North Bergen Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were injured in a preventable accident, legal remedies are available to protect your rights and obtain the compensation you are entitled to under the law. New Jersey personal injury lawyers with Harrell Injury Law have the skills and experience to go up against the corporations, attorneys, and insurance companies working to protect their bottom line.
Keep reading to learn more about the personal injury claim process and the benefits of hiring a firm with a record of favorable outcomes for clients just like you.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer
Whether you are dealing with a property owner, an insurance company, or another large organization, chances are they have a team of lawyers at their disposal.
Without a personal injury lawyer in your corner, a minor legal misstep or poor decision can jeopardize your case—and your right to compensation. A knowledgeable and trustworthy North Bergen personal injury lawyer knows the law in New Jersey, has a record of good results, and is committed to providing superior legal guidance through every step and stage of the claim process.
We take the time to conduct an exhaustive investigation into your accident to determine precisely what went wrong, and who is responsible. We make sure to obtain the evidence necessary to build a compelling case in your favor.
Personal Injury Law in North Bergen
Most personal injury accidents are entirely preventable. They shouldn’t occur, but they do—because someone or some organization is negligent and breaches their duty to protect others from obvious hazards.
In New Jersey, accident victims can bring a personal injury lawsuit in civil court against the negligent party who directly caused their accident and injuries. The goal of a personal injury claim is to recover monetary compensation for these injuries and other types of losses stemming from a preventable accident.
Negligence and damages are the two core concepts that are part of every personal injury case. In this context, negligence refers to a situation where someone or some group acts in a careless manner that results in property damage or physical injuries. Damages are losses resulting from this careless act, which are recoverable in the form of financial compensation.
Types of Personal Injury Cases
Just about any type of accident can lead to a personal injury case. Here are some of the most common:
Car Accidents
According to recent crash data, passenger cars were involved in the highest number of injury-causing accidents across the nation. In 2020 alone, there were more than 5 million collisions throughout the country. That total includes crashes resulting in injuries, fatal accidents, and collisions causing property damage.
Every time a driver starts their vehicle and enters the roadway, they have a duty to operate their vehicle in a safe manner in accordance with local traffic laws. Drunk driving, drowsy driving, and distracted driving are among the top causes of preventable auto accidents. Survivors of these accidents often seek justice and damages through personal injury claims.
Uber, Lyft, and Rideshare Accidents
The use of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft is on the rise. Unfortunately, as these services grow in popularity, accident reports are also increasing. Just like any other driver, your rideshare driver can be impaired by alcohol or other substances, distracted by their app, overtired from a long shift, or just downright aggressive.
Liability is more complex in these cases because insurance coverage depends on if the driver is logged on to the app or picking up a passenger when a crash happens. Investigation is critical for personal injury claims involving hired car services. We can assess your situation and recommend the appropriate legal action to take based on the specific details of your accident.
Slip and Fall Accidents
More than 800,000 people every year are hospitalized in the U.S. for fall-related injuries. And one in every five slip and fall accidents results in a serious injury like a broken bone or traumatic brain injury (TBI.)
Yet, most falls can often be avoided. Cleaning up spills, removing objects from walkways, installing lighting in dark areas, and making sure walking surfaces, steps, and handrails are in good condition are all simple ways to protect others from slip and fall injuries.
Failure to take these basic safety measures may constitute negligence under the law.
Product Liability Claims
A product liability claim is a type of personal injury lawsuit that is brought against companies that design, produce, sell, or market dangerous or defective products.
Product liability law offers consumers who have been injured by products they assumed to be safe a means to collect damages for their injuries. Not only do product liability claims provide compensation for victims’ medical care, lost wages, and other losses, but they also put pressure on companies to take safety seriously to protect the public.
Defective auto parts and systems that malfunction can contribute to some car accidents. The recent Takata airbag recall is a good example of this type of threat to driver safety.
Speak with a North Bergen personal injury attorney at Harrell Injury Law to determine if product liability is a factor in your car accident case.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are no match for the size and force of a passenger vehicle or large commercial truck. Drivers who don’t yield to pedestrians or disregard basic traffic safety laws must be held accountable for the damage they cause.
Even if Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance offsets some of the costs of medical bills and rehabilitative therapy, it may not be enough. Our personal injury attorney team will determine your options for additional restitution and take the necessary steps to obtain it.
What to Do After an Accident
If you are injured in any type of accident, your health and safety should be your first priority. Get the appropriate medical attention, calling 911 if you need immediate assistance. If you are physically able, document the accident scene with photos and video.
File a police report for a traffic accident and tell the responding officer what happened.
Avoid accepting blame for the event. Allow investigators and adjusters to determine exactly what happened. Gather contact information from everyone involved, including nearby individuals who may have witnessed the incident.
Never speak to the insurance company without talking to your personal injury lawyer first. They may offer a quick settlement, but it may not be enough to cover your losses. We will advise you on your rights and recommend the next best steps to move forward with your case.
Seeking Compensation and Damages
Compensation for harm in New Jersey personal injury suits can be classified in three ways:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are clear, quantifiable losses that are imposed to make the plaintiff whole again. They may include things like payments for:
- Ambulance rides
- Hospital visits
- Medications
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Lost income
- Lost or damaged property
Noneconomic Damages
Noneconomic damages are also compensable in New Jersey personal injury lawsuits. These are legitimate losses that are not as easy to quantify, things like:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are far less common than economic and noneconomic damages, but they are warranted in cases where the defendant acts with extreme and/or intentional disregard for the safety of others. Drunk driving and distracted driving are two examples where punitive damages may be relevant.
Punitive damages are awarded on top of compensatory damages.
Our Expertise: Why Choose Harrell Injury Law
At Harrell Injury Law, we are so confident in our approach and ability to reach good outcomes for our clients that we don’t ask for payment up front. We work on a contingency basis. That means we only get paid if we win your case. But don’t take our word for it, check out the 5-star reviews from satisfied clients.
With offices in Wall Township, and North Bergen, Harrell Injury Law represents clients throughout the state of New Jersey. Call or connect with the firm online to schedule your free case review today.
