Personal Injury Attorney in West Paterson
Understanding Personal Injury Claims and Litigation for Damages
It is important for you to know, from the start of your personal injury claim, what actions to take and those to avoid in order to be correctly compensated for the injuries you have received. When you have been hurt in a car, truck or motorcycle accident or injured through medical malpractice of any type including misdiagnosis and medication or emergency room errors, what you do now may greatly affect the damages you can be awarded.
The Law Offices of James Vasquez, P.C. were established to give you and your family the best opportunity possible to recover from the harm caused through the recklessness or negligence of another. The firm's lead attorney has specifically set up his practice to assist those clients who are seeking personalized attention and proven representation throughout the process of injury claims and litigation. Mr. Vasquez learned early on the value of placing communication with clients above all else in successfully resolving personal injury situations, and strives to personally answer all calls he receives. Earlier in his career, he worked as a part of the Kings County District Attorney's Office in New York on over 800 felony and misdemeanor cases, never being cautious about taking the tough cases to trial. This attitude of doing whatever it took to win a case has been continued to this day, helping injury victims to obtain the compensation they deserve.
Before starting his own practice, he spent a number of years defending insurance companies in complex litigation matters. This experience gave him a unique insight into the behind the scenes maneuvers of insurance companies and what they will do to deny or devalue a claim. This knowledge is now used to help West Paterson (now called Woodland Park) accident victims recover fair compensation for their claims. It starts by understanding what you should and should not do once you have been injured. No matter if you have been harmed in a vehicle collision, from medical mistreatment, a slip and fall accident, by dangerous drugs or through defective products, you have a committed West Paterson personal injury lawyer you can turn to for skilled legal assistance.
Knowing How to Get Maximum Compensation
The first action you should avoid is to make any statements or turn over documents to any insurance adjuster without first consulting with an attorney. Many times, adjusters or attorneys for insurance companies make it seem as though they are your friend and are simply working to get your claim settled quickly. They are employed by the insurance company and retain their jobs not because they pay out large settlements or adversely affect the profit margin of their bosses, but only because they are adept at disapproving claims or attempt to reduce their value. They are also proficient at getting you to provide data that can later be used against you, even when the information appears to be harmless. At times, even when a person is still recovering from a catastrophic injury and is in a vulnerable physical and emotional state, an insurance adjuster will be there to try to obtain data.
What can be done is to gather and compile any and all information about your medical condition and the accident that occurred. Records and photographs relating to your injury, letters from an employer as to your inability to work currently and much more will be what the firm uses to prove your case and press for maximum compensation. In New Jersey, the law states that you will only be eligible for compensation if it is determined that you were less than 50% at fault in your accident. Any award of damages will be lessened to the degree that you are found responsible. By utilizing a knowledgeable attorney from the firm, documentation can be gathered to prove who was liable in your accident and therefore the correct compensation that should be paid. The elements of proving liability and the degree to which someone was responsible for your injuries will be the key to winning a settlement award in your case.
Another action to be extremely wary of is a quick, initial settlement offer from an insurer. Frequently, these offers are made knowing full well that the injured person is likely not fully aware of the compensation that could be recovered and what the law allows. Insurance companies also understand that your use of an attorney, particularly one who is versed in their tactics, can act to block any improper settlement offers. The firm works hard to prevent injured person from being further victimized by signing away their rights to maximum damages in their case.
If you have suffered a personal injury, now is the time to contact a West Paterson personal injury attorney from the firm to learn how your rights to compensation can be protected.
Resource Links for West Paterson
Info Center for Personal Injury
West Paterson, NJ Facts
Map of West Paterson, NJ
