Passenger vehicles are the most common vehicles on the road. As such, they make up a significant portion of accidents in the United States. Though they may not be as devastating as collisions involving trucks or motorcycles, passenger vehicle accidents can cause significant harm to those who experience them.
If you are dealing with such injuries, you are likely wondering how to secure compensation for your medical bills, vehicle damage, and other losses. In New York, you may be able to file a claim with your no-fault insurance. Yet, if your injuries are severe enough and there is evidence to support it, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the negligent driver.
Having a Buffalo passenger vehicle accident lawyer at your side can help you determine whether a personal injury lawsuit is necessary in your case and seek compensation on your behalf. Call the Morelli Law Firm team today at (212) 751-9800 to discuss your accident and opportunities for compensation.
Negligence in Passenger Vehicle Accidents
While it is possible for neither driver to be at fault in a passenger vehicle accident, an act of negligence is often a contributing factor. There are many forms of negligence a driver can commit behind the wheel, such as:
- Driving while intoxicated.
- Distracted driving, including texting, receiving a call, or sending an email while on the road.
- Violation of traffic safety signs.
- Speeding.
- Failing to yield at an intersection.
When there is evidence that an act of negligence contributed to a collision, you can use it to hold the driver accountable in a lawsuit. Typically, victims of Buffalo accidents receive compensation from their own no-fault insurance policies. However, serious injuries, such as dismemberment or permanent disabilities, can qualify you for a personal injury lawsuit. There are many components and steps to filing such a lawsuit, and hiring a vehicle accident lawyer may help you through the process.
How Our Law Firm Can Help
A Buffalo passenger vehicle accident lawyer may be able to take over your case and handle the various steps to seeking compensation for you. Here at Morelli Law Firm, we help our clients by:
- Investigating the cause of the collision.
- Identifying all negligent parties.
- Contacting witnesses for testimony.
- Assessing the value of your claim.
- Obtaining photo and CCTV footage evidence.
- Accessing copies of police reports.
- Filing the paperwork to initiate a lawsuit.
With such information, we can build a strong case to support your right to damages. In a personal injury lawsuit, this means providing evidence of the negligent act that contributed to the accident and the severity of your injuries. Get in touch with a member of the Morelli Law Firm team today to start discussing your case. Call (212) 751-9800 now.
Buffalo Passenger Vehicle Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Damages in a Passenger Vehicle Collision Case
When an accident occurs, it can cause both physical and financial harm to the victims. Personal injury claims allow you to recover compensation for the damages you face. You can include various costs as part of your compensatory damages, depending on the circumstances of the collision. For example, you may receive compensation for:
- Medical bills, including any assistive medical devices, medications, doctor visits, therapies, and treatments that are necessary for your recovery.
- Non-economic damages, including compensation for any mental anguish, pain, suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Travel costs for trips to receive treatment.
- Loss of income, if you are unable to go to work and earn a paycheck while you are nursing your injuries.
- Loss of future earning capacity due to permanent disabilities.
In the event that you lost a loved one in a passenger vehicle collision, please accept our condolences. You may also be able to pursue a wrongful death claim to recover damages on your family’s behalf. In such circumstances, you may recover compensation for pain and suffering regarding the loss. The judge can also award reimbursement for medical, funeral, and burial expenses, among other damages.
Time Limits for Filing a Lawsuit in New York
You may lose your right to hold the negligent driver responsible if you fail to initiate a lawsuit by the deadline. Statutes of limitations and personal injury laws vary from state to state. In New York, NY Civil Practice Law & Rules (CVP) § 214 states that you must file within three years from the date of your accident. There are some exceptions to this statute, however.
For example, injuries such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) can make you legally incapacitated. In such cases, the NY General Municipal (GMU) § 50-E may allow your attorney to toll, or delay, the statute of limitations. If you qualify, a judge can let you begin your pursuit of compensation for your injuries upon recovery, even if three years have elapsed since the accident.
An attorney can help you and your family determine which statutes apply to your case and maintain your eligibility to pursue compensation through a lawsuit. Reach out today for assistance from our firm.
Get Help from a Buffalo Passenger Vehicle Accident Lawyer with Morelli Law Firm
Injuries resulting from a car accident can be overwhelming. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may be facing months of recovery and thousands of dollars in medical bills. Tackling an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit on your own may be the last thing you want to do.
Allow a Buffalo passenger vehicle accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm to take this burden off your shoulders. If your case supports it, we can help you claim both economic and non-economic damages. Call our firm at (212) 751-9800 to get started right away.