If you were in a car accident, you probably have many things going through your mind, including whether you should hire a lawyer and how an attorney can help maximize your compensation. Although hiring any attorney may be better than going at it alone, hiring the right car injury attorney can mean the difference in maximizing your recovery. Hiring a local wills and trust lawyer may not be the right move if you are seriously injured. Instead, you should choose a car injury lawyer in NJ with experience in personal injury law. At O’Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble, our experienced car injury attorneys can help you get the most out of your claim.
5 Ways the Right Car Injury Lawyer in NJ Can Help Maximize Your Claim
The right car injury attorney can help your case in many ways, but five stand out in particular.
- Investigate the Cause of the Accident
Maximizing your car accident claim begins with a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident. The right car accident attorney will thoroughly investigate who or what may have caused the accident, which is especially important if the other party or insurance company alleges you may have been at fault or a third party may be liable. For instance, if defective brakes are to blame, it is vital to uncover that during an investigation so that you can seek recovery from the manufacturer, mechanic, or other liable party.
- Gather Evidence
A skilled attorney knows the key to maximizing your claim to have reliable evidence to support your claim. Sometimes, car accident victims will have specific evidence on hand, but it often takes discovery requests, subpoenas, and more to collect all necessary evidence. An attorney can assist you with gathering:
- The police or accident report,
- Eyewitness information and testimony,
- Video surveillance,
- Medical records,
- Car repair or replacement estimates and invoices, and
- Expert reports and accident reconstruction evidence.
Depending on the nature of the accident, you may have a plethora of evidence or only a few documents to support your claim. Your attorney will ensure you recover all evidence available and utilize what you have to pursue damages on your behalf.
- Familiarity with the Law
Personal injury cases, including car accident lawsuits, can be quite complex and challenging to navigate if you are unfamiliar with the law and court procedures. While there is no legal requirement to hire a car injury attorney in NJ, we strongly encourage it. Your claim can quickly become complicated depending on several factors, including:
- The severity of your injuries,
- The number of defendants,
- The type of defendants (i.e., individual, corporation, government entity), and
- Layers of insurance policies.
Knowing the law is essential when dealing with car accident cases. Even relatively straightforward cases will likely involve many aspects of the law.
For instance, the law provides a deadline for initiating your case. In New Jersey, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, although several exceptions exist that might apply. The right car accident lawyer is seasoned in negligence law, the rules of evidence, discovery and motion practices, and litigation. At O’Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble, we have the knowledge, resources, and skills necessary to maximize your compensation.
- Negotiation Skills
Experienced car accident lawyers negotiate with insurance companies daily. A successful negotiation starts with sending a solid demand backed by evidence. The right lawyer will work with you to determine the compensation you deserve and gather the information and evidence to support your demand for damages. Once sent to the insurance company, your lawyer will negotiate on your behalf. Our car injury lawyers in NJ are seasoned negotiators and know what the insurance companies are looking for and how to push them to maximum compensation.
- Litigation if Necessary
The right car accident lawyer will not be afraid to go to trial if you cannot reach a favorable settlement. While most car accident cases settle outside of court, it is imperative to have a lawyer who is not afraid to go to trial if you do not agree to a settlement. At O’Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble, we are personal injury litigators who will not hesitate to go before a jury if we believe that is the best way to maximize your recovery. We have successfully won millions of dollars through jury verdicts for our clients.
Car Injury Attorneys in NJ
At O’Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble, our attorneys have been recognized as Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association and the Best Law Firm by US News and World Report. If you are wondering how we can help maximize your car accident claim, do not hesitate to contact us today to schedule a no-cost consultation. Let us put our expertise and experience to work for you.