Question 1

Does Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq offer free consultations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq offers 100% free case evaluations for every type of personal injury matter — automobile accidents, workers' compensation, medical malpractice, slip and fall and premises liability, wrongful death, and any other claim involving injury caused by someone else's negligence. There is no fee unless we win your personal injury case, and our team is available 24/7/365 to review it. If you are unsure whether your particular legal matter qualifies for a free consultation, contact us and we will tell you before you commit to anything.

Question 2

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in New Jersey?

Accepted Answer

In most New Jersey personal injury cases you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2). Wrongful death claims also carry a two-year deadline, running from the date of death. Shorter deadlines apply in some situations: a claim against a public entity or public employee under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act generally requires a notice of claim within 90 days of the incident, and workers' compensation has its own separate timetable. Missing the deadline usually ends your right to recover, so speak with an attorney as early as you can. GGL can review your situation and protect your filing dates at no cost.

Question 3

New Jersey is a no-fault state — can I still sue after a car accident?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. After a New Jersey crash, medical bills are paid first by your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage regardless of who caused it. Whether you can sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering depends on the option you chose on your auto policy. If you selected the "limitation on lawsuit" (verbal) threshold, you must show your injury falls into one of the categories the statute lists — such as displaced fracture, loss of a body part, significant disfigurement or scarring, loss of a fetus, or a permanent injury. If you selected "no limitation on lawsuit," you keep the unrestricted right to sue. Many people do not know which option they picked. GGL will read your policy and tell you exactly where you stand.

Question 4

What compensation can I recover after an accident?

Accepted Answer

New Jersey injury claims can include medical expenses (past treatment and the care you will still need), lost wages and reduced earning capacity if the injury limits what you can do at work, pain and suffering, property damage such as vehicle repair or replacement, and losses like permanent disability, scarring and disfigurement, or loss of consortium affecting your spouse. In rare cases involving especially reckless conduct, punitive damages may be available. Every case is different, and the value depends on your injuries, the evidence, and the available insurance coverage. GGL's policy is that we never undersettle cases — we calculate the full value of a claim, including future costs people often overlook, before we negotiate.

Question 5

Can I still recover if I was partly at fault for the accident?

Accepted Answer

In many cases, yes. New Jersey follows modified comparative negligence (N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1). Fault is assigned in percentages and your award is reduced by your share — if you are found 20% responsible, you recover 80% of your damages. However, if your share of fault is greater than 50%, you cannot recover from the other party at all. Insurers know this rule and frequently try to shift blame onto the injured person to cut or defeat a claim. Do not assume you have no case because someone told you it was partly your fault. GGL can review the evidence and explain how the rule actually applies to your accident.

Question 6

How does workers' compensation work in New Jersey?

Accepted Answer

If you are hurt on the job in New Jersey, workers' compensation covers your medical treatment and a portion of your lost wages, and — unlike a personal injury lawsuit — you generally do not have to prove your employer did anything wrong. Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible, and be aware that a formal claim petition normally has to be filed with the Division of Workers' Compensation within two years. Workers' compensation is usually your exclusive remedy against your employer, but a separate third-party lawsuit may also be available where someone other than your employer contributed to the injury — a subcontractor, a property owner, a driver, or an equipment manufacturer. Construction accidents in particular often support both claims at once. GGL handles workplace injuries, construction accidents, repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel, and work-related illnesses.

Question 7

What if I'm hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver?

Accepted Answer

You still have options. If your auto policy includes uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, you can claim against your own insurer for medical costs, lost wages, and other damages up to your policy limits. Your PIP coverage also pays medical bills while the claim is pending. Suing the at-fault driver directly is possible but collecting can be difficult if they have few assets, and in some cases another party — a vehicle or parts manufacturer, an employer, or a government entity responsible for a dangerous road — may share liability. UM/UIM claims are made against your own insurance company, which does not mean the company is on your side. GGL handles these claims and negotiates them the same way we would against any other insurer.

Question 8

What does it cost to hire Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq?

Accepted Answer

Personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee, which means there is no fee unless GGL wins. Your responsibility to pay a fee is contingent on a monetary recovery — no recovery, no fee. The consultation is free, and you can reach the firm 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Fees are set out in a written retainer agreement so you know the terms before you sign anything.

Question 9

How long will my case take, and will I have to go to court?

Accepted Answer

Timelines vary. A case with clear liability and moderate injuries can resolve in months, while disputed fault, severe injuries, or a long recovery will extend it. It is usually wise to wait until your medical picture is clear before settling, so future treatment costs are accounted for. Most New Jersey injury claims settle through negotiation and never reach a trial. If the insurer refuses to make a fair offer, filing suit is the next step, and settlement remains possible at any point afterwards. Trials do happen, and it matters that GGL's team includes attorneys certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as Certified Civil Trial Attorneys — a distinction held by fewer than 2% of lawyers in the state. Cases are prepared for trial from the start, which is also what produces stronger settlements.

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American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys®

Cases we help with

Car accidents

Truck & bus accidents

Workers' compensation

Construction accidents

Slip & fall / premises

Catastrophic injury & wrongful death

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Questions and Answers