Paramus is located in the heart of Bergen County and offers residents and visitors alike many opportunities for shopping, entertainment, and easy access to New York City. As the area’s busiest hub, there is an increased risk of human error and accidents that can leave people injured. Negligence is a common factor in these types of accidents, and our Paramus personal injury lawyers can help you navigate the legal process if you have been a victim.
At Seigel Law, our firm is dedicated to helping you get justice when you have been wrongfully harmed. Our firm handles a variety of case types and complexity levels, so you have support when you are at your most vulnerable. Our Bergen County personal injury law firm provides exceptional and customized service so you can get the kind of results you need and deserve. Your rights are protected, and your interests are prioritized throughout the entirety of your case.
Premier Injury Representation in the Heart of Bergen County
Paramus is a borough that boasts a thriving commercial center that attracts visitors from all over. It is also a crossroads for many major highways and thoroughfares. However, if you have been injured by negligent parties in Bergen County, Seigel Law can provide high-quality, trusted representation to help you navigate your case. Our Bergen County personal injury law firm has an established office located in Ridgewood and is ready to fight for our clients.
Our firm carefully evaluates and investigates the cases we take on so we have a comprehensive understanding of what you are facing and what strategies are suited to the particular needs of your case. We work diligently to collect evidence and build a case that effectively and efficiently holds negligent parties accountable. Seigel Law has extensive experience handling a wide array of cases and knows how to adapt and skillfully negotiate maximum compensation.
Embedded in our community, we have a vast network of resources. We have also built solid relationships with various professionals in Paramus and within the Bergen County Justice Center. We leverage these relationships and our legal knowledge to optimize your case for a favorable outcome that allows you to rebuild your life.
Retail & Mall Injuries: Premises Liability in Paramus
As a popular retail center, residents and guests have many options when it comes to shopping in Paramus, including the Westfield Garden State Plaza, Bergen Town Center, and Paramus Park Mall. These retail centers regularly welcome thousands of visitors and expect to safely shop without worry of injury. However, if property owners fail to stay on top of regular maintenance or take care of hazards that develop, they could put guests in danger.
The Responsibility of Property Owners
Property owners and businesses have a responsibility to ensure safety and maintain their premises by preventing or fixing damaged or slippery surfaces, broken railings or machinery, poor lighting, and more. If they fail to do so, guests could suffer from slip, trip, and fall injuries, falling objects, elevator or escalator accidents, injury or violence due to negligent security, overcrowding, and parking lot accidents.
Given the high volume of traffic in these places, property owners must remain extra alert to conditions.
How a Shopping Mall Injury Lawyer Can Help
If you are injured because a property owner was negligent and failed to take reasonable action about a known hazard, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to hold them accountable. A shopping mall injury lawyer in Paramus can review your case and your rights to determine how to proceed. Individuals are owed a different level of care depending on whether they are an invitee, like a shopper, a licensee, like an independent contractor, or a trespasser. This influences the extent to which they can be held liable.
Property owners may also try to avoid taking responsibility for an accident. They may claim that you were being careless or reckless, that they were unaware of the hazard that caused the accident, or that the hazard was open and obvious to any reasonable person. To make sure that property owners are held accountable for acts of negligence, hiring a shopping mall injury lawyer in Paramus can be an invaluable asset and ensure strong claims for shopping mall and supermarket injuries.
Navigating the Most Dangerous Roads in Paramus
Nicknamed “the crossroads of Bergen County,” Paramus is a transportation hub that regularly experiences high traffic volume from motorists and commercial vehicles traversing the county, state, or traveling to and from NYC. The two most notable roads in Paramus are Route 17 and Route 4. While they are conducive to accessible travel, these routes pose several significant risks to all kinds of motorists since the roads cannot fully support the amount of travelers using them.
What Makes Route 17 and Route 4 So Dangerous
These routes are subject to high traffic volume on a regular basis, which can increase traffic congestion and irregular traffic flow. These factors can contribute to vehicle accidents, especially if motorists fail to remain alert and react quickly. Routes 4 and 17 also have complex interchanges where they intersect, which can further elevate the risk of car, truck, and motorcycle accidents in Paramus. Additionally, speeding, aggressive driving, distractions, and poor road conditions can also contribute to crashes.
Navigating these and other roads throughout the state requires motorists to drive defensively and use caution at all times. If a collision occurs, a car accident attorney in Paramus, NJ can investigate the cause of the collision to determine what factors were involved so at-fault parties can be held responsible for any acts of negligence. Crashes along these routes can be particularly severe or even fatal, so legal support can help you streamline an accident claim and help you recover your losses faster.
How to Strengthen Your Car Accident Case
To ensure your claim is as strong as possible, it’s important to get medical attention after an accident to treat your injuries and document the scope of your condition. Be sure to file a police report so there is an official record of the event, and visit the Paramus Borough police records website to request a copy of the completed report. Gathering other forms of evidence, such as photos and witness statements, helps a car accident attorney in Paramus secure more favorable compensation in your case.
Overcoming the “Comparative Negligence” Defense
When personal injury accidents occur, insurance companies generally pay for the damages victims sustained. In car accidents, victims generally file a claim with their own insurance company under their personal injury protection (PIP) coverage since New Jersey is a no-fault state for collisions. In retail and other types of accidents, the at-fault party is generally responsible for paying for damages. Depending on the type of accident you’ve suffered, you may or may not have to establish negligence.
Establishing Negligence
As the name implies, no-fault auto insurance allows you to recover compensation for medical expenses and lost wages without having to show the other party’s negligence.
On the other hand, other types of personal injury claims require you to show that the at-fault party owed you a duty of care, breached their duty, and caused an accident for which they are liable for damages. In these cases, victims can recover damaged property and pain and suffering in addition to medical expenses and lost income.
Comparative Negligence in New Jersey
Regardless of who is paying, insurance companies often use a variety of strategies to avoid paying for your losses. A common tactic they use is to blame you for the accident you suffered so they can pay you less or nothing at all.
Under the state’s modified comparative negligence laws (New Jersey Statute 2A:15-5.1), compensation is reduced or barred based on a party’s contribution to the accident. Parties cannot recover damages if they are 51% or more at fault, and damages are reduced proportionally below this threshold.
Whether you are partially at fault or are being blamed by the insurance company, overcoming the comparative negligence defense requires you to have a strong case and a considerable amount of evidence. This helps to ensure the correct party is held liable so you do not lose compensation for fault you did not commit.
$6.1 Million Result in Bergen County: A Legacy of Success
Getting results is critical for offsetting your losses after a personal injury accident. Seigel Law has a long legacy of success and has secured a $6.1 million victory for one of our past clients in Bergen County. They suffered a stroke due to medical malpractice that left them disabled.
We have also secured case results for Bergen County residents ranging from $1 million to $17.9 million. Every case is unique, and our firm works diligently to get you maximum results based on your specific circumstances.
Why Hiring an Award-Winning Paramus-Area Firm Matters
Personal injury accidents can cause ripple effects throughout your life that can create immense challenges. When you are suffering because of another party’s negligence, or you’re unsure about how to proceed with a legal claim, Seigel Law is here to help you. We serve residents throughout Paramus and New Jersey, and help them get maximum results from the losses they’ve suffered.
Why Choose Seigel Law for Your Personal Injury Case
Hiring an award-winning firm provides you with the support you need and ensures that you have confidence and peace of mind in the team representing you. Our firm has more than 800 five-star reviews from satisfied clients, and has received the following recognition and awards:
- Recognition by Super Lawyers
- The Top 100 Trial Lawyers award by The National Trial Lawyers
- AV Preeminent® Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence award from Martindale-Hubbel®
- Recognition by the Multi-Million dollar Advocates Forum
When you have suffered losses and the stability of your future is on the line, having a highly skilled firm standing behind you can make all the difference. With the help of our experienced Bergen County personal injury law firm, you do not have to handle the legal process alone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Cases
I fell at a Paramus mall. What is my first step when taking legal action?
If you fell at a mall in Paramus, you should prioritize medical attention and reporting the accident. These steps ensure that your injuries are treated swiftly and that the accident is documented for insurance and evidence purposes. Keep these records to use in your case, and gather other forms of evidence as well. Photos, videos, and witness statements can also support your account of events.
Consult a shopping mall injury lawyer in Paramus for additional support throughout the legal process.
How long does a car accident lawsuit take in Bergen County?
Resolving a car accident can range from a few months to over a year, depending on the complexity of your case. When taking on your case, a car accident attorney in Paramus, NJ can estimate the amount of time it may take based on the unique circumstances of your case. Keep in mind, though, that these estimates are just that, and complications can arise that could cause delays.
Also, there is a two-year statute of limitations on filing a claim, so take action as soon as possible.
Does Seigel Law offer free consultations for Paramus residents?
Seigel Law offers free consultations for clients who want to learn more about their legal options and rights, as well as how Paramus personal injury lawyers can help them resolve their case.
During your consultation, we can evaluate the viability of your case, discuss its strengths, weaknesses, and deadlines, answer your questions, and discuss case strategies and approaches for securing a successful outcome. We also provide information on our contingency fees that allow you not to pay unless we win your case.
Contact Our Personal Injury Attorneys Near Paramus, NJ
Seigel Law protects your rights and fights for you throughout your personal injury case to ensure that you have an ally looking out for your interests. We aggressively pursue justice and accountability when you’ve been involved in accidents at retail centers, on the roadways, and elsewhere throughout Paramus. To schedule a free consultation with our Paramus personal injury lawyers, contact our law firm online.