Roads and highways in New Jersey are packed with commuter traffic, trucks and out-of-state visitors. As the most densely populated state, New Jersey has more than its fair share of traffic, which means that in-state drivers have a higher-than-average risk of being involved in a car accident. New Jersey is one of several states to adopt a no-fault insurance law for auto accidents. This statute, known as the Automobile Insurance Cost Reduction Act of 1998, is designed to prevent most accident injury cases from entering the court system. Theoretically, this enables injured drivers and passengers to receive compensation for injuries and lost wages faster.

Careless drivers, speeders and individuals who talk on their cell phones while driving are responsible for causing a large number of accidents. In New Jersey, your insurance company is responsible for covering your emergency medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident.

Auto accidents in Monmouth and Ocean Counties

In Monmouth and Ocean counties, the annual number of auto accidents is staggering. Each year, there are between 16,000 and 20,000 accidents per county, and roughly 3,700 to 4,300 accidents cause serious injuries. In 2011, the state recorded more than 90 cell-phone-related accidents in Ocean County and more than 144 phone-related accidents in Monmouth County — a 10-fold increase in one decade.

As an auto accident victim, you are automatically entitled to personal injury protection benefits if you have an auto insurance policy with limited litigation coverage, under New Jersey's no-fault statute. If you or another passenger suffered permanent injuries, disfigurement or dismemberment, you have the right to sue the other driver under New Jersey's no-fault laws. As a general rule, you will be required to satisfy your deductible and a 20 percent co-pay for emergency medical care and pre-certified treatment as deemed medically necessary.

If you need help recovering compensation or deciphering the benefits of your auto insurance policy, contact an experienced accident injury attorney in Ocean or Monmouth County. At the Law Offices of Robert Olkowitz, P.C., we can help.