A day on the water along the Jersey Shore can be relaxing, fun, and exhilarating for everyone. However, that fun day can quickly turn tragic if the boat you are on is involved in an accident. Boating accidents can lead to serious injuries and death, destroying what was once a vibrant life. In order to protect your rights and recover compensation for your injuries, you should work with an experienced New Jersey boating accident attorney. Learn how you can find the right Jersey Shore boating accident lawyer in today’s post.
Ask Family and Friends for Recommendations
Before you look anywhere, it’s always smart to speak with family and friends who have worked with a personal injury attorney. Recommendations from people you trust can make a world of difference when finding the right Jersey Shore boating accident lawyer. They will be able to provide you with an honest evaluation of the attorney, their communication policy, and whether or not they were pleased with the outcome.
Create a Shortlist of Firms That Interest You
After seeking recommendations from family and friends, start conducting research online. Use the search term “Jersey Shore boating accident lawyer near me.” Browse the websites of the first five or more firms that appear in the search results. Read each firm’s client testimonials and browse their case results to get a feel for their track record.
Now that you have looked for a lawyer using two different methods, you can begin to create a shortlist of the firms that interest you the most. Write down each law firm’s name, the boating accident lawyer you wish to meet with, and their contact information. Be sure that every firm you have found has experience dealing with boat accident cases and is not just a general personal injury law firm.
Schedule Free Consultations With Multiple Firms
One of the biggest mistakes you can make after suffering injuries in a Jersey Shore boating accident is signing with the first personal injury lawyer recommended to you or the first one you find on the internet. It is important to do your homework.
Under the New Jersey statute of limitations (New Jersey Revised Statutes Section 2A:14-2), you have two years from the date you suffered the injury to file a lawsuit. This means that you do not have to find a lawyer immediately. Now, the sooner you find one you like, the sooner you can get the claims process started so that you do not run out of time to file a lawsuit.
Schedule free consultations with multiple personal injury law firms. Ask the same questions of every lawyer with whom you meet so you can compare answers and make an informed decision.
Questions to Ask a Jersey Shore Boating Accident Attorney
Prior to meeting with your list of boating accident lawyers, be sure to compose a list of questions you will ask each lawyer. You should ask each lawyer the same set of questions. If you think of a new question while at the consultation, write it down so you can ask the next lawyer on your list. A sampling of questions to ask includes the following:
- How many Jersey Shore boating accident cases have you handled?
- Who will be handling my cases? Ask for the name and position of the person(s) offered by the lawyer.
- Do you have experience taking Jersey Shore boating accident cases to trial?
- Based on the circumstances of the accident, who can be held liable?
- What evidence do you need to collect immediately?
- Does your firm use a contingency fee for boating accident cases?
- If we lose the case, will I owe any out-of-pocket costs to the firm (e.g., expert witness fees, document retrieval, court reporter fees)?
- What items do you need from me (medical reports, police report, photos of the accident, repair bills for the boat, etc.)?
- Can you provide me with references I can speak with about your experience?
- After reviewing the specifics of my case, what is an estimate of how much I could possibly secure from the at-fault party?
This is not an exhaustive list of questions. To make your decision easier, you must ask each lawyer you meet with the same questions. Your list will differ based on the exact circumstances of the boating accident that left you injured. Tailor your list to the location where the accident happened, the resulting injuries, and the parties involved.
Be sure to find out if multiple parties can be held liable, especially if the boat that hit yours did so because of an equipment malfunction. If this is the case, you might be able to hold the boat operator and the boat manufacturer liable for your injuries and damages.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Kwartler Manus Following a Jersey Shore Boating Accident
Injuries caused by a Jersey Shore boating accident can be devastating. Your right to compensation needs to be protected. You can do that by consulting with a New Jersey boating accident lawyer from Kwartler Manus. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our experienced and compassionate team.
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The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Reading or interacting with this content does not establish an attorney-client relationship with Kwartler Manus, LLC. Every legal matter is unique, and past results, settlements, verdicts, or case outcomes do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any future matter. This content may be considered Attorney Advertising under the rules of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. You should not act or rely upon any information contained in this blog without seeking the advice of a qualified attorney regarding your specific situation. Kwartler Manus, LLC is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and this blog is intended for residents of those jurisdictions.