New York Car Accident Attorney

What Compensation May You Qualify for After a Car Accident in New York?

Depending on the severity of your injuries and the effects they have on your life, the amount of compensation you can recover can vary widely. Your New York motor vehicle accident lawyer will carefully assess your losses so they can fight for the fair compensation you may qualify for.

You may be able to recover compensation for losses such as:

Economic Losses

These are financial costs related to the accident and your injuries, including:

• Medical Expenses: Surgeries, doctor appointments, medications, physical therapy, emergency medical services, and more
• Job-Related Losses: Lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and loss of benefits
• Property Damages: Car repairs, vehicle replacement, and replacement of personal belongings damaged in the accident
• Home Modifications: Updates to your home to make it more accessible after an injury

Non-Economic Losses

These are impacts on your life that don’t necessarily have a financial cost associated with them. These losses include:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of quality of life
• Emotional distress

Wrongful Death

If a loved one lost their life after a car accident in New York, we are so sorry for your loss. While nothing can bring your loved one back, compensation can help you relieve the financial strain. You may qualify for compensation that covers:

• Funeral expenses and burial costs
• The loss of your loved one’s financial support
• Their pain and suffering
• Medical costs for the care they received after the accident
• The loss of their companionship

Why Hire a New York Car Accident Attorney from One of Our Law Firm Partners?

After a car accident, it can be hard to focus on recovering when you’re worried about lost wages and medical bills. You may know that a personal injury claim could help relieve your financial worries, but it’s another thing to worry about. A New York car accident lawyer takes care of the legal process, so you have one less burden.

What Does Your New York Car Accident Lawyer Do for You?

Your lawyer can handle all communication regarding your cases. This includes completing and filing paperwork, talking to the insurance adjuster, and negotiating with the insurance company and their legal team.

They can also ensure that your claim against the liable party(s) is well supported. The legal process can become complicated, but you don’t need to worry about that. Your lawyer will handle necessary appeals and represent you in court if required.

Your legal team will also keep you up-to-date on the progress of your case and answer your questions so you feel fully informed.

How The Goldwater Law Firm Helps Injured People Throughout New York

The Goldwater Law Firm partners with some of the largest and most successful law firms in New York. These strategic partnerships with local firms ensure our clients get help from dedicated attorneys. Learn more by contacting us today.

Proving Negligence After a Car Accident in New York

To recover compensation in an accident claim, you must prove that someone else’s negligence led to your injuries. The four elements of negligence are:

• Duty of Care: Someone had a responsibility to keep you safe. For example, a driver is responsible for not endangering the lives of others on the road.
• Breach: They breached their duty of care through careless or reckless actions. For example, a driver looked at their phone while operating their vehicle.
• Causation: Their actions directly led to the accident. For example, the distracted driver failed to see your stopped vehicle and rear-ended you at a red light.
• Damages: You have provable losses due to the accident, such as the damage to your car and medical records proving your injuries.

Establishing these elements will allow your lawyer to hold the negligent party liable for your injuries. The other driver may not be the only party liable in car accident cases. Other responsible parties may include:

• Other motorists
• Mechanics
• Government entities
• Commercial companies, if a rideshare vehicle was involved

How Does a Lawyer Prove Negligence?

Your lawyer will prove these elements by conducting a thorough investigation of your accident. They may investigate by:

• Interviewing witnesses to the event
• Gathering evidence such as surveillance footage, photos of the accident scene, phone records to prove distracted driving, police reports, and driving records
• Consulting with experts, such as an accident reconstructionist

Some evidence may be time-sensitive, so starting the investigation as soon as possible can be vital. In addition to gathering evidence in a timely manner, your case is also constrained by the statute of limitations. In New York, you typically have only three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Contact The Goldwater Law Firm today to get started.

What Should You Do If You’ve Been in a New York Car Accident?

After an accident, your first steps should prioritize your health and safety. You should:

• Call the Police: Police officers are here to help. They can secure the scene to keep everyone safe. They will also create a crash report, which details their analysis of the accident. This can be vital evidence for your claim.
• Seek Medical Attention: The safest option is to call 9-1-1 and have paramedics come to the scene with the police. However, if you do not use emergency medical services, following up with your doctor is still crucial. They will be able to properly diagnose any injuries you have and get you started on a treatment plan. This also helps link your injuries to the accident.
• Document the Accident: If you can, take photos of the accident scene and the surrounding area. Debris and the position of the vehicles involved can be helpful. You should also take photos of any visible injuries you have.

If you are unsure of what steps to take once you are in recovery, your attorney can help you determine the best course of action to protect your legal right to compensation.