Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys Serving All of New Jersey
Accidental injuries send millions of people to the emergency room each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car accidents account for around three million nonfatal injuries every year. As if that was not enough, millions of emergency room visits are caused by slip and fall cases each year, as documented by the National Safety Council. The problems arise when these injuries occur as the direct result of another party’s negligence.
Countless injuries are caused every day by individuals who allow reckless behavior to affect the lives of others. The field of personal injury law is there to help protect these victims and allow them to recover compensation for their pain and suffering. No matter who was at fault in your case, a Union City personal injury lawyer in New Jersey will help fight for your right to compensation when you have been harmed by another party’s negligence.
Here at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C., our attorneys have worked on personal injury cases in several fields, from motor vehicle accidents to work-related injuries and beyond. We know how devastating these accidents can be, which is why we choose to fight for our clients’ right to compensation. While proving fault in personal injury cases may sometimes be difficult, our attorneys will take a look at every contributing factor so that we can build your case.
Although you do not need a personal injury attorney to file a claim against another individual, it can help you rest easy knowing that there is a legal team by your side working on your case. We make sure to treat every case on an individual basis so that we can spot any potentially important factors. By taking the time to closely examine each case, we aim to reveal the true circumstances behind the accident and fight for our clients to get the compensation they are entitled to.
Your Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. attorney will work to gather evidence in your case by utilizing factors like:
- Eyewitness testimony
- Forensic evidence from the accident scene
- Reports taken from the workplace that detail the circumstances surrounding the accident
- Police reports
- Accident scene reconstruction experts
- Video evidence
- Medical records
To learn more about our personal injury services for Union City and beyond, contact a Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. team member today by calling (201) 585-9111. We are happy to give all our potential clients a free consultation. During your call, we will be happy to answer any legal questions you may have about the road ahead.
Proving Fault in Union City Personal Injury Cases Varies by Case
Since the field of personal injury law oversees a broad range of accidents that result in an injury, proving fault may mean different things for different cases. However, it always comes down to negligence. Negligence in a car accident and negligence in a slip and fall case may be different in practice, but their core value is the same. The legal definition of negligence refers to how another party failed to handle their responsibilities and how their mistake caused your injury, according to the American Bar Association.
Furthermore, a party does not have to physically cause your accident to be held responsible. For example, staff members who cause your accident may not be held solely accountable in some cases, as their employers may have to take the blame for hiring them to begin with. Each case is unique, so the factors will need to be examined to determine who was ultimately to blame for your injuries.
If you or a loved one has any questions or doubts surrounding an aspect of your case, a Union City personal injury lawyer can help you make sense of the legal circumstances that may come into play. Bringing a personal injury case against the parties responsible for your accident can sometimes be confusing for those who do not practice in the field. Here at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C., we want to help make the process as easy for you as possible. Our attorneys can handle the legal side of things while you focus on spending time with your loved ones and dedicating yourself to making a full recovery.
For more information, contact a Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. representative today at (201) 585-9111 for your free consultation.
Common Types of Personal Injury Cases
While there is a vast amount of circumstances that could bring about a personal injury case, there are accidents that appear quite commonly in the courts. These types of accidents include work-related accidents, motor vehicle crashes, and slip and fall cases. Consulting a personal injury law firm can help you determine whether your case qualifies for compensation.
Other common types of personal injury cases can include but are not limited to:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Premises liability
- Workers’ compensation
- Defective products
- Construction site accidents, including heavy machinery accidents
- Motorcycle and scooter accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Dog bite or animal attack cases
- Chemical exposure cases, including toxic asbestos and radon exposure cases
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Personal Injury Case?
A personal injury case arises when one person suffers harm due to the negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions of another person or entity. The purpose of making a claim is to provide compensation to the injured party to cover their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
There are various types of personal injury cases, including truck accidents, construction accidents, car accidents, and premises liability. For a case to be viable, three core elements must typically be established:
- Duty of Care: It must be demonstrated that the defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff.
- Breach of Duty: The defendant failed to meet that duty.
- Causation: The breach directly resulted in injury to the plaintiff.
Always consult a local Union City personal injury lawyer to guide you through the specifics and nuances of your case.
How Do You Prove Personal Injury?
Proving personal injury hinges upon a structured process:
1. Establish Duty of Care
Demonstrate that the defendant owed the plaintiff a legal duty of care. This means the defendant had a responsibility to avoid causing harm. For instance, drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely to protect other road users.
2. Show a Breach of Duty
After establishing the duty of care, it’s necessary to prove that the defendant failed to uphold this duty. Evidence might include eyewitness testimony, photographs, and/or statements from expert witnesses.
3. Causation
Connect the breach of duty directly to the injuries sustained. This involves showing that the injury wouldn’t have occurred without the defendant’s negligence.
4. Document Injuries and Damages
This is critical. Use medical records, receipts, photographs, and expert testimony to detail the nature and extent of the injuries.
Given the complexities of personal injury law, consulting with a Union City personal injury lawyer is recommended to build a strong case. The dedicated attorneys at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi offer a FREE case evaluation to determine if you have a valid claim and the appropriate path to just compensation.
Read More: How Do You Prove Negligence in Your Injury Case?
How Do I Know If I Have a Personal Injury Claim?
Determining if you have a valid personal injury claim can be a dynamic process with several pivotal factors.
- Nature of Injuries: You may have grounds for a claim if you’ve suffered physical, emotional, or psychological harm due to another’s actions or negligence.
- Medical Attention: Seeking medical care after an injury or accident not only ensures your health but provides valuable documentation that can be used in building a case.
- Potential Negligence: Did someone’s recklessness or oversight contribute to your injury? If so, they could be held liable.
- Financial Impact: Have you incurred medical bills, lost wages, or other unexpected expenses due to your injury?
These are merely general guidelines. Each case is unique, and personal injury law can be intricate. It’s essential to remember that time is often of the essence due to statute of limitations constraints.
The best way to truly understand the strength of your potential claim is by reaching out to a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer. Schedule a FREE consultation with Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi. We’ll review the details of your claim and provide guidance. It’s a risk-free way to get clarity on your options and make informed decisions about your next steps.
How Long Do You Get to Make a Personal Injury Claim?
In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years, per New Jersey Statutes § 2A:14-2(a). This means that you have a two-year window to initiate a lawsuit from the date of your injury or the date when the injury was first discovered. If a claim isn’t filed within this period, you may forfeit your right to seek legal remedy for the injuries suffered. However, there are exceptions to this general rule:
Discovery Rule
If you didn’t discover your injury immediately (common in cases like medical malpractice), the clock might start from the day you became aware of the injury or should have become aware with reasonable diligence.
Claims Against Governmental Entities
Different rules and timelines apply if you’re filing a claim against a city, county, or state entity. Typically, you must file a formal claim within 90 days of the incident before filing a lawsuit.
Minors
For children injured under the age of 18, the statute typically doesn’t start running until their 18th birthday.
Given the intricacies and potential exceptions, it’s essential to consult with a Union City personal injury lawyer to ensure you don’t miss any crucial deadlines. They can provide specific guidance tailored to your situation and ensure your rights are protected.
What Are Special Damages in Personal Injury?
Special damages, or economic damages, relate to the tangible financial losses an injured party incurs as a result of their injury. These are quantifiable and typically require proof through documentation. In New Jersey, special damages in a personal injury claim may include:
- Medical bills
- Medications
- Physical therapy
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Out-of-pocket expenses
To prove special damages, you will need to provide evidence like receipts, bills, pay stubs, etc. We highly recommend consulting with a local personal injury attorney. They can guide you in accurately calculating and documenting your special damages to ensure you pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Are General Damages for Personal Injury?
General damages, often called non-economic damages, pertain to compensation awarded to an injured party for intangible losses, which aren’t directly tied to specific financial costs. General damages in a personal injury case may include the following:
- Pain & suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Permanent disability
Given the subjective nature of general damages and their variation based on individual circumstances, consulting with a Union City personal injury lawyer is imperative. Contact Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi for a FREE consultation. We can give you a clearer understanding of potential damages in your specific case based on the nuances of New Jersey law.
Contact a Union City Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Here at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C., our Union City personal injury lawyers are ready to work for your case. We understand how much you and your family have been through, which is why we want to make your legal journey as painless as possible. To learn more about how we will fight to help protect your right to compensation, contact our team today at (201) 585-9111 for your free consultation.
