What to Do if I Was Involved in a Car Crash With a Minor in NJ?

If you are involved in a car accident with a minor (person under the age of 18) in New Jersey, your rights and responsibilities remain largely the same. Start by ensuring physical safety and checking for injuries. Follow that with a call to 911 to report the accident.

When it comes time to seek an insurance settlement, it may be wise to consult with a New Jersey car accident attorney to help you navigate the legal process. A claim can be challenging if it involves an injured child or an at-fault teen driver.

Check for Injuries and Get Medical Attention

Pull your vehicle over in a safe location, out of the way of surrounding traffic. Check yourself first, then check others in your vehicle for physical injuries. Always get medical care after a car crash in New Jersey. A hospital visit can provide you with the treatments you need and strengthen your insurance claim.

If a minor was in the car with you at the time of the accident, take the child in for a checkup without delay. The child may have invisible injuries that he or she cannot communicate to you. A comprehensive medical exam can diagnose pediatric injuries and lead to prompt medical care.

Call the Police

When it’s safe, exit your vehicle to find out if anyone in the other car has been injured. If a teen driver is unconscious or appears injured, call 911 immediately to request paramedics. As with any car accident, you should notify the police immediately after a collision with a minor involved.

The police can visit the scene of the accident to investigate and draw up a detailed police report. This document can serve as key evidence during the insurance process or a personal injury claim. It can show proof that the minor committed a traffic infraction at the time of the crash, for instance, such as texting while driving or driving without a license.

Gather Information Before Leaving the Scene

Before you leave the scene of the car accident, gather important information and potential evidence that you can use to support your insurance claim. Start by exchanging information with the other driver.

If the driver is a minor, make sure to write down the names of his or her parents or legal guardians. Get their address and phone number, as well. It is the parents who can ultimately be held vicariously liable for your accident, not the minor.

You should also capture images of the accident scene. Use your cell phone to take pictures of the surrounding roadway, traffic signs and signals, weather conditions, and both vehicles involved. Write down your police report number before you leave.

Seek Financial Compensation

New Jersey is a no-fault car insurance state. This unique law means that your first option for financial coverage is a claim with your own car insurance policy, regardless of fault. If your child was injured in the accident, your insurance will cover his or her medical bills as your family member.

Depending on the type of car insurance policy you purchased and the severity of your injuries, you may have the right to file a claim or lawsuit against the other driver. If the other driver is a minor, your claim will go through his or her parents’ or legal guardians’ insurance company instead.

Know When to Contact a Car Accident Attorney

Car accident cases involving minors – whether they are behind the wheel or injured vehicle passengers – can come with unique issues and challenges. It can benefit you and your family to consult with a New Jersey personal injury attorney for assistance before handling the claims process.

It is especially important to hire a lawyer if someone suffered catastrophic injuries or if an insurance company is not cooperating. If your child suffered a traumatic brain injury or permanent spinal cord injury, for example, an attorney will fight to collect maximum compensation on your family’s behalf.