NEWS
Injured in a slip & fall accident in Jersey City? Check these details
When you are visiting a restaurant or a shopping mall, you expect the premises to be safe for visitors. Unfortunately, slip-and-fall accidents happen all the time in Jersey City, and usually, property owners or managers are at fault. If you sustained injuries in such a mishap, you need to understand the personal injury laws in New Jersey and file a claim for compensation. Before you do that, consider finding a slip and fall attorney in Jersey City for assistance. Here are some essential details that need your attention.
Know the deadline
Every state has a statute of limitations that sets the deadline for personal injury lawsuits, including slip-and-fall accidents. In New Jersey, you have a two-year cap for such lawsuits. The deadline may seem enough, but remember, you have to first go through the insurance process, which is not subject to this time cap. Secondly, if you are not quick to gather information and evidence after the mishap, you may not have a strong case.
Get evidence in order
From the images of your injuries and dangerous conditions to footage from surveillance cameras around, every detail is relevant. As you are filing the claim, it is your responsibility as a claimant to prove the liability of the premise owner. If you don’t know what it takes to investigate a slip & fall injury, let your attorney do the job. However, you should report the accident to the police and the property owner immediately.
Find a good lawyer
When it comes to recovering a full and fair settlement, you cannot depend on any random attorney. It would help if you had a competent lawyer who specializes in NJ personal injury laws and is based in Jersey City. Ask around to find potential names, or you can also find listings on many legal websites. Check the ratings of the shortlisted lawyers and schedule a consultation.
You don’t need to pay your lawyer now
If you are concerned about the financial costs of hiring an attorney, you should learn more about the contingency arrangement that is vastly different from the usual hourly rate. Your lawyer gets a share of the settlement, which is dependent on whether they recover money from you. The contingency fee may vary, but the usual rate is 25% to 50%. Ask for details in advance.
Your lawyer will ask a few critical questions to determine whether you should file a claim in the first place. Go for that meeting now!
Kenneth is a proud native of sydney, born and raised there. However, he pursued his education abroad and studied in Australia. Kenneth has worked as a journalist for almost a decade, making valuable contributions to prominent publications such as Yahoo News and The Verge. Currently, he serves as a journalist for The Hear Up, where he focuses on covering climate and science news. You can reach Kenneth at [email protected].
