Traveling the roads in New York is a necessity that most people are required to do on a daily basis. For many people, driving in their vehicle is the easiest way to get to work, take the kids to school, run errands, and do any other number of things. Getting to your destination and arriving back home safely is the goal, but sometimes this is not the outcome.
Every day people are involved in a variety of different auto accidents. Some of them are just fender benders and require minor repairs to the vehicle and minimal involvement of insurance companies.
Others, though, are much more serious, and car accident victims may require the legal advice and representation of a skilled car accident attorney such as The Cakani Law Firm.
What We Do
Our New York City law firm works tirelessly to ensure that our clients get the justice and compensation they deserve. We understand that an auto accident can result in various injuries and losses which can affect your financial stability. During your free initial consultation with our team, we will discuss your car accident case and make sure that you understand all of the options available to you and how the process will proceed.
When you enlist the legal assistance of our New York City car accident attorneys, we will get your side of the story during the consultation and then gather evidence from police reports and witness statements from the scene. This ensures that we can build a strong case against the negligent party throughout the course of the lawsuit. You deserve compensation for your losses, and our New York City personal injury attorneys work diligently to ensure the best possible outcome for your case.
By allowing our team to handle your case, you can focus on the most important task – healing and recovery. While you work on feeling better after your accident injuries, we will tackle the insurance company handling the case and ensure that your medical bills are covered.
In addition to serving clients across New York City, our team of experienced attorneys includes dedicated Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, each equipped to handle the unique challenges of auto accident cases in their respective boroughs.
What Should I Do After a New York City Car Accident?
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident in New York City, there are crucial steps you should take to help ensure the best possible outcome for your car accident claims.
These items include:
Remaining at the Scene of the Auto Accident
New York law requires that all parties remain at the scene of car accidents. Leaving the scene may result in an arrest warrant being issued because you may be considered a “hit and run” driver. This will most certainly complicate your personal injury claim. After a New York City accident has occurred, move the vehicles to the side of the road (out of the way of traffic) and wait for assistance to arrive.
Calling the Police
The police will conduct a short investigation at the scene of New York City car accidents and fill out a report. This report will detail the cause of the accident such as aggressive or reckless driving, any injuries that were sustained, and any other pertinent details. Your accident attorney will likely use this report and the details the police officer takes note of to help in proving your accident claim.
Seeking Medical Attention
After the motor vehicle accident, it is imperative that any injured parties receive medical attention as soon as possible. Any severe injuries should be treated immediately – the police will find you to fill out the report. If you can wait for the police, make a point of seeing the doctor immediately after the police conduct the investigation.
Not Apologizing or Admitting Fault
One of the most disastrous things you can do when it comes to filing a personal injury claim is admitting fault or apologizing for the accident at the scene. The insurance companies will very likely use the apology against you and attempt to deny you the maximum compensation you deserve for the other party’s negligence. Be sure to remain quiet after the accident and speak only to the police, medical team, and your lawyer.
Not Accepting a Settlement without Your New York City Attorney
Insurance companies will often try to convince injured parties that they should accept a settlement offer that is far less than their injuries are worth. The adjusters may also attempt to convince accident victims that they have incriminating evidence which will deny the claim. Do not believe them or accept a settlement offer without discussing it with your attorney.
The Cakani Law Firm team will handle all phone calls, emails, and conversations connected to car accidents. We will aggressively seek the maximum compensation you deserve because we are not afraid of fighting back against the insurance companies while you focus on healing and recovering from your injuries.
Contact a lawyer to ensure that you get the best possible outcome for your case and recover damages for the medical bills, lost wages, and any other medical expenses accrued following car accidents.
Types of New York City Car Accident Damages
There are two major types of compensatory damages you may be eligible for following a New York City car accident: economic and non-economic damages. Punitive damages may also be awarded, depending on the situation. With our New York City car accident lawyers by your side, you can rest assured that you will get the best possible outcome for your claim.
We understand how difficult the healing process can be when you see mounting medical bills and income for the foreseeable future. That is why The Cakani Law Firm works diligently to get you the maximum compensation for your damages and losses.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover all financial losses and expenses incurred because of a car accident.
The monetary damages may include:
- Medical bills: transportation to and the stay at the hospital, surgery, diagnostic tests, medication
- Future medical expenses such as the cost of medical devices, follow up care, and medical equipment
- Nursing care
- Loss of wages and income
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Cost of repair or replacement of damaged property
- Low earning capability
- Permanent or temporary disability after injury-causing collisions
The Cakani Law Firm will help you recover all possible economic damages and get you back to your financial position prior to the occurrence of the accident. Contact us for more information and to schedule a free consultation in New York City!
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages refer to the losses associated with things that are not as easily quantifiable as medical expenses and lost wages. Though they are difficult to assess financially, that does not mean that accident victims do not deserve compensation for them. This type of damage can include pain, emotional anguish, humiliation, damage to reputation, loss of enjoyment and/or consortium, and worsening of prior injuries.
In a similar manner to economic damages, non-economic damages can have a severe impact on your life. The Cakani Law Firm will discuss these damages with you and determine if they apply to your car accident case.
What Are Punitive Damages?
If you get involved in a vehicle accident due to the negligent actions of a second party, you can be eligible for monetary compensation for damages caused. However, a court of law can award extra compensation if the responsible party’s actions were determined significantly harmful or intentional. These extra compensatory awards resulting from intentional actions are called punitive damages.
Punitive damages can be described as a punishment for the responsible person and are essential in discouraging similar future actions. To get compensated with punitive damages, you have to prove that the defendant acted in a way that goes against morals or is pure negligence. The fact that a defendant was careless does not guarantee the awarding of punitive damages, but evidence must demonstrate extreme carelessness.
Determining Punitive Damages
The car accident lawyers at The Cakani Law Firm will investigate and identify if the defendant was extremely careless on the road and if you may be eligible to pursue punitive damages.
For an accident to be deemed deliberate, it must be:
- Willful and wanton failure to follow basic traffic routines designed to cause intentional harm
- Actual evil intentions or malice from the responsible party
Our expert legal team can assist you in pursuing punitive damages against the party at fault. When you come to our offices, we will carefully analyze the case to determine whether you are eligible to file punitive damages. If that is the case, we will take immediate action against the responsible party to ensure that you receive full compensation for your troubles.
When you have been in a vehicle accident, it is important to involve car accident lawyers at every step of the process to ensure that you can pursue compensation and justice.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Injury Claim?
From the time of the accident, you have up to three years to file your personal injury claim. Although you have this window of time to file car accident cases, our New York City law firm recommends that victims of motor vehicle accidents file their claims as soon as possible. This ensures that all evidence can be gathered immediately, witnesses will have a clear memory of the accident, and you will have the best possible chance of a successful outcome.
How Much is a Car Accident Worth?
Having a New York City car crash and sustaining serious injuries will impact your life and your ability to complete daily activities. Recovering from lost income, medical expenses, and pain and suffering will help to relieve the stress and anxiety associated with the accident and allow you to focus on recovery.
Determining the exact worth of these damages and how much compensation you deserve can be a challenge. That is why it is important to hire an experienced New York City car accident lawyer to file your personal injury lawsuit and work for the highest level of compensation.
Some of the most common considerations that your accident lawyers will factor into their determination of compensation for your case include:
- The seriousness of injuries that were sustained
- Need for surgery or hospitalization
- Need for rehabilitation or physical therapy
- Future medical bills
- Ability to return to work following recovery
- Ability to earn the same level of income
- Damage to the vehicle
- Emotional and mental suffering and depression
- Effect on your ability to complete daily activities
- Need for assistance in regular tasks such as eating, bathing, and personal care
If you have been involved in an accident caused by distracted driving, recklessness, DUI, or any other kind of negligence on the road, contact The Cakani Law Firm to discuss your situation and determine the level of compensation you may be eligible to pursue.
Can You Be Sued for a Car Collision if You Have Insurance?
The law requires that all vehicles on New York City’s roads be insured in case of accidents so that injured parties can be compensated. New York is a no-fault state, so most of the time, the responsible party will not be sought in a lawsuit. However, an individual can be sued if that person’s actions resulted in significant damage, the actions were intended to cause deliberate harm, or those actions resulted in wrongful death. So, even with insurance, a negligent driver can be sued for damages.
Who Is at Fault in a Car Accident When Backing Up?
Auto accidents commonly occur when backing up from a parking space or on the road. Collisions in parking lots are normal, and you need not be worried when you have the experienced attorneys at The Cakani Law Firm at your side. We will work to ensure your rights are protected, and we will give you legal advice in case of any lawsuit that arises from your parking lot accident. If you are unsure who was responsible for the collision, talk to an experienced car accident attorney at our law firm to ensure that you are not held liable for something you did not cause.
Who Is at Fault in a Parking Lot Collision?
Determining who is responsible for a parking lot collision can be a complex undertaking. That is why you need representation from an experienced New York City car accident lawyer.
Some of the motor vehicle accident cases we have handled include:
- A motorist who was reversing out of a driveway and collides with another driver
- Two cars that backed up and hit each other
- A motorist who was backing up and collided with a moving car
- A motorist who hit a parked car when reversing or backing up
It can be difficult to determine who was at fault in almost all these situations unless the driver hit a parked vehicle. However, if the car was wrongly parked, you may not be held responsible for the accident. When the accident involves two moving vehicles, determining who was at fault can be a challenging process.
Unless video footage surveillance can be obtained, the one at fault may not be determined. The parties involved can present different accounts of the same scenario, providing difficulties even for law enforcement. The important steps to take should be calling the police and our law firm immediately, take photos, gather witness accounts, and refuse to accept responsibility for the accident.
If you have suffered injuries, it is critical to enlist a personal injuries law firm to help recover compensation for damages and losses stemming from catastrophic injuries.
Should Injury Victims Hire an Attorney After a Car Crash?
You have the right to legal representation if you are involved in a collision that is not your fault. Even though you are the victim of someone else’s negligence, you should not assume that you will get the justice you deserve. You must fight for your rights as a victim!
Car accident cases can be complex, and you will have to deal with the responsible party, your insurance company, and the negligent party’s insurance company. Fatal crashes can be especially traumatic events and result in stress, frustration, and injuries for you and your family. You should not have to deal with legal and insurance matters when you should be focused on your recovery process. It is critical that you involve an experienced car accident lawyer to defend your rights while you seek medical attention for your injuries.
When a second party makes a mistake in the crash, you should not have to pay for damages and medical bills. Consulting with an attorney will ensure that you get the best possible advice and representation for your car accident injuries against the responsible party.
Contact Us for Effective Legal Representation After an Automobile Accident
All drivers strive to avoid car crashes at all costs. However, being on the road presents different situations, and sometimes accidents can happen. Whether it was your fault or not, you need to hire legal counsel. Our New York car accident lawyers have the required experience and expertise to handle auto accident cases and ensure that you recover compensation and justice.
It is important to keep in mind that time is a major factor for most car accidents when it comes to pursuing your compensation, so be sure to contact our New York City legal professionals as soon as possible. We form a strong attorney-client relationship with our clients, and we take each auto accident case very seriously.
Let Us Handle the Legal Issues as You Focus on Regaining Your Optimal Health
Vehicle collisions can be stressful, and the healing process requires your full attention. Distractions from auto insurance companies, medical expenses, and other issues that arise from the accident should not be your primary focus. That should be handled by skilled accident attorneys.
During your healing time, you should get assistance for your legal proceedings as you focus on making a full recovery. We have a passionate team of car accident attorneys who will work diligently to get you the compensation you deserve for your car accident injuries and damages.
Get a Free Consultation with Our New York Car Accident Lawyer
At our law practice, you will get a free consultation, during which our car accident attorney will record all the necessary information required for a successful car accident lawsuit. During the first meeting, our New York car accident lawyer will discuss the details of your case with you and work to determine if you are eligible to file a lawsuit.
Following this initial consultation, we will continue to pursue your case, examine the situation, gather evidence, and develop a strong claim for you and your family. Our legal team has vast experience and comprehensive knowledge in personal injury law, and we are here to help victims like you get the justice they deserve. When crashes happen on the New York City roads, collision victims should not be left to deal with the consequences by themselves. It is critical that they get legal representation from a law firm that cares.
