1 was rear-ended on the AC Expressway by driver 2. Driver 1 was seriously injured and needed medical treatment. There was no question that driver 2 was at fault. Despite the fact that driver 2 was at fault for causing the car accident, driver 1’s car insurance company is responsible for paying medical bills up the amount purchased, which is usually $250,000 under a standard PIP policy.
In order to make a claim for PIP benefits under your car insurance policy, 3 prerequisites must be met:
- there must be a valid policy which provides PIP benefits;
- the claimant must be a member of one of the classes intended to receive PIP benefits per the car insurance policy; and
- the claimant must show that he suffered injuries in an accident as a result of operating or using the car covered under the insurance policy.
In some cases, there may be an issue as to whether there is a valid car insurance policy in effect on the date of the car accident. The driver will have issues as to PIP eligibility if there are lapses in coverage. Thus, the insured driver is not entitled to PIP. It is important to note that even if an insurance company denies PIP benefits citing a lapse in coverage, a New Jersey car accident lawyer should be consulted as soon as possible.
What to do After a NJ Car or Truck Accident-Getting Medical Bills Paid
Therefore, if you were injured in a car accident on a New Jersey highway such as the AC Expressway and require medical treatment, make sure that you provide your car insurance information at the hospital.
Oftentimes, injured victims give their personal health insurance to pay for the medical treatment when they should use their PIP benefits from their car insurance.
New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer with Over 35 Years of Experience in Car and Truck Accidents
The Law Office of Philip T. Ciprietti places the interests of their clients first in all matters. Since 1982, Mr. Ciprietti has been certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney. He is an experienced personal injury lawyer who has helped many injured car and truck accident victims in New Jersey. If you were injured in a NJ car, truck or bus accident, contact Mr. Ciprietti for a free initial consultation. 800.281.8695
In addition to helping residents of New Jersey in all types of accident cases, Mr. Ciprietti also represents residents of other states such as Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, and Virginia who are injured in car, truck or bus accidents while driving in New Jersey on the NJ Turnpike, AC Expressway, Interstate 295 or the NJ Garden State Parkway.
*Disclaimer: Every case is unique and you should not take any action or make decisions in your case without speaking to a qualified car and truck accident lawyer in New Jersey. This website page does not provide any legal advice or create any attorney-client relationship. Use of the contact form on this website or emailing Mr. Ciprietti does not create any attorney-client relationship. In addition, confidential information should not be sent through the contact form.