After an injury, you'll see lawyer ads on TV, billboards and search results, and many of them sound alike. This guide explains what to check before you hire a New Jersey personal injury lawyer, what the fee rules are, and the questions to ask at a free consultation.
Quick answer
- Ask who will actually handle your case. Some advertised names refer cases to other lawyers.
- Check the lawyer's license and record with the New Jersey Courts attorney search.
- In New Jersey, contingency fees in injury cases are capped by court rule (Rule 1:21-7) and must be in writing.
- Look for real trial experience, clear communication, and results in cases like yours.
1. Find out who will handle your case
Lawyer advertising is allowed, but some ads, websites and phone numbers lead to a firm that passes your case to another lawyer. New Jersey's professional conduct rules govern advertising and referrals (RPC 7.1 to 7.3), and a fee can be shared with another firm only under specific conditions, including your written consent (RPC 1.5(e)). There's nothing wrong with a referral, but you should know at the start who your lawyer is, who you'll talk to, and who will be in the courtroom if the case goes to trial.
2. Check the license and disciplinary record
The New Jersey Courts website has an attorney search that shows whether a lawyer is licensed and in good standing. Discipline decisions are public too. It takes two minutes and is worth doing for any lawyer you're considering.
3. Look for trial experience, not just settlements
Most injury cases settle, but insurance companies pay closer attention when they know your lawyer is ready and able to try the case. The New Jersey Supreme Court certifies some lawyers as Certified Civil Trial Attorneys after they meet experience, exam and peer-review requirements (Rule 1:39). Certification isn't required to handle a case well, but it is one objective sign of trial experience. Ask how many cases the lawyer has tried to verdict.
4. Understand the fee before you sign
Most New Jersey injury lawyers work on a contingency fee: no fee unless there is a recovery. The agreement must be in writing and explain how the fee is calculated and how costs are handled (RPC 1.5(c)). For most personal injury cases, Rule 1:21-7 caps the fee on a sliding scale, starting at 33⅓% of the first $750,000 recovered and stepping down for larger amounts. Ask whether case costs (records, experts, filing fees) come out before or after the fee is calculated. See how much a personal injury lawyer costs for more.
5. Pay attention to how they communicate
At the consultation, notice whether the lawyer listens, explains things in plain language, and tells you the weak points of your case as well as the strong ones. Be careful with anyone who promises a specific dollar amount at the first meeting. No honest lawyer can know that yet.
6. Look for experience with your type of case
A truck crash involves federal safety rules; an Uber or Lyft crash turns on app data and special insurance; a fall on town property has a 90-day notice deadline (N.J.S.A. 59:8-8). Ask how many cases like yours the lawyer has handled, and what happened in them. Past results don't guarantee a future outcome, but they show familiarity.
Questions to ask at a free consultation
- Will you personally handle my case? Who else will work on it?
- Have you tried cases like mine to a jury?
- What is your fee, and how are costs handled?
- What are the weaknesses in my case?
- What deadlines apply to me? (Most NJ injury lawsuits have a two-year deadline, N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2.)
- How will you keep me updated, and how fast do you return calls?
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch lawyers if I'm unhappy?
Yes. You can change lawyers at any time. The first lawyer may be entitled to part of the eventual fee for work already done, which is usually worked out between the lawyers and doesn't normally increase the total fee you pay.
Does it cost anything to talk to a lawyer?
Most injury lawyers, including Dennis Shlionsky, offer a free consultation.
How soon should I call a lawyer after an accident?
As soon as you can, ideally before you give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer. Evidence like video and vehicle data can disappear within days. See what to do after a car accident in NJ.
General information, not legal advice. Fee caps and court rules can change; your written fee agreement controls.