Another party’s negligence has the potential to haunt you for the rest of your life. From lingering pain to a decreased ability to provide for your family, a personal injury accident can affect you long after your initial recovery. To minimize this impact on your life and face the future with peace of mind, it is important to consult our personal injury lawyers near Hackensack, NJ. We have the necessary experience to negotiate a fair settlement for your current and future losses.
At Seigel Law, we have been helping clients get results since 1976. Our firm leads with integrity and has the experience and track record to protect your rights, hold at-fault parties liable, and secure a fair settlement. We handle a variety of cases and treat everyone with respect and dignity. When you need legal advice, we are ready to fight for you.
What to Do After an Accident in Hackensack
After an accident, the steps you take next are important and time-sensitive. When you go to submit your claim, you want to have confidence and peace of mind that your claim is as strong as it can be, so you can get the resources you need to recover. This means doing the following:
- Get medical care right away to ensure your safety and document the extent of your injuries
- Report the accident to law enforcement and any other applicable parties, so there is a record of the event
- Carefully document your damages by taking photos/videos of the scene, injuries, and other losses
- Exchange information with at-fault parties and witnesses so you can file a claim and get statements to use as evidence
- Hire an experienced personal injury lawyer near you who can advocate for you with the insurance company and other applicable parties
- Submit your claim and evidence so you can initiate the process to recover compensation
Taking these steps can save you a lot of time by streamlining your case and minimizing the risk of obstacles that could delay your claim or jeopardize your outcome. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the sooner you have an ally who can help you with the logistics, case management, and communications in your case.
Hackensack Personal Injury Lawyer: Types of Cases We Handle
If you have been injured because another party was acting negligently, then you have likely suffered a personal injury accident. These events can span a wide array of situations and be impacted by different factors. Seigel Law possesses a deep understanding of this area of the law and how to get results regardless of your situation. A few of the case types we handle include:
- Car accidents
- Large truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Premises liability accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dog bite injuries
- Product liability accidents
- Workers’ compensation injuries
These are just a few of the types of accidents we can help you with, and are by no means an exhaustive list. If you have suffered harm because of someone else, we want to help you fight back and get the justice you deserve. Talk to one of our personal injury lawyers to get advice and support that is specific to your situation.
Car Accidents in/near Hackensack: Building a Strong Claim Against the At-Fault Driver/Insurer
Car accidents happen all too often in the U.S. The most recent data on motor vehicle accidents shows that collisions contributed to 5.1 million injuries and 44,762 fatalities. While they may be common, they can cause extensive injuries and loss. If you have been the victim of a car crash, it is essential to contact a New Jersey car accident lawyer who can represent you and secure compensation to offset your losses.
To ensure you have a strong claim, it is important to start by contacting the police and/or filling out the self-reporting crash form. Since New Jersey is a no-fault state, you will need to file your claim under your personal injury protection policy. Gather as much evidence as you can to support your claim and demonstrate the at-fault driver’s negligence. Additionally, be sure to keep all communication records from the insurance company so you can hold them liable for any bad-faith tactics they may use.
Slip and Fall & Premises Liability
Cases involving premises liability and slip, trip, and fall accidents are a very common type of personal injury case we handle. When property owners are negligent about taking care of their premises or fail to fix or warn of a dangerous condition in a timely manner, they can be at fault for causing injury. Commercial properties, sidewalks, and parking lots are common places where injury can occur. Poor maintenance, poor security, poor lighting, or defective products can contribute to these events.
Dog Bite Injuries: Proving Liability + What Evidence Helps
Dog bite injuries can be frightening, excruciating, and cause lasting damage. If you have suffered an injury from a dog, talk with a dog bite injury lawyer right away. Dog owners can be held strictly liable under the state’s dog bite laws (New Jersey Statute 4:19-16). This means that a dog owner can be held accountable whether or not their dog has ever shown signs of aggressive behavior. Some exceptions may apply, so be sure to talk with a personal injury lawyer near you before taking action.
Compensation You May Recover
Regardless of what type of personal injury accident you have suffered, the losses you have sustained can set you back considerably and cause a lot of challenges for you and your family. The benefit of filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit is that you can hold the other party liable for paying for the losses they caused you. You may be able to pursue compensation for both your financial losses and your suffering. The losses you can recover depend on what you’ve suffered and may include:
- Medical Costs: May include a variety of expenses, including emergency care, surgery, ongoing treatments, rehabilitation, equipment, and accommodations, and more.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries keep you from working, you can recover the income you have lost during your period of recovery. If your injuries completely prevent you from working, then damages may also help you offset lost earning capacity.
- Property Damage: Depending on your case, a settlement may also cover damage to your personal property so you can repair or replace it.
- Pain and Suffering: An accident can cause physical pain, emotional trauma, and a reduced quality of life. These and other similar losses may be recovered as part of a settlement.
Our personal injury lawyers near Hackensack can help you assess your recoverable losses and develop a strong strategy to recover them. We carefully calculate how much your case is worth so we can effectively negotiate on your behalf and secure maximum compensation. We are committed to you and to the success of your case.
How the Personal Injury Process Works
If you have never suffered a personal injury accident before, the thought of hiring a lawyer and navigating the claim process can feel overwhelming. However, understanding what to expect can help minimize the fear and overwhelm.
Finding the Best Personal Injury Attorney for Your Needs
Finding the right personal injury lawyers serving Hackensack to handle your case starts with scheduling a case review. These are often free and provide the opportunity to ask questions, learn about the law firm and their experience, how your case would be handled, and what factors might affect the outcome of your claim. Once you choose the law firm that you want to hire, your lawyer gets to work on your case.
Investigating the Accident to Learn What Happened
The first step a lawyer generally takes is to investigate the accident to better understand what happened, what variables may influence the case, and gather evidence. This is an important step in the process because it paves the way for a strong claim and better results. This phase may look a little different from case to case, but the same process applies.
Building the Personal Injury Case
Once your lawyer has collected evidence, they can start building your case, tailoring strategies to your circumstances, and negotiating for you. The majority of personal injury cases settle out of court, which helps you recover your losses faster. However, this is not always the case, and some claims may proceed to trial and have to be argued in court. Even in this situation, your lawyer continues to fight for you and protect your rights so you can secure a favorable result.
Why Choose Seigel Law
Seigel Law solely focuses on personal injury cases and has a strong track record of success. Because we focus on this very specific area of the law, we are better able to provide highly targeted strategies for our clients.
We Know New Jersey Personal Injury Law
We know New Jersey personal injury law inside and out and can guide you through the legal process every step of the way. Our team also takes the time to listen to you, answer questions, implement tailored strategies, and provide unwavering support to get you the results you need.
We Prepare Every Case as If It Will Go to Trial
We know that every case has the potential to go to court, and we keep that in mind with every case. While most personal injury accident victims never see the inside of a courtroom, we prepare your case as if we are going to trial so that we can quickly pivot if needed. Your personal injury attorney makes sure you are always prepared so that your case is not negatively impacted.
You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
Additionally, when you choose to hire our firm, you do not have to worry about the added stress of being able to afford a lawyer when you need one the most. There is no fee unless we win your case and recover your losses. If you receive a settlement or verdict, we deduct attorney fees from what you have been awarded, so there is no additional strain on your personal finances.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Cases
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Hackensack?
The statute of limitations for your personal injury claim is generally two years from the time of your accident. However, this is subject to change depending on the type of claim you are filing. It’s important to consult with a personal injury lawyer near you as soon as possible to verify the amount of time you have to act.
Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance company?
Even if they frame it as a benefit to you, you should avoid giving a recorded statement to the insurance company. The insurance company often prioritizes its interests above yours, and it can use a recorded statement against you to lowball you or deny your claim. Any contact from the insurance company should be directed to your personal injury attorney.
What if I was partially at fault? Can I still recover compensation?
Sharing fault for an accident can be incredibly stressful, and questioning your ability to recover compensation is normal. Under New Jersey’s comparative negligence law (New Jersey Statute 2A:15-5.1), individuals who are partially at fault are allowed to recover compensation as long as they are 50% or less at fault for the accident. Their compensation is reduced in proportion to their specific level of fault. Only parties who are 51% at fault or higher are completely barred from recovering damages.
How long does a typical personal injury case take?
The time it takes to resolve a personal injury case can vary depending on your situation. Cases that are more complex and involve more severe injuries are more likely to take longer than those with minimal or straightforward losses. During your legal consultation, a lawyer can walk you through an estimated timeline for your case.
Contact Our Personal Injury Attorneys Near Hackensack, NJ
Seigel Law is ready to help you when you are reeling from a personal injury accident. We understand how deeply these accidents can affect your life, and we aggressively advocate for you so you do not have to continue suffering because of another party’s negligent actions. To learn more about your rights and options, contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation.