How Do You Know When to Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm?
Getting hurt in an accident can be unsettling and overwhelming. In New Jersey, personal injury and accident victims may be entitled to pursue financial compensation by filing a claim, regardless of the at-fault party. However, many victims are often confused about the next steps to take, whether to file claims on their own or reach out to a personal injury law firm.
With over 40 years of extensive legal experience, our lawyers have the skill and resources to represent and support clients in their accident cases. In addition, our seasoned New Jersey personal injury attorneys will evaluate every detail of your case, help you understand your possible options to seek damages, and attempt to recover the maximum available compensation for your injuries.
Personal Injuries
Personal injury comprises any kind of physical injury or actual harm to a person caused by someone else's negligent, careless, or wrongful actions. Here are some common examples of personal injuries:
Motor vehicle accident injury
Dental accidents
Slip and fall accident
Truck accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Workplace injury
Premises liability
Pedestrian accidents
Medical malpractice
Wrongful death
Product liability
Repetitive strain injury
Defamation—libel and slander
Fire explosion
Assault, battery, and other intentional torts
Dog bites and other animal attacks
If you or someone you know has sustained a personal injury from someone else's negligent actions, you need to reach out to a trusted personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Your legal counsel can evaluate all of the surrounding facts of your unique situation and guide you through the personal injury claims process.
No-Fault vs. Fault State
In a no-fault state, the injured person is required to turn to their own insurer (PIP policy) to seek medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket losses, regardless of the at-fault party. Conversely, in an at-fault state, the person who caused the injury or accident will be held financially and civilly responsible for medical costs, property damages, and other accident-related losses suffered.
Furthermore, New Jersey is a no-fault state for personal injuries and auto accidents. Under the state's no-fault system, you will turn to your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage to recover medical benefits and other out-of-pocket losses incurred, up to the policy limits, notwithstanding who caused the injury or accident.
However, if your insurance policy includes a "limited right to sue" and your injuries meet the statutory threshold, you may be able to step outside the no-fault system and file a third-party claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party. An experienced attorney can evaluate the extent of your injuries and determine whether you should file an injury claim or lawsuit.
Knowing When to Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm
When a personal injury or accident occurs, the victims may be uninformed about what to do and how to file their insurance claims. However, it is often advisable that you contact a reputable personal injury law firm immediately to handle your injury claims or lawsuit.
Here are some crucial reasons to contact a personal injury law firm after an accident or injury:
You Don't Know Your Options
Additionally, being involved in an accident can be an emotional experience, and you may be unsure about your possible legal options to recover damages. In such situations, you need to get in touch with a personal injury law firm straight away. An experienced attorney can explore your available options to seek compensation and help decide the right choice for your personal situation.
Injuries Are Serious
Often, serious or catastrophic injuries require continued or future medical treatments, rehabilitation, or surgery. As a result, you are advised to fully recover or reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) before negotiating or accepting the insurer's settlement offer. Your legal representative can examine the magnitude of your injuries and help you recover the maximum available benefits.
Dealing With Insurance
Filing insurance claims and dealing with the insurer after an injury can be complicated. Some deceitful insurance carriers may propose a ridiculous first settlement offer, deny or delay your claims unnecessarily, or try to negotiate using bad-faith tactics. Thankfully, a lawyer can handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf and help you achieve an improved settlement.
Things to Ask a Personal Injury Attorney
Here are some vital questions to ask a prospective attorney before hiring them for your personal injury case:
Can you handle my case?
What are your honest assessments of my case?
What is the estimated value of my case?
Have you handled a case similar to my situation before?
How long will it take for you to settle my case?
Will I cover the case-related costs if I lose my claims?
Will you be able to dedicate sufficient time to my case?
Will my case go to trial?
What is my role in the lawsuit?
Do you work on a contingency fee basis?
The attorney's response to these questions will help guide you toward hiring the right personal injury lawyer to handle your injury claims.
Don't Face Your Injury Alone
When involved in an accident, retaining a practiced personal injury attorney can make a significant difference in your claims. From our office in Morristown, New Jersey, we serve those throughout the state of New Jersey, New York, and Boston, Massachusetts. At The Law Offices of Gold, Albanese & Barletti, LLC, we are committed to offering vigorous representation and reliable advocacy to clients in their personal injury and accident cases.
As your legal counsel, we can review and investigate every aspect of your personal situation thoroughly and help file your claims. Also, our attorneys will fight vigorously to protect your rights, help pursue your rightful financial compensation, or take additional legal action where possible.
Contact us today to schedule a simple case assessment with highly-skilled personal injury lawyers. Our trusted legal team can guide you through the often-complex claims process and help you pursue your deserved financial justice.