We Are Experienced New York Car Accident Attorneys

When To Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

No one is ever prepared for unexpected car accidents. Suddenly, you have so many questions and decisions to make. You might be wondering if you need a car accident lawyer, and the answer is yes, you do.

Handling all the details and choices you have to make, not to mention the mounting medical bills, will leave you feeling overwhelmed. There are significant benefits to hiring a car accident attorney, including:

• Generally, car accident victims with legal representation receive higher compensation sums than those who do not have a lawyer.
• An experienced personal injury attorney will represent your car accident case and present necessary details and information from an objective point of view.
• Skilled lawyers have experience ensuring you document all medical treatment, prescriptions, and auto information correctly, so you have accurate records to present to the court.
• An experienced attorney can negotiate directly with the insurance company to secure a  settlement amount when you file a car accident claim.

Why Should I Hire a New York Car Accident Attorney?

New York car accident victims suffer many side effects and lingering problems from automobile accidents. The suffering and pain can feel endless, from fractures and internal injuries to loss of income and climbing medical expenses.

Getting your bills covered and receiving the compensation you need is very difficult without the settlement negotiations skill of an experienced lawyer. Insurance companies work for themselves, and they could minimize your circumstance and question the truth of your injury. Even when it is clear that you are not the at-fault party, they may treat you as if you caused the accident.

When you have a knowledgeable attorney fighting for you, they will attempt to obtain the maximum compensation you are entitled to.  In addition to helping you navigate the legal process, they will file a personal injury claim on your behalf.  A New York lawyer knows how to navigate the system for you. For instance:

• They will protect you from divulging information about the accident that should be kept confidential.
• They are experienced at collecting pertinent evidence that will help your case. Cataloging police reports, documented medical records, property damage at the car wreck scene, and any details that affect your case is part of their process.
• They obtain accident reports, eyewitness testimony, accident reconstruction experts, and note hazardous conditions that could have impacted the collision.
• They will stand up to the tactics and pressure from the insurance company trying to settle for less than your circumstance warrants.
• They will keep you from settling too soon.

The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents

Any resident or visitor to New York will notice right away the high volume of traffic. Bicyclists, motorcycles, cars, buses, and cabs are crowding the roads at the same time. There are countless road accidents every year.

Distracted Driving

With the meteoric rise of cell phone use, distracted driving has become a top cause of car crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association shows that distracted driving is a problem in every state. Motorists are consistently on their phones calling, texting, and video-chatting. Looking down to send a text requires five seconds, in which time you can drive the entire length of a football field with your eyes off the road.

Distracted driving also includes motor vehicle accidents in which the driver is changing radio stations, adjusting with the navigation, and eating while driving.

Following Too Closely

New York City is one of the most challenging places to drive with the combination of moving vehicles, bicycles, and thousands of pedestrians. Following too closely behind another driver is common. Many times drivers are aggressive in shifting lanes and driving too fast for conditions, causing rear-end collisions.

The Police Department of New York City reports that driving too closely constitutes the second-highest number of motor vehicle collisions in any given month. You should always leave sufficient car lengths behind the car in front of you and be aware of the overall driving conditions.

Failure To Yield

When a driver fails to yield to a motorist or pedestrian, there are fines and often court costs. While this might not seem significant, the ticket points will increase your insurance premiums for several years. Ultimately, you can lose your license for too many failures to yield offenses.

Speeding

Speeding in NYC is a ticketable offense, with the fines increasing the higher over the speed limit you go. Drivers who get a speeding ticket must pay a fine, and the ticket impacts your insurance rates for several years. If you have multiple speeding tickets, you could lose your license. You may need an experienced attorney to help you navigate the speeding tickets and keep your driving privileges.

Drunk Driving

The CDC reports that one in three traffic deaths involve a drunk driver.  Negligence due to drunk or impaired NYC drivers is may result in civil as well as criminal action.  Drunk driving car accidents cause deaths every day in the United States.

Road Defects

The congestion of traffic in and around NYC can make navigating difficult. Driving challenges compound when there is road work or road defect.  The following situations affect driving in the city regularly:

• Defective pavement
• Lane marking improper or inadequate
• Obstruction/debris
• Pavement defective
• Pavement slippery
• Shoulders defective/improper
• Traffic control device improper/not working
• View obstructed/limited

Defective Vehicles and Equipment

Vehicles and equipment have thousands of moving parts. When just one part stops working correctly, this can cause catastrophic situations like a blown-out tire or a vehicle roll-over. These problems could be due to defective design or defective parts. New York laws allow consumers to file a claim against automobile and equipment manufacturers when a faulty component causes harm.

If you decide you are eligible to file a lawsuit for compensation, you need a skilled attorney to help you get the maximum you can. An attorney will know about filing a products liability claim.

Drowsy Driving

Fatigued drivers also account for vehicle crashes and deaths. Examples of this can be a new mother who is tired from staying up with a baby or someone who hangs out with friends late into the night. Fatigue leads to impaired cognition, low performance, lowered driver performance, and response time.

Seat Belts

Numerous drivers and vehicle occupants killed in accidents are not wearing seat belts. A proper seat belt keeps you inside your vehicle in a crash, protects you from the force of the airbag deploying, and significantly reduces the risk of fatality in a car crash.

Drug-Impaired Driving

Many substances can impair your ability to drive safely, including:

• Marijuana, alcohol, and some prescription drugs can slow your responses when driving—impaired judgment and reaction times are significant
• Methamphetamines and cocaine make drivers reckless and aggressive
• Two or more of the drugs above amplifies the overall effects
• Many drugs cause dizziness which impairs driving responses

How Can Hiring an Attorney Change Your Compensation?

When you are involved in a car accident, there is no way for you to know the extent of your expenses and injuries right away. Many costs continue long after the motor vehicle accident.

Without legal representation, the insurance company holds the power.   A personal injury attorney can maximize the compensation that you receive and protect your legal rights.

An insurance adjuster works for the insurance company, not for you. Their goal is minimize their payout.   To maximize your compensation, and  receive what you are entitled to, you should strongly consider hiring a personal injury attorney.

If you try to represent yourself, one mistake can derail your case. It pays to have someone who knows the ins and outs of the court and how to secure the compensation owed to you.

Steps To Take When You Are in a Car Accident

When you are involved in a car accident, the temptation is to panic. You are scared, confused, and possibly hurt. Try to keep calm and follow these steps:

• Stick Around Safely:  If your injuries don’t stop you, move your car to a safe place out of traffic. If your injuries are severe, have someone call 911.
• Document Everything: Take photos and videos with your phone. Capture all the images from the accident, including your car, the other person’s car, nearby cars, sidewalks, intersections—everything is essential.
• Call the police.
• If you or a family member is able, get the information of the other driver: Make sure to take a photo of the other driver’s license and insurance card. Also, get the make, model, and color of the car. Be sure to get the phone number of the other driver, too. Collect all the information you can.
• Seek medical help if you need it: Remember that some injuries don’t show up until later, so be sure that you have been evaluated by a medical professional.
• Contact your insurance company to report the accident: The sooner you contact them, the sooner they can act on your behalf. New York no-fault insurance laws require you to contact them within certain time periods.
• Contact a NY personal injury lawyer: You might not think you need legal help, but don’t forget that the insurance adjuster works for the insurance company, not you. If you have injuries down the road due to the collision, the insurance company might deny your claim. It is best to have the counsel of an experienced attorney to help you understand the next best step.