If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed, especially when you’re in pain, unsure of your legal options, and not sure what to do next.
At Lipari & Deiter, we understand how traumatic and life-altering a crash can be. One moment you’re driving home from work or heading to the shore, and the next, you’re dealing with medical appointments, insurance adjusters, and questions about your long-term health.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Serious car accidents happen every day on roadways across South Jersey, including the Atlantic City Expressway, Black Horse Pike, and the Garden State Parkway.
The steps you take in the hours and days after a collision can significantly impact your physical recovery and any future injury claim. In this article, we’ll walk you through five important actions to take after a serious crash in South Jersey to help protect your health, preserve your rights, and set yourself up for a stronger legal case.
1. Prioritize Your Safety and Get Medical Help
After any crash, especially one involving high speeds or significant damage, your health must come first. You may feel fine initially, but symptoms like whiplash, internal injuries, or concussions often take time to appear.
If you’re able, take these immediate steps:
- Call 911 right away. Emergency responders can assess injuries, secure the scene, and file a police report.
- Accept medical treatment at the scene, even if you think your injuries are minor.
- Go to the ER or urgent care as soon as possible if you’re not transported by ambulance.
Prompt medical attention not only protects your well-being. It also creates a clear medical record that connects your injuries to the crash. This record can become essential if you file an insurance claim or pursue legal action later. Delays in treatment often give insurance companies room to question whether the accident really caused your injuries.
2. Document the Crash Scene and Gather Evidence
Once your immediate medical needs are addressed, try to gather as much evidence as possible. Even a few quick photos or videos can help support your case later. In New Jersey, any crash involving injury, death, or more than $500 in property damage must be reported to police. Most serious accidents meet this threshold.
If you’re able and it’s safe:
- Take photos of the damage to all vehicles, traffic signs, skid marks, road conditions, and your injuries.
- Get names and contact info for any witnesses.
- Note your location, including intersections, road names, and landmarks (e.g., "Route 40 near the English Creek Ave intersection").
Stay at the scene until law enforcement arrives. When speaking with officers:
- Stick to the facts.
- Avoid apologizing or making guesses, even casually (“I didn’t see them coming” or “Maybe I was going too fast”).
- Ask how to get a copy of the police report, which will become a key part of your insurance or legal claim.
This step is especially important after crashes on high-traffic South Jersey roads like the Black Horse Pike or Garden State Parkway, where emergency crews often clear the scene quickly. On busy routes like these, evidence can disappear in minutes. Even if the police document the basics, your own photos and notes can help preserve critical details that may otherwise be lost.
3. Be Cautious With Insurance Companies
Soon after the crash, you may get a call from the other driver’s insurance company, or even your own. While they may seem helpful, insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts.
Common tactics include:
- Asking for a recorded statement before you fully understand your injuries
- Offering a quick settlement that doesn’t cover long-term medical costs
- Trying to shift blame or suggest your injuries aren’t serious
You are not required to speak with an insurance adjuster right away, and it’s often best to wait until you’ve consulted a lawyer. Saying the wrong thing, even unintentionally, could hurt your ability to recover fair compensation.
4. Don’t Delay. Preserve Your Legal Rights
New Jersey gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. But waiting too long can jeopardize your case. Evidence can be lost, witnesses may become harder to contact, and insurance companies may use delays to challenge your claim.
Talking to an attorney early gives you the best chance to:
- Protect your legal rights
- Preserve important evidence
- Avoid missing critical deadlines
Even if you’re unsure whether you want to file a lawsuit, getting legal advice early can help you understand your options and make informed decisions.
5. Talk to a South Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer About Your Accident
A South Jersey personal injury lawyer can take the pressure off your shoulders by dealing with insurance companies, gathering evidence, and helping you build a strong case for compensation. Depending on the facts of your accident, you may be entitled to damages for:
- Emergency medical treatment and hospital bills
- Follow-up care, physical therapy, and prescriptions
- Lost wages and reduced future earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Damage to your vehicle or personal property
- Long-term disabilities or impairments
At Lipari & Deiter, we’ve represented clients injured in serious car accidents across Atlantic, Cape May, Ocean, and Delaware Counties. We’re familiar with the roadways that pose the greatest risks, including Route 40, Route 322, and the Garden State Parkway, and we know how to hold negligent drivers accountable. If you’ve been hurt, we’re ready to help you take the next step forward with confidence.
Your Next Step Matters
The hours and days after a serious crash can be confusing and stressful. But you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you’re dealing with a long recovery, mounting medical bills, or a complicated insurance claim, talking to a lawyer can help you take control of your situation.
If you’ve been hurt in a crash, contact Lipari & Deiter today for a free, no-pressure consultation. We’ll listen, answer your questions, and help you understand your next steps. You don’t need to have all the answers...Just someone you can trust to help you take the first step.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different, and you should speak directly with an attorney about your unique situation. Reading this article does not establish an attorney–client relationship.