Bergen County Personal Injury Lawyers

What to Do After an Accident in Bergen County

No matter what the cause, suffering an unexpected accident can be shocking, emotional, and incredibly painful. Any thought of what to do next can easily be swept aside in the trauma of the moment. However, knowing what to do next can help get you through these moments, ensure your safety, and protect your ability to file an accident claim. Steps to take include:

• Calling 911 and receiving medical attention
• Filing a police report with law enforcement
• Exchanging information with the other party involved
• Take photos and videos
• Get contact information from witnesses who may have been present
• Hire a personal injury lawyer near you
• Notify your insurance company and submit a claim to the at-fault party’s insurance
• Avoid using or discussing your case  on social media

These steps are incredibly important not only for your health, but also to protect yourself from the insurance company. Insurance does not want to pay out any more than they have to, so they may use various tactics to avoid paying you. They may delay your claim, blame you, lowball you, make offers too early, or deny your claim.

One approach they may use is to try to get you to make a statement, in the hopes that you will take responsibility for the accident so they do not have to pay you. They could even use this against you. However, you are not obligated to provide a statement, and should decline any such requests from insurance. You should also not apologize or admit fault in any way, as this could also be used against you.  Hiring a lawyer is the most effective way to be protected from the insurance company.

Bergen County Personal Injury Lawyer: Cases We Handle

Seigel Law is known for only handling personal injury cases and fighting for you when you have been injured. Personal injury law covers a wide variety of accidents, and our team has extensive knowledge and experience handling these cases and getting results. We get to know you, thoroughly investigate the accident, and aggressively fight to make sure you receive help regardless of what type of accident you have been in. Some common personal injury cases we handle include: 

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Premises liability cases
• Slip and fall accidents
• Dog bite injuries
• Workers’ compensation
• Nursing home injuries
• And more

Our New Jersey personal injury lawyers are your allies throughout the entirety of your case. Your well-being, safety, and future are important to us, and we handle your case with the care and attention it deserves. When you work with Seigel Law, you never have to question if you are in good hands. We provide you with customized, trusted counsel that addresses your circumstances and the nuances of your case type.

Car Accidents Around Bergen County: Evidence that Strengthens Your Claim

Car accidents are a common type of personal injury case we handle. To ensure you have a strong claim, our New Jersey car accident lawyers work diligently to gather evidence to strengthen your claim and ensure negligent and reckless drivers are held accountable. Evidence can include medical records, photos, police reports, self-reporting crash forms, witness statements, and more. A personal injury attorney can also get evidence such as surveillance footage, expert testimonies, vehicle data, and more.

Slip and Fall & Premises Liability 

Falls are among the leading causes of injuries and fatalities. If you experience a slip and fall accident because a property owner failed to take care of their property, you may be able to file a claim against them and hold them liable for negligence. Stores, parking lots, and sidewalks are common places where these accidents may occur. Under premises liability laws, property owners are responsible for the care of all parts of their property and can be held liable for your injuries if they fail to fix property hazards. 

Dog Bite Injuries in New Jersey: Liability Basics and What to Document

Dog owners are responsible for controlling their dogs and preventing them from causing injuries, especially if the dog has any aggressive tendencies. When dog bites occur, owners can be held strictly liable for injuries regardless of their dog’s history. If a dog bites another person, then dog bite laws require the dog to be quarantined for 10 days before an evaluation is conducted. A personal injury attorney can help you file a claim if you have suffered injuries from a dog.

What Compensation Can Include

No matter what type of personal injury accident you have suffered, the resulting losses have the potential to be staggering. Expenses stack up quickly and may outweigh the resources you have to cover them. One of the primary benefits of filing a personal injury claim, though, is that you can hold the negligent party responsible for paying for your losses once their liability is established. The damages they owe you may cover several of your losses, which may include:

• Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
• Medications, accommodations, and equipment
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Property damage costs
• Death benefits
• Pain and suffering
• Diminished quality of life
• Inability to enjoy activities
• Mental and emotional distress
• Loss of consortium or companionship

A Bergen County personal injury lawyer can help you determine which losses can be covered and how much they are worth. To reduce pushback from the insurance company, we can craft a demand letter that shows all of your losses, both present and future, their value, and how much compensation you are requesting to offset your losses. We also fiercely negotiate for you until we reach a settlement agreement that you are satisfied with. Our team is also prepared to go to court if necessary to get results. 

How the Claim Process Works

Understanding how the claim process works makes personal injury claims feel less overwhelming and helps you feel more confident throughout the process. Personal injury lawyers in Bergen County prepare you for what to expect at the beginning of your case and continue to provide guidance throughout. When we handle your claim, we follow the process outlined below. 

Investigation

We start by investigating what occurred during the accident so we can understand what factors were involved. We also use this time to gather evidence that demonstrates the losses you suffered and supports your claim that another party caused your injuries. This is an important phase for building a strong case. 

Demand

To ensure you receive a settlement that is fair and encompasses all applicable losses, we carefully calculate the value of your monetary losses and your pain and suffering. We also talk to reconstructionists and medical experts as needed to understand the long-term effects and future expenses associated with your losses. We put all of this in a demand letter and submit it to the insurance company so they can review the full scope of your losses as they process your claim. 

Negotiation 

We negotiate with the parties involved to make sure that you do not receive a lowball offer or a denied claim. We also make sure that you do not take on blame for the accident that was not yours. Our lawyers are skilled communicators, and we know how to effectively talk to parties on your behalf. As such, individuals who hire lawyers generally receive more favorable outcomes in their cases. 

Litigation

Litigation is often used as a last resort if the insurance companies refuse to offer you a fair settlement or if at-fault parties don’t take responsibility for their actions. While our team is prepared to go to court if it means getting you better results, we try to use alternative dispute resolution methods before moving to this option. Litigation is often lengthy, expensive, public, and can be more of a risk.

Why Choose Seigel Law for Bergen County Personal Injury Claims

When you choose Seigel Law to represent you, you get a team that exclusively focuses on personal injury accidents, so we can better serve clients like you. We have a deep knowledge of personal injury law that allows us to hone in on the issues affecting your case and create targeted strategies to provide solutions and overall results. We tailor our approach to the circumstances you’re facing and prepare you for what to expect along the way.  

Additionally, you pay no fee unless we secure compensation in your case. This means that you can hire a personal injury attorney to represent you when you need one the most. We understand that this is a difficult time in your life, and we make sure that you do not have to fight on your own. We manage all the logistics in your case as well as fight for you so you can focus on getting the care you need and recovering from your injuries. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Lawsuits

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in New Jersey?

If you wrongfully suffered harm in an accident, New Jersey generally allows you two years to file your claim according to 2A:14-2. However, some cases may have shorter or longer time limits associated with them. It is important to talk with a personal injury lawyer near you as soon as you can about the applicable statute of limitations in your case so you do not miss out on the ability to file a claim. 

What if I’m partly at fault? Can I still recover compensation in New Jersey?

If you are partly at fault for the accident, you may still be able to recover compensation as long as you were 49% or less at fault for the accident. In these situations, any damages you recover will likely be reduced by the percentage of fault you contributed to the accident. Parties who are 50% or more at fault are barred from recovering their losses in a personal injury case.

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?

Many personal injury firms, Seigel Law included, work on contingency fees. This means that your lawyer only gets paid if they win your case. Attorney fees are generally paid out of any settlement or verdict you are awarded in your case. This payment model ensures that you have access to legal support when you need it the most without the added financial stress. 

Should I talk to the other party’s insurance adjuster after an accident?

You should avoid talking to the other party’s insurance adjuster so you can protect yourself and your case. Insurance adjusters often try to get you to make statements that they can then later use against you. They also try to get you to accept a settlement before you know the extent of your losses. All contact with the insurance company should be handled by your lawyer for favorable results. 

Contact Our Bergen County Personal Injury Attorneys Near You

Seigel Law is ready to fight for you and protect you when another party has caused you harm. We help you shoulder the burden you are carrying and secure compensation to help you move forward with your life. We take the time to answer your questions and provide guidance every step of the way. For a free case review with our personal injury lawyers in Bergen County, NJ, contact our law firm today.