After a car accident, your life as you knew it can change in an instant. You may be struggling with pain, unable to enjoy your favorite activities, and unable to return to work. That is a lot to deal with while you’re trying to recover from an injury and dealing with insurance companies. Getting a car accident lawyer in Suffolk County can take some of the weight off of you.
At Trantolo & Trantolo, we believe that insurance companies should not have more power than the victims of negligence. We are dedicated to protecting and serving people who were hurt through no fault of their own. If an insurance company is trying to talk you into signing a lowball settlement offer, let us fight for you.
Why You Should File a Claim After a Car Accident?
If you were in a car accident, you may be on the fence about whether or not you should file an injury claim. Here are some key reasons why it may be a good idea:
- Get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other costs. This money can help you to make ends meet and pay your medical costs while you recover.
- Hold the negligent driver or party accountable. Filing a claim sends a message about their dangerous actions.
- Prevent similar accidents in the future. Your claim might make the at-fault party fix a hazard that caused the crash.
- Get payment for your pain and suffering. You deserve this for physical and emotional trauma from the accident.
- Have peace of mind about the costs. Don’t get stuck paying everything out of pocket after an accident – the party that caused the accident should be held responsible.
Don’t hesitate to pursue a claim after a car accident injury. An attorney can advise you on your right to fair compensation. We can then build the strongest possible case to prove liability.
How Much Is Your Suffolk County Car Accident Claim Worth?
How much your car accident claim will be worth will depend on the value of your damages. Because your claim is based on the unique facts of your case, no two settlements or court awards will be exactly alike.
The following are case results we achieved for our clients. In each of these cases, the settlement or verdict was based on their accident-related losses and intangible losses like pain and suffering, just as yours will be:
- $7,900,000 settlement after 1 week of trial: Our client had permanent brain damage from a police car crash.
- $1,550,000 settlement: A passenger who had traumatic brain injury from collision.
- $1,500,000 settlement: A passenger sustained a brain injury in a drunk driver accident.
- $1,380,000 settlement: Our client had brain damage from a police car crash.
- $1,300,000 settlement: A texting driver struck our client’s car, causing a rollover crash and injuries.
- $950,000 settlement: Our client was hit by an out-of-control car on the roadside.
- $900,000 verdict: Our client was rear-ended at high speed, resulting in permanent injuries.
- $850,000 settlement – Client rear-ended on highway, had neck and back injuries.
- $840,000 settlement – Client t-boned by utility truck that ran stop sign. Had torn tendons.
You won’t necessarily get the same results as these clients, but one thing all of your results will have in common is that we delivered the maximum possible compensation. We care about seeing that justice is served for you, and that’s why we work hard for every victory.
Don’t wonder how much your settlement will be. Contact a Suffolk County personal injury lawyer so you can get an accurate estimate of your settlement’s value
The Deadline to File a Car Accident Claim in New York
In New York, you have a limited time to file a claim after a car accident. This is called the statute of limitations. For a car crash injury claim, the deadline is three years from the date of the accident. This New York law is called CPLR 214.
If you miss this three-year deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case. That means you won’t be able to pursue compensation. The clock starts ticking on the day of the crash. It’s risky to wait until the deadline nears. Evidence could disappear, and eyewitness memories fade.
Don’t delay – consult a car accident lawyer in Suffolk County soon after your accident to protect your rights.
Compensation Available if You Lost a Loved One in a Car Crash
If you have lost a loved one in a car accident in Suffolk County, you have our deepest sympathies. For 80 years, our personal injury law firm has been helping the survivors of car accident victims during the most difficult times in their lives. We understand how to help you get through a wrongful dearth claim with the compensation you need to rebuild your lives.
If your loved one was killed by an act of negligence, you have rights under New York law. This includes the right to recover compensation for damages like your loved ones medical costs, their funeral and burial expenses, and the loss of their support.
Surviving spouses, parents, children, and dependents may be able to file wrongful death claims in Suffolk County, but only if you file before the statute of limitations runs out. According to New York Section 5-4.1, in most cases, you have two years to file. An appointed estate representative will need to file the claim.
How Your Suffolk County Car Accident Lawyer Will Prove Negligence?
Here are some key ways a Suffolk County car accident lawyer may try to prove negligence in your case:
- Reviewing the police report: The police report often contains key details about how the accident occurred, which can reveal whether a driver acted negligently. The officer may cite a driver for violations like speeding or improper lane changes.
- Obtaining witness statements: Witnesses to the accident can provide critical testimony on who was at fault. We may interview witnesses and get written statements from them.
- Analyzing physical evidence: Pictures of damage to the vehicles, skid marks on the road, and other physical evidence may help us show excessive speed or other negligent behavior. An accident reconstruction expert may also be used to prove liability.
- Using data from the vehicles: Many vehicles now have event data recorders or black boxes that record speed, braking, and other inputs. This electronic data can reveal negligence.
- Establishing negligence per se: If the other driver violated a traffic law, like running a red light, that is considered negligence per se or negligence as a matter of law.
- Proving negligent driving behavior: Your lawyer may argue the other driver was texting, impaired, or otherwise driving recklessly to prove negligence even without a specific traffic violation.
The strongest injury claims result from building a solid case for the other driver’s negligence through multiple sources of evidence. An experienced car accident attorney knows how to gather and present this evidence effectively.
How New York’s No-Fault Laws Can Affect Your Claim?
New York has a no-fault insurance law for car accidents. With no-fault, you first make a claim with your own insurance, and you can only sue the other driver if they were negligent and you had a serious injury as defined by Article 51 of the New York State Insurance Law.
If your injuries meet the serious injury threshold, you can take the negligent driver to court. A lawsuit or settlement can potentially get you more money than an insurance claim alone. You have 30 days to make an insurance claim and three years to file a lawsuit in New York. A car accident attorney in Suffolk County can help you maximize both claims.
Evidence Your Suffolk County Car Accident Lawyer Will Use to Prove Your Claim
If you were hurt in a car accident in Suffolk County, your lawyer has ways to build your case. We will gather evidence like:
- Police reports from officers who responded
- Photos of damage to the vehicles, accident scene, and injuries
- Video from traffic cameras, surveillance cameras, and dashcams
- Testimony from eyewitnesses
- Data from the vehicles’ computers
- Receipts and records related to injuries, lost wages, and expenses
- Medical reports confirming diagnoses and treatment
Good evidence is key. An attorney knows how to gather it after a car crash. This helps show what happened and how you were injured, and we know how to gather it after a car crash. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case to prove the other driver’s fault and your right to compensation will be.
Compensation You Can Recover in a Suffolk County Car Accident Claim
If you were seriously hurt in a car crash caused by someone else, a lawsuit for a car accident in Suffolk County, NY, can help you recover money damages. Damages from a lawsuit can:
- Pay your medical bills
- Make up for your lost wages
- Replace your lost income
- Get the resources you need
- Help you afford any necessary special care
- Increase your independence with an injury
- Account for your physical pain and suffering
No money can change what happened. But having resources makes moving forward easier – whether you are living with a disability or the loss of a loved one.
Get a Free Consultation With a Suffolk County Personal Injury Attorney
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, motorcycle accident, construction accident, pedestrian accident, or any other incident, Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC can offer the legal support you need. You can reach out to us 24/7 to learn more about your right to compensation in New York. Our Suffolk County personal injury attorneys are here for you, and we are committed to seeing justice served on your behalf.