Suffolk Personal Injury Lawyers

At Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, when we represent a client hurt in a personal injury incident, we aim to get justice for them in two ways: holding the at-fault party accountable and recovering fair compensation for their damages. The recoverable damages in a personal injury claim include a wide range of expenses and losses incurred because of the accident.

We work to identify the value of your recoverable damages to ensure we’re demanding enough money to pay for your losses. We will take all the hardships you faced into consideration.

Some commonly recoverable damages in Suffolk County personal injury cases include:

• Medical bills and related expenses
• Future care and support costs
• Income losses, current and future
• Diminished earning capacity
• Miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Scarring and disfigurement

Recovering Wrongful Death Damages in Suffolk County

In the unfortunate event that your loved one passed away from their injuries, our attorneys are here to help your family. We represent families and seek fair compensation for them. This could include income losses, medical bills, and funeral costs.

When we handle a wrongful death case in Suffolk County, we work with the victim’s personal representative. This is the executor or administrator of the estate. Under EPTL § 5-4.1, this is the only party allowed to act as a plaintiff in a New York state wrongful death lawsuit.

We know how to navigate these cases and hold the liable parties accountable. Let us assess your family’s options based on your loved one’s accident, injuries, and untimely death.

What is a Personal Injury Claim?

In a personal injury claim, the injured party (the plaintiff) must typically prove that the other party (the defendant) owed them a duty of care, breached that duty through negligence or wrongdoing, and that this breach directly caused the plaintiff’s injuries and damages.

The personal injury claims process typically involves filing an insurance claim, negotiating with insurance companies, and, if necessary, filing a lawsuit and going to trial. Many personal injury claims are resolved through settlements, where the plaintiff agrees to accept a specific amount of compensation in exchange for dropping the claim.

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, it’s essential to consult with a New York personal injury attorney from Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC who can help you understand your rights, assess the value of your claim, and guide you through the legal process to pursue the compensation you deserve.

Let Our Experienced Attorneys Represent You in Your Suffolk County Injury Case

Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, has been fighting for personal injury victims for three generations. Since 1938, our family of lawyers has protected the rights of those hurt because of someone else’s negligence. We help clients in Suffolk County recover money based on their medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. We will not settle for less than they deserve and will take cases to trial when necessary.

We take on even the most complex and challenging cases and have the necessary experience, resources, and reputation to win them. When you choose to work with us, you become a part of our family. You can count on receiving personalized attention and support throughout the legal process.

Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, has a proven track record of success, including millions of dollars recovered for clients. Some recent settlements and verdicts we secured include:

• $1,900,000 settlement for a motorcyclist who suffered significant injuries when a truck turned left in front of her
• $1,550,000 settlement for a client who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other injuries as a passenger in an auto accident
• $1,200,000 settlement for a pedestrian hit by a driver turning left while she was in the crosswalk, breaking her leg
• $675,000 settlement following mediation after the client was hit by a ladder outside a retail store; he fell and suffered a skull fracture and brain injury
• $422,018 settlement for a client attacked and bitten by two pit bulls

You never have to pay anything for our team to go to work for you. We offer free consultations and do not charge any upfront fees. We work on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay nothing until we win compensation in your case.

What Does Burden of Proof Mean in a Suffolk Personal Injury Claim?

In a Suffolk personal injury claim, the burden of proof refers to the legal obligation of the injured party (the plaintiff) to provide sufficient evidence to support their claim against the allegedly responsible party (the defendant). The burden of proof is a key concept in personal injury law, as it determines which party must prove their case and to what extent.

The burden of proof in a personal injury claim falls on the plaintiff. This means that the injured party must present evidence to demonstrate that the defendant’s negligence or wrongdoing caused their injuries and damages.

The standard of proof in a Suffolk personal injury claim is “preponderance of the evidence.” This means that the plaintiff must show that their version of events is more likely to be true than not, or that there is a greater than 50% chance that their claim is valid. This is a lower standard of proof than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard used in criminal cases.

How Your Injury Lawyer Meets the Burden of Proof in a Claim?

To meet the burden of proof, the plaintiff and their personal injury lawyer must gather and present various types of evidence, such as:

• Police reports and accident scene investigations
• Medical records and expert testimony from healthcare providers
• Eyewitness statements
• Photographs and video footage of the accident scene or injuries
• Expert testimony from accident reconstruction specialists or other relevant professionals
• Evidence of lost wages and earning capacity
• Documentation of other damages, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress

The defendant, on the other hand, will try to counter the plaintiff’s evidence and present their own evidence to dispute liability or the extent of the plaintiff’s damages.

If the plaintiff fails to meet the burden of proof, the court may rule in favor of the defendant, and the plaintiff may not recover any compensation for their injuries and losses. This is why it’s crucial for personal injury plaintiffs to work with Suffolk personal injury attorneys who can build strong cases and effectively present evidence to meet the burden of proof.

Our Attorneys Handle Many Types of Suffolk County, NY, Injury Cases

Almost any incident in which one party causes another’s injuries could support a personal injury case under New York state laws. Our team of Suffolk County attorneys handles a wide range of these cases regularly, including auto accidents, premises liability incidents, and more.

Here is a closer look at some of the most common types of personal injury cases we take on:

Bicycle Accidents

When a motorist strikes a cyclist, the injuries suffered are often catastrophic. Drivers must follow traffic laws and pay careful attention to their surroundings to prevent bicycle accidents. Our attorneys can build a case against them and seek compensation on your behalf if you suffered injuries in one of these collisions.

Car Crashes

New York state motor vehicle accident cases are complex. Victims generally need to file a no-fault claim and seek compensation through their own insurance policy. However, many can pursue additional damages based on their car accidents.

Our Suffolk County car accident lawyers can review your case and explain your legal options based on your unique circumstances. If you qualify to recover compensation, we can help you seek fault-based damages, including pain and suffering.

Dog Bite Incidents

Dog owners have a responsibility to keep others safe from their animals. When dog attacks and bites occur, our attorneys can develop a strong case against the dog’s owner or another liable party. We handle these claims and lawsuits, seeking fair compensation for the physical and psychological injuries our clients suffered.

Motorcycle Accidents

At Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, we ride, so we empathize with motorcycle accident victims. Our Suffolk County motorcycle accident attorneys can handle your motorcycle wreck claim, gathering strong support for an insurance claim or lawsuit.

We know how difficult it can be to put your life back together after a crash, especially if you suffered life-altering, catastrophic injuries. Let our legal team focus on your Suffolk County accident case while you focus on your treatment and rehabilitation.

Pedestrian Accidents

Our Suffolk County pedestrian accident lawyers provide legal representation to pedestrians who were injured by careless drivers. Our team can seek compensation after a careless or reckless driver hits them. Motorists often cause these collisions because of distractions, drunk driving, drowsy driving, speeding, or carelessness.

Slip and Falls

Property owners are legally responsible for keeping their buildings and surrounding property free from unreasonable hazards that could cause accidents. This includes slip, trip, and other fall hazards. When slip and fall injuries occur, the property owner is often liable. Our attorneys know how to prove these cases and hold the liable party accountable.

Truck Accidents

Our attorneys handle Suffolk County truck accidents frequently. This often requires dealing with large trucking companies, corporate lawyers, and large insurance carriers.

The legal team at Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC does not back down in the face of a challenge. We hold trucking companies responsible for their drivers’ negligence to pursue compensation for our clients.

Construction Accidents

If you were injured in a construction accident, our team is ready to work on your behalf. We handle all the legal aspects of your case so you can focus on healing. A Suffolk County construction accident lawyer can explain to you how workers’ compensation can affect your claim. We can explain your options for filing third-party claims if you were injured on a construction site in New York.

When is it a Good Idea to Call a Personal Injury Lawyer in Suffolk County?

We strongly recommend you call a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after you’ve been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence. Here are some specific situations when it’s particularly important to seek the advice of a personal injury attorney:

• When you’ve suffered a significant injury: If your injury is severe, requires extensive medical treatment, or has a long-term impact on your life, it’s essential to consult with a personal injury lawyer to protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation.
• When liability is disputed: If the other party denies responsibility for the accident or there are multiple parties involved, a personal injury lawyer can help investigate the case, gather evidence, and establish liability.
• When dealing with insurance companies: Insurance companies often try to minimize or deny claims. A personal injury lawyer can handle communication with the insurance companies, negotiate on your behalf, and ensure that you’re not taken advantage of.
• When you’re unsure about the value of your claim: A personal injury lawyer can help you assess the full extent of your damages, including current and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses, to ensure that you pursue fair compensation.
• When you’re facing deadlines: Personal injury cases are subject to statutes of limitations, which means you have a limited time to file a claim. A personal injury lawyer can ensure that you meet all the necessary deadlines and preserve your right to seek compensation.
• When you’re feeling overwhelmed: Dealing with the aftermath of an accident can be stressful and overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to recover from injuries. A personal injury lawyer can handle the legal aspects of your case, giving you the peace of mind to focus on your recovery.

At Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC we offer free initial consultations, so it’s generally in your best interest to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible after an accident to discuss your case and learn about your legal options. The sooner you involve a Suffolk personal injury lawyer, the better we can protect your rights and build a strong case on your behalf.

Proving Negligence to Seek Your Compensation in Suffolk County

While some personal injuries occur because of a party’s intentional actions, most happen because they act carelessly or recklessly. In legal cases, this is known as negligence. When a party acts negligently, they can cause injuries in a wide range of ways. We must show what happened and their role in your accident to hold them legally responsible.

We can prove the liable party owes you financial compensation by proving the following elements of negligence:

• The liable party owed the victim a duty of care
• They failed to uphold this duty of care
• Their failure was the cause of the incident or accident
• The victim suffered physical, emotional, or financial damages

To prove negligence occurred, we need to gather strong evidence that supports your claims. This is what allows us to aggressively pursue fair compensation in negotiations with the insurance company or confidently sue the liable party and prepare a case for trial.

Our Lawyers Gather Evidence to Strengthen Your Personal Injury Case

We understand the causes of different types of personal injury incidents and the evidence that might be available. Much of this depends on the unique circumstances of the case. However, some common evidence we use in Suffolk County injury lawsuits includes:

• The police report
• Eyewitness statements
• Video or photographs from the accident scene
• An accident scene survey
• Relevant medical records
• Expert witness testimony
• Medical bills, receipts, income paperwork, and other documents

Our law firm has experience collecting relevant evidence to hold the negligent party accountable. Call Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC today or reach out to us online to find out if you have a valid claim.

Getting Compensation if You Shared Fault in a Suffolk Personal Injury Claim

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Suffolk, New York, but you share some fault for the incident, you may still be able to recover compensation for your losses. New York follows a legal doctrine called “pure comparative negligence,” which allows injured parties to seek compensation even if they are partially responsible for the accident.

It’s important to note that even if you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, you can still pursue compensation in Suffolk. However, your damages will be significantly reduced based on your percentage of fault.

How an Injury Lawyer Can Help in Shared Liability Claims?

When dealing with a personal injury claim involving shared fault, it’s crucial to have a Suffolk personal injury lawyer on your side. Your attorney can help you gather evidence, build a strong case, and negotiate with insurance companies to minimize your assigned fault percentage and maximize your compensation.

Your lawyer will work to demonstrate the other party’s negligence and argue for a fair allocation of fault. They may use evidence such as police reports, witness statements, expert testimony, and medical records to support your claim and show that the other party bears significant responsibility for the accident.

In some cases, your attorney may also be able to uncover additional sources of liability, such as a third party whose negligence contributed to the accident, to further increase your potential compensation.

Our Suffolk County Lawyers Present Compelling Personal Injury Cases to Seek Your Compensation

You won’t have to communicate with the liable party or their insurance company. We will build your case and present it to the liable party’s insurer, demanding the compensation you deserve. We could negotiate with the insurance company to seek your financial recovery. Our team could also recommend that you file a personal injury lawsuit.

We will not hesitate to file a lawsuit when we believe it will help you get the money you need. Our personal injury lawyers will take a case to trial and ask the court to award our clients the money they deserve, although this is not always necessary.

Several things can occur after we sue a liable party:

• The insurance carrier increases their settlement offer, and we reach an agreement
• We negotiate through mediation and settle the case before trial
• We engage in arbitration or another alternative dispute method
• We prepare the case and take it to trial, representing our client’s interests throughout the process

Your case could have an alternate outcome, depending on the circumstances of your accident. When you hire us, we can explain what the legal process may look like.

You Must File Your Personal Injury Lawsuit on Time

New York state lawmakers limit how long we can wait to sue on behalf of our clients under CVP § 214. While exceptions exist, we generally have three years to file the paperwork and start a lawsuit in a Suffolk County court. You typically have two years to file a wrongful death case if your loved one passed away, per EPT § 5-4.1.

Missing this deadline could cause our client to lose the right to take their case to trial and hold the liable party legally responsible. We protect their rights by working to meet all applicable deadlines.

It may benefit you to get started on your case as soon as possible. This gives your legal team time to collect time-sensitive evidence and submit your case before the statute of limitations expires.

Discuss Your Suffolk County Accident and Injuries with Our Legal Team for Free

Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, offers free case reviews for injury victims in Suffolk County. We answer your questions, explain your legal options, and help you understand the laws that apply to your case. We are here to ensure you know your rights and offer you legal advice. Let our family help your family navigate the legal process during this challenging time.

Contact our Suffolk personal injury lawyers on the phone to get started on your case with a free initial consultation. A member of our team is ready to take your call 24/7 or reach out to us online. We are here to help you move forward with the support and compensation you deserve.