Personal Injury

Union County Personal Injury Law Firm

Serving Clients Throughout the State of New Jersey

When you or someone you love has been injured in an accident, it can turn your world upside down. Medical bills, lost wages, and physical pain can feel overwhelming. Hiring the right personal injury law firm can make a big difference in getting the compensation you need to move forward. Attorney Michael Chelland understands the legal process, knows how to protect your rights, and is determined to work hard for you in the pursuit of a fair and equitable settlement.

We serve injured plaintiffs throughout Union County, Essex County, and the North Jersey Region. Call (908) 948-8395 or contact us online. We offer virtual consultations.

Our Services

Fearless Advocacy With A Personal Touch

How to Get a Personal Injury Settlement

To win a personal injury case, you must prove that another party’s negligence caused your injury. Negligence encompasses four key concepts, all of which must be present:

Duty of Care

The duty of care is a legal obligation to act in a way that avoids causing harm to others. For example, drivers have a duty to obey traffic laws. Similarly, property owners must maintain safe conditions on their premises to prevent injuries. Without this duty, there is no foundation for a negligence claim.

Imagine a driver approaching a crosswalk with pedestrians waiting to cross. Legally, the driver is required to stop to allow them to pass safely. However, if the driver ignores the crosswalk signal and strikes a pedestrian while speeding, they have violated their duty of care.

Breach of Duty

Once you establish a duty of care, the next step is showing how the responsible party failed to meet that duty. A breach of duty occurs when someone acts (or fails to act) in a way that a reasonable person would under the circumstances.

The state of New Jersey recognizes that not all accidents are someone’s fault. However, the law also recognizes that people have a duty to act reasonably. Evaluating whether this commonsense standard was met is often the most contentious issue in personal injury cases.

Consider a retail store where a staircase has a broken step. The store owner is aware of the issue but delays repairs. One day, a customer steps on the damaged area, causing them to fall and sustain a severe injury. The store owner’s failure to fix the hazard, even after becoming aware of it, may be considered a breach of duty. Conversely, had the same accident occurred just moments after the stair broke—before the owner could be made aware of it—then holding the owner responsible might not be considered reasonable.

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Helping You Find Your Footing Again

Your Shield Against the Insurance Companies

Personal Attention

We understand how overwhelming this time can be. We take the time to listen and address your concerns with care and understanding.
Strategic Advocacy

We focus on creating practical solutions tailored to your unique situation, keeping your needs at the forefront of everything we do.
Relentless Pursuit of Justice

Our compassionate care turns into steadfast persistence with insurance companies, working toward fair compensation.
Guidance You Can Trust

We guide you through every step of the process with transparency and clear communication, allowing you to focus on recovery.

Causation

Proving causation means demonstrating a direct link between the breach of duty and your injury. This means the defendant cannot be held responsible for unrelated factors or pre-existing medical conditions that might have caused your injuries.

Let’s say that you were in a fender-bender and that it is established the other driver breached their duty of care. You are dealing with serious back problems as a result. However, if it can be determined that you had a prior condition with your back, this can reduce—or even eliminate the defendant’s liability.

The defendant’s insurance carrier will have access to medical records, and they often leave no stone unturned in their efforts to sever the causation link between accident and injury. Attorney Michael Chelland has worked in the insurance industry, and he understands the best ways to counter these tactics and keep the causation link in place. Expert witness testimony from medical professionals might be necessary. Defendants can also help their own cause by immediately seeing a doctor after the accident, so a documented report is on record.

Damages

Damages refer to the specific harm you’ve suffered because of the other party’s negligence. This can include medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional pain or suffering. You must provide documentation, such as medical records, bills, and proof of income loss, to quantify these damages. The more specific and detailed your evidence, the easier it will be to substantiate your claim.

Our office can take the lead in helping you get the appropriate documentation. Depending on the severity of your injuries, we can also anticipate future costs, such as home renovations and the need for ongoing therapy to deal with PTSD and other related issues. We also examine whether or not the injury will impact your career trajectory. If your injury is severe enough to halt your business growth or your ability to get promotions, the estimated financial losses can be included in a settlement agreement.

Comparative Negligence in New Jersey

New Jersey follows a comparative negligence rule in awarding damages. Under this system, your compensation can be reduced if you are partially at fault for the accident. For example, if you are found 20% at fault, you’ll receive 80% of the total damages awarded. However, if you’re more than 50% at fault, you won’t be eligible to recover any damages. This makes it critical to have a skilled attorney who can effectively minimize your liability and maximize your compensation under the law.

Common Personal Injury Cases We Handle

Regardless of what injury you or a loved one suffered, we want to help. These are some of the most common cases we’ve worked with:

Bicycle accidents: These often occur due to distracted drivers, failure to yield, or unsafe road conditions. Cyclists are highly vulnerable and can suffer serious injuries like fractures, head trauma, and road rash.
Car accidents: One of the most common personal injury cases, car accidents can range from minor fender benders to severe collisions. They can lead to whiplash, broken bones, or even permanent disabilities.
Catastrophic injuries: Brain trauma or spinal cord damage are life-altering and often require long-term care. These injuries can prevent people from returning to work or living independently, creating emotional and financial challenges for victims and their families.
Dog bites: New Jersey law holds dog owners liable for attacks in most cases. Dog bites can cause physical injuries, such as puncture wounds, infections, or scarring, as well as emotional trauma.
Pedestrian accidents: These typically occur when drivers fail to see or yield to those crossing streets or walking near traffic.
Motorcycle accidents: Riders are more exposed and vulnerable than other motorists, making accidents particularly dangerous. Common injuries include road rash, fractures, and spinal damage.
Slip and fall accidents: Slips and trips frequently happen in places like grocery stores, parking lots, or poorly maintained buildings. Victims often suffer injuries such as sprains, fractures, or head trauma.
Truck accidents: Colliding with a truck can be catastrophic due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. They can involve multiple liable parties, such as drivers, trucking companies, or manufacturers.
Uber and Lyft accidents: Crashes involving rideshare vehicles can present unique legal challenges, including determining liability between the driver and the rideshare company. We help clients untangle the legal complexities.
Wrongful death: Families face emotional devastation and financial strain, including funeral costs and lost income. We provide compassionate representation to help families obtain justice and support during such a difficult time.

Justice First, Fees Later

Attorney Michael Chelland, with roots here in New Jersey, and a deep understanding of the challenges families face, sets the tone at our personal injury law firm. That tone is driven by personal compassion and a strong desire for justice. Our commitment to you is underscored by the fact that we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t pay any upfront costs, and we only get paid if we get you a settlement. Our goal is to make quality legal representation accessible and risk-free for you.

Contact our Union County office today for a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your options. We can be reached at (908) 948-8395.

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Let's Start Your Next Chapter Together

Holding Insurance Companies Accountable On Your Behalf

See the difference having a relentless advocate like Michael Challand can make. Read some of our recent client reviews below.

"I Felt Like A Priority"
Michael made the entire process seamless. Not only is he incredibly knowledgeable, but he also demonstrates genuine compassion for his clients.

- Tasha D.
"Helpful And Knowledable"
Extremely professional, very helpful and knowledgeable. Mr. Chelland provided me with excellent legal counsel on multiple occasions and I highly recommend!

- Former Client
"Absolute Game-Changer"
His strategic approach, attention to detail, and communication instilled confidence in me throughout the entire process. I felt empowered and supported every step of the way.

- Vanessa P.