If you have been injured in a rear-end collision, head-on crash, or any other type of car accident, you may need help to recover appropriate damages. Our New York City car accident lawyers have more than 50 years of combined litigation experience and are ready to take on your injury claims.
While we understand that some collisions are unavoidable, a majority are directly related to the negligence of another driver. At Greenberg & Stein, P.C., we are committed to fighting for the rights of accident victims and their families.
If your accident was caused by another driver’s carelessness, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Contact our New York City car accident lawyers at 888-411-3966 for caring legal counsel after your automobile collision.
If you have been involved in a car accident it is important to seek a car accident lawyer that can help you get the compensation you deserve. A lot of people make the mistake of not working with a car accident lawyer and then they end up settling for way less money than they should have. While it is not mandatory to hire a car accident attorney, there are many benefits of doing so.
A car accident lawyer will help you build a solid case by gathering all the evidence necessary. Accurately estimating the worth of your case is not easy. Car accident lawyers can very precisely estimate the worth of your case so you do not end up receiving less money than you should.
Furthermore, car accident attorneys know how to deal with insurance companies. Remember that insurance companies will try to pay you as little as possible. Experienced lawyers are firm negotiators and they will make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
Lastly, if you are not able to reach an agreement with the insurance company, you have the option to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, the legal system can be hard to navigate. A well-seasoned attorney can guide you through every step of the process and represent you in court.
There are several types of car accidents. Some accidents are more common than others and some of them tend to provoke serious injuries to the passengers.
Here is a list of some of the most common types of car accidents in New York:
Just like there are different types of car accidents, there are also different factors that cause them.
These are some common causes of car accidents in New York:
New York is a no-fault state. This means that regardless of who is at fault, each driver has to submit a claim with their own insurance company. Therefore, each driver will collect compensation for their injuries with their own insurer.
If the other party is able to step out of the no-fault system and files a personal lawsuit against you, they must prove that you were at fault. Nonetheless, it is recommendable to consult with a car accident attorney if you believe that you were at fault.
The statute of limitations of New York indicates that individuals have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, in wrongful death cases, the statute of limitations is reduced to two years.
There are a few exceptions in which the statute of limitations can be increased. For example, if the victim of the accident is a minor, the statute of limitations can be extended to three years after the victim turns 18 years of age.
If the party responsible for the accident is a government entity, the victim of the accident has to file a notice of claim within 90 days of the accident. After the notice of claim has been submitted, they can file a lawsuit within one year.
The amount of money that is recoverable for a car accident can greatly vary. The severity of the injuries sustained is an important factor when it comes to the settlement amount. Naturally, more serious injuries translate to greater compensation amounts.
If your case goes to court, the jury may award compensation for pain and suffering and in rare occasions, punitive damages. These damages can represent a big portion of the compensation.
New York is considered a “no-fault” state when it comes to automobile accidents. What it means is that victims of a car accident get first-party benefits through their own carrier regardless of who caused the accident.
For example, if you were involved in a car accident that is someone else’s fault, your insurance provider would still handle your medical bills, etc., not the insurance provider of the other driver. It generally doesn’t matter who is liable because no-fault states make it clear that insurance companies should reimburse/compensate their policyholders directly for first-party benefits.
No-fault insurance may cover medical costs and other losses related to the car accident. The state of New York requires registered motor vehicles to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage amounts:
Your insurance provider will cover no-fault benefits in New York for the car you were driving or if you were struck as a pedestrian. The insurer may cover medical bills, lost wages, transportation to and from medical providers, and prescription drugs associated with the accident.
However, to make a claim or file a lawsuit against a vehicle that was at fault, you will need to reach a no-fault threshold in New York. The no-fault threshold is based on whether you have what is considered a “serious injury”.
The state assigns different categories to serious injuries. For example, a fracture or significant scarring is considered a serious injury.
There are several factors that determine who is at fault in an automobile collision. In some cases, both parties are at fault, but one may still driver hold more financial and legal responsibility than the other.
It can be very difficult to assess which driver is liable for physical or property damages after an accident.
For this reason, you may want to retain a New York City car accident attorney. Our firm is prepared to help you review the other individual’s driving background, ticket history, and insurance policy.
We can also gather the necessary evidence to prove the other driver’s negligence, such as witness testimonials, photographs, and other documents.
If another driver has caused you injuries or has damaged your car due to one of these factors, you may be able to receive compensation. Greenberg & Stein, P.C., is ready to aggressively represent you in your car accident case.
State law requires all drivers to have a liability insurance policy with a minimum of $25,000 in coverage for bodily injuries. Drivers must also have a policy that includes $50,000 per incident, as well as $10,000 for property damage.
Additionally, drivers must carry no-fault insurance of $50,000.
If you have any more questions on automobile collision claims, please review our car accident FAQ page or contact us any time.
How soon the insurance company covers your damages does depend on a few factors, including:
However, there are cases where the insurance company denies the claim or will not pay out the settlement. If that is the case, you may not have any options but to file a lawsuit. Speaking with a qualified personal injury attorney will help outline the process for pursuing damages in a court of law.
In New York, the statute of limitations for most types of personal injury cases is three years. Consequently, you have three years from the date of the car accident/injury to go to court and file a lawsuit against the responsible parties.
While three years may sound like a ton of time, in the legal world of personal injury claims it is surprisingly not long enough. Insurance providers may drag their feet on settling claims, thereby narrowing the money they’ll have to pay. Additionally, you may lose interest or desire to pursue bigger damages in court the longer the time passes.
Unfortunately, in many cases, victims also make the mistake of downplaying their injuries immediately after an accident. For example, you may not feel much pain in the days or weeks following an accident, but life-altering problems like head injuries can take months to start developing severe symptoms.
As a result, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible following a serious car accident. Even if the insurance provider appears to want to settle the case in your favor, you can get help from a qualified attorney to put pressure on the insurance provider to reach a settlement in a reasonable amount of time.
Speaking with an attorney as soon as possible allows both of you to go over the details of the car accident while they’re fresh in your mind. The longer you wait to approach a personal injury lawyer and a lawsuit, the fewer details and evidence you may have about the case.
Choosing the right car accident lawyer is crucial. Having an experienced and professional lawyer can make a huge difference.
If you are looking for a car accident attorney, make sure to ask about their history of cases. It is recommendable to look for a lawyer who handles cases similar to yours. So, if you suffered an accident involving a truck, make sure to look for someone who has experience in truck accident cases.
You not only want someone who has handled cases similar to yours. You also want someone who has won those cases. Try to find out what is the success rate of the attorney you are thinking about hiring. You should also try to find out how much compensation they could get for their past clients.
Not all attorneys will charge you the same for their services. You must ask the lawyer that you are considering hiring about their fee structure. You need to clearly understand how much they will be paid and under what circumstances. Some attorneys will charge you on an hourly basis, while others may work on a contingency basis. Do not hire a lawyer who is not clear about their fee structure or if you do not feel comfortable with what they charge.
Most car accident attorneys will work on a contingency basis. This means that they will not get paid unless you receive compensation. The attorney will charge you a percentage of the total compensation amount as payment for their services.
The percentage that attorneys charge usually ranges from 20% to 30%.
After a car accident, you may feel overwhelmed by medical bills and lost wages. Work with our team of New York City car accident attorneys for optimal legal support. We may be able to help you understand your rights, legal options, and liability involved in your car accident case.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with our legal team. We have already recovered millions of dollars for other accident victims, now let us help you.
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