To sign up for our daily email newsletter, CLICK HERE
Car accidents are terrifying, and from the crash statistics, things are not getting any better, particularly in New Jersey. If you’ve just been in one, you’re all too familiar with the excruciating pain, the mountain of medical bills that feel impossible to pay off, and the worries about how you’ll ever get your life back on track. Without a strong support system to guide you, it can feel completely overwhelming. You’re left wondering, “What do I do next?”
But you don’t have to go through this alone. A local New Jersey car accident lawyer can help you navigate it all. While hiring a lawyer is optional, it’s definitely a necessity – one that could be a game-changer. Even if the accident wasn’t your fault, you might be surprised at how the insurance company can take advantage of you. That’s why you need someone who understands the system and can outmaneuver them.
Here’s what you can expect from the moment you shake hands to the final resolution:
1. Initial Consultation
Once you’ve picked the best New Jersey Car Accident Attorneys – Lord, Kobrin, Alvarez & Fattell, your relationship officially begins with a consultation. During this meeting, you can share your story and provide any documentation related to the accident. This helps the attorney understand the situation and decide whether they will take on your case.
Initial consultation is also a good chance to ask questions and see if you feel comfortable with the attorney. They’ll explain the legal process, your rights, and the following events. They’ll also lay out their fee structure – most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case.
2. Investigation
Once you’ve hired your attorney, the real work begins. At this stage, they collect as much evidence as they can, leaving out no little details. That normally includes police reports, medical records, eyewitness statements, and surveillance footage. When examining the records, they can do it themselves or seek professional advice for further clarification, such as the extent of the injuries and their impacts on life.
The investigation aims to determine who’s liable and build a tight case. Something which can be hard to do on your own since you don’t know the right places to look. To an experienced lawyer? It feels like a walk in the park- it’s what they know best.
3. Legal Guidance
Wrapping your head around the legal system isn’t exactly the right thing to do after an accident. It’s quite complex, and figuring your way out could cost you time. A lawyer is well prepared for this and can guide you through every step.
It starts with building a case. After examining the case, they’ll deduce which strategy is the right one to take. Usually, they will opt for negotiation with the involved parties- it’s the easiest one. Where negotiation fails, the next step is to go to the court process.
In between negotiation and court, you can sit back and relax as they handle all the communication. They will deal with the back-and-forth with attorneys from the insurance companies and other relevant parties. This way, you don’t have to worry about saying anything that could hurt your case.
When a case heads to court, there’s a lot of paperwork and filing. Your attorney will handle everything, ensuring it’s filed correctly and on time.
4. Negotiation and Settlement
As said, negotiation is usually the first option because most car accident cases get settled without going to court, and that’s where your attorney shines. With their sharpened negotiation skills, they will attempt to get you the maximum compensation to cover the physical and physiological damages.
Insurance companies often start with lowball offers and are likely to arm-twist you into accepting the offer when alone. But your attorney knows what you’re entitled to and will negotiate for a better deal.
Where negotiations don’t seem to work, they might opt for mediation, inviting a third party to help them reach an agreement. Negotiation or mediation often leads to a settlement offer. Your lawyer will review this offer carefully to ensure it’s fair and fully covers your needs. If it does, they may advise you to accept it. If not, it’s time to take things to the next step — seek justice from the court.
5. Representation in Court
An experienced local car accident attorney can make a difference if you go to trial. They help particularly with three things:
- Trial Preparation: Your attorney will obtain additional evidence, interview witnesses, and plan how to present it in court.
- Courtroom Action: You don’t have to talk. Your attorney will present your case at trial, introducing the judge. They take care of everything from opening and closing statements and cross-examining witnesses to presenting evidence.
- Enforcing the Judgment: If you win, your attorney should ensure that the court’s decision is enforced and you get your dues.
Your attorney will also handle any necessary appeals to protect your interests.
Conclusion
Hiring a top New Jersey car accident attorney can be one of the best steps after an accident. They know how to dissect the case and possibly know the attorney representing the other parties and even the judges preceding the cases. They might have even interacted before, so they know their strengths and weaknesses and can use them to your advantage.
They provide much-needed support from the initial consultation to fighting it out in court and reaching a settlement. It eases your mind to know someone is fighting for you. But don’t settle for any lawyer near you. Always do your due diligence to find the right attorney and give your case the best chance of success.
