Question 1

What is my personal injury case actually worth?

Accepted Answer

Case value comes down to three things: the severity and permanence of your injuries, the total economic loss (medical bills past and future, lost income, reduced earning capacity), and the strength of the liability evidence against the other side. A minor sprain that fully resolves is not the same case as a herniated disc requiring surgery, even if the accident looked identical. We can give a realistic value range after reviewing your records and the incident documentation.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Two years from the date of the injury for most personal injury claims. Claims against public entities (like NJ Transit, a municipal government, or a public hospital) require a written notice of claim within ninety days -- miss that deadline and the case is dead no matter how strong. Minors have extended deadlines. Do not wait to consult, even if the deadline seems far away.

Question 3

Do I have to pay anything to hire a personal injury attorney?

Accepted Answer

No. Personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee -- our fee is a percentage of the recovery, and only if we recover. Case expenses (medical record copies, expert witness fees, court filing costs) are advanced by the firm and only reimbursed from the settlement or verdict. No case, no fee.

Question 4

The insurance adjuster called me and asked for a recorded statement -- should I give one?

Accepted Answer

No, not without talking to an attorney first. Recorded statements are almost never in your interest. Adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to lock in answers that hurt your claim later. You are not required to give one to the other driver's insurance, and even statements to your own carrier should be prepared for. This is the single most common way clients hurt their own case in the first week.

Question 5

What is PIP and how does it work in a New Jersey car accident?

Accepted Answer

PIP (Personal Injury Protection) is the no-fault portion of your NJ auto policy -- it pays your medical bills up to the policy limit regardless of who caused the accident. PIP kicks in first, then the at-fault driver's liability insurance covers pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages beyond PIP. Coordinating both is part of what we handle so your medical providers get paid and you don't get stuck with balance bills.

Question 6

What if the other driver has minimum insurance and my injuries are serious?

Accepted Answer

Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage stacks on top when the at-fault driver's limits are inadequate. This is often where the real recovery comes from in a serious injury case -- your own insurance company effectively becomes the defendant. UM/UIM claims are resolved through arbitration under NJ policy rules and are worth handling carefully.

Question 7

How long will my case take from start to finish?

Accepted Answer

Straightforward cases where liability is clear and treatment is complete can settle within six to twelve months. Cases involving disputed liability, catastrophic injuries or trial preparation can run one to three years. We do not settle a case before we know what your long-term medical needs are -- settling too early is how injured people end up paying for future surgeries out of pocket.

Question 8

What should I do right after an accident?

Accepted Answer

Get medical evaluation, even if you feel okay at the scene -- many injuries (concussion, soft tissue, internal) show up hours or days later, and gaps in treatment are used against you. Report the accident to your own insurer. Do not give a recorded statement to the other side. Photograph everything if you are able. Then call an attorney before signing anything.

Personal Injury Lawyers in Englewood New Jersey

Expert Personal Injury Law Services

Englewood's Injury Firm — Focused on Serious Cases, Not High Volume

Serving the Palisades and Northern Bergen County

Cities We Serve

Our Recent Work

Frequently Asked Questions

Seriously Injured in Northern Bergen County?