Which courts do the attorneys at Raff & Raff appear in?
Please see our listing of courts that we appear in and learn about the advantages of a local New Jersey attorney.
How much is my claim for injuries worth?
Many factors will determine the value of a claim, including: the nature and severity of the injury, amount of medical bills, length of treatment, permanent impairment, loss of wages/earnings, and damages for pain and suffering. There are other important variables affecting values such as legal issues/thresholds, pre-existing medical conditions, comparative fault, the insurance companies involved, the insurance adjuster, and the insurance policy limits. No one can accurately predict the value of your case until all the evidence has been gathered. After our firm considers all of the factors, including the effect on you as an individual, we are able to evaluate your case.
Will I get a settlement for my personal injury case?
Once you have completed your medical treatment and we have obtained all of the records needed to document your injuries and losses, a settlement package will be submitted to the insurance company. If the insurance company offers an amount that fairly compensates you, and you are willing to accept it, the case is settled. This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. If the insurance company fails to tender a satisfactory offer, your case may be taken to court. The costs of litigation should be considered as you consider the pros and cons of accepting the insurance company’s best offer, or proceeding with litigation. Will my case be settled?
Once you have completed your medical treatment and we have obtained all of the records needed to document your injuries and losses, a settlement package will be submitted to the insurance company. If the insurance company offers an amount that fairly compensates you, and you are willing to accept it, the case is settled. This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. If the insurance company fails to tender a satisfactory offer, your case may be taken to court. The costs of litigation should be considered as you consider the pros and cons of accepting the insurance company’s best offer, or proceeding with litigation.
What should I expect if my case goes to court?
In a lawsuit, you, as the injured party, are the Plaintiff. The responsible party is the Defendant. After a lawsuit has been filed, the amount of time spent on your case greatly increases. A lawyer from our office will be required to attend numerous meetings and hearings with the opposing attorney, arbitrator and judge. There are also several phases of “discovery” as your case is prepared for arbitration or trial.
When your case is filed in court, each side has a right to submit written questions to the other side. The questions are called interrogatories and must be answered by you under oath. We will assist you in answering these questions. The Defendant may also request that you provide tax returns and other documents supporting your losses. We will review these requests with you. Each side has the right to take depositions of the parties to the lawsuit and witnesses. During your deposition, the Defendant’s lawyer will question you under oath before a court reporter about the accident, your injuries, and the effect it has had your life. We will meet with you before the deposition to discuss your case.
What is an independent medical examination?
The Defendant has the right to have you examined by a physician of its choice. The Defendant’s insurance company will have to pay for the cost of this Defense Medical Examination. Because the doctor is hired by the defense (insurance company), there is usually nothing “independent” about the exam.
Will my case go to arbitration or trial?
Several months after a lawsuit is filed, your case may be arbitrated. An independent attorney acts as arbitrator during the hearing. Both sides present their case and the arbitrator makes a decision. In most cases the decision of the arbitrator is non-binding; however, if both sides accept the decision, your case is settled. If either side is dissatisfied, the case can proceed for trial before a judge or jury. Trials are scheduled by the court and may be several years after a lawsuit is filed. Even after a lawsuit is filed, your case may settle without a trial. We at Raff & Raff, however, prepare every case as though it will go to trial.
Based in Paterson, New Jersey, Raff & Raff, LLP services clients in the communities of Bloomingdale, Clifton, Haledon, Hawthorne, Little Falls, Passaic, Paterson, Pompton Lakes, Prospect Park, Ringwood, Totowa, Wanaque, Wayne, West Milford, Woodland Park, Allendale, Alpine, Bergenfield, Bogota, Carlstadt, Cliffside Park, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Dumont, East Rutherford, Edgewater, Elmwood Park, Emerson, Englewood, Fair Lawn, Fort Lee, Franklin Lakes, Garfield, Glenn Rock, Hackensack, Hasbrouck Heights, Haworth, Hillsdale, Ho-Ho-Kus, Leonia, Little Ferry, Lodi, Lyndhurst, Mahwah, Maywood, Midland Park, Montvale, Moonachie, New Milford, North Arlington, Northvale, Norwood, Oakland, Old Tappan, Oradell, Palisades Park, Paramus, Park Ridge, Ramsey, Ridgefield, Ridgewood, River Edge, River Vale, Rochelle Park, Rockleigh, Rutherford, Saddle Brook, Saddle River, Teaneck, Tenafly, Teterboro, Waldwick, Wallington, Westwood, Wood-Ridge, Woodcliff Lake, Wyckoff, Belleville, Bloomfield, Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Orange, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair, Newark, North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, Verona, Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Union City, West New York, Guttenberg, Secaucus, Kearney, Harrison, North Bergen, Weehawken, Elizabeth, Linden, Plainsfield, Rahway, Union, Scotch Plains, Clark, Cranford, Hillside, Westfield, Roselle, and surrounding areas.
