How to Hire a Car Accident Injury Lawyer in NJ

All your car accident attorney questions answered.

Updated: June 2023

Should I consult a lawyer after car accident?

Insurance companies have teams of seasoned lawyers working full time to fight personal injury claims. If you want to receive fair compensation for your car accident injuries, you need to hire an experienced, competent personal injury attorney dedicated to representing your interests.

Can I handle my own car crash personal injury claims?

If you have sustained injuries like a broken bone, lacerations, or head injury, have a permanent disability, or have lost a loved one due to an automobile accident, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer to represent your claim. Without the training, skills and experience of an attorney who specializes in personal injury law, you are likely to be taken advantage of by the insurance company's team of auto accident lawyers. Find out what your legal rights are during a free consultation with the personal injury attorneys at Bergen Law.

What type of car accidents require a car injury lawyer?

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a car, truck, motorcycle or pedestrian accident, hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer is crucial if you want to receive compensation commensurate with your injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages, and future medical bills. Rather than putting your injury claim in the hands of an insurance company that will pay you as little as necessary or may deny your claim completely, it is best to retain a competent lawyer who has your best interests in mind. A personal injury attorney like the experts at Bergen Law has the resources and strategic expertise to develop the best legal strategy for your case.

What does a car accident attorney do, and how does it help me?

The car accident attorneys at Bergen Law have specialized knowledge, negotiation skills, and litigation experience that are crucial to preventing you from being taken advantage of by the insurance company's lawyers. We will only take your case if, based on our experience, we believe we can get you significant compensation for your losses.

How do I know if I have a personal injury case after a car crash?

The best way to know if you are entitled to compensation after being injured or losing a loved one in an auto accident is to consult with an attorney specializing in personal injury law. Douglas Standriff of Bergen Law has over 28 years of experience successfully litigating thousands of personal injury cases on behalf of his clients in New Jersey. Doug and his associate, Marissa Messinger, Esq., will consult directly with you, at no charge, to assess the circumstances of your accident and the extent of your injuries and medical treatment, and advise you of your legal rights.

How much does it cost to hire a car accident lawyer in New Jersey?

Per the New Jersey Rules of Court, published by the NJ Supreme Court, car accident lawyers in New Jersey work on a contingency fee basis. The contingency fee system allows you to hire a lawyer to represent you in your auto injury case without having to pay any money upfront. Your attorney will be paid only if he or she recovers money for your case; in that case, your attorney will receive a percentage of the award as compensation for their services. This also applies to truck accident lawyers and motorcycle accident attorneys.

How do auto injury claims work?

When you sustain an injury in an auto accident in New Jersey, you have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury claim. The first thing you need to do is see a doctor as soon as possible after the accident to be treated for your injuries and have your injuries properly documented. Next, if you want to receive the best settlement possible for your case, it is crucial to hire an experienced, qualified personal injury attorney right away. As soon as you file a car, truck, motorcycle or pedestrian injury claim, the insurance company's experienced lawyers will begin working to find ways to deny your claim or provide you with as little compensation as possible for your losses. If you accept the insurance company's settlement, your claim will be closed, and neither you nor an attorney will be eligible to obtain additional compensation for you in the future. An attorney like Douglas Standriff, who specializes in personal injury law, knows how to develop the best auto accident injury case to get you the compensation you deserve.

How do car accident settlements work?

It is important to realize that once you file a car accident claim, the insurance company's lawyers will quickly work to discredit it, which can result in either a low settlement offer or a complete rejection of your claim. That's why it's essential to retain an attorney who has decades of experience litigating personal injury cases and can develop the best strategy for your auto injury case. Your lawyer will evaluate your case, including the circumstances of your auto accident, your medical records, lost wages, and any other losses you have incurred or are likely to incur as a result of the car crash. An experienced personal injury attorney will also determine what other evidence they can obtain to support your claim. The attorneys at Bergen Law will do their best to minimize the time it takes to get you fairly compensated by making a demand to the opposing attorney. If a settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will file your personal injury lawsuit in court, and both sides will begin to investigate the opposition's legal claims and defenses. If a settlement still cannot be reached, the case will go to trial to be settled by a jury.

How do I find a lawyer for a car accident?

It's crucial to retain a lawyer who has the expertise necessary to provide you with the highest quality representation and get you the best settlement for your personal injury case. A Certified Civil Trial Attorney like Douglas Standriff of Bergen Law is one of approximately three percent of all attorneys who have proven to the NJ Supreme Court Committee on Civil Certification, through both extensive trial experience and written examination, that he is expertly qualified to successfully handle personal injury cases.

How long could/should you wait to contact a lawyer after a car crash?

Since you have a limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit after a car crash in New Jersey, you should contact the seasoned personal injury lawyers at Bergen Law as soon as possible after your auto accident.

How long does a car accident lawsuit take in NJ?

The length of time a personal injury lawsuit takes varies depending on whether the case is settled or results in a court hearing. The personal injury attorneys at Bergen Law will leverage their expertise to get you the compensation you deserve as quickly as possible.

What if my medical insurance doesn't cover all of my auto accident injury expenses?

Your Bergen Law personal injury attorney can help you receive compensation for expenses not covered by your medical insurance, so you don't have to endure the stress of ongoing medical costs that result from your car accident injuries.