Valley Stream Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a motor vehicle collision, consider reaching out to the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP. We can help you recover compensation for your various expenses, including loss of consortium, lost wages, and health care expenses. The New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee reports that in 2018, motor vehicle collisions resulted in 943 fatalities and 10,996 serious injuries.
You or a loved one may have suffered injuries in one of the following incidents:
- A side-impact collision
- A rear-end collision
- A hit-and-run accident
- A sideswipe accident
- A rollover accident
- A head-on collision
- A drunk driving accident
A Valley Stream motor vehicle accident lawyer can handle your personal injury case. Call the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP today at (866) 878-6774 for a free consultation.
Notable Considerations for Motor Vehicle Accidents
Not every motor vehicle accident is alike. There are many considerations regarding a suitable course of action for your motor vehicle accident case.
Your lawyer may take into account the following considerations when assessing your claim:
The Cause of Your Accident
There are many factors that may have directly or indirectly caused your accident. Some contributing factors to motor vehicle collisions include speeding, impaired driving, and vehicular malfunction. Your collision may have been caused by distracted driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving practices resulted in 2,841 motor vehicle-related deaths in 2018 alone.
Your lawyer will determine and review the cause of your accident to bolster your case. This will grant them insight into fault and liability for your damages.
The Severity of Your Accident
The severity of your accident will give your lawyer information regarding the extent of your damages.
The severity of a given accident may be determined by:
- The speeds at which the involved vehicles were traveling at the time of the collision
- Whether the collision resulted in any fatalities
- The size and weight of the colliding vehicles
- The angle at which the vehicles collided
- Passengers’ proximity to the point of impact
- Whether safety equipment, such as seatbelts and airbags, worked as intended
Your lawyer may work with accident reconstruction specialists to recreate the circumstances of your collision.
The Losses Resulting from Your Accident
The cost of your economic damages may provide your lawyer with valuable information regarding the extent of your losses. Two possible consequences of a motor vehicle collision include non-fatal and fatal injuries.
If you suffered a non-fatal injury, you may be entitled to recover:
- The cost of your medical bills, including rehabilitation, hospitalization, and surgery
- Lost income, wages, benefits, and tips
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Disfigurement
If you lost a loved one in a Valley Stream motor vehicle accident, your compensable losses may include:
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of household assistance and parental guidance
- The decedent’s final medical expenses
- The cost of the decedent’s funeral
You may call the team of a Valley Stream motor vehicle accident lawyer to learn more about what services they provide. Call the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP today at (866) 878-6774 for a free consultation about our post-accident legal services.
How a Valley Stream Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Being injured or losing a loved one in a motor vehicle accident can impact your quality of life. Filing a personal injury lawyer in Long Island claim can be complicated during a challenging time. An attorney can help you with the obligations that go into building and filing a successful claim.
There may be several benefits to having a lawyer manage your case. A lawyer’s specific services may vary based on whether you are bringing an insurance claim or lawsuit against those responsible for your accident.
Filing an Insurance Claim
Your lawyer will first try to settle your legal matters through negotiations with the liable insurance company. You may be aware that New York operates under no-fault insurance laws, per the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS). To recover compensation, you would first file a claim with your own insurance carrier. Only if your injuries exceed the “serious injuries” threshold would you turn to the other party’s insurer for financial recovery.
To bolster the success of your claim, your lawyer may:
- Review the details of the involved insurance policies
- Identify the cause of your accident and the negligent party
- Calculate the cost of your expenses
- Draft and send your demand letter
- Negotiate for a settlement
- Protect you against any unscrupulous insurance practices
Your lawyer may offer assistance in ways not listed here.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Before we discuss how a lawyer can help you file a lawsuit, typically, per New York Civil Practice Law & Rules §214(4), you have three years to file a car accident lawsuit. If you fail to take action within that designated period, you could be unable to recover compensation for your expenses.
If you choose to file a lawsuit, your lawyer may:
- Submit your lawsuit’s paperwork to the appropriate court
- Cross-examine witnesses
- Look for contradictions in the other party’s testimony
- Present decisive evidence
- Cite law and legal precedent
- Demonstrate the cost of your damages
- Argue your case in front of a judge and jury
Your lawyer may speak with you about which legal strategies could benefit your case. Filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit may be the answer to your financial worries. You can discuss your case with our legal team today at no cost.
Call Today for a Free Case Review
Following a motor vehicle accident in Valley Stream, you may decide that working with a lawyer could advance your legal interests. An attorney will defend your rights, fight for the compensation you deserve, and handle the legal proceedings. Call the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP today at (866) 878-6774 for a free case review about hiring a Valley Stream motor vehicle accident lawyer.