Fort Lee Personal Injury Lawyers

Building Your Case from Top to Bottom

Personal injury claims are an essential part of recovering compensation for most people who have been in an accident that was not their fault. Every step of the process is just as important as the entire process overall. To be confident with how your case is forming and the direction it is heading, team up with the Fort Lee personal injury lawyers of Horn Wright, LLP.

We’re a leading local law firm with one goal in mind: getting as much compensation for our clients as possible. Of course, we also balance our legal services with genuine compassion and one-on-one attention, so our clients never feel like they are being led in circles or astray.

See what our team can do for your claim. Dial (201) 654-0023 now to speak with our Fort Lee personal injury attorneys.

What Is Considered A Personal Injury in NJ?

In New Jersey, a personal injury is considered any situation where you are injured due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another person or party. This can encompass a wide range of incidents.

In order to have a personal injury case, you typically need to prove four elements:

• Duty of care: The other party had a legal obligation to act in a safe way towards you.
• Breach of duty: The other party failed to uphold their duty of care through action or inaction.
• Causation: Your injuries were a direct result of the other party's breach of duty.
• Damages: You suffered financial losses, pain and suffering, or other losses as a result of your injury.

If you believe you have a personal injury case in New Jersey, it's important to consult with an injury attorney in Fort Lee to discuss the specifics of your situation and determine the best course of action.

Call Us for Any Type of Personal Injury Case

You can count on our team to assist with any personal injury case you need to be filed and managed. Thanks to our extensive legal experience and varied backgrounds as legal professionals, there is no case that is too big, small, or complicated for our team.

Four of the most common injury cases we handle for clients are:

• Car accidents: Reckless drivers cause thousands of serious crashes across the country every year. Insurance companies defend them each time to try to save their own profits. Get ready for anything the opposition will throw at your case by working with us today.
• Truck accidents: Huge commercial trucks can cause absolutely devastating accidents, even when traveling below highway speeds. We are here to help you demand compensation from powerful trucking companies and their insurers.
• Motorcycle accidents: Injured motorcyclists in Hackensack know they have legal allies in our firm. You deserve the utmost compensation for your wreck, and we know what it takes to fight for it.
• Product liability: You can hold a negligent product manufacturer liable for making a dangerous product with the help of our firm. Let us know if you were hurt by a defective auto part, appliance, drug, etc.

Damages Available to Injured Claimants

The damages in your personal injury claim are the losses you have suffered due to your accident and injuries. They can come in many forms, including economic and non-economic. As your personal injury attorneys, we will work diligently to uncover all of your damages and calculate them accurately. We don’t want to leave a single cent owed to you unclaimed.

Your personal injury claim might include these damages and more:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering

How Long Will My PI Case Take In NJ?

The timeline can vary greatly depending on several factors:

Settlement vs. Trial:

• Settlement: If both parties agree on a fair compensation amount quickly, your case could resolve in as little as one to three months. New Jersey law mandates insurance companies to begin investigating a claim within 10 days and complete it within 30 days of receiving proof of losses (N.J. Admin. Code § 11:2-17.7). This is not typical.
• Trial: If negotiations stall or a settlement can't be reached, your case might head to trial. This can take significantly longer, anywhere from one to two years from the initial claim notification. The court backlog, scheduling conflicts, and the complexity of your case can all influence this timeframe.

Case Complexity:

• Straightforward cases: Cases with clear liability, minimal injuries, and readily available documentation tend to resolve quicker.
• Complex cases: Cases involving severe injuries, multiple parties, disputed liability, or requiring expert witnesses will likely take longer to investigate and litigate.

Potential Stages & Timeframes in a NJ Personal Injury Lawsuit

1. Initial Consultation & Investigation (Weeks to Months):

• You meet with a personal injury attorney to discuss your case.
• Your lawyer gathers information about your accident, injuries, and damages.
• Medical records, police reports, and witness statements are collected.

2. Demand Letter & Negotiation (Weeks to Months):

• Your attorney sends a demand letter to the at-fault party's insurance company outlining your claim and desired compensation.
• Negotiation with the insurance company begins to reach a settlement.

3. Discovery (Evidence Exchange) (Several Months to Years):

• This is the most time-consuming phase, especially in complex cases.
• Both parties exchange information and evidence to support their claims.
• This might involve depositions (questioning witnesses under oath), interrogatories (written questions), and requests for documents.

4. Pre-Trial Motions (A Few Months):

• Your attorney may file motions with the court to address legal issues or exclude certain evidence.
• The judge hears arguments and issues rulings on these motions.

5. Trial (A Few Days to Weeks):

• If a settlement isn't reached, the case goes to trial.
• Both sides present evidence and arguments before a judge or jury.
• A verdict is reached, determining liability and damages (if any).

6. Settlement After Trial (if applicable) (Weeks to Months):

• Even after a verdict, negotiations for settlement can continue.
• This might occur if the verdict is less than expected by one party.

Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in New Jersey

In New Jersey, the general statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the injury. There are some exceptions and situations that can affect this timeframe:

• Discovery Rule: If you weren't aware of the injury or its cause until later, the two-year clock might start ticking from the date you discovered it.
• Minors: Children generally have two years from their 18th birthday to file a lawsuit for injuries sustained while minors (except for certain birth injuries).
• Tolling the Statute: Certain circumstances can pause the statute of limitations, such as if the defendant is out of state or the injured party is mentally incapacitated.

Ready to Fight Insurance Companies for You

Horn Wright, LLP in Fort Lee, NJ is ready to take your personal injury case to the next level. Known for our creative solutions to legal challenges that could interfere with our clients’ recoveries, our team is constantly innovating our methods while also using tried-and-true approaches to casework. This combination of forward-thinking and real-world legal experience has led us to great successes for our clients, time after time.

Contact us now to learn more about our firm and your options with our Fort Lee personal injury lawyers.