At Greenberg & Stein, P.C., we offer free case evaluations to people who have been injured or who have lost a loved one in a car accident. This makes it possible for you to meet face-to-face with an experienced New York City personal injury attorney to discuss your accident and the impact it has had on your life, and to find out whether you have grounds to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim against the other driver.
While we listen to your account of the incident, we will be looking for any evidence that the other driver is at fault for causing the collision, as this is what determines whether you have a case. If the other driver is responsible for the accident, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your medical expenses, your lost income and even the pain and suffering you have experienced.
Car accidents happen for many reasons, but it is nearly always possible to prove that one of the drivers is at fault. In fact, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reports that in 2011, 69.1 percent of motor vehicle crashes in the city were caused by “human factors,” such as driver inattention or distraction, failure to yield right of way, or following too closely. This amounts to 36,208 traffic collisions, a figure which includes 28,401 injuries and 183 deaths. Every single one of these accidents could—and should—have been prevented by the drivers exercising proper precaution while behind the wheel.
If it can be proven that the other driver was responsible for causing your accident, you can file a claim against his or her liability insurance policy. Under state law, every driver is required to maintain liability insurance as long as they have a vehicle registered, and the minimum mandatory amounts include $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, $50,000/$100,000 for death, and $10,000 for property damage.
Some drivers choose to maintain greater amounts of liability coverage, such as $250,000/$500,000 or even more. These drivers realize that if they cause an accident with damages exceeding the limits of their policy, they may be held personally liable to pay for the rest of it. If you were involved in a similar situation, and you are now looking for an attorney for your car accident case in New York City, then do not hesitate to speak with an NYC car accident lawyer from our office.
Many drivers, however, try to save money in the short run by buying only the bare minimum liability coverage, leaving themselves potentially exposed to pay for the remainder. In such cases, it is possible to increase the amount of compensation you receive for your injuries by filing a claim against your own no-fault insurance policy. It is mandatory under state law to maintain at least $50,000 in no-fault—also referred to as personal injury protection—coverage, which pays for medical expenses, lost income and other reasonable and necessary expenses regardless of who caused the accident.
Further, you may be able to collect against your uninsured motorist policy, as this type of coverage is also legally required to pay for hit-and-run accidents and collisions caused by drivers who do not have insurance. When we meet for your free consultation, we will take the time to review all your options for filing an insurance claim, and will be ready to take immediate action to investigate your case and determine whether the other driver is liable for causing the accident. Contact a NYC personal injury attorney at Greenberg & Stein, P.C. today to learn more and schedule your free case evaluation.
