Do you live in Plainfield, New Jersey and have recently been involved in an accident resulting in a major injury? If the incident was due to someone else’s neglect or willful act, you are entitled to compensation to cover medical bills, property damage, and/or to help you cover costs due to missed work or other consequences of the accident.

One of the best ways to ensure that you are treated fairly—and receive the compensation you deserve—is to hire one of the Plainfield personal injury lawyers practicing near you.

Here is why you need an attorney and how to choose from the variety of Plainfield personal injury lawyers in the area.

They Can Get You More Compensation

Though you may be able to get some compensation by filing a claim on your own, working with an experienced personal injury lawyer will almost always result in higher settlements. In fact, studies have shown that settlements are 40% higher when a claimant uses an attorney.

This is because Plainfield personal injury lawyers are skilled in negotiation with insurance companies and they know the ins and outs of personal injury law. They understand how the claims process works and have an idea of how much money you will be able to settle for based on your injuries, time off work, and other factors.

They Can Help Provide Liability

In some accidents, liability—or who is at fault for the accident—is unclear. This is most common in car accidents, especially if there are no (or conflicting) witness statements, police were not called, or there were no photos taken at the time of the incident.

A skilled attorney can help you gather proof and prove your innocence. You will need to show that the other party is liable before you can proceed with a claim and request compensation for your injuries and/or damage to your property.

In Most Cases, You Only Pay if You Win

Most Plainfield personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means that you will not have to pay them until (and only if) you win your case or get a settlement from the opposing insurance company. Upon being awarded a settlement, your attorney will take a percentage of the amount as compensation for their work.

Before you hire an attorney, make sure you ask them how their fees work. If they do work on a contingency basis, ask what percentage they will take—the typical amount is 33%–and what happens if your claim is denied or you lose your lawsuit. If the lawyer does not work on a contingency basis, ask if you will need to pay a retainer and what your full financial obligation will be.

They Take the Stress Off Your Shoulders

After an accident, the last thing you want to do is worry about negotiating with an insurance company or preparing a lawsuit—especially if you have significant injuries. When you work with an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can leave all the work to them and focus on what matters—taking care of yourself.

Though you will need to communicate regularly with your attorney and may need to work with them to gather evidence and make sure the details of the incident are clear, you will not have to handle the multiple details that are required to negotiate a claim or move forward with a lawsuit. When you are able to leave those details to a professional, you have peace of mind that your claim is being handled and your stress levels are greatly reduced.

Finding the Best Attorney for Your Case

Now that you know why it’s vital to work with a professional injury attorney after an accident, it’s time to find the lawyer who will best represent you. Here are some tips for choosing the right attorney.

1.     Ask for Referrals.

Ask family members, colleagues, and friends if they (or someone they know) has been successfully represented in an injury claim recently. Getting a direct referral from someone who was happy with their attorney is one of the best ways to find a good fit.

2.     Read Reviews.

Reading reviews on Yelp, Facebook, and Google will help you determine if past clients were satisfied with an attorney’s representation. Look for attorneys who have a long list of five-star reviews and take the time to read through them to find out more details on their communication style and level of customer service.

3.     Do Some Online Research.

After narrowing down your list of possible attorneys by gathering referrals and reading online reviews, visit the firms’ websites to do some further research. Look for years of experience, what type of law the attorney specializes in, and bio information to try to determine a good fit.

4.     Ask for a Free Consultation.

Most attorneys will offer free consultations so you can talk to them about your case and get to know them. Choose your top two or three lawyers and schedule an in-person or phone consultation. During the conversation, ask them what they think of your case and to point out its strengths and weaknesses. You can also ask them if they’ve handled cases similar to yours and what the outcomes were as well as their preferred type and frequency of communication.

Remember that a typical claim can take over a year to settle, so you need to make sure you feel comfortable with the attorney you choose and feel they will support you throughout the entire claims process.

Plainfield Personal Injury Lawyers: Choosing the Right One for You

If you’ve been involved in an accident, it’s crucial that you work with an experienced injury attorney to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. By doing a little research and talking with several local lawyers, you can choose confidently and have peace of mind that you will be treated fairly and that you will receive compensation to pay medical bills and get back to your normal life as soon as possible.