Ocean County Personal Injury Lawyers
Personal injury cases run the gamut from motor vehicle accidents to slips and falls and more. What all personal injury cases have in common is that they occurred because of another party’s negligence, recklessness, and sometimes, intentional action. Serious personal injuries can cause financial devastation and permanent disability. In just seconds, life changes forever.
A New Jersey personal injury lawyer at Harrell Law Firm fights so that the parties responsible for your injuries are held accountable, and that you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.
Ocean County Personal Injury Cases We Handle Include:
- Car Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Slip and Fall Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
The Importance of Hiring an Ocean County Personal Injury Lawyer
When you suffer a serious injury due to another party’s negligence, you need someone on your side to fight for you. Insurance companies boast a strong legal team and will do whatever they can to pay as little compensation as possible or avoid paying compensation at all. That is their business model.
With an Ocean County personal injury lawyer at Harrell Law Firm handling your case, insurers know that they must take your claim seriously.
Benefits of Retaining a Lawyer for Your Personal Injury Case
Accident victims must focus on their recuperation. They usually have a long, hard road ahead of them, and are not in a condition to contend with insurance companies. They lack the legal expertise necessary to negotiate aggressively.
A New Jersey accident lawyer knows what you should and should not do when it comes to a personal injury claim. During this difficult time, we are here to help you every step of the way.
How a Lawyer Can Protect Your Rights
A New Jersey injury lawyer knows that even a slight error by a victim in a statement to the insurance company can imperil their case. Your attorney protects your rights by helping you prepare a statement that describes the accident but in no way admits fault.
We protect your rights so that insurance companies cannot take advantage of your distress.
The Importance of Timely Legal Representation
Insurance companies often contact victims soon after an accident and make a lowball settlement offer. Never agree to a settlement before obtaining legal representation. Once you hire an attorney to represent you, they proceed with all negotiations with the insurer.
Timely legal representation is critical because waiting too long can mean vital evidence can vanish. That is why it is crucial to consult a New Jersey accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Understanding Your Rights After a Serious Injury
You have the right to pursue compensation for injuries caused by negligence. However, much depends on your specific situation.
Because New Jersey is a no-fault state when it comes to auto insurance, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays your medical expenses and a percentage of lost wages up to the limit of your policy. You can go outside the no-fault system and file a personal injury lawsuit if you suffer:
- Displaced fractures
- Serious disfigurement
- Loss of a fetus
- Permanent loss of a body part or bodily function
Death of a family member
Maximizing Compensation for Your Losses
Understanding Damages: The Types of Compensation Available
Your New Jersey injury lawyer aggressively pursues the maximum compensation for your losses.
Compensation, or damages, in a personal injury case may include:
- Medical expenses, current and future
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
Building a Strong Case: Gathering Evidence and Expert Testimony
At Harrell Law Firm, we work diligently to collect evidence and build the strongest possible case. That includes reviewing police and medical reports, obtaining surveillance video and photographs of the accident scene, and interviewing any eyewitnesses.
We may also hire expert witnesses to testify:
- An accident reconstructionist uses sophisticated computer modeling to analyze how a crash occurred.
- A medical expert testifies how the injuries are directly related to the accident, the long-term prognosis, and the effect on the victim’s quality of life.
- A financial expert testifies about the extent of the fiscal issues affecting the victim due to the accident and the cost of long-term care needs.
In addition, we investigate and identify all possible defendants in your case. For example, what may seem to be a relatively straightforward car accident where the driver holds liability could turn out to be more complicated if it turns out the collision occurred due to a mechanical defect. The manufacturer or a repair facility may also prove liable.
Negotiating Settlements vs. Pursuing Litigation: Which Path Is Best for You?
The majority of personal injury cases are settled. Your attorney knows a reasonable settlement based on the facts of your case and your prognosis. If the insurance company refuses to agree to a fair settlement, you have the option of going to trial.
Keep in mind that going to trial takes longer and the outcome is less certain than if you agree to a settlement. The best path for you depends on the particulars of your case and the advice of your trusted attorney.
New Jersey’s Personal Injury Statue of Limitations
In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is two years from the accident date. If someone dies from their injuries, the deceased’s personal representative has two years from the death date to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Personal Injury Representation with No Upfront Costs
As New Jersey accident lawyers, we work on a contingency basis. That means there are no upfront costs for the accident victim. We receive payment only if you receive compensation for your injuries.
Harrell Law Firm serves Ocean County, Monmouth County, and surrounding areas. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today if you need a Wall Township personal injury lawyer, an Asbury Park personal injury lawyer, a Long Branch personal injury lawyer, a Freehold personal injury lawyer, or in the northern part of New Jersey, a North Bergen personal injury lawyer.