Archer & Greiner Personal Injury Group
Protecting you and your family
No one expects to be involved in an accident. But if one does occur, it’s crucial to ensure you are protected.
“When you’re in an auto accident or slip and fall at work, your entire life can change in an instant,” says William O’Kane, Jr., Partner at Archer & Greiner Personal Injury Group. “You need a team by your side who is dedicated to making sure you get the compensation and support you deserve.”
The Archer & Greiner Personal Injury Group is recognized for their broad experience in personal injury litigation, including cases involving automobile accidents, slip and falls, and product defects.
What sets this legal team apart is that they operate as a unique concierge/boutique service that offers individualized and specialized attention from Personal Injury Partners William O’Kane, Jr.; Robert Beck, Jr. and Suzanne Collins – all within the larger, full-service firm of Archer’s 185 attorneys. This combination ensures comprehensive support for clients, as personal injury cases often intersect with other legal areas.
William O’Kane, Jr., Partner
“Personal injury cases don’t always stay confined within the boundaries of personal injury law,” says O’Kane. “Life is complex. Clients should be able to get all of the expertise they need under one roof.”
For instance, if a client wins a significant settlement, the Archer & Greiner estate planning team is ready to assist. Similarly, if a client experiences life changes such as marriage, divorce or adoption during the case, the firm’s family lawyers can provide necessary support.
“I settled a boating accident case for a man who was also a Vietnam War veteran. He had been disabled since the 1980s and had been on public assistance for a long time,” says O’Kane. “So litigation and getting compensation for the boat accident was important, but equally important was protecting his government benefits.”
The backing of a full-service firm ensures that when life deviates from legal lines, the expertise required is just a flight of stairs away.
While most people often don’t consider finding a personal injury attorney until the moment they need one urgently, having a team in place before an incident occurs can make all the difference.
“People think, ‘I’ve never been in a car accident, why would I need a personal injury attorney?’ It’s so if you ever are in an accident, you’re prepared,” says Collins.
“Personal injury cases don’t always stay confined within the boundaries of personal injury law. Life is complex. Clients should be able to get all of the expertise they need under one roof.”
Personal injury attorneys can walk you through factors to protect you before an accident ever takes place. A comprehensive review of your auto insurance coverage will let you know what protections you have if you are injured in a car accident, especially if the accident wasn’t your fault and the other driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Most people, Collins says, never look at their declaration page on their auto policy and instead opt for the lowest premium.
“It’s not necessarily explained to them what they may be losing in terms of coverage,” she says. “It might not cost you a lot more monthly, but if you need to use the coverage, it makes a huge difference once you get to our office.”
A consultation with the attorneys at Archer & Greiner’s Personal Injury Group can ensure that you are protected before an accident may occur.
Robert Beck, Jr., Partner
“No one is going to take care of you and your family the way you will,” says O’Kane. “That’s something people often find out too late, particularly when it comes to auto accidents. The statistics are off the charts for the number of drivers in New Jersey who are completely uninsured. If you’re spending money for good liability protection, you have to make sure you’re protecting yourself and your family similarly for when you aren’t at fault with an uninsured or underinsured motorist.”
Armed with this information ahead of time, clients can jump to action immediately to obtain this necessary coverage.
When accidents occur, acting swiftly to secure evidence is vital. This may involve hiring a private investigator, recovering security camera footage and gathering eyewitness accounts while the situation is still fresh.
“For slip and fall cases, you need to preserve the location with photographs and eyewitness accounts,” says Beck. “For car accidents, you need to take pictures of the roadway and damages to both cars, and seek out independent eyewitnesses. The first 24 hours are crucial for preserving the facts.”
In New Jersey, there is generally a 2-year limit to file a personal injury claim, but the quicker clients contact an attorney, the better, Beck says.
“If you’re suing a governmental entity, you must file a tort claims notice within 90 days,” he says. “Getting a lawyer involved sooner ensures you receive informed advice and protection, allowing you to focus on healing.”
This can also protect clients’ privacy during trials.
“Plaintiffs don’t know that after they’re involved in an accident, their actions are monitored by the other side through social media,” says Beck. “We ensure our clients are protected as much as possible and handle these issues swiftly to minimize that risk.”
Suzanne Collins, Partner
Personal injury cases are just that – personal. Which means it’s vital to work with a team that has your best interest in mind.
“It’s important for clients to meet their lawyer in person to establish trust,” says Collins. “A seasoned personal injury lawyer will meet the client, respond quickly and provide the necessary answers.”
It’s about finding a team that can take a very difficult situation and work to make it right.
“There aren’t many other areas of the law where your work has such a direct impact on your client’s life,” says O’Kane. “These are cases where we can help them improve from a situation where they could be very fearful and very scared.”
At the end of the day, these Archer & Greiner partners agree, clients need attorneys who will fight for them.
“When clients talk about us,” adds Beck, “we want them to say ‘They didn’t fold. They didn’t back down. They didn’t take the first offer. They did what was best for me and my family.’”
