New Jersey Personal Injury Attorneys Proudly Serving Englewood

What you do and don’t know CAN hurt you, especially in the aftermath of an accident. In fact, if you believe some of the common myths about personal injury cases, it’s far more likely that you will make mistakes that could negatively impact the strength and outcome of your claim.

To help you avoid these mistakes and preserve your rights to recovery, the following uncovers the real facts behind common, harmful myths about personal injury cases. For additional facts and advice specific your situation and potential claim, simply contact a trusted Englewood personal injury lawyer at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C.

Call (201) 585-9111 or Email Us
for Free, Confidential Answers Regarding Your Potential Claim

englewood new jersey personal injury lawyer
Kearny Personal Injury Attorneys

Contacting our firm and attending a FREE consultation does not create any obligation to retain us. It can, however, illuminate the steps necessary to setting your claim up for the best possible resolution.

5 Common Personal Injury Myths Dispelled

Do not be misguided by these prevalent and possibly costly personal injury myths.

Myth #1: I have plenty of time to file my case.

Wrong! State law sets a specific, firm time limit for filing personal injury cases. These time limits are known as the “statute of limitations” for a case, and they typically start on the date of the accident (that caused the injury) or on the date when the injuries are discovered.

In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years (with some exceptions).

Generally, it’s advised that prospective plaintiffs (i.e., those considering filing a claim) take action as soon as possible to initiate their case (rather than waiting and running out the statute of limitations). This is primarily due to the fact that evidence can degrade or disappear overtime, meaning that these claims tend to be stronger when they are filed sooner (instead of months or a year later).

Myth #2: I was the victim in the accident, so I’m guaranteed compensation.

Wrong again! There are no guarantees with personal injury cases, and you should be skeptical of anyone of “guarantees” you compensation for your claim.

The reality is that personal injury victims may be entitled to compensation and that factors like (but not limited to) the following can impact whether their case results in a financial recovery:

  • When the case is filed – If the statute of limitations expires before the case is filed, the victim can lose the opportunity seek compensation (because the case will likely be dismissed).
  • The available evidence – There must be sufficient evidence to prove negligence, liability and the extent of the losses and injuries sustained. If any of these elements cannot be proven by evidence, it is far more difficult to secure compensation for the associated claim.
  • What the plaintiff does as the case proceeds – Admitting fault to an insurance company, failing to follow through with prescribed medical care and various other actions can sabotage a claim.

Myth #3: It’s always better to accept a settlement offer than to take a personal injury case to trial.

False! No matter how large a settlement offer may seem, do not automatically accept it without first talking to a lawyer. An attorney can carefully evaluate the offer and inform you if it’s acceptable or not (given the details of your cases).

The bottom line here is that personal injury settlement offers are commonly lowballed because insurance companies:

  • Are focused on preserving their profits by reducing or avoiding payouts whenever possible
  • Train adjusters to look for ways to undercut or deny claims
  • Know that victims may really need the payouts and that they may not be advised of their rights and entitlements.

Additionally, insurers may go so far as to send checks out to victims. Cashing these checks can implicitly act as the acceptance of a settlement offer.

Myth #4: I can trust the insurance company to be fair and honest with me and my claim.

This is also false! Going along with the above myth and fact, this one underscores the point that the insurance company is NOT an advocate or ally for personal injury victims seeking compensation.

Typically, the opposite is more likely to be true: the insurer may be adversarial, dishonest and/or unfair when it is time to process a claim and honor victims’ rights. So, the bottom line here is that victims should not rely on the insurer to:

  • Advise them of their rights and options
  • Guide them through the claims process
  • Be willing or forthright about paying the full amount of compensation a victim and claim deserve.

Myth #5: I don’t need a lawyer to oversee my personal injury case.

Untrue – this can be the most dangerous personal injury myth to believe! For these claims, an experienced lawyer can offer invaluable representation and guidance at every stage of the recovery process, helping victims:

  • Avoid damaging mistakes
  • Stand up to adversaries
  • Craft and present a solid case
  • Fight to bring their case to the best outcome possible.

Contact an Englewood Personal Injury Lawyer at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C.

An experienced Englewood personal injury lawyer at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. is ready to partner with you and level the playing field as you move forward to seek the financial recovery and justice you may deserve.

Call (201) 585-9111 or email us to start getting the answers and information necessary to maximize your recovery.

Our record of success and superior legal service in personal injury cases has earned our firm numerous recognitions and accolades, as well as positive testimonials from previous clients. Let us explain how we can make a difference in your claim, recovery and future. We look forward to helping you.

About Englewood, New Jersey

Located in Bergen County, Englewood is a diverse, charming city that is just minutes away from New York’s Times Square. Home to more than 27,000 people, Englewood borders Fort Lee, Englewood Cliffs and Bergenfield.

Some of the unique destinations Englewood offers include bergenPAC, the Flat Rock Brook Nature Center and the George Washington Bridge. Notable historical landmarks in Englewood include the John G. Benson House, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and the Peter Westervelt House and Barn.

In popular culture, Englewood is known for being the birthplace of David Cassidy, Alicia Keys, Eddie Murphy, John Travolta and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Practice Areas

Our attorneys specialize in all areas of personal injury practice, including but not limited to:

Frequently Asked Questions

When Should I Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in NJ?

If you’ve been injured in a vehicle collision, bicycle collision, slip and fall, construction accident, or any other type of accident in or around Englewood, New Jersey, you should contact a personal injury lawyer in NJ promptly. When you have a personal injury case, any unnecessary delays can be costly; and, without legal advice, you could make mistakes that prevent you from obtaining the financial compensation you deserve.

Proving who (or what company) is liable for the accident requires a prompt and thorough investigation. When you hire a personal injury lawyer, one of the first things your lawyer will do is send an investigator to the scene—as long as you contact the attorney in time. Your lawyer will also explain everything you need to know and begin working to help you recover just compensation as quickly as possible.

Do I Need to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in NJ for My Case?

Strictly speaking, the answer is, “No.” There is nothing in the law that says you need to hire a personal injury lawyer in NJ for your case. You can try to handle the case on your own, and the insurance companies will be happy to deal with you directly. In fact, they would prefer that you don’t get a lawyer involved.

Of course, they prefer this because it is easier to take advantage of you when you don’t have an experienced advocate on your side. The reality is that while you don’t need to hire a personal injury lawyer, there are lots of reasons why you should. Your lawyer can deal with the insurance companies for you, help you avoid costly mistakes, and help to maximize your take-home recovery.

How Do I Choose a Personal Injury Law Firm?

There are a few important factors to consider when choosing a personal injury law firm. The first key factor is practice focus: Does the firm focus on handling personal injury cases, or does it also handle divorces, wills, contract disputes, and other legal matters? As a rule, you want an attorney and a firm committed specifically to representing injured people.

The second key factor is experience. How many lawyers does the firm have? How many years have they been handling personal injury cases? How many personal injury clients have they represented? When you need to fight for fair compensation, the more experience you have on your side, the better.

The third key factor is results. Does the firm have a proven record of success representing accident victims and their families? While past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, if the firm has numerous six- and seven-figure victories, this shows that its lawyers have the capabilities needed to represent you effectively.

Meet Our Attorneys

What Will Your Personal Injury Lawyer Do?

From the moment you hire a personal injury lawyer near Englewood NJ to represent you, your lawyer will be working to help you recover maximum compensation for your injury-related losses. In a typical case, this will involve taking steps such as:

  • Investigating the scene of the accident
  • Obtaining documents, video footage, and other forms of evidence
  • Making sure you have adequate documentation of the cause and effects of your injuries (e.g., medical records, police reports, etc.)
  • Using the evidence to prove who (or what company) is responsible for the accident
  • Calculating your economic and non-economic losses
  • Filing your claim (or claims) and dealing with the insurance companies
  • Negotiating for a favorable settlement while also preparing for the possibility of trial

Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi is recognized as one of the preeminent trial law firms in New Jersey and New York. With nearly a century of combined trial experience, our attorneys are well-equipped to represent clients in the courtroom against even the most powerful of defendants.

Why Hire Us?

How Long Do Most Personal Injury Cases Take?

Personal injury cases can take anywhere from a few months to a year or longer. This wide range is due to the fact that there are several factors that will impact the duration of a case. Whether the victim hires a lawyer and whether the insurance companies are willing to negotiate in good faith are two key factors, but there are numerous additional factors as well.

Is It Good to Accept a Settlement Offer?

It is good to accept a settlement offer if the offer represents fair compensation for your injuries and losses. This means that you should not consider settling until you know how much you are entitled to recover.

When you hire a personal injury lawyer, your lawyer will calculate what constitutes just compensation for your current and future losses. If the insurance company makes a settlement offer, your lawyer can help you decide whether to accept.

What Is the Advantage of a Personal Injury Lawyer?

There are several advantages to hiring a personal injury lawyer. The main advantage is that it gives you the opportunity to maximize your take-home recovery. By hiring an experienced lawyer to conduct a thorough investigation, calculate your losses, and deal with the insurance companies on your behalf, you will give yourself the best chance to obtain the compensation you deserve for serious injuries sustained in an accident.