NJ Personal Injury Claim Process

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If you've got hurt in an accident that appears to be the responsibility of someone else, you may be confused about what to expect in a typical personal injury lawsuit, including how long it will take. 

This article will lead you through a standard NJ personal injury claim timeline.

Get Medical Attention

After being hurt in an accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. That means you should go to the emergency department or schedule an appointment with your doctor if you even suspect you've been wounded. 

Not only is it the correct thing to do for your health, but if you don't see a doctor for a while after an accident, the insurance adjuster and the jury are likely to believe that your injuries aren't significant.

Seek Legal Help of a Personal Injury Lawyer

It's always a better idea to speak with a personal injury lawyer if your claim is anything more than a minor one. You can handle a minor New Jersey personal injury claim on your own (as long as you're comfortable with the process and believe you'll obtain a fair result). Still, you’ll need a lawyer if you got seriously injured or the other side is stalling on critical points. 

In general, if you are not at work for many days, if you break a bone, or if your medical expenditures exceed a few thousand dollars, you should consult with a lawyer, and you should meet with several of them.

The Lawyer Will Investigate Your Claim and Review Medical Record

Your lawyer will interview you as one of the first things he or she does. The attorney is interested in learning everything you know about the accident, your injuries, and your medical treatment. Lawyers don't like getting caught off guard, so be sure to answer all inquiries completely.

Following that, the lawyer will obtain all of your medical documents and expenses connected to the injury and any treatment you have ever received for the ailment at issue in the case. These details can help you get an edge over the other party in your New Jersey Personal Injury Claim.

Lawyer Will Make Demands and Negotiate on Your Behalf

Many minor personal injury claims in New Jersey get resolved without the need for a lawsuit. If the lawyer believes the issue can get resolved, he or she will make a demand on the opposing attorney or the other party's insurance company.

A skilled lawyer will wait until the plaintiff has obtained maximum medical improvement before making a demand (MMI). MMI refers to when the plaintiff has completed all medical treatment and is as healthy as feasible. 

The lawyer should also wait until MMI before filing a case, and this is because the jury may undervalue the case if the plaintiff is not at MMI by the time the case goes to trial.

Filing of Personal Injury Lawsuit

When you, along with your lawyer, file a personal injury lawsuit in court, the litigation process begins. When a lawsuit gets filed, the clock starts ticking when the case will go to trial. 

Pretrial procedures vary by state, but on average, personal injury claims in New Jersey take one to two years to reach trial. Keep in mind that a lawsuit must get filed within a specific time frame established by each state's statute of limitations.

Mediation and Negotiation

When the discovery phase is over, the lawyers will discuss a settlement. Sometimes the lawyers can reach an agreement simply by discussing between themselves. Still, they will seek mediation in other circumstances, which is a procedure in which both clients and lawyers seek assistance from a neutral third-party mediator to resolve the matter. 

Trial

Mediation is frequently successful, but if it is not, the matter is set for trial. A personal injury trial can last a day, a week, or even longer, depending on the circumstances. 

Because many states only hold trials for half a day rather than a full day, the length may increase. While this doubles the trial length, it also allows lawyers and judges to complete other tasks in the afternoon.

To Conclude:

If you've been hurt and believe someone else is to blame, you should speak with a personal injury lawyer in your area to learn more about your legal options. It's critical to contact an attorney as soon as possible after getting hurt to ensure you don't miss the deadline for bringing an NJ personal injury claim.

If you are looking to hire one but don't know where to find an attorney? Get in touch with the right lawyer at EdwardLeeLaw and let them handle your injury claim. They have excellent skills, experience, and years of fighting for the rights of their clients.