When someone is injured in a car accident in New York, they need help from a car accident lawyer. A lawyer will work to make sure that all of the necessary evidence is collected and that no stone is left unturned in the effort to prove liability. This includes reviewing all medical records and contacting any witnesses, as well as interviewing the police officers who investigate the accident. The lawyer will also collect all of the necessary evidence to prove damages, which can include medical bills, lost wages, property damage and pain and suffering.
Car accidents can be traumatic experiences that leave victims with severe injuries. Injuries from head-on collisions in particular can have devastating consequences, including brain trauma, spinal cord injury, fractured bones, internal injuries and other serious conditions. These injuries require expensive medical treatment and can have a significant impact on the victim’s quality of life. A New York car accident lawyer can help a crash victim get the compensation they need and deserve.
The first step in a car accident claim is seeking medical attention as soon as possible. While this may seem obvious, many injuries do not immediately show symptoms and the adrenaline rush of an accident can dull or mask some pain. Additionally, it is important to receive care quickly because the longer an injury goes untreated, the more likely it is to become worse. Prompt treatment will also bolster an injury claim because it will establish causation. Causation is the foundation of negligence cases and will help to strengthen your case against the at-fault insurance company.
A seasoned car accident lawyer will also understand New York’s unique insurance laws and how they affect your potential recovery. In addition to helping you navigate the state’s no-fault system, they will ensure that you have access to any additional monetary recovery through your own insurer, such as underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage. This type of coverage is typically optional, but it is well worth the cost to have in the event of an accident with a driver who does not carry sufficient insurance to cover your expenses.
While New York’s no-fault system restricts your ability to sue the at-fault party for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, a car accident lawyer can fight to allow you to recover these losses. Unlike other forms of compensation, pain and suffering covers the physical, emotional, and psychological trauma that accompanies serious car accident injuries. This can include chronic pain, the loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and other effects that can dramatically reduce a victim’s quality of life.
In addition, a car accident lawyer can help you pursue punitive damages against the at-fault party, if the other driver’s actions were found to be grossly negligent, reckless, or willful and caused your injuries. Punitive damages are rare, but they can dramatically increase your potential compensation award. If you have questions about car accident claims, speak with an experienced New York car accident attorney at Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP.