Guide to Finding New Jersey Accident Lawyer

Do I Need a New Jersey Accident Lawyer?

A New Jersey accident lawyer is a professional that provides legal aid to an individual after they have been involved in a vehicle crash. New Jersey accident lawyers practice in the realm of personal injury law; because of this connection, a New Jersey accident lawyer’s primary focus is filing auto accident claims in a civil court setting.

A New Jersey accident lawyer expedites the filing of claims as it pertains to securing a settlement from another party. These claims are introduced to a civil court to secure compensation for the recoupment of damages associated with the accident if a settlement is not secured between the drivers themselves. In the basic model, a New Jersey Accident Lawyer is necessary if you cannot secure a settlement or negotiate with the entity who was involved in the car accident.

All settlements in an accident suit are meant to provide compensation to the damaged party. The monies delivered in a settlement are used to offset the costs related to convalescence, vehicle repair and lost wages (income you could not earn because you could not work).

A suitable automobile accident trial can be precipitated in the following of ways: negligent or reckless driving (i.e. failing to obey traffic laws) poor weather conditions, malfunctioning vehicles, distractions, or driving under the influence. If you are involved in a car accident that was caused by one of these variables, it is suggested you meet with an automobile accident lawyer to file a claim and recoup the damages associated if you cannot settle the claim outside of court. Due to wide variety of causes, an automobile accident lawyer may file claims against a number of entities, including: motorists, manufacturers and jurisdictions.

A New Jersey automobile accident lawyer will prove valuable because these professionals understand the traffic laws of the underlying area. Furthermore, an automobile accident attorney is experienced in determining liability through a comprehensive investigation. The crux of an automobile accident claim is the determination of fault and because of their experience with filings; an automobile accident attorney can illuminate liability to secure a settlement.

Because of these skills, it is essential to consult a New Jersey automobile accident attorney if you believe that your accident—that took place in the state--was precipitated by another party’s negligence or reckless behavior. If you do not consult with an automobile accident attorney and your case could not be settled out of court, you have no way of recouping all the costs associated with the accident.

Finding New Jersey Automobile Accident Lawyers?

If you believe your accident was sparked by another party’s negligent or reckless actions—and you could not secure a settlement with the other party’s insurance company--you should hire an automobile accident attorney. If your accident was not severe (did not cause damage to yourself or the vehicle) or was not caused by another party’s actions, you will not need to file a suit or hire an automobile accident attorney.

Although not all automobile accidents will mandate the inclusion of an automobile accident attorney, consulting with these professionals is suggested if the determination of fault is ambiguous.

To find a car accident attorney you should utilize all resources, including online searches, the yellow pages, and referrals from friends or family and New Jersey’s BAR Association website.

The Internet, given its efficiency and ability to locate New Jersey automobile accident lawyers in your region, should be the first consideration. Perform searches, visit the websites of New Jersey car accident law firms in your area and read message boards and review sites to gauge the experience and effectiveness of prospective automobile accident attorneys.

In addition to searches, professional organizations, such as state and local bar associations, will offer suitable referral services and will provide broad details concerning automobile accident attorneys in your area. For example, your state’s BAR Association website will list an automobile accident lawyer in your area, his or her law firm and any awards or disciplinary actions that the individual received in the past ten years.

In addition to using Internet, you should also take advantage of “referrals and word-of-mouth resources. Ask anyone you know--who has been involved in an auto accident claim—as to the legal process and their respective representative.

What should I look for in a New Jersey Automobile Accident Lawyer?

When you compile a list of prospective New Jersey automobile accident, you must contact each one to schedule preliminary meetings or consultations. Because a New Jersey automobile accident lawyer is in essence, a personal injury lawyer, the consultations will be free of cost. These preliminary meetings are vital to forecasting the case; during a consultation, a New Jersey automobile accident lawyer will evaluate your claim and illuminate the likelihood of securing a settlement. If the automobile accident attorney does not forecast a victory the professional will not represent you and will advise you to settle out of court or drop the claim all together.

During the consultation you must observe the automobile accident lawyer’s personality. Is he professional or careless? Does he carry himself well or does he seem unorganized? Is he affable and highly passionate or taciturn and indifferent? These questions are crucial when evaluating representation; remember, this consultation is not only a review of your prospective claim, but also a chance to review the legal professional and his or her personality.

In addition to the prospective automobile attorney’s outward personality, you must evaluate his firm and his ability to listen to your claims. You want an automobile accident attorney who is easy to contact and talk to; communication must be seamless between you and your legal aid.

Evaluating Experience and Education:

Arguably the most important measurable, when hiring an automobile accident lawyer, is the individual’s experience. Experience, regarding the claim process and traffic law, represents the individual’s grasp of the particular legal framework and his or her ability to expedite the legal process.

Furthermore, experience also yields respect; a practiced automobile accident lawyer will have professional relationships with judges, state officials and other attorneys--these characteristics increase the likelihood of securing a settlement. An automobile accident lawyer’s educational background is important, but a factor that should not influence your hiring decision. The automobile accident lawyer’s personality, your ability to converse with him or her, and experience should trump the individual’s educational background.

New Jersey Automobile Accident Lawyer Fees:

Similar to all personal injury attorneys, an automobile accident lawyer will operate under a contingency pay schedule. This structure simply means that a client will not pay an automobile accident attorney unless a favorable settlement is reached. If a settlement is secured, the automobile accident attorney will take a percentage of the total settlement amount. If a settlement is not reached, the automobile accident lawyer will not be paid. This pay structure; however, will vary from lawyer to lawyer—some automobile accident lawyers may charge a retainer fee that necessitates an upfront cost.