How to Pursue Personal Injury Claims

How to Handle Personal Injury Claims

If you experienced an injury as the result of another person’s negligence, it is often wise to pursue the options of personal injury claims to help you receive the compensation that you deserve for the resulting damages. Because pursuing personal injury claims lawsuits in New Jersey can be challenging, it can help to understand the various steps involved with pursuing a personal injury claim.

Obtain the Assistance of a Skilled Personal Injury Attorney

The first step that most accident victims take in pursuing a personal injury case is to obtain the assistance of an experienced accident lawyer. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help guide you through the process and make sure that all of the appropriate paperwork is filed and that your rights are protected.

Insurance Negotiations

Many personal injury cases include negotiations with the responsible party’s insurance provider. In these situations, our lawyers can help you file a claim. When it is necessary, an experienced lawyer can contact your insurance company and even send a letter demanding a certain amount of compensation. Sometimes, this effort might result in a settlement with the insurance company, and sometimes it results in the insurance company refusing to acknowledge these demands.

Initiating a Lawsuit

If the insurance company does not offer a fair amount of compensation, many lawyers then decide to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. The initial paperwork that is filed in your lawsuit will explain how the accident occurred as well as describe the various damages that you face as the accident victim.

The Discovery Process

The discovery process involves an attorney gathering documents, evidence, information, and testimony from the accident victim, the party responsible for the accident, and anyone else who saw the accident occur. This process also sometimes involve depositions, in which a party provides oral or written answers to questions about the accident.

Settlement Negotiations

While the parties prepare for trial, they commonly attempt to reach a settlement. This is often in the best interest of both parties because it prevents the case from proceeding to a lengthy and expensive trial. A large number of cases resolve during this time, which means that they ultimately do not proceed to trial.

Trial

If the parties can not reach a settlement, a case will proceed to trial. During the trial, each party will argue its point. The process also involves calling on witnesses and experts to support and weaken arguments. If the jury rules favorably, there is a possibility that they will decide on the amount of compensation for your injuries.

Speak with a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer

Because the process is often particularly complex, it is in the best interest for accident victims to obtain the assistance of a skilled personal injury lawyer who can help navigate the numerous complications that arise. At Ferrara & Gable, we have substantial experience guiding accident victims through the personal injury process. Contact us today to schedule an initial free consultation.