Atlantic County is located in the state of New Jersey, and had a population of 274,534 as of the 2020 census.  It includes Atlantic City and is one of New Jersey’s iconic tourist destinations, especially in the summer, when traffic peaks.

Being in an auto accident is scary and stressful. You can be forgiven for not knowing what to do in the immediate aftermath of one. Most people don’t. There are a few basic steps you can take, however, to maximize your chances of coming out of the situation as safely, and inexpensively, as possible.

First things first, you’ll want to make sure that you get yourself, and everyone else involved, out of harm’s way. Get out of the flow of traffic – and get your vehicle out of the way, if possible – and secure any necessary medical attention for yourself and others.

Call the police and report the accident, even if it appears to be relatively minor. They’ll help document the scene and create a record of the incident in their systems.

Obtain driver’s license and insurance information for every involved driver. If the other driver refuses to provide this information, make a note of their exact words.

Photograph your car, the other involved vehicles, the roadway, and anything else you think might be relevant to someone trying to gather information about the accident at a later time. Get as many angles and distances as possible (but don’t wander into traffic while you’re busy taking photos!).

Take notes about the conditions of the road, the weather conditions, visibility, and the condition of the other driver. Be careful to note if the other driver appears intoxicated, sleepy, or impaired, and note the observations that lead you to believe that.

Contact an Atlantic County car accident lawyer as soon as its feasible. You may not think you need a lawyer just yet, but only a skilled and experienced personal injury can properly advise you on the next steps you should take. Be especially sure to contact a lawyer before agreeing to or signing any settlement offer from an insurance company or speaking to the other involved parties (or their lawyers).

Be careful to avoid apologizing for or admitting fault in the accident to anyone else. Words like these can later be held against you in court. There will be time for that later. For now, focus on your safety, the safety of others, and protecting your legal interests.

The skilled attorneys at Mazie Slater have a long and storied history securing significant settlements and verdicts on behalf of their clients involved in major motor vehicle accidents in Atlantic County and the state of New Jersey. They recently obtained a $3.9 million settlement (details confidential) for a woman struck by a vehicle in New Jersey, as well as many other damage awards and settlements for victims of serious negligence committed by other drivers.

It can be tough to know for sure if you need a lawyer following a car accident. But we strongly recommend that, before taking any action by yourself, you dial (973) 228-9898 and ask for a free consultation from one of the talented car accident attorneys at Mazie Slater. We’ll talk you through your legal rights and responsibilities and help identify any issues that might come up at a later date. We can also represent you, should the need arise, in any legal proceedings taken on your behalf.