Somerset County Personal Injury Lawyers

Local Legal Expertise for Somerset County Injury Victims 

At Seigel Law, we have spent decades fighting for injury victims in Bridgewater, Franklin, Somerville, and across Somerset County. Our case results for previous clients tell the story of our commitment to securing maximum compensation, beyond what insurance companies may offer. In addition, we are proud of our 5-star Google reviews from over 800 individuals. 

We Focus on Client Needs

We believe in educating our clients so they can make well-informed decisions about how to proceed with their cases. During your initial free case review, we discuss what happened and provide possible options. If we accept your case, we will get to work and remain available to answer your frequently asked questions about your claim’s value and our procedures. 

Strong Ties to the Local Community

Our team is proud of the strong relationships we have built with the public servants in the Somerset County Courthouse on North Bridge Street. We also have local expertise in car accident hotspots, common slip-and-fall areas, and workers’ compensation laws for workplace accidents. Our attorneys investigate, prepare, and litigate your case with your interests and financial relief as our priority, providing peace of mind as you recover. 

The Risk of Underinsured & Uninsured Motorists in New Jersey

New Jersey uninsured motorist claims can be complicated to unravel and frustrating to settle. New Jersey state law requires all drivers to purchase and maintain the following auto insurance policies:

• Damage Liability: This coverage pays for any harm to another driver’s vehicle or personal items. 
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Under New Jersey’s no-fault system, your PIP policy pays for your medical costs if you are hurt in a car accident. You do not have to demonstrate who was at fault to file a claim. 
• Uninsured/UnderinsuredMotorist (UM/UIM): This policy pays for your medical bills and property damage if the person who hit you has no insurance or too little to cover your costs for New Jersey uninsured motorist claims.

Challenges in UM/UIM Claims

When a driver without insurance hits you, obtaining a settlement from your insurance provider can be challenging. This is especially true for hit-and-run accidents where you cannot find the reckless driver. You must present evidence showing that you have injuries (medical records and receipts), as well as damage to your vehicle (auto repair estimates and photos). 

The insurance adjusters may push back on paying New Jersey uninsured motorist claims to reduce what they owe you, but you can still get compensation when the other driver is uninsured. A skilled car accident lawyer from our firm will collect additional evidence, such as traffic and dashboard camera video, police reports from the Somerville Police Department, and statements from witnesses. We are skilled negotiators who put your needs first.

If the other side will not compromise with us, we will prepare your case for trial and notify the other party of our intent to sue. This action frequently encourages a return to the table and a better offer that meets your needs. If the other driver has no coverage, we can help you assess the potential value of filing a personal injury lawsuit against them individually to recover your losses from their assets. 

Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Personal Injury Claims

With an exciting range of industries in Somerset County, including advanced manufacturing, cosmetics and personal care, and film and TV production, residents are at risk of workplace injuries that bring the need for seasoned legal representation. Under the New Jersey Department of Labor workers’ compensation insurance program, employees who are hurt or become ill on the job have the right to file for benefits.

Seeking Compensation After an On-the-Job Injury

You cannot sue your employer, but you can secure payment for your medical costs and part of your lost wages if you suffered injury while working. You must report your injury immediately to your manager or supervisor to remain eligible for a claim, and your employer can choose the doctor you see. If needed, you can consult with a workplace accident lawyer at Seigel Law for guidance on your claim. 

If a third-party, such as a contractor, visitor, or vendor, caused your injury, you do have the right to sue them separately. You may also be able to secure workers’ comp benefits at the same time, but your workplace accident lawyer in Somerset County will need to review the circumstances and advise you. 

Proving Negligence in Somerset County Intersections

Every personal injury claim revolves around showing who is negligent. This is especially true for car accidents in locations like Route 22, Route 202, and the Somerville Circle. As major routes for trucking and commuter traffic, Routes 22 and 202 are home to major crashes on their own, and are very risky where they intersect. The Somerville Circle can be confusing to navigate, leading to multiple accidents regularly.

Showing what happened to insurance adjusters or in court relies on evidence such as:

• Photos of your injuries and property damage
• Witness statements
• Footage from NJ traffic cameras and other sources
• Auto repair estimates
• Medical bills
• Expert testimony

Comparative Negligence and Its Effect on Compensation

Under New Jersey’s comparative negligence rule, fault can fall on multiple parties for a personal injury, including you as the plaintiff. If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot seek compensation. The other side will try to put as much blame on you as they can, so your car accident attorney will use powerful evidence that minimizes your fault.

Proving the other party is negligent can make a big difference in recovering as much as possible. If you are found 20% to blame, it reduces your settlement or jury award by that same amount. At Seigel Law, we only get paid when you win, so we fight diligently to obtain the maximum amount for you. 

Why a Somerville-Based Firm Makes a Difference 

While your Somerset County personal injury lawyer will manage the majority of your case, you must still play a crucial part as the client. Your attorney can act on your behalf, but only when you are fully aware of your possible actions and make the choice for yourself. By working with a Somerville-based law firm, you can more easily connect with us for regular strategy meetings to update you on your case.

A local firm also gives you the advantage of a legal team that has handled cases in the Somerset County Courthouse before, working with the same staff, clerks, and judges. While these relationships do not mean we can guarantee certain outcomes, they allow us to better assess your case’s potential outcome, based on our knowledge of how judges rule and what juries prefer.

Calculating the Value of Life-Changing Injuries

Your Somerville personal injury attorney will add up any bills you already have as a base for your damage demands, but your future expenses may amount to even more. It is vital that your legal team carefully assess how much you may need to maintain your care and adjust to a new normal after life-changing injuries.  

There is no legally mandated method, but most Somerset County personal injury lawyers rely on one of two techniques to produce a projected care plan and its costs. They do this by collaborating with your doctors and other medical experts, plus considering inflation and other financial factors. These methods are:

Additional Expenses Method

If your injuries are serious, but your doctors expect you to fully recover, your attorney will assess how much your life will change during your healing period and the expenses associated with those changes. For example, if you suffered two broken legs but will regain mobility, you will need intense caregiving during that time and may be unable to work, requiring compensation for those losses.

Your lawyer can calculate how long your recovery should take with help from your care team. They will adjust your damage demands to account for your return to full health, but account for any harm to your career for your time out of work and other impacts on your life. 

Total Lifestyle Method 

Suppose you lost both legs instead of merely breaking them, ending your career, and requiring extensive physical therapy. Another example would be suffering serious traumatic brain injuries or lung damage from toxic fumes, significantly impacting your physical and emotional health. You may also require lifelong, round-the-clock care and have a diminished quality of life. 

In these situations where you may not fully recover and must adopt a completely new and limiting lifestyle, your Somerset personal injury attorney can craft a detailed care plan that includes your care, modifications to your home and vehicle, and the effect on your family and other relationships. 

Additional Factors Affecting Your Case’s Value

With life-altering injuries, your legal team will also calculate many factors, including all available insurance policy coverage. They also take into account elements such as your age and health status, your life expectancy before and after the injury, and projected increases in medical care.  

Your lawyers will also emphasize and put a value on the mental anguish of losing your ability to pursue career or personal goals, care for and guide your children, and retain your independence. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Cases

What should I do if the insurance company offers a quick settlement?

We rarely advise clients to take the first settlement offer the insurance provider makes, because it is usually not very high. The company may be trying to close the claim quickly before you discover the full extent and cost of your injuries. A smart course of action is to review the offer with your personal injury attorney, present your evidence and receipts, and negotiate for an appropriate amount. 

You can also delay accepting an offer until you have a better idea of what your future medical costs will be. Ultimately, the goal is to secure adequate compensation so that you are not left with unpaid bills. Once you sign the document accepting an offer from the insurance company, it is nearly impossible to go back and demand more. 

How does the “discovery rule” affect my statute of limitations?

The standard statute of limitations in New Jersey allows two years to file your lawsuit from the date of your injury. However, New Jersey also uses the “discovery rule,” which primarily applies when you did not realize you were hurt until later, such as in medical malpractice claims.

Under the discovery rule, the timeline to file does not begin until you discover,  or should have discovered, that you were hurt and that someone caused your harm by negligence.

Other factors that could affect your statute of limitations include whether the at-fault party acted fraudulently or concealed their actions that harmed you. Your Somerset County personal injury lawyers at Seigel Law will verify how New Jersey law applies to your case so you can file on time. 

Can I sue for a workplace injury in Somerset County?

Whether you can sue for an injury with the help of a workplace accident lawyer in Somerset County depends on the details of your accident. Since nearly all companies in New Jersey must carry workers’ compensation insurance or be self-insured, your first option is to file a workers’ comp claim. Part of the purpose of workers’ comp insurance is to avoid lawsuits, so if you file a claim, you cannot sue your employer for a workplace injury.

However, if you are hurt due to actions by a third party, you could have the right to file a lawsuit and recover full compensation. You may be able to do this in addition to receiving benefits from your workers’ compensation insurance, but consult with your Somerville personal injury attorney to be sure. 

Contact Our Somerset County Personal Injury Attorneys Near You

If you’ve been seriously hurt, don’t go it alone and don’t settle for less than your claim is worth. Seigel Law is here to help you maximize your compensation and avoid being lowballed by insurance companies. We’re ready to be your advocates. Contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation with our Somerset County personal injury lawyers.