If you’ve been injured in an accident that may have been caused by someone else, you may be wondering what you should do to start your personal injury claim to recover compensation for injuries and losses. Below are steps you can take to start a personal injury claim in New Jersey and recover compensation.
What To Do At The Accident Scene
At the scene of the accident, you should report the accident and your injuries to the appropriate parties. For example, in a motor vehicle accident, you would contact the local police department or file an accident report with the New Jersey Department of Transportation. If you were injured on someone else’s property, you would notify the property or business owner of your injuries.
You should also begin gathering important evidence that will only be available at the scene of the accident. Take photographs of the scene, whatever may have caused your injuries, other relevant details, and any visible injuries you suffered. Talk to any eyewitnesses and ask them for a brief statement or for their contact information. If any surveillance cameras caught the accident, make sure to ask that the footage be preserved.
What To Do After Leaving The Accident Scene
In the hours and days after you’ve left the accident scene, you should make sure to see your primary doctor or another physician for a physical exam to diagnose all the injuries you may have suffered. If you wait too long after the accident to identify your injuries, the at-fault party may try to claim that your injuries were caused or worsened by a later, intervening accident or incident. Also remember to follow all treatment recommendations and instructions you receive from your doctor, as delaying treatment might allow the other side to argue that you aren’t as seriously hurt as you claim.
Keep records of your expenses and losses, including all bills, invoices, and receipts. Keep copies of your paystubs or income statements to calculate any lost wages or income.
Finally, you may want to begin keeping a diary or journal for your personal injury case, beginning with writing down your recollection of what occurred in the accident or incident that caused your injuries. As you recover from your injuries, document how your injuries and medical treatments impact your daily life, including the pain caused and difficulties you have with daily tasks.
Starting A Personal Injury Case
To formally start your personal injury case, you should consider speaking to a personal injury attorney or law firm as soon as possible. In New Jersey, you only have two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit against those parties responsible for your injuries, so you should give yourself and your attorney as much time as possible to investigate your case and build an effective legal strategy.
Your attorney can contact the parties you believe were at fault for your injuries and make a formal demand for payment. Your attorney can then handle any subsequent settlement negotiations, and if necessary file a lawsuit in court to pursue your case.
Contact a Woodland Park Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Camili & Capo, PA represent clients injured in Paterson, Clifton, Passaic, Wayne, and throughout New Jersey. Call (973) 834-8457 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 1 Lower Notch Rd, Little Falls, NJ 07424, as well as offices located in Little Falls.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
