New Jersey Personal Injury
Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of personal injuries in New Jersey.
According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, there were more than 284,000 car crashes reported statewide in 2012.542 of these crashes resulted in fatalities.
Personal injuries can also be caused by accidents involving:
- Unsafe premises (including homes, stores, schools, and restaurants)
- Unsafe roadways, paths, and sidewalks
- Public transportation
- Slips and falls (including those involving snow and ice)
- Dog bites
- Construction accidents
- Industrial accidents
- Other workplace accidents
- Medical malpractice, including dental and pharmaceutical malpractice
- Nursing home neglect and abuse
- Birth injuries
- Burns
- Unsafe drugs and medical devices
- Toxic substances in the environment
- Sporting and recreational activities, such as biking
Personal injuries can also be caused by deliberate acts, such as assaults.
Personal injuries include:
- Fractures (broken bones)
- Strains and sprains
- Soft tissue injuries
- Whiplash
- Spinal Cord injuries
- Burns
- Concussions
- Brain damage
- Dislocations
- Sexual abuse
- Cancer (if caused by environmental conditions)
- Death
Personal injuries can lead to:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of wages
- Loss of employment
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Inability to engage in normal life activities, like walking or driving
If you’ve been injured on the job, then you are probably covered by your employer’s Workers’ Compensation insurance.However, you may also have a personal injury claim against a third party.
When someone else is responsible for your personal injury, an experienced PI attorney can help you protect your rights and seek compensation.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer can also make your life easier and less stressful while you’re dealing with the consequences of your injury.Your lawyer can:
- Advise you on how to proceed with your claim
- Deal with the other side’s insurance company
- Direct you to medical professionals
- Investigate your case
- Collect and preserve evidence you may need at trial (or during settlement negotiations)
- Get statements from witnesses
- Collect accident reports
Although you may choose to represent yourself in a personal injury action, few people have the skills and knowledge to do so well.An experienced personal injury attorney may be able to get you a better settlement or a better result at trial.
You may be concerned about the cost of personal injury litigation, and should know that many PI attorneys work on a contingent fee basis.This means that they don’t get paid up front.Instead, they receive their payments once you’ve been compensated for your injuries.
It’s important to act quickly once you’ve suffered a personal injury.Delaying filing a claim may cause you to lose your right to compensation.
Although most personal injury cases settle before trial, it’s important to work with a firm that includes experienced trial lawyers.Marc Chase became a member of the “Million Dollar Advocates Forum” by winning a jury verdict of $1.5 million in a personal injury case.
If you’ve suffered a personal injury in a New Jersey due to someone else’s negligence, or if a family member has been hurt or killed in an accident, contact our office for a free initial consultation.