Car Accidents Lawyers in Yonkers, NY

Helping Clients Pursue Personal Injury Claims

Millions of car accidents happen each year in the United States, and while some of these are minor fender benders, many involve serious injuries. A car accident victim may end up needing extensive medical treatment, including hospitalization, and need weeks or months to recuperate. All of this can create a significant financial burden for the victim. Personal injury claims involving car accident cases provide victims with the opportunity to pursue compensation from the at-fault party.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, your focus should be on healing. Let the attorneys at the Law Offices of Joseph A. Marra, PLLC, take the lead on your legal case so you can focus on rest and recovery while we focus on getting you the compensation you deserve.

How Does New York’s No-Fault Laws Impact Claims for Car Accident Victims?

New York is one of less than a dozen states in the country that are no-fault states. This means that you don’t have to prove fault in a car accident to be eligible for a settlement from your insurance company. Motorists in New York are required to carry special insurance coverage to ensure that the insurance company will pay out and to reduce the number of lawsuits due to car accidents. However, a no-fault payout from the insurance company is generally limited to $50,000 for all expenses incurred.

With today’s increasing cost of medical care, it’s very possible that expenses for medical treatment could exceed that $50,000 quickly, and this doesn’t take into consideration other aspects, such as lost wages and pain and suffering. However, it is possible to pursue car accident claims outside of the no-fault system. By doing this, you give up the immediate payment from the insurance company under the no-fault law and file a personal injury claim instead. This allows you to potentially be awarded more than $50,000 in damages and can be a better option in some cases. It’s important to discuss this decision with an attorney before moving forward to ensure you understand the implications of moving beyond the no-fault law.

Do I Have to Settle With the Insurance Company?

If you are not planning on moving beyond the no-fault law, you will end up settling with the insurance company. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to accept the first number they propose. It is possible to negotiate these amounts, and a motor vehicle accident attorney can help you do this. In general, those with more serious injuries can expect to receive higher settlements, but other factors, such as lost wages or reduced earning ability from injuries, can have an impact as well.

It’s important to remember that most insurance companies have large, in-house legal teams who are dedicated to their client’s interests, which, in this case, is the insurance company. They are not looking out for your best interests and are generally trying to get you to settle for the lowest amount possible. Having experienced legal representation can ensure that you have an advocate who can negotiate on your behalf and ensure that any settlement offer you agree to is reasonable for the situation.

What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents?

The most common type of car accident is the front-end collision. This is when a person strikes another vehicle, a pedestrian, or a stationary object with the front of their car. You are almost twice as likely to be involved in a front-end collision than a rear-end collision, which is the second most common type. Other common car accidents include T-bone crashes, where the front of one car strikes the side of another, and sideswipe accidents, where the side of one car hits the side of another car and generally keeps moving, even if just for a short distance.

Can I Get Compensation for Pain and Suffering?

Damages for pain and suffering are intended to compensate victims for the intangible mental and emotional toll that car accident injuries can take. This type of compensation goes beyond the typical coverage for medical bills and lost wages. In the state of New York, compensation for pain and suffering is generally only a possibility for those who have suffered serious injuries. This can be a complicated area of the law, and it’s best to discuss your situation with an experienced car accident attorney to find out if this may be an option for your case.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents?

The statute of limitations for a car accident in New York state is 3 years, and this time limit starts counting down from the date of the accident. This is an important number to be aware of, as some injuries can take several months to appear or to be accurately assessed for ongoing impact on the person’s quality of life. If you don’t file a suit within the 3-year timeframe, you give up your legal right to pursue a personal injury claim for that accident.

What Questions Should I Have for Yonkers Car Accident Attorneys?

In Yonkers, car accident lawyers are focused on getting their clients the compensation they deserve so they can start moving forward. But it’s important to ensure that any attorney you are working with is experienced in your type of case. Here are some questions to ask at your first appointment:

• How many of these cases have you worked on?
•  What is your average settlement award?
•  How will I know what’s going on with my case?
• How does your fee structure work?

At the Law Offices of Joseph A. Marra, PLLC, we are focused on helping our clients get the compensation they need to pay their medical bills and get back to their lives. Call our Yonkers office at 914-344-5145 to find out how we can help.