When an accident has injured you in Bergen County, it can disrupt every aspect of your daily life. Suddenly, you’re facing not just physical pain, but a stack of medical bills and financial stress. New Jersey law gives you a path to demand financial compensation for injuries caused by someone else’s carelessness. A personal injury claim aims to cover every cost the accident forced upon you, from the ambulance ride to the income you’ll lose years from now.
The legal system, with its deadlines and paperwork, feels like a burden on top of what you already have to deal with. Our job is to take that entire burden off your shoulders by handling the forms, the phone calls, and the negotiations so you can focus on your recovery.
If you’ve been harmed in an accident, talk to an experienced Bergen County personal injury lawyer today. Call Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. now at (201) 585-9111 for a no-cost, no-obligation discussion about your case.
Bergen County Personal Injury Guide
- How Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. Can Help You
- What Compensation Is Available in a Personal Injury Claim?
- Where Do Accidents Happen in Bergen County?
- Common Personal Injury Claims We Handle
- Dealing with the Insurance Company
- What Should I Do to Protect My Claim?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Let Us Handle the Details So You Can Heal
How Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. Can Help You
A History of Significant Results
Our firm prides itself on handling challenging and complex cases that define New Jersey law. We were part of the trial team that secured a $101 million recovery for the victims of the Tropicana Garage Collapse, one of the state’s landmark legal victories. Our office, located at 201 Columbia Avenue in Fort Lee, is a place where clients find a path forward after life-altering events.
Decades of Focused Experience
Michael Maggiano has spent more than 45 years practicing personal injury law. This singular focus gives our team an understanding of these cases that is both broad and deep. Partners like Christopher DiGirolamo, recognized as a “Top Lawyer in Bergen County,” bring that same dedicated approach to every client we serve.
You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
We work on a contingency fee basis. This is a straightforward promise. If we don’t secure compensation for you, you don’t owe us a legal fee. We begin with a free case review to give you clear answers about your options without any financial pressure.
What Compensation Is Available in a Personal Injury Claim?
A personal injury settlement or award is designed to cover all the costs that stem from the accident. This compensation is generally broken down into three types.
Economic Damages
Think of these as the tangible, calculable costs of your injury. These include:
- All current and future medical treatment
- Lost income and wages
- Diminished ability to earn in the future
- Damage to your property, like your car
- Rehabilitation, physical therapy, and assistive devices
Non-Economic Damages
These damages address the human cost of the injury, the ways it rewrites your daily life.. They typically cover:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life’s activities
- Loss of companionship or consortium
Punitive Damages
In rare situations where the defendant’s behavior was exceptionally reckless or intentionally harmful, a court may award punitive damages. These aren’t to repay your losses but to punish the wrongdoer and send a clear message that such conduct will not be tolerated.
A Note on New Jersey’s “Modified Comparative Fault” Rule
New Jersey law examines the role each person played in an accident. This means your compensation award is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 10% at fault, your award would be reduced by 10%. If you are found to be more than 50% responsible, you are barred from recovering any damages at all.
Verdicts and Settlements
$2,500,000 - Motor Vehicle Crash
For a 23-year old waitress who was when riding as a back seat passenger of a drunken driver. She suffered injuries when her host driver crashed into the rear of a stopped tractor trailer parked on an approach ramp to a bridge due to a flat tire.
$650,000 - Inadequate Building Security
To a young single woman who was abducted and raped in a dimly lit, insecure hotel parking lot in 1994 and suffered severe and disabling post traumatic stress disorder.
$850,000 - Medical Negligence
To a 54 year old salesman for foot disability due to unnecessary tarsal tunnel surgery by the podiatrist.
Where Do Accidents Happen in Bergen County?
Bergen County consistently reports one of the highest numbers of motor vehicle accidents in New Jersey. According to the New Jersey State Police, the county had the third-most traffic fatalities in the state as of a recent year. Certain areas present a higher risk in our local communities..
Fort Lee, Palisades Park, and Edgewater
The proximity to the George Washington Bridge creates a constant bottleneck of traffic. Main Street in Fort Lee, also known as Korea Town, is a hub of activity with heavy foot and vehicle traffic, making intersections like Palisade Avenue and Main Street particularly risky.
Hackensack, Teaneck, and Englewood
These diverse communities are bisected by some of New Jersey’s busiest roads. Route 4 and Route 17 are notorious for collisions due to high speeds and the constant flow of traffic in and out of commercial properties. Pedestrians in Hackensack face known dangers at intersections like Essex Street and Prospect Avenue.
Common Accident Hotspots
- Route 4 & Route 17: These massive arteries are perennial leaders in accident statistics, largely due to traffic volume and countless entry/exit points for shopping centers.
- Grand Avenue & Route 46 in Englewood/Leonia: The rush to and from the George Washington Bridge turns this intersection into a daily hazard.
- River Road & Route 5 in Edgewater: This stretch is known for pedestrian accidents, a problem made worse by delivery trucks that block sidewalks and poor lighting conditions at night.
- Roads in Paramus: As the retail heart of the county, the roads surrounding the Garden State Plaza and Paramus Park Mall are frequent sites of fender-benders and more serious collisions.
Common Personal Injury Claims We Handle
We have experience in a wide range of cases such as:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: Collisions involving cars, commercial trucks, motorcycles, and buses are the most common source of injury claims. These cases often require a detailed reconstruction of the accident to prove fault.
- Premises Liability: Property owners have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. When they fail, and someone gets hurt in a slip and fall or due to negligent security, they may be held accountable. This includes commercial properties like grocery stores and private homes.
- Construction Accidents: Construction sites are inherently dangerous. When an injury happens, it usually involves digging through layers of responsibility between general contractors, subcontractors, and property owners to identify who is at fault.
- Medical Malpractice: When a doctor, nurse, or hospital provides care that falls below the accepted medical standard and causes a patient harm, it may be malpractice. These cases require rigorous review by medical professionals.
- Product Liability: If a defective product, whether a faulty auto part, a dangerous children’s toy, or a flawed medical device causes an injury, the manufacturer or seller could be held liable.
- Wrongful Death: When another’s negligence causes a death, the victim’s family can file a wrongful death claim. This type of lawsuit seeks compensation for the financial and emotional losses the family has suffered.
Dealing with the Insurance Company
Shortly after an accident, you will hear from an insurance adjuster. It might be from your own insurance company or the at-fault party’s. It is important to understand their role. The adjuster’s job is to protect their company’s bottom line, and thus, their interests do not align with yours.
Here’s what to be aware of:
- The Quick Settlement Offer: The insurer may offer you a check before you even know how serious your injuries are. This first offer is almost always a lower number that doesn’t account for future surgeries, long-term physical therapy, or lost earning potential. Accepting it closes your case for good.
- The Request for a Recorded Statement: The other party’s adjuster will ask you to provide a recorded statement about the accident. You are not legally required to do this. They tend to ask questions where your responses could be used to weaken your claim later.
- The Slow-Down: Sometimes, instead of a quick offer, you get silence. The claims process may drag on, causing delays that put pressure on you to accept a lower settlement out of sheer frustration.
What Should I Do to Protect My Claim?
While we handle the legal strategy, the actions you take have a big impact on the strength of your case.
- Follow Your Doctor’s Treatment Plan: Go to all your appointments, take your prescribed medication, and follow through with physical therapy. This creates a clear medical record and shows you are doing everything you can to recover.
- Keep a Simple Journal: Just a few notes each day about your pain level, any physical limitations, and how the injury is affecting your mood becomes powerful evidence of your non-economic damages. For example: “Pain in my back flared up this morning; I couldn’t lift my daughter.”
- Hold Onto All Paperwork: Create a folder for every bill, receipt, and explanation of benefits that arrives in the mail. Keep copies of your pay stubs to document your lost wages.
- Stay Off Social Media: Do not post about your accident, your injuries, or your activities. Insurance companies hire investigators to look into your social media for photos or posts to use to suggest you aren’t as injured as you claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in New Jersey?
For most personal injury cases, New Jersey’s statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, this deadline can be much shorter. For instance, if your claim is against a government entity (like a town or a county), you must file a formal Notice of Claim within just 90 days of the incident.
I was hit by a car while walking in Fort Lee. What should I do?
Pedestrians have a right to seek full compensation for their injuries from a negligent driver. Given the heavy vehicle and foot traffic in areas like Fort Lee, pedestrian accidents are a serious risk. The first step is to get medical attention. The next is to speak with a lawyer to help preserve evidence and protect your rights.
My family’s primary language is Korean. Can you still help us?
Yes, absolutely. We are dedicated to serving everyone in our diverse Bergen County communities. With large and vibrant Korean-speaking populations in Fort Lee, Palisades Park, and Edgewater, we understand the importance of making sure you are understood. We will arrange for professional interpretation services so you are comfortable and informed at every stage of your case.
What if I’m undocumented? Can I still file a claim?
Yes. Your immigration status has no impact on your right to pursue compensation for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. We do not report immigration status to any authorities, and your legal claim is protected under New Jersey law.
Will I have to go to court if I file a personal injury lawsuit?
Not necessarily. Most personal injury claims settle out of court. However, if your case proceeds to trial, it will likely be heard at the Bergen County Superior Court located in Hackensack. Our attorneys handle all filings and court appearances and will prepare you every step of the way if trial becomes necessary.
Let Us Handle the Details So You Can Heal
The weeks and months after a serious injury should be dedicated to your recovery. Let our team at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. take on the legal burden for you. We have the experience, the resources, and the dedication to pursue the maximum compensation the law allows for your injuries.
Your rights must be protected. Call us today at (201) 585-9111 for a free consultation to learn how we can help.
