After someone injures you, you may only have a short period to get evidence, build a case, and file it. We can handle that for you while you recover from a bad injury, like a compound fracture or compressed spinal cord. Any injury can cause costly damages, which we can start tracking right after an accident.
Proving damages requires evidence like medical bills, income records, and victim testimony. Though trials are possible, you may not have to go to court if your lawsuit settles. Only settle if an offer is fair, which we can confirm. Assume you only have two years to file, and call us right after you are injured. Even if an incident seems entirely accidental, someone else may be at fault.
For a free case evaluation from personal injury lawyers, call Agrapidis & Maroules, P.C. at (201) 777-1111 today.
What is the Deadline for Filing Personal Injury Lawsuits in Mahwah?
You may only have two years from the accident’s date to file your personal injury lawsuit, according to N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-2(a). Sometimes, the date the statute of limitations begins to run differs, and we can see if that is true in your case.
Minor and Disabled Victims
If the victim is a minor, the statute of limitations does not start until their 18th birthday, giving them until age 20 to sue, according to § 2A:14-21. This exception also applies to plaintiffs with mental disabilities, for whom the statute of limitations may not run until the disability is lifted.
Defendant’s Absence from State
If the defendant leaves the state after an accident, the clock may not run for that period under § 2A:14-22(a). Mahwah borders New York, and out-of-state commercial truckers or commuting drivers might cause accidents.
Delayed Discovery
Not all fractures, soft tissue damage, and other injuries are immediately noticeable. Your delayed discovery also delays when the statute of limitations starts to run. Instead of beginning on the date of injury, the two-year countdown starts on the date of discovery.
Can I Sue for Accidental Injuries in Mahwah?
While you may sue for intentional injuries in New Jersey, you may also sue for accidental injuries. Another person’s lapse in judgment or recklessness can cause serious damage that deserves compensation. Call us after an accident, and our personal injury lawyers can see if someone else is liable.
One of the most common examples of this is car accidents. Speeding drivers may not intend to hit other cars, but speeding often causes collisions, making them liable. You may sue for other accidental injuries as well, like falls due to hazardous property conditions.
A victim’s personal representative may also sue for an accidental death due to negligence. We also help file wrongful death lawsuits in New Jersey, so reach out about your potential case.
How Can I Prove Damages from a Personal Injury?
You need evidence to prove damages in a personal injury lawsuit, and we can help organize that evidence for your case.
Bills
Bills prove hospital expenses and other medical damages. Keep any bills associated with your care. If you have to hire childcare because of an accident, any bills should be covered. The same is true for any other out-of-pocket expenses due to an accident, so report all damages to our lawyers.
Income Records
Paychecks and tax returns let us prove lost wages. We can establish your previous income and show why you cannot work because of your injuries. If you can never return to the same role and earning level, income records help prove future lost wages, too.
Testimony
Your testimony proves non-economic damages, like pain and suffering. We can prepare you to testify about your reduced quality of life, depression, and other “intangible” harms so the jury appreciates these damages.
Do I Have to Take My Injury Claim to Court?
Your case may not go all the way to trial. Settling injury lawsuits is common, and many plaintiffs prefer no court appearances. You should only settle if it benefits you, however, and not if settling requires too many concessions.
Some defendants refuse to pay all economic or non-economic damages in a settlement. They may suggest the victim shared fault, stall negotiations, or simply give lowball offers.
We can respond with counteroffers backed up with evidence. If offers do not increase quickly enough, we may suggest going to trial. This alone may generate a larger proposal, as the defendant has more reason to avoid court.
Personal injury trials may favor plaintiffs, especially when they give compelling testimony. Witness statements, medical records, photos, videos, and other strong evidence let us prove liable in court, at which point the jury awards damages.
What Should I Do if Someone Injures Me in Mahwah?
If someone accidentally or intentionally injures you in Mahwah, you can depend on our lawyers throughout your case.
Document the Incident
Whether you were injured at work, by a defective product, or because of a reckless driver, document the incident. You can take pictures, get the liable party’s information, and even call the police for help. Police officers may write a report we can get and use for your case.
Get Medical Attention
Get medical attention if you need it. If you notice injuries hours or days later, get assessed. The sooner your injuries are diagnosed and you begin treatment, the better. This creates good medical evidence we can use for your lawsuit.
Call Our Attorneys
You can call our lawyers right after an accident in Mahwah. Two years is not much time to build lawsuits, especially if they involve many witnesses, multiple defendants, or are otherwise complex. Immediately, we can start tracking damages, investigating the incident, and building your case.
Call Today for a Free and Confidential Case Discussion in Mahwah
For a free case assessment from the personal injury lawyers of Agrapidis & Maroules, P.C., call (201) 777-1111 today.