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Guide · Hiring a lawyer · New Jersey

What happens after you hire an injury lawyer in New Jersey

Updated By Spencer, editorEvery fact cites a source

You get a signed copy of the fee agreement. Your lawyer must keep you reasonably informed and answer reasonable requests for information. You decide whether to settle. When the case ends with a recovery, you get a signed closing statement showing what came out. The fee is figured after case costs. Checked October 11, 2026.

Sources: R. 1:21-7(b), (g); RPC 1.5(c); RPC 1.4(b); RPC 1.2(a); RPC 1.6(a); RPC 1.8(f); R. 1:21-7(c), (d); R. 1:21-7(c)

What happens, in order

  1. You sign a written fee agreementSigned by you and the lawyer, with a signed copy for you. It says whether expenses come out before or after the fee.Source: R. 1:21-7(b), (g); RPC 1.5(c)
  2. The insurers deal with your lawyerThe insurer's written updates on a delayed claim stop once a lawyer represents you on it.Source: N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.6(b), (e); N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.7(a), (b), (c)(2), (c)(3), (e), (f)
  3. You hear how it's goingYour lawyer must keep you reasonably informed and promptly answer reasonable requests for information.Source: RPC 1.4(b); RPC 1.2(a); RPC 1.6(a); RPC 1.8(f)
  4. You decide whether to settleA lawyer must abide by a client's decision whether to settle.Source: RPC 1.4(b); RPC 1.2(a); RPC 1.6(a); RPC 1.8(f)
  5. The money comes inOnce a settlement is agreed, a New Jersey insurer must pay within 10 working days.Source: N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.6(b), (e); N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.7(a), (b), (c)(2), (c)(3), (e), (f)
  6. You get a closing statementA signed statement of what came out of the recovery. The fee is figured on what's left after case costs.Source: R. 1:21-7(b), (g); RPC 1.5(c); R. 1:21-7(c), (d); R. 1:21-7(c)

If the case is for a child

A judge must find a child's settlement fair and reasonable. If it settles before a jury is seated, the lawyer's fee is capped at 25%.

Source: R. 4:44-3; R. 1:21-7(c)(6)

Sources

  • R. 1:21-7(b), (g)New Jersey Court Rules, via Court Rules Network. Checked .
  • RPC 1.5(c)New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct, via Court Rules Network. Checked .
  • RPC 1.4(b)New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct, via Court Rules Network. Checked .
  • RPC 1.2(a)New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct, via Court Rules Network. Checked .
  • RPC 1.6(a)New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct, via Court Rules Network. Checked .
  • RPC 1.8(f)New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct, via Court Rules Network. Checked .
  • R. 1:21-7(c), (d)New Jersey Court Rules, via State Rules (as amended September 1, 2024). Checked .
  • R. 1:21-7(c)New Jersey Court Rules, via Court Rules Network. Checked .
  • N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.6(b), (e)Cornell Legal Information Institute, New Jersey Administrative Code. Checked .
  • N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.7(a), (b), (c)(2), (c)(3), (e), (f)Cornell Legal Information Institute, New Jersey Administrative Code. Checked .
  • R. 4:44-3New Jersey Court Rules, via Court Rules Network. Checked .
  • R. 1:21-7(c)(6)New Jersey Court Rules, via Court Rules Network. Checked .

General information, not legal advice. We don't know the facts of your claim. A lawyer can review them, and most injury lawyers offer a free consultation.

What to do next

Questions people ask

What happens after I hire a personal injury lawyer?

You sign a written fee agreement and get a copy. Your lawyer deals with the insurers, must keep you reasonably informed, and follows your decision on whether to settle.

Who decides whether to accept a settlement?

You do. A New Jersey lawyer must abide by a client's decision whether to settle.

What if my lawyer doesn't return my calls?

A New Jersey lawyer must keep a client reasonably informed and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information.

How do I know what came out of my settlement?

When a New Jersey case ends with a recovery, the lawyer must give you a signed closing statement.

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