Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Claims In New Jersey
Each personal injury case is as individual as the person who deserves compensation. I am attorney Mark-Anthony Bailey of Mark-Anthony Bailey Attorney at Law. Here are answers to common questions about personal injury topics.
Proving Fault In Personal Injury Cases In New Jersey
Under New Jersey law, fault in personal injury cases refers to the legal responsibility one party has for causing harm to another. Determining who is at fault involves establishing negligence, which means proving that someone failed to act with reasonable care, leading to injury. New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which allows you to recover damages even if you are partially at fault, as long as your share of the fault is not more than 50%.
Who Can Be At Fault?
In personal injury cases, fault can lie with various parties depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident. Commonly liable parties include drivers in vehicle accidents, property owners in slip-and-fall cases, manufacturers in product liability cases and employers in workplace accidents. Each party’s role and responsibility in the incident need to be clearly established to determine fault effectively.
Proving fault requires robust and compelling evidence. As your attorney, I focus on gathering and presenting the following types of evidence to build a strong case on your behalf:
- Eyewitness testimonies: Statements from people who witnessed the event can provide crucial details about what happened and help establish fault.
- Physical evidence: This can include anything from photographs of the accident scene to damaged property or clothing.
- Expert testimonies: Experts in fields like accident reconstruction or medical professionals can offer insights that clarify how the accident happened and the extent of your injuries.
- Video footage: Surveillance or dashcam videos capturing the incident can be pivotal in proving what occurred and who is to blame.
- Police and accident reports: These documents often contain an officer’s assessment of the accident and can include vital information about the fault.
Navigating the complexities of proving fault in New Jersey requires a deep understanding of the law and strategic thinking. At my firm, I leverage my 20 years of experience and community-based knowledge to protect your rights and effectively advocate on your behalf. My commitment to transparency, professionalism and empathy ensures that you feel supported and informed throughout your case.
Do I Need To Decide About Hiring An Attorney Right Now?
When it comes to the law, time is not unlimited. New Jersey court rules impose deadlines that impact a variety of issues, including the availability of certain defenses and the filing of certain motions and other procedural papers.
It is best to take early action to protect your rights and build the strongest case possible. If an attorney offers a free initial consultation, use that meeting to evaluate the attorney’s ability to protect your rights.
What Should I Bring To My Free Consultation?
- Personal identification
- Documentation about the injury, including reports and statements
- Medical information regarding diagnoses and treatments, including medications
- Contact information for doctors and witnesses
Do I Need To Bring Any Money To The First Consultation?
No, but you should understand that early in the timeline, a personal injury attorney must complete a written retainer agreement that includes the cost of the representation. Most retainer agreements require at least a partial payment of the fee before the attorney signs it.
At your free initial consultation, ask the attorney what the general terms of his or her fees are. You can also ask what the range of fees might be if the matter were to either plea or go to trial.
Contact Me Today
If you have an injury due to someone else’s negligence, you need reparations to piece your life back together. Call my Middlesex or New Brunswick office at 973-854-9478 for the help you need today. You can also contact me via this online form to set up a free lawyer consultation.