The streets of Brooklyn are rarely free from traffic, and car accidents are frequent. After being injured in a crash, you can speak to a lawyer about suing the other driver for your damages.
A driver’s failure to obey traffic laws, distractions, and intoxication are common reasons for accidents. After an accident, you should almost immediately begin collecting evidence. A lot of evidence can be taken directly from the crash site, while other information might be gathered later. You can claim damages for the costs related to your accident in addition to non-monetary losses, like pain and suffering. It is a good idea to consult with an attorney about your case as soon as possible to avoid losing important evidence and witnesses.
If you were in a car accident, you might be enduring intense pain while trying to figure out how to pay for your expenses. Our Sunset Park, Brooklyn car accident lawyers can help you get your damages covered through a lawsuit. Call The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 for a free case assessment.
Typical Causes of Car Accidents in Sunset Park, Brooklyn
A lot of car accidents happen because a negligent driver commits a traffic violation. A traffic violation is anything that goes against the traffic safety laws in New York. Common violations include speeding, driving the wrong way down one-way streets, failing to stop at red lights or stop signs, and failing to use a turn signal. Traffic violations create a high risk of accidents on their own, but the risk might be even greater when visibility or road conditions are less safe, like at night or in the rain.
Distracted driving is a significant problem not only in Brooklyn but throughout the United States. Drivers should always have their eyes on the road, and their focus should be on maintaining safety. Texting or making phone calls behind the wheel is unfortunately commonplace and can cause severe accidents. If the other driver in your accident was not paying attention, they should be held liable for your injuries.
Drunk driving is another unfortunate cause of accidents. Not only is it incredibly dangerous to drive while intoxicated, but it is also a criminal offense, and the other driver can be criminally prosecuted in addition to being held civilly liable. If you were hurt in a drunk driving accident, our Sunset Park, Brooklyn car accident attorneys can communicate with the police and obtain important evidence like the driver’s blood alcohol content or evidence of alcohol containers in their vehicle.
Evidence to Look for in a Sunset Park, Brooklyn Car Accident Case
The kind of evidence you should be looking for will depend on the nature and location of your accident. Some accidents have more evidence than others, and your accident might leave you with very little evidence to work with. In any case, you should be looking for physical evidence from the accident scene, possible eyewitnesses, and any documentation of the accident.
After an accident, the police will be called to the scene. They usually make a detailed accident report and issue citations to drivers whose negligence may have caused the accident. It is not uncommon for the police to issue a driver a citation for speeding or running a light at the scene of an accident. You can use this information to support your case in court. If the other driver was cited for reckless driving or another violation connected to the accident, you can use that to prove fault in a personal injury case.
A police report cannot be admitted as evidence in court because it is considered hearsay. However, the information in the police report may be used for your investigations. For example, suppose the police spoke with several eyewitnesses while you were transported to the hospital. In that case, you can use the police report to track down the witnesses and hopefully convince them to testify for you.
You should also try to document as much of the accident scene as possible before leaving. Taking photos and recording videos of the surrounding area may preserve details that would normally be lost when law enforcement cleans up the crash site. Our Sunset Park, Brooklyn car accident lawyers can even look for security cameras in the area and check if your accident was recorded on video.
Available Damages in a Car Accident Lawsuit in Sunset Park, Brooklyn
The damages you may recover depend on the extent of your injuries. Generally, the more severely a plaintiff is injured, the greater their damages are, and the more compensation they can claim. Damages are broadly divided into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are the losses that cost you actual money. Perhaps the most significant source of damages in many car accident lawsuits is medical debt. Treatment for injuries can be very expensive, and car accident survivors often have a lot of injuries that need treating. Other economic damages include the price of repairing or replacing your vehicle after the crash. Vehicles are very expensive, and even moderate damage costs a lot to repair. You might also have to miss work for some time while you recover, thus losing substantial income. Your lost income can also be claimed as part of your economic damages.
Non-economic damages include injuries that did not take a financial toll but still deserve compensation. Your mental and physical pain and suffering are non-economic damages because they likely did not actually cost you any money but were still extremely unpleasant injuries to go through. Our Sunset Park, Brooklyn car accident lawyers can assess your non-economic damages by examining how they affect you on a daily basis. The more your ordinary daily functioning is hindered or limited, the more these damages may be worth.
When to Hire a Lawyer for a Car Accident Lawsuit in Sunset Park, Brooklyn
It is probably in your best interest to hire a lawyer as soon as possible. It is not unusual for accident victims to hesitate when considering legal action after a car accident. Lawsuits are very big endeavors and should not be initiated on a whim. However, the longer you wait, the more you risk losing evidence, and the harder it becomes to get compensation for your injuries.
It is sometimes difficult to arrange a meeting or call with an attorney after a car accident, especially if you are still in the hospital or your injuries prevent you from communicating. Our Sunset Park, Brooklyn car accident attorneys can handle your lawsuit while you focus on resting and healing from your injuries.
Contact Our Sunset Park, Brooklyn Car Accident Attorneys for Assistance
A car accident is a devastating tragedy to experience, and many accident victims are left forever scarred, physically and psychologically. Our Sunset Park, Brooklyn car accident lawyers will fight to get you compensation and justice. For a free case evaluation, call The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083.