NY Car Accident Lawyer

About Car Accidents in New York

New York City and the state are notorious for serious car accidents. The ways that NY accidents can occur run the gamut from those which occur in stand-and-wait traffic, run-ins with Uber & Lyft drivers, fatal head-on crashes on the Interstate, and pedestrian accidents that occur in sidewalks or intersections.

Regardless of the exact circumstances of the accident you and your loved ones experienced, the truth of the matter is that being involved in a car crash isn't easy. It disrupts normal life and can lead to serious injuries, some of which are life-threatening. It's important to know why you should settle with an insurance company or at-fault driver and what compensation you might expect to recover. Follow this page to learn more.

What Is the Compensation for Motor Vehicle Accidents in NY?

Every accident is its own unique event. The compensation you can seek after a car accident will depend on many things, such as how the accident transpired, who was involved, and your injuries and related damages.

Injured parties are generally able to recover compensation for “damages,” which can include:

• Medical bills and related expenses
• Lost wages and benefits
• Loss of enjoyment or quality of life
• Pain, trauma, and suffering
• Property damage
• Incidental expenses due to changed circumstances
• Loss to consortium or companionship (associated with certain lower extremity, spinal cord and head injuries)

Government entities that contributed to the accident may compensate you for the above, as well as, for:

• Medical or nursing care
• Payment necessary to cover living expenses
• Lost support or help if you are a caretaker for someone who is injured

What is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident in NY?

The answer to this question depends on your situation. Each settlement is a product of the same events that determine what damages are at issue. Insurers are more willing to pay higher settlements when they know they will lose at trial.

However, not every case goes to trial in the first place — some are required to be taken to trial before an insurer is willing to settle, while others are resolved out-of-court before. Settlements can also be paid faster. Learn how much your case might be worth better by discussing your situation with us as soon as possible.

Have questions about a car accident? Let us help. Call us as soon as possible at (718) 340-3385.

Why You Shouldn't Settle Too Quickly After an Accident

Serious injuries are, almost universally, expensive to treat. If you were to suffer a traumatic brain injury, for example, you might face lifelong disabilities that result in significant financial hardship. It's understandable to want to accept the first settlement you're offered, and many car accident victims opt to do so. Unfortunately for them, the first settlement you're offered almost always will not come close to covering all of your injury-related expenses.

At the time an insurance adjuster first makes contact with you to offer a settlement, they will urge you to sign and accept it quickly. This isn't because the initial offer is the best one you'll receive. Their goal is to get a legally binding settlement signed so they don't have to pay more later when you discover more damages you didn't know about at the time of the accident. This is why you need to remember that the money you receive in a personal injury claim is to cover your expenses right now and in the future.

Don't think “how well will this settlement meet my needs now?”, but rather “how much will I need in the future?” The more serious your injuries, the more treatment you'll require and the more the final price will be. Many people do not think about the fact that they get one chance to accept a final injury settlement amount from an insurer. Settling too quickly can mean your settlement will not actually be enough.

For the best chance at recovering fair compensation, start with these tips:

• Do not speak with the at-fault party's insurer representative until you have an attorney present to guide you through this stage of the process.
• Negotiate with an experienced and aggressive attorney present to protect your rights.
• Avoid putting an exact dollar figure in mind — once you do, you'll be more likely to accept less when the final offer comes in.
• Factor in not just your economic losses, but also pain and suffering, psychological trauma, disability, and more.
• Consult a knowledgeable, reputable attorney before agreeing to a penny of the offered settlement to know if it's enough.

Once you sign on the dotted line, you can not likely go back to get more coverage beyond that original amount. Be thoughtful and truthful about your accident and injuries to receive maximal coverage or recourse for your total accident-related damages as they stand.

Common Car Accident Injuries

In 2017 alone, 3,166 people died in over 559,000 motor vehicle crashes in the state of New York. Over 169,000 went to emergency departments for treatment, and over 1,000 admitted themselves into hospital beds to deal with the aftermath of their injuries. Given the dire probability that you or someone you know will be involved in a car crash in NY and that you'll be dealing with an insurance company to negotiate a fair settlement, what are some common accident injuries people face?

Some of the most commonly-occurring and particularly severe car accident injuries include:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Broken bones (i.e. the tibia, clavicle, and fibula)
Spinal cord injuries such as a paralyzing injury
Catastrophic injuries
Wrongful death

What Happens if You Cannot Afford a Car Accident Lawyer in NY?

Nothing happens to you if you cannot "afford" an attorney because you were recently involved in a car crash. Personal injury attorneys are extremely common for helping people recoup funds due to civil wrongs or negligence. Much like other attorneys, a personal injury lawyer can take the case 'on retainer'. This means that, depending on your relationship and the individual circumstances of your car accident, you can have your attorney take the case with a signed who takes a case on a retainer, as the beloveds case is followed by the signer. 

If you're concerned about legal costs, it should also be said that reputable personal injury lawyers and firms offer free case evaluations. They offer a simple initial consultation where they do the first boost and see if you have a valid case to present that you are not responsible for the accident that codified the injuries.

Need a car accident lawyer in NY? Don't wait to get the legal representation you may be entitled to by law. The Law Offices of Seni Popat, P.C. is a strong ally in helping victims of motor vehicle accidents.

Hiring a Top-Notch Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney-In-NYC Near You

Why hire us? For one, we offer the following:

• Available 24/7 to answer calls from our clients and members of the public seeking legal help
• Bi-lingual staff fluent in English and Farsi
• No fees unless we recover compensation for your claim
• A 98% successful
• A track record of success in large personal injury cases
• Satisfied clients throughout the region

Which Car Insurance Companies Are the Worst in NYC?

For those of you looking for more information on defection to the insurance company or bagging them as soon as possible, keep reading.

Some recognized car insurance providers get fair ratings. Others, not-so-much. A well-known publication had these three companies at the top of the list: Auto-Owners Insurance, USAA, and Ameriprise Auto and Home Insurance.

Others were not so good:

• SC Farm Bureau Mutual
• Hanover
• National General
• Mercury
• Liberty Mutual.

These companies aren't looking out for the best interests of the insured. They are turning a profit by paying out as little as possible. That's why you should get in contact with competent lawyers as soon as possible if you are recovering from a crash.

Hurt after a serious car wreck, do not hesitate to reach out  to a qualified car accident attorney in Queens at Law Office P.C.. Call (718) 340-3385 to request a consultation.