In the aftermath of a passenger vehicle accident, victims often deal with treatment costs for their injuries and missing time from work. They can be uncertain about what steps to take to handle their financial circumstances.
You do not need to face this situation alone. A Long Island passenger vehicle accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm may be able to handle your case while you focus on your recovery. We represent drivers and passengers who were injured by another driver’s negligent actions.
For a free, no-obligation consultation with a member of our team, call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800. Because we offer representation on a contingency fee basis, there are no upfront payments required to start working with our firm.
A Lawyer May Help You Determine Liability in a Car Accident Case
Any time another driver violates a traffic law and causes an accident, they may be held liable for the damages they caused. This type of violation might include:
- Running a red light or a stop sign
- Changing lanes where it was illegal or unsafe to do so
- Not leaving a safe following distance, which might lead to a rear-end accident if the car in front stops suddenly
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Speeding
- Not using a turn signal when making a turn
- Driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol
- Driving while texting
Other times, another party might be held liable for a car accident. For example:
- A negligent municipality that left hazards in the road failed to maintain working traffic signals or failed to install adequate signage to safely direct the flow of traffic
- A negligent auto mechanic who failed to install or maintain a vehicle safety system, leading to a breakdown on the road
- A landscaping company that failed to properly secure their equipment on one of their vehicles, allowing it to spill into the road and cause an accident
- A shipping company that pressured drivers to work longer hours than the federal limits for commercial motor vehicles, causing a drowsy truck driver to crash their vehicle
Morelli Law Firm is prepared to take on any liable party whose negligence harmed our clients. We may be able to launch an investigation into the cause of your accident and identify the liable party or parties. From there, we can build a case for compensation against them.
If you believe that another party’s negligence caused your passenger vehicle accident, call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800. A member of our car accident team is standing by to discuss your case in a free initial consultation.
You May Recover Damages in a Car Accident Case
Proving another party’s liability for your injuries might allow you to collect compensation in a personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit.
The potentially recoverable damages in your case may depend on a number of factors, including your injuries and their impact on your life. In general, the following damages may be recoverable in a car accident case:
- Current and future costs of medical treatment, including emergency care, doctor’s appointments, therapy, and medications
- Lost wages for the time you were unable to work during your recovery period
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring or disfigurement
A Long Island passenger vehicle accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm can help you identify your damages. We may also be able to collect evidence of their value to help us calculate a fair compensation range for your case. Such evidence might include:
- Your medical bills
- Car repair or replacement invoices
- Income documentation from your job
- Medical expert testimony on your estimated future costs of treatment
Long Island Parking Lot Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Certain New York Laws Might Affect Your Car Accident Case
The following New York laws might impact your personal injury case:
Comparative Negligence
According to the New York Civil Practice Law & Rules (CVP) §1411, New York practices a comparative negligence system in personal injury cases. This law means that accident victims may be able to recover compensation for their damages even when they were partially at-fault for the accident. The catch is that the court may reduce their compensation by their percentage of liability.
For example, if a judge decides that you were 30 percent at fault for the accident and your damages are worth $100,000, the judge may reduce your payout by 30 percent to $70,000.
The Statute of Limitations
Per CVP §214, there is a general three-year statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits in New York. However, certain circumstances might require you to file sooner, such as if your case involves a government agency.
Failure to initiate legal action by the specific deadlines that pertain to your case might lead your lawsuit to get dismissed.
New York’s No-Fault Auto Insurance System
Per New York’s Department of Financial Services (DFS), New York is a no-fault state, which means drivers are required to maintain a minimum of $50,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. In general, your first claim after a car accident is with your own PIP policy, regardless of fault.
You may be able to pursue further compensation from the responsible party if your injuries are serious (according to New York law) or if your damages exceed the limits of your PIP coverage. Morelli Law Firm understands how to navigate New York’s insurance rules and help our clients pursue compensation through all available channels.
Call Morelli Law Firm Today
A Long Island passenger vehicle accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm can manage the legal work in your case when we represent you. Our services include:
- Communicating with the involved parties on your behalf
- Collecting evidence of liability and your damages
- Filing your insurance claim and/or lawsuit
- Negotiating with the responsible party’s insurance company for a settlement
- Taking your case to trial, if necessary
We can also be available throughout this process to answer your questions and keep you updated on your case’s progress.
Morelli Law Firm offers representation on a contingency fee basis, so our clients are not obligated to pay us attorney’s fees unless we win their case.
To get started with a free consultation on your case, call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800Parking lots signal the end of a journey, but not necessarily the end of the dangers you face as a motorist or a pedestrian. As soon as possible after an accident, call the Morelli Law Firm to find out if you qualify for compensation. Our number is (212) 751-9800. During a free consultation, we can tell you if you are eligible for compensation and how a Long Island parking lot accident lawyer may be able to help you fight for it.
Why Parking Lots Can Be Dangerous
In some ways, a parking lot might seem safer than a street or a highway. People usually drive much more slowly in a parking lot. Also, because there are so many people and vehicles moving around, drivers may exercise additional caution. This is both common courtesy and the law. According to the New York Vehicle & Traffic Law (VAT) §1146, drivers must take special care when pedestrians cross their path. Drivers who fail to do so may face a fine, imprisonment, or both.
However, this sense of security is also what makes parking lots potentially dangerous. A driver, satisfied that they have arrived safely at their destination, may let their guard down, check their phone while moving, fail to look behind them before backing out or engage in any number of other careless actions.
With decades of legal experience, Benedict Morelli knows how to put the law to work for you. To find out how the Morelli Law Firm can help you, call us at (212) 751-9800. A Long Island parking lot accident lawyer can help you put materials together to build your case. Our team works on a contingency fee basis, so you do not have to pay any attorney’s fees unless you are awarded compensation. You will owe us nothing at all if we cannot get compensation for you.
Financial Compensation May Be Available to You
When it comes to personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, compensation comes in two forms: economic damages and non-economic damages. You may qualify for one or both types, depending on the injuries you sustained.
Economic damages are compensation for any money the accident cost you. For instance, you might be able to sue for:
- Medical expenses: You went to a hospital, a doctor’s office, a pharmacy, or any other medical facility to get treatment for your injuries.
- Additional costs: You could not perform your usual chores (e.g., mowing the lawn or cleaning the house) and hired other people to do them for you.
- Lost wages: You had to take time off work to let your injuries heal, costing you and your family much-needed money.
- Lost earning capacity: Your injuries affect your ability to work or restrict you to lower-paying positions.
Noneconomic damages are compensation for the physical and mental toll the accident took on you. A few common examples include:
- Scarring: Even after your injuries healed as much as possible, they left behind disfiguring, painful, or physically restricting marks.
- Pain and suffering: Your injuries caused you physical or emotional pain, or the accident itself caused you psychological trauma.
- Disability: Your injuries caused you to permanently lose or impair the use of a digit, limb, organ, or other body party or function.
- Loss of consortium: Your injuries have had a negative impact on your marital relationship with your spouse.
What if it is determined that you were partially responsible for the accident? You might still be able to receive damages, according to the New York Civil Practice Law & Rules (CVP) §1411. However, the amount of compensation you can recover will be higher if you prove that you were not responsible at all.
How Personal Injury Lawsuits Work
Once you finalize your list of damages and figure out how much to ask for in compensation, you may notify the liable party to begin your lawsuit.
The liable party’s insurance company wants to pay you as little as they can. They most likely will retain lawyers to pick apart your case to justify offering a smaller settlement than you demand. While you can file a lawsuit without legal representation, you might find it less stressful to let an attorney handle the negotiations for you.
At the Morelli Law Firm, we know that money may be tight for you at the moment. The good news is that our team works on a contingency fee basis. This means we do not collect any attorney’s fees until you win your case. If you do not get paid, then neither do we.
Here are just a few of the things a lawyer may offer to do for you:
- Investigate your case: Your lawyer may launch their own investigation into your crash. The results might be able to tell you who the liable party or parties are and provide evidence that shows why you deserve the compensation you are demanding.
- Calculate your damages: Having trouble figuring out what to ask for? Your lawyer can help. They may also make sure you have not overlooked any injuries that might qualify you for additional compensation.
- Manage communications: Our team can relay all messages from the liable party and their representatives to you, and vice versa.
- Negotiate your settlement: You do not have to meet with the liable party’s insurance company. Your lawyer is more than willing to negotiate on your behalf, arguing strongly for the money that may be rightfully yours.
- Take the fight to court: If necessary, your lawyer can take your case all the way to trial. In the courtroom, they will fight hard to convince a jury to award you fair damages.
- Offer guidance: Whenever you have questions or need advice about what to do next, give us a call. We are here to make the legal process as easy on you as possible.
A Long Island parking lot accident lawyer would be happy to help you pursue the compensatory damages you need. All you have to do to get started is call the Morelli Law Firm at (212) 751-9800. We can take your call at any time, and the first consultation is free.