Trying to get a personal injury claim settlement after being injured can be exhausting. People are often eager to receive settlement funds as quickly as possible so that they can focus on recovering from an accident, but initial offers from insurance companies are not always fair. If you or a loved one was injured in an accident in New Jersey, you might wonder how long it will take to settle your case.
The amount of time needed to settle a personal injury claim varies greatly from case to case. Some cases are settled within a few months, while others take several years. In New Jersey, it is not uncommon for cases to take more than a year to resolve. Although it may seem like a long time, the settlement negotiation process allows you to get fair compensation for your injuries. The personal injury lawyers at Garden State Justice Group are here to make sure injured victims get the compensation they need in a timely matter to cover these financial burdens.
Below are a few of the local medical resources available to help those with unexpected injuries:
Personal injury law refers to laws that protect individuals against negligent behavior. If you were injured due to another person's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
In New Jersey, personal injury claims fall under two categories: strict liability and negligence.
Strict liability means that an individual has no duty to act responsibly. For example, if you slip and fall on a public sidewalk, you cannot sue the city for failing to maintain the walkway properly. However, if a store owner negligently leaves broken glass on the floor, they do have a legal obligation to clean up after customers.
Strict liability applies to injuries caused by defective products. Products that are manufactured according to industry standards are considered safe. However, if a manufacturer makes a mistake and produces a faulty product, the company may be held liable for any resulting injuries.
Products that are sold without proper warnings or instructions may also be subject to strict liability. For example, if a child swallows a piece of candy that was wrapped in foil, the candy maker would be strictly liable for any resulting injuries, regardless of whether the candy was actually defective.
Negligence occurs when an individual fails to exercise reasonable care. This failure to exercise reasonable care results in harm to others. Negligent conduct can include leaving dangerous objects in the workplace or failing to warn customers of hidden dangers.
For example, if a restaurant employee negligently leaves a knife behind on a table, the customer who picks it up can file a lawsuit against the establishment.
State governments typically apply a statute of limitations to a particular type of lawsuit, such as personal injury, in order to encourage people to file their claims quickly. According to the rationale behind these laws, the longer people wait, the more likely evidence will be destroyed, witnesses' memories will fade, and the search for the truth of what happened will become much more difficult. The interest in providing certainty to people who may be defendants in lawsuits is one of the reasons the statute of limitations laws in New Jersey are based on. Legislators believe that people shouldn't have to live in constant fear of a lawsuit that may be filed because of conduct that happened decades ago.
Statutes of limitations for personal injury encourage finality and certainty, but they pose a significant burden on the victim, who is undoubtedly dealing with a lot after an injury. It is important for you to seek out a knowledgeable New Jersey personal injury attorney if you have been injured because of carelessness or recklessness. If you miss a deadline, you can lose your right to pursue compensation through personal injury litigation.
It can be hard to think about taking legal action after a serious accident or injury. However, it's important to speak to a New Jersey personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you speak to an attorney, the easier it will be for you to get compensated for your injuries.
A personal injury lawyer helps clients who have been hurt due to another person's negligence. This may include car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, dog bites, and any number of other situations.
A personal injury attorney will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether the defendant was negligent. If they determine that the defendant was indeed negligent, the personal injury attorney will file a lawsuit against the defendant.
After filing the lawsuit, the personal injury attorney works closely with the client to negotiate a settlement. If no settlement is reached, the case goes to trial. At trial, the plaintiff has the burden of proving that the defendant was negligent.
There are several reasons to contact a personal injury lawyer. Victims may be entitled to compensation for their injuries. Even though they were not responsible for causing the accident, they still deserve compensation for pain and suffering. Second, they may be eligible for additional benefits such as disability payments, lost wages, and medical bills. An injured victim may be entitled to receive punitive damages if the defendant acted maliciously or recklessly. Lastly, hiring a personal injury lawyer can save money in legal fees.
The legal team at Garden State Justice Group understands that accidents often happen quickly and that many victims are not aware of their legal rights until after the fact. The personal injury attorneys take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that victims do not pay anything unless they win.
The Garden State Justice Group personal injury law firm represents clients throughout New Jersey. Those injured due to the negligence of another are encouraged to call today to see if they qualify for compensation.
