Hackensack Personal Injury Lawyer

The attorneys at Reinartz Law Firm assist people with recovering compensation for a wide range of injuries. The types and severity of injuries people suffer depend largely on the nature of the accident, the force of impact, the victim’s overall health, and other factors. Some of the most common personal injuries we see at our law firm include:

• Back injuries, for example, those caused by lifting heavy or awkward objects
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by traffic accidents or violence
• Whiplash and other neck injuries from a car accident or slip and fall
• Hand/wrist injuries from repetitive use, causing carpal tunnel syndrome
• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents, physical assault, or sports and recreational accidents
• Leg injuries arising from sports, cycling accidents, or slips, trips, and falls
• Eye injuries, including foreign bodies in the eye, chemical splashes at work, those from sports, or intentional physical assault
• Arm injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents, workplace injuries, sports, recreation, or falls

We also help clients recover compensation for other serious, catastrophic injuries, such as amputation and crush injuries, internal injuries and organ damage, and more. Contact us as soon as you’re able after receiving treatment for your injuries to learn of your options for pursuing compensation.

If you feel you need to file a personal injury lawsuit--or better yet, have an attorney do it for you--one of the most crucial things you need to understand is the statute of limitations. Each state has a statute of limitations or deadline for personal injury victims to file lawsuits. In New Jersey, the statute of limitations is four years from the injury date.

It’s up to each injured person or their attorney to know when this deadline is. The state or insurance company is not going to tell or remind them. Under some circumstances, there are variations of this law that apply. For instance, if the person injured is a minor or the at-fault party is part of the government.

If you miss this deadline, your right to pursue injury compensation through civil law no longer exists. Our personal injury attorneys know which statute of limitations applies to their client's case. We take every necessary step to avoid risking this statutory deadline.

One benefit of hiring a Hackensack personal injury lawyer from Reinartz Law Firm is that we can front the money necessary for your claim. If you don’t hire an attorney, you’ll need to pay these costs yourself or skip the services you can’t afford. Our personal injury attorneys have the financial ability to pay these costs upfront and wait to get reimbursed until after your case settles.

Depending on the specific details of your case, we can cover:

• Discovery expenses such as document reviews and the cost of obtaining medical records
• Payments for expert testimony
• Accident reconstruction services
• Travel for depositions
• Deposition expenses
• Court document filing fees

Since we also offer free consultations, you have nothing to risk in giving us a call to discuss your case. Your attorney will go over our contingency fee arrangement and explain the process of our we accept our legal fees after all is said and done so you will know what to expect.

The time it takes to resolve a personal injury case in Hackensack, or anywhere else, can vary widely depending on several factors. It's essential to understand that every case is unique, and there is no fixed timeframe. Here are some factors that can influence the duration of your personal injury case:

1. Severity of Injuries: Cases involving severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation may take longer to resolve. This is because it often takes time to assess the full extent of the injuries and their long-term impact on the victim's life.
2. Liability and Dispute: If there is a dispute regarding who is at fault for the accident, it can extend the duration of the case. Investigations and negotiations may be required to establish liability.
3. Insurance Company Involvement: The involvement of insurance companies can affect the timeline. Insurance companies may engage in negotiations and may require time to assess the claim.
4. Pre-litigation Negotiations: Many personal injury cases are settled before going to court through negotiation and settlement discussions. The duration of these negotiations can vary depending on the willingness of both parties to reach a fair settlement.
5. Filing a Lawsuit: If a settlement cannot be reached, a lawsuit may be filed. The duration of a lawsuit can vary significantly, depending on court schedules, the complexity of the case, and the backlog of cases in the court system.
6. Discovery Phase: In a lawsuit, there is a discovery phase where both parties exchange information, including documents and witness statements. This phase can take several months.
7. Mediation or Arbitration: Some cases may be resolved through mediation or arbitration, which can be quicker than going to trial. However, the availability of these alternative dispute resolution methods can affect the timeline.
8. Trial: If your case goes to trial, it can take a considerable amount of time, often a year or more, to get a trial date and go through the trial process.
9. Appeals: If either party is not satisfied with the outcome of the trial, there may be appeals, which can further extend the process.
10. Settlement: Most personal injury cases are resolved through settlement, which can occur at any point in the process. The timing of a settlement can depend on negotiations and the willingness of the parties to reach an agreement.

To get a more accurate estimate of how long it will take to resolve your specific personal injury case in Hackensack, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. They can assess the details of your case, consider the factors involved, and provide you with a more informed timeline. Keep in mind that it's in your best interest to be patient and ensure that your attorney has the necessary time to pursue the best possible outcome for your case.

In Hackensack, New Jersey, and in many other places, the ability to recover compensation for a personal injury accident when you are partially responsible for the incident depends on the state's legal principles governing liability, which is often referred to as "comparative negligence" or "contributory negligence." New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence system.

Here's how it typically works in New Jersey:

1. Modified Comparative Negligence: New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence system. Under this system, you can still recover compensation for your injuries even if you were partially responsible for the accident. However, there are limitations.
2. 51% Bar Rule: In New Jersey, you can recover compensation as long as your level of fault is less than 50%. In other words, if you are found to be 50% or more responsible for the accident, you may not recover any compensation. But if you are 49% or less responsible, you can still recover damages.
3. Reduction in Compensation: If you are partially responsible for the accident, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your level of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by 20%.
4. Comparative Negligence in Lawsuits: If your case goes to court, a judge or jury will determine the percentage of fault for each party involved, including you. They will consider evidence and arguments presented by both sides to make this determination.
5. Insurance Settlements: When negotiating with insurance companies, they will also consider the concept of comparative negligence. They may adjust their settlement offer based on their assessment of your level of fault.

It's important to note that the assessment of fault in personal injury cases can be complex, and it often involves negotiations and legal arguments. Having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side can be crucial in these situations. Your attorney can help present your case effectively, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies to maximize your compensation, even if you share some degree of responsibility for the accident.

If you believe you may have a personal injury claim but are concerned about your level of fault, it's essential to consult with an attorney who can evaluate your case and provide guidance based on the specific circumstances and New Jersey's laws regarding comparative negligence.

The best way to determine if you have a valid personal injury claim and can seek compensation for your damages is to meet with our seasoned Hackensack personal injury attorneys. Our attorneys can review your accident and injuries to determine what happened and who you can hold liable. We can pursue the financial recovery you deserve if you have a valid claim. If you don't, they can lay out your next best steps.

Damages are a financial expression of the pain, harm, losses, and inconveniences suffered by the victim of a personal injury. Although money will not undo all the harm the at-fault party caused you, it's the best way to compensate you for what has happened. Every personal injury claim is different depending on the type and severity of the injury, how the injury occurred, and who is responsible.

In general, most personal injury claims involve the following types of economic or special damages:

• Current and future medical bills and expenses such as prescriptions, emergency medical care, doctor and specialist appointments, rehabilitation expenses, and medical equipment
• Current and future lost wages and income
• Property damages

They also typically include compensation for several of these non-economic or general damages:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• Humiliation
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Mental anguish

Your Hackensack personal injury lawyer can help you take stock of all the damages arising from your personal injury. They can advise you regarding what your claim is worth and help negotiate a full and fair settlement based on that value. If your claim doesn't settle, the attorneys at the Reinartz Law Firm are experienced trial lawyers. We can prepare your case to go to court and seek a court award on your behalf based on your damages.