Critical Information You Need when Searching and Hiring a Top Personal Injury Attorney to Handle Your Case in New Jersey
A personal injury accident can be painful and add unwanted stress to your life. These stressors include having to attend and complete medical treatments, coordinating transportation to multiple appointments, adjusting to life after the accident, coping with pain, and even potentially facing trauma. While trying to preserve hope that things will improve healthcare costs, prescription fees and other debts begin accumulating, unleashing further anxieties.
Choosing a reputable and capable New Jersey personal injury lawyer is crucial to recover the compensation you deserve. However, individuals must file personal injury claims before the clock runs out. Like all other states, New Jersey has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims and claims for damages incurred to one’s property. Following a personal injury, you should search for and select an attorney who has dedicated years of their career to practicing personal injury law and is prepared to take on your case. If you have suffered a personal injury, you may wonder how to choose the best attorney. To make an informed decision, what factors and qualities should you take into account?
Practical Tips and Considerations to Find the Best Personal Injury Lawyer
#1 Creating a Criteria and Questions List
A smart starting point is to review the details of your case; how the accident transpired, why the injury occurred, the parties involved and at-fault, the type of injury you sustained, and future treatment needs (if applicable). In addition, outline your expectations for the outcome of your case and your attorney.
Before meeting with an attorney, compile a list of questions regarding your case and ones directed at the attorney. Examples of questions to ask the attorney include but are not limited to: what specialized areas of law do they practice; are they able to adequately handle your case at this time (considering the rest of their caseload), and in their professional opinion, do they believe your case is worth pursuing, how would fault be appropriately established, what do they deem as a favorable outcome considering the circumstances of your case, what are some examples of recent and successful cases, how often will you be updated on your case and how, and what approach would they implement to handle your case effectively?
In addition, imagine who you would feel comfortable divulging and sharing the information concerning your injury and the accident. You may discover particular preferences regarding which attorney you end up trusting and hiring. Designing a preliminary list of criteria helps swiftly narrow down and conclude a search, allowing you to move on to the more pressing matter: putting your case into action.
#2 Look for Personal Referrals
You may be surprised to find someone in your own network (family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances) who found satisfaction with a personal injury lawyer in your area, but it’s worth investigating. Your friend’s success with a specific attorney may warrant adding the name to your list of potential lawyers to consult. To rely only on someone else’s recommendation when choosing an attorney is not advisable. Still, it serves as a point of reference and can bear success with follow-up inquiries and research of your own. Meet with potential lawyers, discuss your injury and claim, and contemplate whether you feel comfortable working with them.
#3 Online Research is a Great Tool
With the internet at our fingertips, access to search engines is bountiful, allowing you to input any search terms and keywords you wish to include in your hunt for an appropriate personal injury lawyer. Moreover, you can read reviews of attorneys concentrating in the field where you require representation. A license to practice in your state is an essential factor to consider when searching for an attorney. Verify their credentials and ensure they’re in good standing with the Bar Association and the community they represent. Your lawyer’s background and knowledge should be relevant to your case. Additionally, they should be accessible to you.
#4 Request Referrals
The New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) provides referrals. Lawyer referral services are available through the County Bar Association in each county. There is a possibility you already know an attorney, but they don’t necessary have a ton of experience in personal injury or any at all. Within their professional and social networks, they may know someone who does.
#5 Conducting an Interview
A good tip for your initial interaction with an attorney is to interview them about their professional background and other pertinent information. Interviewing is an excellent opportunity to ask about the attorney’s success rate, costs and billing practices, availability throughout litigation, and if they have a specific strategy to employ in your case or if they have previously handled similar cases.
Representing Yourself in a Personal Injury Matter, Is it a Good Idea?
As mentioned above, personal injury comes with pain and suffering, navigating medical treatments, juggling unexpected expenses, and filing a claim or potentially a lawsuit. Endless factors influence claims, cases, and compensation. Seeking medical attention and filing police reports are two initial and essential steps following a personal injury accident. Putting off either of these requirements can be detrimental and a recipe for an unsuccessful claim. Additionally, failing to properly collect, examine or present evidence can result in an at-fault party escaping accountability. Oversights can also result in victims being deemed partially at fault. In addition, this is frequently observed in cases where an at-fault party is legally represented, but the victim is not.
Every business aims to save money, and insurance companies are no exception. Consequently, the insurer may portray the victim as partially to blame, even when this is not true. However, an attorney can spot these tactics and ensure the at-fault party is the one held responsible.
Any of the instances described above and many others may result in insufficient compensation for your injury and associated medical expenses, losses, and other damages.
Retain an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Best Suited for the Challenge in NJ
After sustaining an injury in an accident, everyday tasks can become difficult. The process of a personal injury claim can quickly grow overwhelming due to its complex nature. Hire an attorney best suited for the challenge, one with an exceptional case record, compassionate, proficient in NJ personal injury law, and prepared to fight on your behalf for total and just compensation. Our well-versed team of lawyers continuously receives word-of-mouth references from clients we have served in Lambertville, Ewing, Trenton, Robbinsville, West Windsor, Mercer County, and elsewhere in New Jersey.
Take advantage of the free consultation offered by an experienced New Jersey Personal Injury lawyer if you or a loved one have suffered from a personal injury accident. To get your confidential cost-free consultation with one of our experienced lawyers, contact us online or call at (609) 528-2596.
