Our personal injury practice areas
The term “personal injury” encompasses a wide range of situations where someone was hurt due to another’s negligence, carelessness, recklessness, or intentional actions. Our Marlton personal injury lawyers handle a variety of these cases, including the following:
If your injury doesn’t fit into one of these categories, we encourage you to reach out anyway for a free initial case evaluation. Our attorneys can let you know if we can help.
Steps to take after being hurt
The steps you take immediately after injury can make all the difference in preserving your well-being and pursuing a successful claim. Be sure to do the following as soon as you suspect you have an injury.
1. Perform a self-evaluation
Quickly assess your injuries and symptoms so that you can inform first responders of your condition. Check for bleeding, bruising, swelling, pain, nausea, dizziness, and other signs of trauma.
2. Call 911 and ask for an ambulance and the police
You should always call 911 after an accident of any type occurs, even if nobody appears to be injured. Some symptoms of traumatic injuries take time to appear, and it’s essential that medical professionals immediately evaluate those involved in the incident. Also, the police should write up a report of the incident which may be valuable to your case.
3. Take notes and photos of the scene
While the scene is fresh, record as much detail as possible about the circumstances and photograph all pertinent evidence, such as property damage, hazardous conditions, and visible injuries.
4. Collect contact information from witnesses
Identify any potential witnesses to the incident and write down their names and contact information. Their testimony can be an invaluable resource in supporting your claim.
5. Keep a written or digital record of your experience in the aftermath of the accident
After being hurt, you may struggle to remember the details of what happened, how your injury affected you, and the type of medical attention you received. Keeping a written or digital record can help jog your memory when it comes time to present your case.
6. Visit your primary care physician or specialist
It’s best to visit a medical professional for an evaluation within 48 hours of the incident. Hold on to any records or bills from your treatment — these are necessary to establish the extent of your injuries and expenses incurred.
7. Speak with a Marlton personal injury lawyer
Even if you aren’t sure you have a claim, consulting with a Marlton personal injury attorney is a good idea. They can evaluate your situation and advise you on the next steps.
Do not miss the deadline to file your personal injury claim
New Jersey has a strict deadline, known as the statute of limitations, for filing personal injury claims. In most cases, this deadline is two years from the date of injury. If you miss this deadline, you likely lose the right to pursue compensation.
Exceptions
Do not be discouraged if it’s already been some time since your injury. Exceptions may apply in certain circumstances, and an attorney can give you case-specific advice.
Possible damages you can claim
The primary goal of a personal injury claim is to recover compensation for the losses you suffered due to the incident. These losses, known as damages, generally fall under two categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages
Any tangible financial losses incurred due to the accident are considered economic damages. This may include past and future medical bills, lost wages during recovery, and lost earning capacity due to permanent disability.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify, but they are equally important in your personal injury compensation. Common non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
How to find the right personal injury lawyer for your needs
Your choice of personal injury lawyer has a major impact on the outcome of your case — and, as a result, your long-term financial security. Before you commit to working with an attorney, take the time to get a feel for their approach and qualifications.
Ask about free consultations
Most personal injury law firms — including ours — offer free initial consultations. This is a great opportunity to evaluate whether the attorney is a good fit. During the consultation, you should feel comfortable asking questions and discussing the details of your injury, and you should receive clear and straightforward answers.
Ask about their experience and successes
It’s also wise to consider the attorney’s experience and track record. Ask prospective attorneys for references or examples of successful cases to gauge their ability to achieve positive results.
We fight the insurance company to get you the compensation you deserve
At Stark & Stark Attorneys at Law, we do not just strive for a fair outcome — we strive for the optimal outcome. Our Marlton personal injury lawyers can match the insurance company’s determination and resources with our own and won’t rest until we’ve achieved the full compensation you’re entitled to. This means compensation that accounts for the full extent of the harm you’ve suffered, not just the easy-to-quantify costs.
Parties who may be liable for your injury
To establish your personal injury claim, we must be able to prove that another party or multiple parties, is liable for your injury. If we take your case, we explore all possible avenues of recovery by identifying every party who may have contributed to your injury.
Potentially liable parties
The exact identities of the liable parties will depend on the specifics of your case. Common examples include the reckless driver in a car crash, the property owner who failed to address hazardous conditions, or the surgeon who made an error during a medical procedure.
Less obvious parties may also be liable, such as the government entity responsible for road maintenance or the employer of an individual whose negligence caused your injury.
How our injury attorneys prove liability
Proving liability requires us to show that the liable party owed you a duty of care, that they failed to meet this standard, and that their failure caused your injury. Strong evidence is the key to establishing liability in your favor, and we have the resources to collect, analyze, and present the data needed to build a compelling case.
Collecting evidence
Our comprehensive approach to evidence collection includes reviewing medical records, interviewing witnesses and experts, gathering photographs, analyzing official reports, and reviewing electronic data. In sum, this evidence creates a powerful narrative that demonstrates the liable party’s negligence and its direct contribution to your injury.
Personal injury lawsuit process
While no two personal injury cases are alike, most follow a similar timeline. Here’s an overview of the steps involved in filing a claim with our attorneys.
1. Legal consultation
We begin with an initial consultation to discuss the details of your case. At the end of this meeting, we’ll likely be able to determine whether you have a valid claim and move forward with an attorney-client relationship.
2. Accident investigation
Once you hire us, we investigate the circumstances of your injury. This involves identifying the liable parties, gathering evidence, and calculating the extent of your damages.
3. File demand for compensation
Using the evidence we’ve collected, we make a demand for compensation to the at fault-party’s insurer. This document includes our legal argument, the details of your injury, and a calculation of the full value of your case.
4. Negotiation
The demand for compensation is often followed by a negotiation period. This can be a lengthy process as the insurer may dispute our claim or attempt to offer an unreasonably low settlement. We are well-versed in these tactics and won’t back down or accept an inadequate settlement.
5. Take the case to trial
In most cases, we can achieve optimal results through out-of-court negotiations. But if the insurance company is unwilling to cooperate, we are not afraid to take your case to trial. This involves filing a formal lawsuit with the appropriate court and presenting your case in front of a judge and jury, who will decide the outcome.
Why it’s important to visit the doctor
Visiting a doctor soon after your injury is essential because it not only improves your health outcomes but also provide key evidence for your case.
Waiting too long to get evaluated can make it difficult to show a direct correlation between your injury and the accident. Remember that minor issues can become more complex, even if you do not think your injury is serious. By making a prompt visit to the doctor, you can establish a clear timeline of your injuries and the treatments you received.
Cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer
The last thing you should have to worry about when pursuing a personal injury claim is the cost of legal representation. That’s why our Marlton personal injury lawyers represent injured clients on a contingency fee basis.
This means you won’t have to pay us any money up front; our fee is contingent on the success of your case. You won’t owe us anything if we cannot obtain compensation on your behalf.
Why hire Stark & Stark Attorneys at Law
When seeking a team to handle your personal injury claim, reputation matters. Stark & Stark has delivered favorable results for over 80 years as one of New Jersey’s oldest law practices. Our recent settlements and verdicts speak for themselves.
Working with our law firm gives you access to the knowledge and experience of over 200 staff members, but your case will also be supervised by a certified trial attorney who knows your case inside and out. The product is small-firm attention with big-firm results.
Our Marlton personal injury lawyers are here to help
At Stark & Stark, you should focus on your recovery rather than worrying about the intricacies of your claim. With our team in your corner, you can start rebuilding your life while we care for the legal details.
Our New Jersey personal injury lawyers are ready to create a personalized strategy for success. Contact us today at (800) 535-3425 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Marlton personal injury lawyers.
