If you were hurt – or someone you love was hurt or killed – in a car accident, our New York and New Jersey personal injury lawyers can help you. If the other driver was at fault, you may have the right to compensation for your financial and personal losses due to the accident.
It’s important to get medical attention right away for injuries, but legal guidance is also essential as soon as possible. Statistics show that accident victims, who are represented by a lawyer, receive three times the compensation paid to individuals without legal assistance.
After a serious car accident, there are a number of critical issues that must be resolved. Who will pay your medical bills? Can you expect to be compensated for your lost wages, a totaled vehicle, the cost of replacement transportation, and the long-term effect of the collision on your life?
In a perfect world, your case would be resolved easily, quickly, and fairly. Unfortunately, it can be extremely difficult to get justice and fair compensation for all the losses you experienced.
That is where The Cakani Law Firm, can help. The earlier our legal team goes to work for you, the sooner you may be able to recover fair compensation for your losses.
How The Cakani Law Firm Helps Car Crash Victims Like You
The first action in a car accident case is a full investigation with the aim of discovering the actual cause of the crash. The Cakani Law Firm frequently works with highly qualified accident investigators to accomplish that goal.
We take care of all of the details, including assisting our clients with obtaining medical care and alternative transportation, as well as working directly with the insurance company to recover the damages they deserve.
With over 150 years of combined experience, nearly 30 attorneys, and a 100-person staff of support personnel, we have taken service to the injured to a higher level. We take on cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will pay no legal fees unless we win your case.
Valuing a Car Accident Injury Claim in New York and New Jersey
Each case is valued differently, and there are many factors that affect what level of compensation may be available. Included among the types of compensation that may be available are:
- Lost income.
- Medical bills related to physicians, surgeons, anesthesiologists, hospital costs, testing and other medical services.
- Rehabilitation costs.
- Ambulance bills.
- Towing.
- Vehicle repair or replacement.
- Alternate transportation (rental car, public transit costs).
- Medical equipment.
There are also a number of non-economic types of damages, that are also compensated and may be an important part of your claim. Types of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering.
- Loss of consortium.
- Emotional anguish.
- Inconvenience.
- Loss of society and companionship.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Reduced quality of life.
In some rare cases in which it is established that the accident was the result of gross or criminal negligence, it may be possible to pursue punitive damages. Punitive damages are intended to punish, and to act as a future deterrent for intentional or reckless behavior.
A review of the specific facts in your case will allow our legal team to better evaluate the potential value of your case and the monetary compensation to be pursued, whether in a claim or a lawsuit filed in civil court.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Settlement in a Car Accident Case?
The length of time it will take to get a settlement or judgment varies from case to case based upon the complexity of the case, your medical condition, the amount of losses, and many other factors. The process moves through several stages before a final resolution.
It is important to remember that the New York civil statute of limitations allows three years from the time of the accident to file a claim, and in New Jersey you have two years. There are various factors that may affect the period of time during which you can file, but in general terms, the earlier your case is filed, the sooner it will be resolved.
The preservation of evidence to support your claim is critical to the success of your case, and the collection of this evidence should be undertaken as early as possible.
In a simple case in which the injuries and other damages will not affect the victim for many months, years, or for a lifetime, it may be possible to get a settlement paid within several months. In much more serious cases – such as a spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, disfiguring injury, injuries leading to an amputation, severe scarring, burns, or any other form of permanent damage to the victim – it is likely that the case will take longer to resolve.
