If you’ve been injured in New Jersey because someone else was careless, you have the legal right to seek payment for your losses. A Hackensack personal injury lawyer from Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. can help you file a personal injury claim to cover everything from medical bills and lost pay to the personal suffering you’ve endured.
The personal injury claims process in New Jersey involves managing complex insurance negotiations while you’re still dealing with medical treatment and financial pressures. When you’re trying to recover, gathering evidence, proving damages, and protecting your claim can quickly become overwhelming.
Protecting your rights under New Jersey’s legal framework takes quick action and experienced guidance, knowledge you shouldn’t have to gain while recovering from an injury. Let Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. handle the legal process so you can focus on your health.
For a free discussion about your case, call us at (201) 585-9111 or complete our online form.
Why Hackensack Trusts Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. for Personal Injury Claims
Our firm is rooted in the Hackensack community, and we pair that local presence with a record few firms can match. We bring more than 100 years of combined trial experience to the residents in Hackensack.
Our Commitment to the Hackensack Community
Our office is located at Court Plaza South, 201 Main St., Suite 206, Hackensack, NJ 07601, just a short distance from Hackensack University Medical Center and the Bergen County Courthouse.
We’re not a law firm on the other side of the country. We are part of this community and understand the people who live and work here.
A Record of Results in Complex Injury Cases
We’re prepared to take on difficult cases and will not hesitate to go to trial when necessary to pursue the compensation our clients need. Our attorneys have recovered more than $300 million on behalf of injury victims and their families.
We also played a significant role in the $101 million settlement arising from the Tropicana Casino garage collapse, one of the largest construction accident resolutions in U.S. history.
Respected by Clients and Peers
Our attorneys have a 10.0 AVVO rating and have earned recognition from organizations including Super Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
While we’re proud of these honors, our focus remains on helping injured people navigate challenging situations and pursue meaningful results. Every case receives the attention, preparation, and advocacy it deserves.
No Fee Unless We Win
We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. We also offer free case reviews so you can discuss your situation and understand your legal options without obligation.
When you work with our firm, you receive personalized attention from a team that takes the time to understand how your injuries have affected your life. Ready to discuss your case? Call us at (201) 585-9111 or fill out our online form for your free consultation.
It was a pleasure having Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi take on my case. After a car accident left me jobless for several months, they helped get me back on my feet. They went above and beyond the call of duty!
Stefanie/Mike: can’t express in words my gratitude. Thank you both for all the hard work and Mike, you’re simply the best!
I want to express my deepest appreciation to the firm “MAGGIANO, DiIGIROLAMO
& LIZZI P.C. and to Cristopher DiGirolamo, in particular, for professionally and timely manner. The most important result for me is the successful completion of the case.
I also wish to express my thanks to the paralegal Nirelly Echanique and to Katty, the nice lady at the front desk.
Without any hesitation, I would recommend your firm to others.
Many thanks for your fruitful work.
Common Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Hackensack, New Jersey
Our firm has decades of experience handling a wide range of personal injury claims across Bergen County. If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, our Hackensack personal injury lawyers can help you pursue compensation for your losses.
Car Accidents
Car collisions are among the most common causes of serious injury, and we handle claims from local fender-benders to high-speed crashes on I-80 and Route 17.
Truck Accidents
Truck cases are more complex due to the size of commercial trucks and the federal regulations governing trucking companies. Our team knows how to.
Motorcycle Accidents
Riders face a high risk of severe injury, and we handle motorcycle accidents claims that account for the unique bias riders often face from insurers and juries.
Bus Accidents
Hackensack sees heavy bus traffic, especially around Main Street and the Bergen County Courthouse. A crash on an NJ Transit bus, or while boarding or exiting, may mean a claim against a public entity with a strict 90-day notice deadline.
Your Hackensack personal injury lawyer can help you pursue damages while meeting every procedural requirement.
Medical Malpractice
No institution is immune to error. We handle surgical mistakes, diagnostic errors, and hospital-acquired infections, claims that require expert testimony and an affidavit of merit confirming early that your case has medical merit.
Premises Liability and Slip and Fall
We frequently handle injuries at high-traffic locations like The Shops at Riverside, box stores, and businesses along Main Street. Our team gathers video footage, incident reports, and witness statements to build your premises liability case.
Construction Accidents
Construction sites present many dangers, and injured workers may have claims for compensation beyond what workers’ compensation provides. That includes high-risk equipment cases such as crane accidents, where a dropped load or tip-over can cause catastrophic harm.
Workers’ Compensation
When you are hurt on the job, we help you secure the benefits you are owed and identify any third-party claim that could add to your recovery. We also handle harder-to-prove conditions, including fibromyalgia and disability claims that insurers often resist.
Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
Catastrophic injuries require lifetime cost planning to avoid paying out of pocket. Our Hackensack personal injury lawyers work with medical and economic experts to value the full impact on your future.
Wrongful Death
If you have lost a family member because of someone else’s negligence, we can help you pursue a wrongful death claim on behalf of your family.
What Compensation Is Available in a Hackensack Personal Injury Claim?
Your New Jersey personal injury claim may include compensation for both the financial and personal losses caused by the accident, including medical bills and pain and suffering. The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, and the damages available under state law.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the direct, measurable financial losses associated with your injury, including:
- Medical Expenses: Emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, medication, and future medical care.
- Lost Wages: Income lost while you recover, as well as reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work in the future.
- Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace personal property damaged in the accident, including your vehicle.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for the personal impact of the injury that cannot be measured by bills or receipts. This may include:
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and the overall effect of the injury on your life.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the activities, hobbies, and experiences you can no longer enjoy because of your injuries.
- Emotional Distress: Compensation for anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep disturbances, and other psychological effects caused by the accident.
- Permanent Disability and Disfigurement: Compensation for lasting physical limitations, scarring, and other permanent effects of the injury.
How New Jersey’s Comparative Negligence Law May Affect Your Compensation
New Jersey’s comparative negligence law may reduce the amount of compensation you receive if you were partly responsible for the accident. You can generally recover damages as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. However, your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of fault.
Since insurance companies often try to shift blame to injured victims, establishing fault can play a major role in the value of your claim. Your Hackensack personal injury attorney uses the evidence to keep the focus on the at-fault party.
Serving Bergen County: Courts, Jurisdiction, and Deadlines
Personal injury claims involving Hackensack residents often proceed through the Bergen County Superior Court. Our attorneys have decades of experience litigating cases in this venue. That familiarity with local procedures, judges, and court expectations helps us build strong cases from the start.
Jurisdiction can become an issue when the at-fault party lives outside New Jersey, but that does not necessarily prevent you from pursuing a claim here. Accidents that occur in New Jersey are generally governed by state law, even when the defendant lives in another state.
Our Hackensack personal injury attorneys address jurisdictional issues early so they don’t become obstacles to your recovery. New Jersey law also imposes strict deadlines on personal injury claims.
In most cases, you have two years to file a lawsuit, while claims against public entities often require a notice of claim within 90 days. Missing a deadline can jeopardize your right to compensation, which is why it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Dealing With Insurance Companies After an Accident in Hackensack, NJ
Insurance companies begin evaluating claims almost immediately after an accident, and their goal is often to resolve cases for as little as possible. The steps you take during this process can affect the value of your claim.
How Insurance Companies Try To Reduce Injury Claims
Insurance adjusters may look for opportunities to limit what they pay on a claim. Common tactics include:
- Early Settlement Offers: A quick settlement may sound appealing, but it often comes before the full extent of your injuries and future medical needs is known.
- Recorded Statements: Statements given to the other party’s insurance company may later be used to dispute liability or minimize your injuries.
- Claim Processing Delays: Delays can create financial pressure that pushes injured people toward accepting less compensation than they deserve.
The best way to defend yourself is by working with a Hackensack personal injury lawyer. Having an attorney handle communications with the insurance company can help protect your claim and prevent costly mistakes.
What Happens When the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Enough Insurance
Even when another driver causes the accident, their insurance policy may not fully cover your losses. In these situations, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may provide an additional source of compensation.
Here’s how these policies work:
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance coverage.
- Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Applies when the at-fault driver’s policy limits are insufficient to cover the full value of your damages.
New Jersey requires UM/UIM coverage in standard auto insurance policies. Hackensack personal injury lawyers can review all available insurance coverage and identify every potential source of recovery.
Verdicts and Settlements
$500,000 - Fall from Operating Table
While unconscious following pilonidal cyst surgery, a young man was caused to fall from operating table, suffering tears of his labrum resulting in termination of his high school sports.
$1,000,000 - Rear-Ending Accident
50-year-old construction worker rear ended by drunk driver suffering low back injury that required two spine surgeries. The low back injury was compounded because Plaintiff is a large man and his size complicated the low back injury and necessary surgeries. He was eventually able to return to his construction company but could no longer go up on ladders and bend down to do work below…
$600,000 - Defective Ladder
In 2003, a truck driver lost his footing climbing from a truck ladder which was defectively designed, resulting in multiple injuries precluding him from working as a trucker and suffering life time wage impairment.
What To Do To Protect Your Rights After an Injury in Hackensack
Once you’ve received initial medical care, the steps you take next greatly affect your health and any legal claim.
Here’s what you can do to protect your rights:
- Follow Your Doctor’s Treatment Plan: Your health comes first, and attending every follow-up and completing physical therapy also shows the seriousness of your injuries.
- Keep a Journal: Write down your pain levels each day, how your injuries affect your daily life, and the emotional toll you are feeling.
- Preserve Evidence: Keep all receipts for medical co-pays, prescriptions, and other injury-related costs in one folder, and save any photos of the scene or your injuries in a secure place.
- Avoid Social Media: Don’t post about your accident, injuries, or daily activities, because insurance companies will scan your profiles for anything that suggests your injuries are less severe than you claim.
- Obtain a Copy of the Police Report: The report contains key information, including the officer’s initial findings.
- Call a Lawyer: Contact Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. to protect your rights and compensation.
How to Request Your Hackensack Police Report
To get a copy of your accident report, contact the Hackensack Police Records Bureau at (201) 646-7777. Reports are typically available within a few days to two weeks. You can request it in person at 225 State Street or online through the NJ State Police crash portal.
FAQ for Hackensack Personal Injury Lawyer
How Long Do I Have To File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Hackensack, NJ?
In most cases, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New Jersey is two years from the date of the injury. A claim against a public entity, such as the City of Hackensack or Bergen County, requires a formal notice of claim within only 90 days.
Missing this deadline can prevent you from ever recovering damages.
Do I Have To Go to Court To Get Compensation After an Accident in Bergen County?
Many personal injury cases are resolved out of court through negotiations with the insurance company, which avoids the time and stress of a trial. If a fair settlement is not possible, we’ll be ready to take your case to trial to pursue the compensation you need.
Can a Hackensack Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me if the Driver Who Hit Me Is From Out of State?
It’s common in Bergen County to be injured by drivers from New York or Pennsylvania, but our Hackensack personal injury attorneys can help if an out-of-state driver caused your collision. We make sure jurisdiction is properly established and pursue the maximum compensation under the laws that apply.
What if I Missed the 90-Day Deadline for a Government Claim?
Missing the 90-day notice deadline doesn’t always mean your case is over. New Jersey law allows exceptions in limited situations, such as delayed discovery of the injury or extraordinary circumstances.
If you believe you missed a deadline, contact us immediately so we can explore any possible legal remedies.
What Should I Know About Juries in Bergen County?
Bergen County jurors tend to be practical and fact-driven, and they want to see clear medical documentation and consistent testimony. Having local attorneys who know how to present cases in this environment makes a difference.
Our team has tried cases in this courthouse for decades, and we know what resonates with juries here.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery with Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C.
Let us manage the legal details so you can focus on your recovery. Call Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. today at (201) 585-9111 for a free consultation, or reach us through our online contact form.
Hackensack Office
Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C.
Court Plaza South, 21 Main St Ste 203
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone: (201) 585-9111
