According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year 214,000 people die from some type of injury. This means that one person dies every three minutes. Accidents happen frequently and, in many cases, result in serious or life-altering damage that leads to high medical expenses and time away from work.
If you or a loved one was involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you have legal options. At The Law Offices of Peter N. Davis and Associates, we are passionate about helping injured victims receive the justice they deserve.
We understand how difficult navigating the legal process can be, especially when you’re also trying to recover from your injuries. For this reason, our Totowa personal injury lawyers are here to review your case and guide you through every step of the way.
What Is Personal Injury Law?
Personal injury law, commonly known as tort law, gives injured victims the opportunity to file a claim against the negligent party who directly caused their injuries. Under this law, an injured victim can seek compensation to help cover the various expenses associated with their injuries.
Compensation: What Will Be Covered?
Compensation is a financial award given to an injured individual who sustained injuries as a result of a careless individual. The amount awarded is based on the specific details of your case. For example, the severity of your injuries and the length of time it takes you to recover will impact your settlement amount.
If you’re eligible for compensation, it may help cover:
Medical Expenses
The treatment required for your recovery can be costly, depending on the type of injury you suffered. Furthermore, it may take months for you to fully recover, causing medical bills to increase even more. Compensation can help cover medical expenses related to your accident, including surgeries, occupational therapy, prescription medications, and more.
Property Damage
If you’re involved in an automobile accident, you may be compensated for the damage done to your vehicle.
Lost Wages
In some cases, an injury may prevent you from working temporarily or even permanently. Compensation may be available for your lost wages or loss of earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering
Compensation may also be available for noneconomic damages, such as loss of enjoyment of life and loss of consortium.
Although compensation can’t change what you’ve suffered, it can cover the various costs related to your accident and help you begin to move forward. Keep in mind that to effectively determine how much compensation you’re entitled to, our team of Totowa personal injury lawyers will need to first evaluate the circumstances of your claim.
Types of Cases Our Firm Handles
Our law firm handles a variety of personal injury cases so we can help as many injured victims as possible. The types of cases our firm represents include but are not limited to:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Truck accidents
- Wrongful death claims
- Motorcycle accidents
- Dog bite injuries
- Back and spinal injuries
- Boating accidents
10 Most Common Injuries After an Accident
Suffering an injury after an accident is not uncommon. While there are numerous types of injuries that could result from an accident, the 10 most common injuries associated with personal injury claims are:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Fractures/broken bones
- Neck injuries
- Disfigurement
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burn injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Soft tissue injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Limb loss and amputation
Personal Injury Checklist
The decisions you make following your accident can either support or damage your claim should you decide to seek compensation. We understand how frightening the moments after an accident can be, especially when you’re uncertain how to proceed.
For this reason, our team has created a simple checklist that can help protect your rights and any compensation you may be entitled to receive:
- Take photos of your injuries and any property damage.
- Seek medical attention and follow your doctor’s orders.
- Keep records of your medical bills and missed time from work.
- Don’t sign anything from the insurance company.
- Contact a personal injury attorney.
Proving Liability After an Accident
In order to win a personal injury case, it must be proven that the other party/parties involved acted negligently. The factors below must be demonstrated to prove negligence:
- You must prove that the defendant owed you a duty of care.
- You must prove that the defendant breached their duty of care.
- You must prove that the defendant’s actions directly caused your accident.
- You must prove that your damages occurred as a direct result of your accident.
Proving liability is not simple. For this reason, it’s in your best interest to speak with an attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Is There a Deadline to File a Claim?
The statute of limitations is a law that dictates the amount of time an injured victim can take legal action against the responsible party. This law varies from state to state, so it’s important to be aware of the deadline in New Jersey.
When filing a personal injury claim in New Jersey, you have exactly two years from the day the accident happened. If you file after this deadline, your chances of receiving any type of compensation are little to none.
Due to this strict deadline, it’s in your best interest to contact our firm as soon as possible after your accident so we can begin evaluating your case. If we determine you’re entitled to compensation, we will get started on your case immediately and ensure you don’t miss any important deadlines.
Need Help? Contact Our Law Firm
The Law Offices of Peter N. Davis and Associates is a personal injury law firm in New Jersey dedicated to helping injured victims receive the justice they deserve.
If you or a loved one sustained injuries due to the careless actions of another person, don’t wait to find out if you’re entitled to compensation for damages. Our team understands the frustration and stress injured victims face, and we want to help.
We serve injured victims in Totowa, Paterson, Newark, Passaic, Hackensack, Clifton, and Elizabeth, New Jersey. To learn more about your legal options, contact our office at 973-279-7246 or fill out our free consultation form. Personal injury cases are time sensitive, so please don’t hesitate to contact us today for help!