A Guide for Accident Preparedness in New Jersey

Driving in New Jersey should be an enjoyable experience. Whether driving on the coastline, traveling inland beside the farming communities, or crossing through metropolitan regions, wonderful scenery abounds in the Garden State.

Not so appealing are the sights of accidents on New Jersey highways. Unfortunately, anyone who drives in New Jersey sees an accident sooner or later.

The state is densely populated and entertains commuters from the neighboring states of Pennsylvania and New York.

Fears over being involved in an accident do come with the proverbial silver lining. Fear may prompt some to take the vital and necessary steps to prepare for an accident.

Being prepared is important because it leads to making decisions on how to react in an emergency. More preferably, the right preparation may support the goal of outright avoiding an accident.

If you are concerned about facing an accident in New Jersey and want to protect your car, compare at least three to four policies today! Enter your ZIP code above to find the best auto insurance for you!

The Inevitability of Car Accidents

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrPd3WOlGyE

Car accidents occur. The statistics tell the full tale. New Jersey is home to a population of 8.9 million people, which means a lot of drivers cramming roads in a relatively small state.

In 2015, 522 fatal car crashes led to 562 deaths. 80 percent of accidents occurred in urban regions which, likely, is due to the higher concentration of people and cars.

In the United States, roughly 37,000 people die in fatal car accidents per year. Fatalities are not as rare as the average person thinks.

In New Jersey, the overall number of car accidents reported to the police in 2015 was a staggering 270,000. Since this number only refers to the accidents reported to authorities, the actual number is really much higher.

Probably the most stunning fact is the revelation that auto accident fatalities in New Jersey are on the rise.

In 2016, the state saw a shocking increase in fatalities with the total number reaching 607 deaths.

Sooner or later, regardless of how carefully you drive, the chances of being involved in a car crash are significant. Prepare for the worst and accept the reality that sooner or later you will be involved in a car accident.

And prepare does mean prepare. Action must be taken.

How to Prepare for an Accident in New Jersey

Specific, important steps are best performed to make sure you are fully prepared before an accident strikes.

– Have Your Mobile Phone Charged and Handy

In the event of an accident, calling the police or an ambulance immediately may be necessary. If the battery on the phone goes dead, this complicates a stressful situation.

Always make sure the battery is fully charged before heading out on the road.

And keep the phone in a safe, easy-to-access place. Fumbling for the phone adds more anxiety to a difficult scenario.

– Know the Location of Your License, Registration, and Insurance Information

Don’t just toss important documents into the glove compartment or cram them in a wallet. Things can be misplaced this way.

Place the insurance ID and registration printout in a colored-marked carrying case inside the glove compartment.

Doing so makes spotting the items easier. And insert a driver’s license into the first plastic slot inside a wallet.

– Have an Emergency Kit

A number of helpful — critically so — items belong inside an emergency kit. Food, blankets, flares, jumper cables, and more should be stored in the trunk and elsewhere.

Accidents don’t always occur in broad daylight or in nice weather. An emergency kit may aid in dealing with less-than-desirable conditions.

– Be Ready to Document Everything

Recalling the events of an accident by memory won’t exactly be reliable. Nor do personal statements present the best evidence in legal proceedings or when submitting insurance claims.

Taking pictures and getting witness information and statements are more reliable.

A smartphone camera helps with the cause. Using a smartphone or a notepad to log notes works fine. Speaking to witnesses and the police and also checking whether everyone should be performed efficiently as well.

– Carry the Proper Car Insurance

Financial repercussions and car accidents are almost inseparable. Vehicle damage, medical bills, and, yes, wrongful death all come with severe costs.

Purchasing the right insurance policy, a policy capable of delivering vital financial protections is a must.

Any driver who has not look at three or four decent car insurance quotes over the past six months should do so right away. Searching online makes it possible to quickly acquire the necessary three or four quotes.

In New Jersey, there are specific minimum requirements for auto insurance coverage. The basic policy in this no-fault state are:

• $5,000 in Property Damage Liability
• $15,000 in Personal Injury Protection

Adding even more coverage to an auto insurance policy is possible as well. Three additional forms of coverage include:

• Collision Insurance – Pays for losses incurred when a driver damages their own vehicle in an accident. An at-fault driver who totals their car won’t likely recover from the loss without collision coverage in place.
• Comprehensive Insurance – Covers non-accident losses such as fire, theft, acts of nature, and more. Comprehensive is worth purchasing for those who worry about any damage inflicted on their car from circumstances out of anyone’s control.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage – Covers you if you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver.

Buying uninsured or underinsured motorist protection adds more financial protection options. Look at the prices of this coverage option when examining quotes and, more importantly, take a close look at how the coverage delivers financial protections.

Examining one’s net worth and collective of assets is important before deciding on an amount of auto insurance. Being underinsured is the equivalent of being poorly protected from a financial standpoint.

At the Scene

Certain responsible steps are required at the scene of an accident:

• Don’t admit fault
• Examine and document the damage
• Call the police
• Call the insurance carrier
• Call an attorney if necessary

Calling the police is necessary when significant damage has been inflicted to property and/or personal injury takes place. The police’s accident report becomes evidence in legal/insurance proceedings.

Contacting your insurance provider without delay is necessary to access the protections of the policy. Do not, however, speak to the other’s party insurance company without a representative from your insurance provider or an attorney.

Getting in An Accident Without Insurance

Not carrying insurance in New Jersey creates a lot of problems. In the no-fault state of New Jersey, no insurance means no personal injury protection claim to process.

Anyone who causes an accident might be held personally liable for the damages, which means a civil judgment could be levied.

Financial devastation may result.

New Jersey also places a limited right to sue, which cuts down on legal options for procuring funds to pay for losses. The right to sue further compounds the problems associated with not having insurance coverage in place.

The penalties for driving without auto insurance in New Jersey are severe. The state considers no auto insurance a serious violation of traffic laws.

And those caught driving without insurance end up paying a lot more for insurance if they are even able to find an insurance provider willing to cover them.

For these reasons and many more, it is wise to acquire the right level of insurance coverage. And take extra steps to prepare for the unfortunate incident of an accident. This way, a correct and timely response can be performed without hesitation.

Looking to better insure your car while in New Jersey? Enter your ZIP code below and start comparison shopping today to find the best rates for you!