Long Island Car Accident Lawyer

Over 8 million people live in Long Island, NY. As the most populous island in the United States, Long Island is crowded and filled with cars. This means there are more opportunities for car accidents.

If you were hurt in a car accident because of someone else’s negligence, our Long Island car accident lawyers can help you. Oresky & Associates, PLLC, can hold the defendant accountable for their actions. This means paying for your medical bills, lost wages, pain ad suffering, and other damages resulting from the crash.

Oresky & Associates, PLLC, has over 30 years of experience in personal injury law. During that time, we have recovered more than $400 million on behalf of our clients. We are prepared to give you the top-notch legal representation you deserve.

Contact our office to set up a free consultation at (718) 993-9999 and discuss your case.

How Oresky & Associates, PLLC, Can Help You After a Car Accident in Long Island

Most drivers will be involved in a car crash at least once in their life. For some, this will be a minor crash, but for others, it can result in serious injuries and property damage. This can affect their livelihood and financial security.

Oresky & Associates, PLLC, can help you file an insurance claim after a car accident. We will negotiate with the insurance company to get you full compensation. If we can’t come to a fair agreement, then we aren’t afraid to file a personal injury lawsuit and go to court on your behalf.

Hiring a lawyer to navigate this process for you gives you the time to focus on healing from your injuries. It also provides the benefit of an experienced advocate to stand up to insurance companies that may try to get out of paying.

There’s no risk in hiring our Long Island personal injury lawyers. We work for a contingency fee. This means that we don’t get paid unless we win compensation for your case. You won’t be expected to pay us by the hour or on a flat rate basis. Instead, we work hard for our fee – and since it comes directly from your settlement, you can always afford it.

Call our law office serving Long Island, New York, to set up a free consultation today.

What Causes Car Accidents in Long Island, NY?

There are many different causes of car accidents in Long Island, NY. We often work with clients whose accident was caused by:

• Distracted driving
• Drunk driving
• Speeding
• Following too closely
• Running red lights and stop signs
• Road rage
• Blind spots
• Unsafe lane changes
• Inclement weather conditions

It’s normal for clients to come with us not knowing exactly how an accident happened. We take the initiative to investigate the cause of the crash. Then we can find out who is responsible and how to get you compensation.

What Is the Value of My Long Island Car Accident Case?

No two car accident cases have the same value. There is no set amount that you will get paid after a crash. Instead, it is highly dependent on the facts of the case.

One of the first things that our lawyers will do is calculate the estimated value of your case. This provides a benchmark for negotiations with the insurance company, so we can evaluate if a settlement offer is fair.

In general, car accident cases are worth more when:

• You have serious (or permanent) physical injuries requiring ongoing medical treatment
• You have experienced significant pain and suffering (both physical and emotional)
• You have missed work because of your injuries
• You are unable to advance in your career, or hold a job, because of your injuries
• Your quality of life has been significantly affected

It may be helpful to think about the impact of the accident and your injury on your life before meeting with a lawyer. Then you can give the full picture so that they can include all potential avenues for recovery.

What Damages Can I Recover After a Car Accident in Long Island?

‘Damages’ is a legal term for the money that you recover in a civil case. Damages are generally divided into three categories. Of course, money can’t take away your injury. But it can help you access the resources you need to take care of yourself and your family.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are money that is paid because of actual financial losses. This is the most common type of damage and what most people think about first. It includes expenses like:

• Medical bills
• Physical therapy
• Rehabilitation
• Cost of medicine
• Transportation to and from doctors appointments
• Damage to your car
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity

To prove economic damages, you will provide evidence like bills, invoices, and paystubs.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages can be more complex. This type of damage will pay you for intangible harm, like emotional damage, that happens because of the car accident. Most people think of this as pain and suffering, but it goes beyond just that.

You are entitled to collect money for:

• Physical pain from your injury or accident
• Mental anguish and trauma
• Onset of mental illness
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of relationships or companionship
• Permanent disfigurement or scarring

It’s hard to put a dollar figure on this type of harm. An experienced lawyer will know how much you can expect to receive based on their past cases. This information is valuable, especially since people who are not represented by a lawyer may not know how to negotiate for this type of payment.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are designed to punish a defendant for particularly bad behavior. Not everyone is entitled to punitive damages. Your lawyer must prove that the defendant acted with a complete and reckless disregard for the safety of others.

For example, if a defendant crashes into your car because they have road rage, you might be entitled to punitive damages. They intended to crash into your car and knew that this could cause you harm. Knowing the risk, they did it anyway. This situation is much different from a negligent driver who, for instance, failed to check their blind spot.

What Should I Do if I Am Blamed for Causing a Car Accident in Long Island?

New York is a no-fault state when it comes to car accidents. This means that you will generally first file an insurance claim with your own insurance company, whether or not you are at fault. If they don’t pay your full damages, then you may be able to pursue compensation from the defendant.

If you end up filing a lawsuit, and the defendant is blaming you for causing the crash, you might still be able to recover damages nonetheless. New York follows pure comparative negligence. This means that your damages are reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

For example, if you are 40% responsible, and the defendant is 60% responsible, you can get up to 60% of your total damages. This is true even if you are mostly to blame for the accident.

We will always work to keep you from getting blamed after a crash. However, sometimes it happens. If you are blamed, we will minimize it so that you can maximize your financial recovery.

Car Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries

Car accident injuries can range from minor to catastrophic. Your lawyer needs to understand the nature of your injury and the required treatment. If they don’t, how can they fight for the damages that you need to fully recover?

At Oresky & Associates, PLLC, we are familiar with all types of car accident injuries, including:

• Head injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck injuries (such as whiplash)
• Fractured and broken bones
• Internal organ damage
• Crush injuries
• Severe burns
• Amputations

Our lawyers also handle complex injuries, such as clients with multiple injuries resulting from a car accident or a preexisting condition worsened by a crash.

Unfortunately, some people will die from their car crash injuries. We also help families who have lost loved ones in a car accident file wrongful death lawsuits.

What Is the Deadline for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Long Island, NY?

The deadline for filing a car accident lawsuit in Long Island, NY, is three years. This is called the statute of limitations. If you are filing a wrongful death case based on a car accident, the deadline is two years. If you miss this deadline, you will lose your right to recover damages.

The purpose of the statute of limitations is to make sure that both sides have time to prepare their case. If too much time passes between an accident and a lawsuit, evidence may be lost. For example, a witness might move to a new state, or video footage will expire.

The statute of limitations gives plenty of time for the parties to try and resolve a car accident case through insurance before going to court. However, this isn’t always possible. It’s important to speak with a lawyer and get started on your case as soon as possible so that you don’t risk missing the deadline.

Set Up a Free Consultation With a Long Island Car Accident Lawyer

Whenever you are ready to speak with a Long Island car accident lawyer, call Oresky & Associates, PLLC. We can set up a free consultation. It’s a great opportunity for you to learn more about your legal options and rights.

If our personal injury law firm is a good fit for your case, we will start working immediately to try and get you compensation as soon as possible. Don’t waste any more time wondering if you are entitled to payment. Call us to find out.