5 Things to Discuss With Your New Jersey Personal Injury Attorney

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Many people go their entire lives without dealing with lawyers at all. If an injury case is the first time you’ve ever dealt with one, you are hardly alone. 

To prevent you from feeling overwhelmed, we’ve put together this short list of what you should expect to talk about when you meet with a personal injury attorney for the very first time.

#1) What you have already done in regards to the case. 

Ideally you’ve called a lawyer first, before doing anything else other than getting medical attention.

But you should be as honest as possible about what’s already happened. If you’ve already talked to an insurance adjuster or have signed any documents, your attorney needs to know this right away.

Talking to an insurance adjuster isn’t a dealbreaker, nor is waiting longer than you should, unless you are outside the limitations period. You wouldn’t be the first person who has let an insurance company intimidate them into waiting, or who has thought that you can’t call a lawyer until you’re 100% better. 

#2) Whether your case is strong enough to move forward.

Be sure to be completely honest with the attorney about the facts of your case. Only complete honesty will give the attorney the information they need to pursue your case at all.

If you think you might bear a little responsibility for the accident say so, so that your attorney knows how to defend you in light of New Jersey’s comparative negligence laws. Give your just-the-facts accounting of everything that happened.

Some people are afraid to do this because they’re afraid the attorney won’t take their case. In reality most attorneys will take any case worth pursuing. 

Some people won’t talk to an attorney until they are sure the case is strong enough, but doing this kind of guesswork isn’t effective. Let an attorney decide. The consultation is free anyway. 

#3) What your case might be worth.

There are few surprises in most injury cases. Your lawyer can usually pinpoint what your case could be worth. The attorney can give you a best-case number and a worst-case number, usually on the day you come in.

Your eventual settlement will probably be somewhere between these two numbers. This helps you set realistic expectations, and prevents you from holding out for a larger figure or trying to push a matter to trial when you could get a settlement large enough to handle everything. 

#4) The firm’s track record with cases like yours.

Experience really does matter in personal injury cases. Better negotiation skills could mean tens of thousands of dollars more in your pockets. Better trial preparation skills can save your case when an insurance company digs in their heels.

You should feel comfortable with any attorney you choose, but the longer the track record the better the results are likely to be. 

#5) Your next steps.

If the attorney takes your case you need to make sure that you find out exactly what evidence you need to gather, exactly what names and numbers your attorney needs, where you need to be next and when you need to be there.

Always make sure you have a thorough understanding of what comes next and what the process is. 

Are you ready to schedule your free consultation? Contact our firm to get started today.

See also:

4 Myths About New Jersey Personal Injury Cases

Do You Have to Talk to the Insurance Adjuster in Your NJ Personal Injury Case?

4 Reasons a Judge Might Dismiss Your NJ Personal Injury Case

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Many people go their entire lives without dealing with lawyers at all. If an injury case is the first time you’ve ever dealt with one, you are hardly alone. 

To prevent you from feeling overwhelmed, we’ve put together this short list of what you should expect to talk about when you meet with a personal injury attorney for the very first time.

#1) What you have already done in regards to the case. 

Ideally you’ve called a lawyer first, before doing anything else other than getting medical attention.

But you should be as honest as possible about what’s already happened. If you’ve already talked to an insurance adjuster or have signed any documents, your attorney needs to know this right away.

Talking to an insurance adjuster isn’t a dealbreaker, nor is waiting longer than you should, unless you are outside the limitations period. You wouldn’t be the first person who has let an insurance company intimidate them into waiting, or who has thought that you can’t call a lawyer until you’re 100% better. 

#2) Whether your case is strong enough to move forward.

Be sure to be completely honest with the attorney about the facts of your case. Only complete honesty will give the attorney the information they need to pursue your case at all.

If you think you might bear a little responsibility for the accident say so, so that your attorney knows how to defend you in light of New Jersey’s comparative negligence laws. Give your just-the-facts accounting of everything that happened.

Some people are afraid to do this because they’re afraid the attorney won’t take their case. In reality most attorneys will take any case worth pursuing. 

Some people won’t talk to an attorney until they are sure the case is strong enough, but doing this kind of guesswork isn’t effective. Let an attorney decide. The consultation is free anyway. 

#3) What your case might be worth.

There are few surprises in most injury cases. Your lawyer can usually pinpoint what your case could be worth. The attorney can give you a best-case number and a worst-case number, usually on the day you come in.

Your eventual settlement will probably be somewhere between these two numbers. This helps you set realistic expectations, and prevents you from holding out for a larger figure or trying to push a matter to trial when you could get a settlement large enough to handle everything. 

#4) The firm’s track record with cases like yours.

Experience really does matter in personal injury cases. Better negotiation skills could mean tens of thousands of dollars more in your pockets. Better trial preparation skills can save your case when an insurance company digs in their heels.

You should feel comfortable with any attorney you choose, but the longer the track record the better the results are likely to be. 

#5) Your next steps.

If the attorney takes your case you need to make sure that you find out exactly what evidence you need to gather, exactly what names and numbers your attorney needs, where you need to be next and when you need to be there.

Always make sure you have a thorough understanding of what comes next and what the process is. 

Are you ready to schedule your free consultation? Contact our firm to get started today.

See also:

4 Myths About New Jersey Personal Injury Cases

Do You Have to Talk to the Insurance Adjuster in Your NJ Personal Injury Case?

4 Reasons a Judge Might Dismiss Your NJ Personal Injury Case