Grappling with injuries and resulting medical bills can be hard, but if another party is liable for your circumstances, you need to check personal injury laws in NJ immediately. New Jersey has a statute of limitations allows filing such lawsuits within two years of an accident or discovering an injury. No matter the type of case you are dealing with, you cannot leave things to fate. While there is credible information online, you need a capable and reputed law firm, such as Sattiraju & Tharney, to fight your legal battle. Is an injury lawyer right for you? We recommend you check the details below.
Expertise in the field
You cannot trust a random attorney with your case. It is important to choose someone who specializes in personal injury law in New Jersey and has credible expertise working on similar subjects. Strategies used for a slip & fall case can be drastically different from a matter of medical negligence. Find a law firm and check the typical lawsuits and claims it usually accepts.
Watch out for words and promises
You would want to have some confidence after talking to an injury attorney but do not believe in promises. An experienced lawyer may consider better and more effective ways of recovering compensation, yet they cannot predict the outcome with absolute certainty. Always insist on understanding the possibilities before you take a step; it is the lawyer’s job to set realistic expectations.
Ask about the fee structure
Unlike criminal or business attorneys, injury lawyers don’t usually work at the typical hourly rate. Instead of a retainer fee or an advance payment, they work on a contingency basis, where they only get paid after the client wins. You should know the fee of the lawyer and must sign an engagement contract, which should also state the other expenses and costs that you must cover. In New Jersey, injury attorneys usually take 25% to 50% of the settlement.
Consider availability
Because top lawyers are burdened with cases, they often assign their associates to handle certain lawsuits. If you are paying a high contingency fee, you should ensure that the attorney is available and personally involved. They should also establish how they would communicate with you and ways through which you can contact them for updates and questions.
Lastly, don’t choose an injury attorney unless you look for online ratings. Reputation is everything for comparing local firms.
