Manhattan Car Accident Lawyer
in Manhattan, traffic is often never-ending, and your accident could be smack in the middle of Midtown rush hour. Getting compensation for a car crash can also be a nightmare. While most drivers turn to their insurance to cover their expenses, a lawsuit might be necessary if your damages exceed your insurance coverage.
Car accidents are more than just an inconvenience; drivers, passengers, and pedestrians are often seriously injured and need immediate medical attention. Drivers also must face the costs of repairing or replacing their vehicles. The costs of a car accident can add up very quickly.
A car accident in Manhattan is as serious as they come, and our Manhattan car accident lawyers are here to assist you. Call The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 and inquire about a free initial case evaluation. Our team can help you get your expenses covered.
Common Ways that Car Accidents Happen in Manhattan
If asked how a car accident could happen, you could probably come up with a thousand examples off the top of your head. No two accidents are alike, but some common elements tend to be present in a variety of cases. Our Manhattan car accident attorneys can use our experience with car accident cases to help you determine what caused your accident and who is responsible.
Intersection Accidents
While accidents can happen anywhere, many happen at intersections. Intersections are dangerous because they are places where cars moving in different directions cross. If another driver is not careful, you could get pushed into the intersection from behind, T-boned, or worse. Other drivers who fail to stop at lights and signs at intersections are often responsible for accidents.
Sideswipe Accidents
Other times, accidents happen while you are traveling in your lane and a car next to you gets too close. Sometimes this happens because the other driver is trying to change lanes or because they were distracted and began drifting into your lane. In either case, you could get sideswiped. This could happen while you are driving or while you are stopped and another car drives past you.
Head-On Collisions
Accidents also happen because a driver was driving the wrong way down the road or highway. Traffic lanes only move in one direction. If another driver gets turned around or crosses a double yellow line, they could cause a head-on collision.
Drunk and Distracted Driving
Intoxicated and distracted driving are significant causes of car accidents in Manhattan. Intoxicated driving is extremely dangerous because drunk drivers do not have the proper reflexes to operate a car safely. With the prevalence of cell phones, more drivers than ever are distracted by phones, which makes it harder for them to notice and respond to dangers on the road.
Often, accidents happen so quickly that injured drivers do not know how their accident happened until after an investigation. If you are unsure how your accident occurred, talk to our Manhattan car accident attorneys for guidance.
Damages for Manhattan Car Accidents
After a car accident, you need to assess your damages to get your expenses adequately covered fully. Damages include injuries and losses related to your car accident. Some injuries are physical, while others are intangible and might not have an exact price or value. Common physical injuries include the following:
Brain and head trauma
Neck and spinal cord injuries
Lacerations
Broken bones
Road rash
Whiplash
For physical injuries and medical bills, you may claim your current injuries and expenses as well as future costs. For many injured drivers, medical treatment is long-term, and they will incur additional expenses after their case is over. Our Manhattan car accident lawyers can help you determine the extent of your damages.
Some intangible damages include your emotional and physical pain and suffering. Suffering is not something you can see but rather something you feel. Pain and suffering do not come with a price tag, making its value subjective. Depending on the severity of your pain and suffering and how your life has been impacted, you might be able to claim significant damages.
While injured drivers tend to focus on the expenses associated with medical bills and similar losses, they often overlook their missed income. Injured drivers usually take time away from their jobs to recover. Sometimes it is only a few short weeks. Other times, their absence is longer or maybe even permanent. You can claim lost wages from missing work as part of your damages.
Whose Insurance Convers My Manhattan Car Accident?
Insurance is often the first thing that injured drivers think about after car accidents. New York is one of a handful of states that follows a no-fault insurance system. Under this system, injured drivers file claims with their own insurance companies rather than the other driver’s insurance. Additionally, your insurance will cover you up to a specific amount without having to prove that anyone is at fault.
This system can be great for drivers who need payouts quickly, but insurance often fails to cover specific types of damages. Things like medical bills and property damage are often covered, but your pain and suffering usually are not.
If your insurance claim will not fully cover your damages, you may have the option to file a lawsuit. However, there are a few hoops to jump through before making this happen. Talk to our Manhattan car accident attorneys about your potential lawsuit and insurance claims today.
Can I Sue the Other Driver After a Car Accident in Manhattan?
While you may be able to sue after a car accident in Manhattan, you must prove that you suffered over $50,000 in damages or suffered a “serious injury.” “Serious injury” is has a specific legal definition under ISC Law § 5102(d) which includes the following::
- Death
- Dismemberment
- Significant disfigurement
- Fracture
- Loss of a fetus
- Permanent loss or limitation of a bodily organ, limb, function, or system
- Significant but not necessarily permanent limitation of a bodily function or system
- Any medically determined injury or impairment that prevents you from performing your ordinary daily activities
Our Manhattan car accident lawyers can help you file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver in your crash if your injuries meet these criteria. We can begin assessing your case and evaluating the value of your total damages. Additionally, we can begin gathering evidence and developing legal strategies for your case.
Call Our Manhattan Car Accident Attorneys
After a car accident, you should not have to bear the significant financial burden of recovery. Our Manhattan car accident attorneys can help you get the compensation you rightfully deserve. Call The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 to get a free case review.