If you or a loved one recently endured a personal injury accident, you may be suffering from physical hardship, financial consequences, and other losses as a result of the injury. If so, filing a claim for compensation may not only be beneficial, but necessary. Hiring an experienced and skilled attorney that is right for you will help you get the compensation you deserve.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney
If you were involved in an accident, it may have occurred as a result of negligence by another person or entity (or even more than one other person or entity). If you were left injured, in pain, and suffering financially, you may have a personal injury case. Monetary damage may include medical expenses – such as physical therapy, medication, and surgical procedures – as well as lost wages and other expenses that arose as a result of your injury. Perhaps you could not drive a car or cook and clean for a period of time and had to pay others to take care of these tasks.
The best way to confirm whether you have a personal injury case is by speaking with an experienced attorney who will help you determine the best course of action and amount of compensation you might be awarded, based on the outcomes of other similar cases. A law firm specializing in personal injury will also help you file your claim correctly and in a timely manner, and improve your chances of winning your claim and receiving compensation. Additionally, while some personal injury cases can be settled without going to court, an attorney will represent you whether in negotiations with insurance company representatives or arguing your case in court.
Although life may get chaotic following a personal injury accident, and understandably so, it’s important to start searching for a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an injury. Not only is this true because receiving your rightfully owed compensation could be crucial to your livelihood, but because you will need to take action before the statute of limitations expires. The “statute of limitations” is the period of time between your accident and the latest date possible you may file a claim for compensation. There is no way to negotiate or work around this length of time. Hiring a personal injury attorney as soon as possible is crucial because they can properly prepare for your case and will have enough time to act on your behalf.
Finding the Best Personal Injury Attorney in New Jersey
With so many personal injury attorneys to choose from, you might be wondering, “How can I find the right personal attorney for me?” Or, “What should I be thinking about in order to find the best personal injury attorney?”
Choosing a personal injury attorney may seem daunting and even stressful. However, knowing how to navigate this process and which questions to ask will help narrow down your search.
Word of Mouth
Starting with a web search right out the gate can be overwhelming and ultimately lead you nowhere. Asking friends, family, and peers if they can recommend any good personal injury attorneys in New Jersey may be a better place to start. You might be surprised to receive a few options. Asking other attorneys you might know for recommendations is also an option. If you are able to get names of personal injury attorneys, you can then use the internet to investigate further and compare law firms.
Consultations
After you have established a list of potential personal injury attorneys, call to set up consultations with each of them. Most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations. If they do not, they are most likely not right for you. These meetings are a great way to discuss your case and determine whether a particular firm or attorney is the right one for you. Some may specialize in specific types of personal injury or malpractice, which is an important detail to consider as well.
Before going into a consultation appointment, make sure you have the details of your accident organized. Additionally, bring copies of all relevant documents, including police reports, medical records and bills, proof of financial losses, and communication with insurance companies. Having all of this information ready for review will enable the attorney you are meeting with to spend more time discussing legal strategy, implications, and goals. It is also crucial that the attorney you are meeting with has all the information you can provide them, so they can develop a plan of action, and determine what type of fees they’ll charge.
The best way to determine whether a personal injury attorney is right for you during these consultations is to ask questions. Good questions to ask include:
- What is your area of expertise?
- How long have you been practicing law/personal injury law?
- What percentage of the cases you take on are personal injury cases?
- What experience do you have with cases like mine?
- What possible claims do I have in my case?
- Can my case go to trial?
- If I lose my personal injury claim, will I have to pay case related fees?
- Do you usually handle plaintiffs or defendants in personal injury cases?
- Who would be handling my case? Would it be the attorney you are meeting with in the consultation or would the attorney you are meeting with delegate the case to another attorney?
Past client experiences, attorney credentials and track record, success record, and schedule availability are also points you can inquire about or find on the law firm’s website.
You should also discuss what type of outcome you are looking for. You can tell the attorney you’re speaking with what you’d like to get from a settlement. Perhaps it’s an amount with as few costs to you as possible, a higher sum than what the insurance company has already offered, or even the highest settlement amount possible regardless of the time it takes to get it.
After discussing your case thoroughly and the steps you can take, you may be able to gauge whether the attorney can help you, what type of compensation you’re likely to be offered, and how strenuous the process might be. Take note of how attentive they are with you, how organized they are, and whether they hesitate before answering any of your questions. Small details like these can be revealing.
Do Your Research and Trust Your Instincts
Filing a claim for compensation is a serious matter and may be the only way for you to live normally and comfortably again. Choosing an attorney that is a good fit for you and vice versa will contribute to a successful relationship and outcome. The right attorney will ensure you get the compensation you deserve for your losses and help to reverse the impact the accident has had on your life. Ultimately, gathering information and following your instincts are the two most important aspects to finding the best personal injury attorney for you.
Why Hire Us?
At Rosenblum Law, our dedicated and trusted professionals have decades of combined experience handling personal injury claims. We’ll listen to you, review relevant documents, and suggest the best strategy for you to recover compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our attorneys.