Side-impact collisions are a frequent cause of personal injury on Long Island. According to data from the New York State Department of Health (DOH), motor vehicle accidents were the second-leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations and emergency room visits and the fourth-leading cause of injury-related death in Suffolk County from 2012 to 2014. The people injured in side-impact collisions may face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and expensive repairs, as well as the pain of losing a loved one.
If you have been injured or lost a family member in a side-impact collision caused by another driver, you may be entitled to compensation for damages. A Long Island side-impact collisions lawyer at Morelli Law Firm may be able to help. Call (212) 751-9800 today to speak with a member of our team.
What to Do After a Side-Impact Collision
If you are involved in a car accident in which anyone is injured or killed or that causes more than $1,000 in damages, you must file an accident report with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within ten days of the accident. If not, you may face having your license suspended. In addition, an accident report or police report can be used as evidence should you need to file an insurance claim or lawsuit later on.
It is also important to report the accident to your own insurance company. A lawyer can begin to collect time-sensitive evidence that can be useful should you decide to pursue a claim against the other driver.
Have You Been Injured In An Accident? Contact Morelli Law
877-751-9800Side-Impact Collisions and No-Fault Insurance Laws in New York State
According to the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS), the state follows no-fault car insurance laws. The purpose of these laws is if you are involved in an accident that is not your fault, you must still file a claim with your own insurance provider first. Your insurance company should cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other reasonable and necessary accident-related expenses.
No-fault car insurance laws also mean that you can only file a claim against the other driver for expenses beyond the no-fault coverage. These expenses include repair bills for your car or other personal property and the pain and suffering caused by the accident. A Long Island side-impact collisions lawyer at Morelli Law Firm can help you determine the value of your damages after a side-impact collision.
Determining the Value of Your Damages After a Long Island Side-Impact Collision
One way a lawyer can help you assess the amount of your damages is to collect evidence, such as auto repair bills. These demonstrate the damage to your car and any other personal property. They can also collect evidence to demonstrate the validity of your pain and suffering, such as your medical bills and records, photographs of your injuries, receipts for any over-the-counter pain treatments, prescription records, and any documentation of time you took off from work because of the accident.
A lawyer from Morelli Law Firm can help if you have been injured in a side-impact collision. Call (212) 751-9800 today to speak with a member of our team.
Contact our Long Island Car Accident Lawyers today
877-751-9800How a Long Island Side-Impact Collisions Lawyer at the Morelli Law Firm Can Help You
A lawyer can advocate on your behalf if you were injured or lost a loved one in a side-impact collision caused by another driver. We will start by collecting evidence to demonstrate that the other driver was at fault in the accident. Forms of evidence include:
- Accident reports
- Photographs from the scene of the accident
- Written statements
- Eyewitness testimony
- Medical records
Establishing liability can allow you to pursue a claim against the other driver.
In addition to demonstrating that the other driver was at-fault in your side-impact collision, a lawyer from Morelli Law Firm can assist with other aspects of your claim. Many people find it stressful to deal with the at-fault driver and his or her insurance provider. A lawyer can handle all interactions with the other driver and the insurance company.
You should never feel that you have to accept their phone calls or written communication. Your lawyer can handle all written and verbal communication with the insurance company. We can submit documents and evidence for you, file a claim, and work to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
The other driver’s insurance company may want to settle quickly, but your lawyer will advise you to wait until the settlement offer reflects your true damages. If we cannot agree to an appropriate settlement, we can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver on your behalf.
Statute of Limitations for Long Island Side-Impact Collisions
According to the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CVP) §214, the statute of limitations for personal injury is three years. The New York Estate, Powers and Trusts (EPT) §5-4.1 dictates that the statute of limitations for wrongful death is two years. Because of these statutes, it is important to act quickly after a side-impact collision.
If someone you love was killed in a side-impact collision or you were injured in a side-impact collision, you must file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations. If you wait too long, you will forfeit your right to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. If you are unsure how to proceed, a lawyer can offer advice.
A Long Island side-impact collisions lawyer at Morelli Law Firm can help you if you have been injured or lost a loved one in a side-impact collision. The sooner you call, the sooner we can get to work on your case. Call today at (212) 751-9800.
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