A car accident is only the beginning of what can be an agonizing recovery process. You may soon find a stack of medical bills while suffering financially from lost wages and emotional trauma. However, there is hope to recover your losses.
A car accident attorney in Paterson, NJ, can help you hold the responsible party accountable for all damages. Your legal team will work with the insurance company to get you the compensation you are entitled to and handle your case regardless of how complex it may be.
Legal Consultation
A free consultation will give you the opportunity to discuss your accident with legal counsel. A car accident lawyer can answer your questions and go over your options. Throughout the legal process, your attorney will provide ongoing support to help you avoid common pitfalls that can hurt your case.
Documentation
We gather and review all documents to use as evidence for your case and to get a clearer understanding of your injuries. This may include:
- Medical records
- Accident reports
- Police reports
- Insurance policy information
- Documentation of your loss of income
- Full Investigation
Your car crash attorney will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident. By speaking with witnesses, viewing security camera footage, hiring expert witnesses, and looking at the accident reports, a compelling case can be built to support your claim.
Establishing Liability
In the wake of a car accident, it’s not always clear who you should hold responsible for your losses. When you initiate consultations with an attorney, however, our team can assess the nature of your accident and use evidence to determine who you need to name responsible for your accident in your civil complaint.
The parties most often held liable for car accidents in Paterson include:
- Other motorists
- Pedestrians
- Bicyclists
- Motorcyclists
- Truck drivers
- Construction crews
- Government representatives
While you should exchange insurance information with these parties, do not engage them on a legal level without the assistance of an attorney.
Do Not Delay in Getting Started with Your Case
Recovering from your damages can take several months. However, you do not have to wait that long to file a claim after a car accident. According to New Jersey Statute 2A: 14-2, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
If you fail to file your lawsuit within the two-year window, you may no longer be entitled to compensation for your damages. A Paterson car wreck attorney can prepare all documents and submit your personal injury claim before the deadline.
Paterson Car Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Calculating Your Damages After the Car Accident
A Paterson car injury lawyer can help you assess your damages. In a personal injury claim, you may be able to file two different types of damages:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are typically associated with financial losses and can be calculated. This includes:
- Emergency medical care
- Ongoing medical or in-home care
- Rehabilitative services
- Lost wages or benefits
- Diminished earning capacity
Non-economic Damages
Noneconomic damages refer to additional ways in which the car accident impacted your life. Common damages are:
- Pain and suffering
- Physical anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Inability to provide parental support
Your auto accident lawyer in Paterson can calculate how much is owed to you based on your list of damages. The goal is to get you the compensation you are entitled to according to the full extent of your economic and noneconomic losses. An attorney can help you fight for fair financial recovery rather than accepting a lowball settlement from the insurance company.
Insurance Companies and Car Accident Claims
Insurance adjusters typically call after your accident and ask you to sign a release statement and offer to pay your medical expenses. It’s in your best interest not to do so and to contact your representative.
If you were to sign this document, you are accepting to settle your case with the insurance company, and you will not be able to pursue a claim for further compensation even if your expenses are higher than expected.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Navigating the legal system on your own after an accident can be a daunting task. If you have never filed a claim before, you may not know how to get the best possible results for your situation. There are several reasons why hiring a Paterson accident attorney can work in your favor, such as:
An Attorney Can Give You Time to Recover
If you need to get started with your claim but cannot leave the house due to your injuries, an attorney can manage your case for you. We can handle all aspects of your claim from start to finish, giving you time and space you need to get back on your feet.
You Do Not Have to Contact the Insurance Company
Your attorney can correspond with all parties, including the insurance company, on your behalf. They can file the claim, submit the paperwork, speak with the adjuster, and negotiate a settlement for you.
You May Get a Better Settlement
There are never any guarantees that an attorney can help you win your case. However, your chances of getting the settlement you deserve may be greater when you partner with legal professionals who understand the claims process and New Jersey laws.
Comparative Negligence in New Jersey
If you are partially responsible for the car accident, your compensatory award may be adjusted. According to New Jersey Statutes Annotated 2A:15-5.1, fault for an accident can be assigned to multiple parties, including the injured victim.
Liability is assigned to each party in terms of what percentage each party had in causing the accident. As long as your percentage of negligence is less than 50 percent, you are not barred from recovering compensation.
Filing a Civil Car Accident Claim Puts You in the Driver’s Seat
Getting into a car accident can make you feel as though you’ve lost control of your immediate future. This doesn’t have to be the case. When you file a civil car accident claim with a county clerk, you have the opportunity to choose how you want to interact with the parties allegedly liable for your roadway losses.
Specifically, an approved civil car accident claim allows you to choose either to negotiate with a liable party or pursue compensation through a car accident civil trial. You can begin the process by meeting with a liable party and discussing to what damage you believe you are entitled. If the party is willing to discuss a settlement, you may resolve out of court.
Uncooperative car accident defendants are often better met in civil court. You can, however, initiate negotiations with these parties while undergoing:
- Discovery
- Opening statements
- Examination
- Cross-examination
- Closing statements
Your window for negotiations only ends when the jury begins to deliberate. You can discuss how best to take advantage of these stages of a car accident trial with an attending attorney.
Addressing Car Accident Settlement Offers
Depending on who you get into a car accident with and what means they have available to them, you may receive a car accident settlement offer that may help you avoid spending time in court. Corporations, in particular, tend to make settlement offers to smooth over your losses. Even though these offers seem generous, they are not always comprehensive.
Many parties and their insurance providers want to protect their finances before they fund your recovery. As such, it’s important to investigate the settlement offer you’ve received. You can work with our attorneys to calculate the value of your car accident case independently and make sure that an offer meets or exceeds your baseline needs.
Car accident settlement offers that do not address the full breadth of your losses can be negotiated outside of court. Should the offering party refuse to alter the agreement, however, you can bring a car accident complaint to a judge for consideration.
Call Morelli Law Firm and Get Started on Your Case Today
Car accident losses can leave you with financial obstacles to a successful life. Civil claims filed against the parties responsible for these accidents can help you retake control of the financial narrative. Our car accident attorneys in Paterson, NJ, are prepared to place the wheel back in your hands.
The compassionate and experienced team at Morelli Law Firm can protect your rights and fight for justice. If you are ready to get started with your car accident claim, contact a member of our team to request a case evaluation. We are here for you and your family.