14 Common Misconceptions About Auto Accident Attorneys
Auto Accident Attorneys
You could be faced with a large medical bill as well as a lower income and pain and suffering in the aftermath of a car crash. The party who was negligent in causing your crash should be obligated to compensate you for these losses.
A seasoned New York City auto accident lawyer can assist you in seeking full compensation for all of your losses. A lawyer for car accidents can safeguard you from unwarranted insurance denials.
Distracted driving
Every driver is responsible to drive safely and keep their attention focused on the road. Distracted driving is dangerous for other road users. It is a major cause of collisions. If you've been injured by a driver who was distracted, you could be qualified for compensation.
Although many people think of texting and talking on the phone when they hear the phrase distracted driving, it's actually any activity that puts your hands off the steering wheel, your eyes off of the road, or mind away from the task at the moment. This involves eating, reaching into the car to find items that you're not using, interacting with passengers, and changing the controls on the dashboard such as the radio or temperature. It can also involve personal grooming, such as shaving or applying make-up.
According to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) around 80 percent of all crashes and 65 percent of collisions that are near-collisions happen due to distracted driving. The act of taking your eyes off the road for just five seconds when you're driving at 55 mph could double the risk of a crash.
If you've been injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver, an experienced auto accident lawyer can help. They will investigate your case and present the most persuasive arguments for full compensation. This includes covering all of your present and future expenses.
Car crashes
Car accidents can take various forms, ranging from minor fender benders up to catastrophic head-on collisions. The nature of the accident determines the liability and the extent and nature of injuries to the victims and their financial losses.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash statistics show that driver errors are the main cause of motor vehicle accidents. Even the tiniest distraction like changing radio stations or applying makeup, or even reading a road map, can cause a serious crash. Other causes of car accidents are speeding, drunk or reckless driving, poor weather conditions, inexperienced drivers or older drivers.
A competent New York City car accident lawyer can examine your case and determine all parties responsible for your financial losses and injuries. They can also negotiate with the defendant's insurance company to negotiate a fair settlement for your claim.
A skilled attorney for auto accident lawsuits accidents can help you receive the compensation you deserve, including for past and future medical costs and lost wages, physical and mental emotional distress, and more. They can also ensure that your claim has insurance for uninsured or under-insured drivers, if necessary. This is particularly crucial if the driver at fault has no insurance, or is only carrying the minimum amount required by New York law.
Uninsured or underinsured motorists
Some drivers do not carry insurance and others only have a small amount of coverage. It can be difficult to recover compensation when an under-insured or uninsured motorist causes a crash. In these situations, you should have a skilled legal advocate working to help you achieve your goals and those of the insurance company.
When the other driver's liability limits aren't high enough to pay for your losses, you may be able to file a claim under your own insurance policy's underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. This kind of insurance is typically included in a comprehensive policy and provides you with crucial security in the event of being involved in a serious collision.
The process for filing UIM/UM claims is similar to the traditional auto accident lawsuits accident claim. It is usually a matter of submitting copies of your medical bills and auto accident lawyers repair bills. The insurance company will analyze these and other documents to determine if your losses fall within the bounds of the other driver's insurance.
It is essential to consult an New York City auto accident lawyer as soon after the accident as you can and make a UIM/UM claim as soon as you can, especially if the other driver claims they do not have insurance or do not have adequate coverage. This allows your lawyer to work with the other driver's insurance provider and their own underinsured/uninsured coverage providers to get you maximum compensation for your loss.
Property damaged
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, it is possible to claim compensation through the insurance company of the party who was at the fault. Our lawyers can assist you to file a claim for both economic and non-economic damages, including the cost of medical expenses and lost income. You may be entitled to compensation for the pain and discomfort you have experienced.
We will carefully examine the damage done to your vehicle, and document all physical evidence to support your case. This includes taking pictures of the accident scene and your property, such as scratches, broken glass, and cracked screen protectors for your device. We will also collect copies of any police or accident reports, and also secure any essential witness information.
The law in New York State is comparative negligence that means that even if found to be partially at fault for the accident, your damages will be diminished by the percentage of liability assigned to you. The defendant could also be found to be solely responsible for the accident and therefore not entitled to any form of compensation.
It is not advisable to give any written or oral explanations to representatives of insurance companies of the parties at fault as they may be used in court later against you. It is also essential to visit a doctor as soon as you can after an accident, as some injuries take a long time to show up and can be used against you if you attempt to claim compensation for your injuries later.