Frequently Asked Questions

It is advisable to file an injury claim as soon as possible after a motor vehicle accident to ensure the timely preservation of evidence which may otherwise be lost or destroyed over time.

A lawyer who is retained after a car crash can help investigate the cause of a motor vehicle accident by taking photos of the scene of the collision, interviewing witnesses and collecting their statements, gathering photo and video evidence of the scene, and more. Attorneys who specialize in motor vehicle accident claims know what evidence to look for and how to preserve it before it is lost or destroyed over time. They can use that evidence to build a strong case for compensation on your behalf, ensure you meet all deadlines for filing a lawsuit, and fight for a fair settlement or verdict that compensates you for the full extent of your losses.

There are many reasons why someone who has been injured should hire a personal injury lawyer. Most people do not realize that they may be eligible to receive a financial settlement that can help them afford their mounting medical bills. Even in cases where another party was clearly to blame, hiring a personal injury lawyer can help ensure that you are pursuing the maximum amount of compensation available in your case. A personal injury lawyer will also make sure that all claims are filed in a timely manner and with the correct court.

Finally, hiring a personal injury lawyer can take stress and pressure off your shoulders during your recovery. Engaging with medical billing staff, insurance adjusters, and the court system is not something the ordinary person wants to face under the best of circumstances, let alone when they are trying to heal from a serious accident. A personal injury lawyer can handle the bureaucracy, the record-keeping, the filing deadlines, and obtaining compensation for your pain and suffering so you can focus on getting better.

If an insurance adjuster calls you, it is best to refer them to speak directly to your attorney. Some insurance agencies may try to take advantage of your unfamiliarity with the process in order to reduce or deny your claim. It is not unheard of for insurance adjusters to call and ask how a victim is doing after their accident. If they answer “fine,” or give positive responses to be polite, they may try to argue that their healing process has already begun, and the overall amount of the claim can be reduced.

Unfortunately, some insurance companies may try to protect their own bottom line over doing what is right for the injured policyholders. Allowing your lawyer to communicate directly with the insurance adjuster can help ensure that nothing gets misconstrued and that nobody tries to take advantage of you during your recovery.

If the injury was partially your fault, you may still be eligible to recover compensation in a civil claim. Insurance adjusters may incorrectly assert that you must be entirely blameless to receive compensation or seek relief after an accident. This is not true under New York law. The standard in a personal injury case is not the blamelessness of the injured party. Instead, the fault or liability of both parties must be considered. If another person or party’s negligence, recklessness, or carelessness contributed to your accident in any way, you may have a viable personal injury case regardless if you were partially at fault.

If your accident happened at work, you may be eligible to pursue a workers’ compensation claim. It is important to note that filing a workers’ compensation claim is different from pursuing a personal injury lawsuit in many ways. For instance, you do not need to prove anyone was at fault in a workers’ compensation claim. If your injury happened at work or was due to work-related activities, you should be able to file a claim on your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance to help cover your medical costs and some of your lost wages. Additionally, unlike a personal injury claim, a workers’ compensation claim will not cover pain and suffering caused by an accident. It is sometimes possible to file a separate personal injury lawsuit in addition to collecting workers’ compensation benefits.

Having a worker’ compensation lawyer on your side can help ensure that unscrupulous employers or insurance agents do not try to take advantage of your situation. Do not settle for less than you may deserve – contact a workers’ compensation lawyer today for a free consultation.

No lawyer will be able to tell you how much your injury may be worth as every personal injury claim is different. The value of an injury often depends on the circumstances surrounding the accident, the extent of the harm done, the burden of proof and amount of documentation available, and the overall scope of the claim. Even seemingly simple or straightforward cases may involve unexpected developments when other elements like ongoing care or pain and suffering are all factored in.

Our personal injury attorneys can help bring context to your claim, share relevant case law, and pursue the maximum amount of compensation available on your behalf.