A crash on Route 17 or the Garden State Parkway can leave you dealing with medical treatment, lost income, vehicle damage, and real uncertainty about what comes next. If those pressures are starting to build, the Paramus car accident lawyers at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. can manage your claim and help you pursue the compensation you need.
While the at-fault driver’s insurance company may contact you quickly, they’re not looking out for your best interests. Lowball offers and other tactics that devalue your claim often reflect the insurance company’s focus on protecting its bottom line.
Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. can manage the legal process for you, protecting your interests from the insurance company that simply wants to save itself some money. Call us at (201) 585-9111 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Why Choose Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. for Your Paramus Car Accident Claim
After a crash near the Paramus Park Mall or Bergen Town Center, you need a team with deep roots in the community and a history of holding negligent drivers accountable. Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. has served injured clients in Bergen County since 1974.
A Track Record of Results
With over 100 years of combined experience, our attorneys have a long history of securing positive outcomes for clients. Our firm has collected more than $300 million for injured people and their families.
Recognized by Our Peers
Our attorneys have been selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America. We’re also members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, honors reserved for attorneys who have achieved substantial case results.
Dedicated Local Focus
Our connection to Paramus is personal, and we represent people throughout Bergen County. Our local experience gives us a strong understanding of the roads, traffic patterns, and court system that may shape your case.
Whether the crash happened on Farview Avenue or you were taken to The Valley Hospital for treatment, our team brings local knowledge that supports a more informed, strategic claim.
Contact us today at (201) 585-9111 or fill out our online form to learn how we can help.
How Do You Prove Who Caused a Car Accident in Bergen County?
Proving who caused a car accident means showing what went wrong, who acted carelessly, and how that conduct led to your injuries and losses. That can get more complicated when several vehicles are involved or when road and traffic conditions become part of the blame dispute.
Our Paramus car accident lawyers can investigate the crash and gather the evidence needed to build a clear, well-supported claim. That may include the police report, witness statements, crash scene evidence, and other records that help show how the collision happened.
We also work with outside professionals to strengthen the case and push back against disputes over fault.
What Happens When You Share Some of the Blame?
New Jersey follows a comparative negligence rule, which means you may still recover compensation if you were partly at fault. Since your recovery can be reduced by your share of the blame, insurance companies often use this rule to shift responsibility and try to pay less.
Our Paramus car accident lawyers know how to challenge those arguments and keep the focus on what actually caused the crash. Our careful preparation and experience gathering and analyzing evidence can minimize or even eliminate your percentage of fault.
Responding to Insurance Company Tactics After a Car Crash in Paramus
Insurance companies look for ways to limit what they pay after a car accident. They may ask for statements, push early settlement offers, or look for reasons to question your injuries and reduce the value of your claim. Our team handles those communications for you and steps in before the insurance company can control the conversation.
One common tactic is asking for a recorded statement soon after the crash. Adjusters may use that statement to look for inconsistencies, shift blame, or challenge part of your claim later.
Another tactic is offering a quick settlement offer before you know how serious your injuries are or how much treatment you may need. Accepting one too soon can leave you without enough compensation for future care, lost income, and other long-term effects of the crash.
Our Paramus car accident lawyers know how to push back against these strategies. We evaluate every offer, respond to insurance company pressure with evidence, and work to recover compensation that reflects the full impact of the accident.
Protecting Your Right To Seek Fair Compensation After a Paramus Auto Accident
After establishing fault, our team will calculate the full value of your claim. An insurance company’s first offer rarely accounts for the complete scope of your losses, particularly those that are difficult to put a price on.
Our car crash attorneys in Paramus work diligently to document all the ways the accident has impacted your life to pursue a settlement that addresses both your immediate and future needs. This involves a detailed look at all categories of recoverable damages under New Jersey law.
Compensation is generally divided into two main categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages are tied to specific financial losses with a clear monetary value. Non-economic damages address the personal, non-financial harm caused by the injury.
We can help you seek compensation for damages, including:
- Current Medical Bills: This covers all aspects of your immediate care, from ambulance rides and emergency room visits to hospital stays, surgeries, and prescription medications.
- Future Medical Expenses: Many serious injuries require ongoing care, such as physical therapy, additional surgeries, or long-term assistive devices. We work with medical and financial planners to estimate these future costs so they can be included in your claim.
- Lost Wages: This covers the income you lost while unable to work during your recovery. We gather pay stubs, employment records, and other documents to prove the amount of money you could not earn.
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit your ability to work, you may be able to seek damages for this loss of long-term income.
- Pain and Suffering: This compensates you for the physical pain, emotional distress, and general loss of life enjoyment caused by the accident and your injuries.
- Property Damage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal property that was damaged in the crash.
How Our Paramus Car Accident Lawyers Build Your Case
Successfully navigating a car accident claim requires a methodical approach. Our team at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. handles every step of the legal process, allowing you to focus on your recovery. We keep you informed and involved, but we carry the load so you don’t have to.
From our initial consultation to the final resolution, our firm takes a structured path to build the strongest possible case for you. We manage deadlines, paperwork, and communications so that every detail is handled correctly and on time.
Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. also operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Here is a look at the key stages involved:
- Case Investigation: We begin by gathering all evidence related to your crash, such as the police report, photos of the scene, witness contact information, and medical records documenting your injuries.
- Claim Filing: Our team notifies all relevant insurance companies of our representation and handles all initial paperwork, making sure the claim is filed correctly and on time.
- Damage Calculation: We work with you and your medical providers to document the full extent of your damages, including current and future medical expenses, lost income, and the non-economic impact of your injuries.
- Settlement Negotiation: We present a detailed demand package to the insurance company and negotiate to reach a fair settlement that fully compensates you for your losses.
- Complaint Filing: If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we won’t hesitate to file a formal lawsuit by submitting a complaint filing with the Bergen County Courthouse.
- Discovery Process: During litigation, both sides exchange information through the legal discovery process. This can involve depositions, written questions, and requests for documents to prepare the case for a potential trial.
New Jersey’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents
In New Jersey, there is a time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit, which is known as the statute of limitations. For most car accident cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in civil court. If you miss this deadline, you’ll likely lose your right to seek compensation forever.
While two years may seem like a long time, building a strong case takes time. Evidence can disappear, and witnesses’ memories can fade. It’s important to contact a car accident lawyer in Paramus as soon as possible to begin the investigation and preserve all of your legal options.
There are some very specific exceptions to this two-year rule, but they rarely apply. Acting quickly protects your ability to pursue the financial support you need.
Personal Injury Protection
It’s also important to understand your obligations under your own car insurance policy. New Jersey is a no-fault state, which means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is your first source for payment of medical bills, regardless of who caused the crash.
Our attorneys can help you navigate the complexities of your PIP claim and determine if you have the right to pursue a separate claim against the at-fault driver for other damages.
FAQ for Paramus Car Accident Lawyers
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Paramus Car Accident Lawyer?
Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. works on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay us any upfront fees to start your case. We only get paid a percentage of the total amount we recover for you, whether through a settlement or a court award. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing for our time.
The Other Driver’s Insurance Company Offered Me a Settlement. Should I Take It?
It’s not a good idea to accept an early settlement offer without first speaking to a lawyer. Initial offers are often far less than what a claim is actually worth and may not cover your future medical needs or lost income. An attorney can assess the true value of your case and negotiate for a fair amount.
What if I Was Partially at Fault for a Car Crash in Paramus?
New Jersey’s comparative negligence rule means you can still recover damages even if you were partly to blame. As long as you’re not found to be more than 50% at fault, you may still have a valid claim. Your potential recovery will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Do I Need To Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Paramus if the Crash Was Minor?
Even in seemingly minor accidents, injuries can appear later, and a claim can become complicated. An insurance company may try to deny your claim or argue that your injuries were not caused by the crash. Consulting with an attorney is always a good way to understand your rights and options.
What Is the First Thing I Should Do After Being Injured by Another Driver?
The first and most important step is to seek medical attention, even if you think you walked away from the crash feeling fine. Some injuries take time to show their development, and you need to connect the accident with any late symptoms.
After a doctor has seen you, your next step should be to contact our Paramus car accident lawyers for a free consultation to protect your legal rights.
Get Your Free Consultation Today
Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. is ready to guide you through the legal process and fight for the financial recovery you need. We’ll handle the complexities of your claim so you can dedicate your energy to getting better. Let us put our decades of experience to work for you.
Call Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. today at (201) 585-9111 or fill out our online contact form for your free consultation.
