After sustaining injuries in a slip and fall accident, you might be wondering if you need an attorney to help you pursue a claim. While it’s your right to decide to represent yourself, working with a slip and fall lawyer in Jersey City can give you a lot of benefits. Here’s what the lawyer can do for your case:
Collect Evidence
Your attorney will find evidence to prove the property owner’s negligence and liability. This evidence can include security footage of the slip and fall accident, your medical records, photos of the injuries you sustained and the accident, as well as witness statements. By having an attorney on your side, you don’t need to worry about documenting what you had to go through.
Document Your Losses or Damages
Part of your injury claim is the losses you have suffered. You must prove you have sustained these losses, so you can recover compensation for them. Depending on the facts of your case, the damages you may be able to recover include property damage, scarring, lost wages, reduced or lost earning capacity, mental anguish, pain and suffering, and medical bills. Your attorney knows which evidence can be used to assign a dollar value to these damages.
Communicate and Negotiate with the Insurance Company
If you are pursuing a slip and fall claim, you may need to communicate with the insurance company of the property owner. But this can result in you saying something that can be used against you. When you have to speak with a representative of the company, limit your talks to the basics and leave the rest of the talks to your attorney. A great lawyer can also negotiate a fair settlement with the insurer, ensuring it covers your previous and future expenses associated with your slip and fall injuries.
Prepare and Submit Paperwork
Slip and fall cases involve paperwork that must be submitted accurately and promptly. Otherwise, the insurance company will have a reason to deny your claim outright. Your lawyer will prepare and submit the necessary paperwork either to the insurance provider or the court. They make sure that every piece of document they send is free of errors and speak honestly about your condition and demands.
Slip and fall lawyers are aware of the legal deadlines for filing personal injury claims. In New Jersey, claimants only have two years to file. While this can seem like a long time, the complicated requirements will easily consume the time you think you still have.
