Question 1

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in New Jersey?

Accepted Answer

New Jersey's personal injury statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the injury. Claims against public entities (like NJ Transit or a municipal government) require a notice of claim within ninety days -- miss that window and the claim is barred no matter how strong the case. The earlier we get involved, the more evidence we can preserve before it's lost or altered.

Question 2

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?

Accepted Answer

Nothing up front. All personal injury cases are handled on a contingency basis -- our fee comes as a percentage of the recovery, and only if we recover for you. Case expenses (medical record fees, expert witnesses, filing costs) are advanced by the firm and only repaid from the settlement or verdict.

Question 3

Do I have to go to court?

Accepted Answer

Most personal injury cases settle before trial. You'll likely give a deposition -- a recorded question-and-answer session with the defense attorney -- and we prepare you thoroughly for that. If the case does go to trial in Hackensack or elsewhere in Bergen County, we handle the courtroom work; your role at trial is limited.

Question 4

What if I was partly at fault for the accident?

Accepted Answer

New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule. As long as you were 50% or less at fault, you can still recover -- your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you're found more than 50% at fault, you can't recover. Insurance carriers will always try to shift blame to you; part of our job is pushing back on that with evidence.

Question 5

The insurance company already offered me a settlement -- should I take it?

Accepted Answer

Almost never. The first offer from an insurance company is designed to close the file cheaply, before the full extent of injuries and future medical costs is known. Once you sign a release, you cannot reopen the claim, even if you need surgery a year later. Have any offer reviewed before you sign anything.

Question 6

What if the driver who hit me didn't have insurance?

Accepted Answer

Your own New Jersey auto policy almost certainly has uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage -- you paid premiums for it. Those claims are made against your own insurer, but the insurer will negotiate as hard as any other. We handle UM/UIM claims through arbitration under NJ policy rules.

Question 7

How much is my case worth?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the severity and permanence of your injuries, the medical treatment required, lost income (past and future), your age, and the strength of liability evidence. A cracked bone with full recovery is a different case than a herniated disc requiring surgery. We can give a realistic range after reviewing your medical records and the police or incident report.

Question 8

How long does a personal injury case take in New Jersey?

Accepted Answer

Simple cases can settle in six to twelve months once treatment is complete. Cases involving disputed liability, serious injuries, or trial-track litigation often take one to three years. We do not settle a case before we know what your future medical needs are -- settling early usually leaves money on the table.

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