Find out by calling Morelli Law and speaking to our Bronx personal injury lawyers. We can explain the laws surrounding no-fault and when you can go beyond your insurance. If your case qualifies, we can represent your interests in the case and fight to get you the full compensation you deserve.
New York’s No-Fault Insurance System
In many other states, you have to make a claim with the other driver’s insurance company and provide proof that the other driver was responsible for the accident in order to collect compensation. New York uses a no-fault insurance system instead.
Under this system, you make a claim with your own insurance for compensation. This lets drivers avoid the hassle of proving fault and collect compensation faster. However, this system has limitations that could keep you from getting money you truly need to recover.
When you speak with our Bronx car accident lawyers, we’ll ask you about your coverage and gauge whether it’s enough to cover what you’ve suffered or if you need to go further. If you have suffered a serious injury, or if the other driver failed to carry insurance, you have a good chance of qualifying to start a lawsuit.
Have You Been Injured In An Accident? Contact Morelli Law
877-751-9800The Serious Injury Rule
If your medical bills exceed your no-fault (PIP) coverage or you’ve suffered a serious injury, you can pursue a fault claim under the law. What is a serious injury? New York law defines it as:
- Dismemberment
- Significant disfigurement
- Bone fractures
- Loss of a fetus
- Permanent loss of a bodily function or system
- Limitation of a bodily function
- Permanent loss of a body part or organ
- Injury or impairment that prevents a person from performing normal daily activities for at least 90/180 days following an accident or injury
- Death
If you have suffered a serious injury, or you’ve lost a loved one in a car accident, you can recover full damages. However, you will need the help of a car accident lawyer to do so. The advantage to a lawsuit is that you could collect far more compensation than you could through no-fault insurance, including non-economic damages.
Damages You Could Collect After a Car Accident
If you’re using no-fault insurance to cover your damages, you’re limited to certain economic damages. These are the direct financial losses caused by your accident, and they’re relatively easy to calculate. Common economic damages include:
- Medical bills, both past and future, related to your accident
- Cost to repair or replace your vehicle
- Lost wages and earning potential
Your insurance may not cover some of these damages depending on your carrier and policy. However, if you qualify for a lawsuit, you can pursue the full value of your economic damages. You can also pursue non-economic damages.
Non-economic damages are intangible losses you’ve suffered because of your accident. These don’t have an easy value to calculate. Lawyers negotiate their value. These damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement
- Loss of consortium or companionship
These can be worth much more than your economic losses. Morelli Law knows how to persuade the insurance companies to pay what victims are truly owed. We’ve helped our clients recover over a billion dollars. Find out how we can help you by calling us for a free consultation.
Is There an Average Amount of Compensation for Car Crashes?
There is no such thing as an average amount of compensation for a car accident or any other personal injury matter. Every case is a unique set of circumstances. A lawyer may give you an initial estimate based on other similar cases, but it will be a rough one until they investigate what happened and gather evidence.
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877-751-9800Will I Need to Appear in Court?
Most car accident lawsuits settle out of court before the day of the trial, so the odds are low that you would have to appear in court for your case. Even if your case goes to trial, your lawyer may not need to appear.
Going to court is expensive for both sides, risky, and it takes much longer than a settlement, but it can be the only way to truly get justice after a car accident. Your car accident lawyer in the Bronx can discuss with you the pros and cons of going to court in your case.
In cases of gross negligence, your lawsuit may qualify for punitive damages. Only a court can award these. They are a punishment against defendants for acting well beyond the bounds of reason.
When Should I Contact a Car Accident Lawyer?
You should contact one as soon as you have seen a doctor for your injuries. Your immediate health comes first, and seeing a doctor will create a medical record of your injuries we can use to judge your claim during the consultation.
Starting early gives lawyers the best opportunity to preserve evidence that could get lost. New York also has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury and two years for wrongful death claims. You cannot sue after these deadlines have passed.
Also, insurance companies may try to reach out to you for a settlement if they know you could qualify for a lawsuit. Their goal is to get you to settle for as little as possible. You can stop the calls and the manipulation by calling a lawyer. Once you have one, they must go through your lawyer for all communications.
Contact Morelli Law for Car Accident Representation
If you need a Bronx, NY, car accident lawyer, don’t wait. Contact Morelli Law for a free consultation about what happened. We’ll explain your legal rights and options for pursuing compensation after your accident.
Your case may be worth much more than what your no-fault insurance will pay you. Don’t miss your chance to make a full recovery. Speak with Morelli Law now before it’s too late to pursue justice.
Call or text 877-751-9800 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form