A personal injury lawyer deals with car accidents. Some take on a variety of personal injury cases, from slip and falls to product defects. Others may focus on specific types of personal injury, such as car accidents involving commercial truck drivers. Depending on the nature of your accident, you will want to look for legal representation that fits your needs.
Regardless, the goal of a personal injury lawyer is to offer legal assistance as you navigate an insurance claim or lawsuit to seek compensation. The process of securing damages after a car accident can quickly get complex, but the right attorney can and will handle the necessary steps on your behalf.
How a Lawyer Will Help You After an Accident
A lawyer will work for you by investigating the details of your car accident. This process often begins with the collection of detailed evidence. It is a good idea to take photographs and videos at the accident scene if you are able. These forms of evidence may illuminate crucial aspects of a case, which your lawyer can use to identify a liable party.
In their investigation, a lawyer will communicate with the other parties involved, their insurance companies, eyewitnesses, and local law enforcement officers on your behalf. These acts of correspondence can help to relieve some of the pressure that comes with recounting painful details from an accident.
Furthermore, a lawyer will handle the negotiation process with the insurance company and legal defense team. The insurance adjuster may make a lowball settlement offer or attempt to deny a claim altogether. It is not uncommon for an unprofessional insurance carrier or defense lawyer to speak disparagingly of you and to imply or even state that you are lying. This sort of stress is counterproductive to what you should be doing after a car accident, focusing on your medical treatment and healing. Your lawyer will speak with them so that you do not have to.
If you were the victim of a car accident while using a rideshare service, like Uber or Lyft, you should discuss your case with a Long Island rideshare accident lawyer. They will explain to you the intricacies of the Uber insurance policies applied in New York and present you with your options. It is best to rely on your attorney’s experience with such cases, as determining liability and fault for your losses is a complex process requiring thorough investigation. When it comes to rideshare accidents with injuries, your attorney will try to secure both economic and non-economic damages on your behalf.
Determining Who Is Liable for a Collision
Some common forms of reckless and negligent behaviors that may constitute liability include the following:
- Alcohol- or drug-impaired driving
- Swerving between lanes
- Drowsy or fatigued driving
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
- Texting while driving
Distracted driving, for example, is a huge issue in car accidents. Given the growth of modern mobile phone technology, many drivers now rely on their devices while behind the wheel for communication, entertainment, and navigation. Due to how distracting this technology can be, many states enforce a strict standard of safety in regards to the use of these devices when in the driver’s seat.
As the New York State Police outline, the State of New York prohibits all drivers from the use of portable electronic devices while they operate a motor vehicle. Prohibited activities include sending and composing text messages, playing games, and viewing photos, videos, and other content.
A lawyer who is working on your case will investigate the details of your incident to identify a liable party. If you believe the driver who caused your accident was texting at the time, your attorney may be able to use their phone records as proof of negligence.
Pursuing Compensation in a Collision Case
Your lawyer will fight to win any forms of financial compensation that you may be able to seek. Victims may be able to collect compensation for their medical visits, surgeries, therapy programs, prescription medications, and other medical expenses. A lawyer will also examine other damages that you suffered to determine the amount of financial compensation you can receive.
According to New York Civil Practice Laws & Rules (CVP) §214, known as the statute of limitations, you have a limited window of time in which you may file a lawsuit for an incident that caused personal injuries. In addition to this statute of limitations, claims and lawsuits are governed by other deadlines as well.
Another time-related concern is gathering evidence before it becomes unavailable for a wide variety of potential reasons. From witness statements to surveillance or dashcam video, trying to get it sooner is better than trying to get it later. If you delay taking action after a car accident, whether because of your injuries, fear, or anxiety, you risk giving up your right to pursue justice.We understand that you may be having these feelings. We have compassion for you, what you have been through, and what you are going through. Our mission is to help you. We hope you can shift your focus to your medical treatment, healing, and recovery while we address technical legal details and deadlines.
Contact Friedman & Simon L.L.P. Today
If you need a lawyer who deals with car accidents, consider hiring Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., to represent you. The hardships that come along with severe personal injuries, emotional trauma, and other damages can make it tough to see a clear path forward. Still, if you suffered harm due to another party’s actions, they should be held responsible.
A personal injury lawyer from Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., will stand up to preserve your rights and assert your position after a car accident. Our team will keep you updated on your case as we identify liable parties, communicate with other parties related to your situation, gather evidence, determine a value for your case and fight to win the best possible outcome for you.
For a free consultation, reach out to a member of our office today at (516) 932-0400.