What matters when choosing a car accident attorney in Cherry Hill
Finding the right attorney after a car accident means looking at three concrete things: whether they handle cases in your specific situation (injury, property damage, or both), what their track record actually shows about similar cases, and whether you can afford their fee structure. Cherry Hill sits in Camden County, New Jersey, which means your attorney needs to know New Jersey's car accident law, local court procedures, and how insurance claims work in this state specifically.
Most car accident attorneys in Cherry Hill work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of what you recover rather than charging upfront. This removes the cost barrier but also means the attorney only gets paid if you do. That alignment can be useful, but it also means you should understand what percentage they take and what expenses come out of your recovery before you sign anything.
The attorney's experience matters more than their marketing. Someone who has handled dozens of cases similar to yours—same type of injury, same insurance company involved, same court—will move faster and know what your case is actually worth. Someone handling their first serious injury case will cost you time and money while they learn.
Key Takeaways
- New Jersey car accident law has specific rules about fault, insurance coverage, and damage caps that vary depending on your injury level, so your attorney must know New Jersey law, not just general accident law.
- Most car accident attorneys work on contingency (taking a percentage of your recovery), but the percentage, what expenses they deduct, and what happens if you lose all need to be in writing before you hire them.
- An attorney's experience with cases like yours—same injury type, same insurance company, same court—matters more than their overall reputation or advertising.
- You can interview multiple attorneys at no cost; most offer free initial consultations, and comparing what they say about your case helps you understand what it might be worth.
What to look for in an attorney's background and case history
Start by asking how many car accident cases the attorney has handled in the past three years and how many went to trial versus settlement. An attorney who settles 95 percent of cases may be efficient, or may be undervaluing cases and pushing clients to accept less. An attorney who takes 80 percent to trial may be thorough, or may be refusing reasonable settlements and running up costs. Neither number is automatically good or bad—you need to know why.
Ask specifically about cases similar to yours. If you have a soft-tissue injury (whiplash, back strain), ask how many of those they have handled and what the typical settlement range was. If you have a broken bone or surgery, ask the same. If your case involves a commercial vehicle or a hit-and-run, ask whether they have experience with those. An attorney who has handled your exact situation five times will move faster and know what insurance companies will actually pay than one handling it for the first time.
Check whether the attorney is licensed to practice in New Jersey and whether they have any disciplinary history. The New Jersey Supreme Court's Attorney Ethics Hotline and the state bar association's website both list this information publicly. A single complaint does not disqualify someone, but a pattern of complaints about billing, communication, or ethics is a real warning sign.
Understanding contingency fees and what they actually cost you
A contingency fee means the attorney takes a percentage of your recovery—typically 33 percent for cases that settle before trial and 40 percent if the case goes to trial. Before you sign, get this in writing and understand what "recovery" means. Does it include the full settlement amount, or only the amount after medical bills and other expenses are paid? Some attorneys deduct their percentage from the gross settlement; others deduct it from the net. That difference can be hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Ask what expenses you will pay separately. Most attorneys advance costs like court filing fees, informed witness fees, and medical record requests, then deduct those from your settlement. That is standard and reasonable. But some attorneys charge for things like phone calls, copying, or postage. Get a list of what costs you might owe and what the attorney covers.
Ask what happens if you lose. If the case goes to trial and you do not recover anything, do you owe the attorney's time? Under a true contingency, you do not—the attorney eats the cost. But you may still owe the expenses they advanced. Make sure you understand this before you start.
Red flags that suggest you should keep looking
An attorney who promises a specific outcome ("I will get you $50,000") is making a promise they cannot keep. No one knows what a jury will award or what an insurance company will actually pay until the case resolves. An attorney who guarantees a result is either inexperienced or dishonest.
An attorney who pressures you to sign quickly, refuses to answer questions about their fee structure, or becomes defensive when you ask about their experience is showing you how they will treat you throughout the case. If the initial consultation feels rushed or dismissive, that will not improve once you hire them.
An attorney who does not ask detailed questions about your accident, your injuries, your medical treatment, or your damages is not doing the work to understand your case. A good initial consultation should take 30 to 60 minutes and should feel like the attorney is actually listening, not just checking boxes.
An attorney who handles everything from car accidents to divorce to real estate is spreading themselves thin. Specialization matters. Someone who does 80 percent car accident work and 20 percent other work will know the field better than someone splitting time across five practice areas.
How to compare attorneys and what to ask in a consultation
Call or email at least three attorneys and ask for a free initial consultation. Most offer this, and it costs you nothing. During the consultation, bring your accident report, medical records, insurance information, and photos of the damage if you have them. The attorney should review these and ask follow-up questions.
Ask these specific questions: How many cases like mine have you handled? What was the typical settlement range? How long did those cases take? Will you handle my case personally, or will another attorney or paralegal do most of the work? What is your contingency percentage, and what expenses might I owe? If we disagree about settling, who makes the final decision—me or you?
Pay attention to how the attorney answers. Do they give you straight answers, or do they talk around the question? Do they explain New Jersey law in a way you understand, or do they use jargon without explaining it? Do they seem interested in your case, or are they already thinking about the next client?
After the consultation, write down what each attorney said and compare. You are looking for someone with relevant experience, clear communication, reasonable fees, and someone you actually trust. The cheapest option or the one with the fanciest website is rarely the best choice.
What happens after you hire an attorney
Once you sign a representation agreement, your attorney will request your medical records, obtain the police report, and send a demand letter to the insurance company. This usually takes two to four weeks. The insurance company then has time to investigate and respond, which can take another four to eight weeks.
If the insurance company's offer is reasonable, your attorney will likely recommend accepting it. If it is too low, your attorney will negotiate or file a lawsuit in Camden County Superior Court. A lawsuit adds months to the timeline but can result in a higher recovery if the insurance company is undervaluing your case.
Throughout this process, your attorney should keep you updated on progress and ask your permission before making major decisions like filing suit or accepting a settlement. If your attorney goes silent for weeks or makes decisions without consulting you, that is a sign of poor representation and grounds to consider finding new counsel.
When you might not need an attorney
If your accident was minor, you have no injuries, and the property damage is small, you may be able to handle the claim yourself. Contact the at-fault driver's insurance company, provide your repair estimate and photos, and request payment. Many minor claims settle this way without an attorney.
If you have significant injuries, ongoing medical treatment, or the accident was not clearly your fault, an attorney becomes much more valuable. Insurance companies pay less to unrepresented claimants, and the complexity of New Jersey's insurance rules makes it straightforward to make mistakes that cost you money.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if an attorney in Cherry Hill is actually licensed in New Jersey?
Go to the New Jersey Supreme Court's website and use their attorney search tool. You can look up any attorney by name and see their license status, practice areas, and any disciplinary history. If an attorney is not listed or their license is inactive, do not hire them.
What if I already settled my case without an attorney and now think I got too little?
Once you have signed a release, you generally cannot reopen the case. This is why consulting an attorney before accepting any settlement offer is important. If you have not signed a release yet, contact an attorney when ready before the insurance company sends one.
Can I switch attorneys if I am unhappy with the one I hired?
Yes, but it can be complicated. You have the right to fire your attorney at any time, but you may owe them for work they have already done. If you switch, the new attorney will need to get up to speed on your case, which can slow things down. Before switching, have a direct conversation with your current attorney about what is not working.
How long does a car accident case typically take in New Jersey?
A settlement can happen in two to six months if the insurance company makes a reasonable offer quickly. A lawsuit typically takes one to two years from filing to trial, though many cases settle during this period. Your attorney should give you a realistic timeline based on your specific case.
What if the other driver did not have insurance?
New Jersey requires you to carry uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy. Your own insurance company will handle the claim under this coverage. An attorney can still help you navigate this process and make sure you receive fair compensation.