When passenger vehicles collide, drivers and occupants in both vehicles are at risk of sustaining serious injuries or losing their lives. New York State Department of Health research points to the following statistics that detail injury and fatality rates. They include:
- An average of 292 annual fatalities
- An average of 6,207 annual hospital admissions
- An average of 106,612 annual emergency room visits
According to New York Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR) data, causes and contributing factors for these dangerous and potentially deadly car accidents across the state include:
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Cell phone use or other distractions that occur while driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Do not let the financial burden of a passenger vehicle collision create a financial hardship for you and your family. If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident, a New Rochelle passenger vehicle accident lawyer might be able to help you fight for compensation. Get the guidance and support of the personal injury team at Morelli Law Firm by calling (212) 751-9800 today.
Define the Comprehensive Cost of a Passenger Vehicle Accident
When you are injured in a passenger vehicle accident, our team might be able to help you pursue the vehicle driver whose actions led to the collision. Once fault is determined and the at-fault party is identified, the cause of the accident might entitle you to financial compensation. According to New York Insurance Law (ISC) §5102, the economic damages you might be entitled to recover include:
- Medical expenses that start at the scene of the accident and continue until your recovery is complete
- Financial losses from all streams of income, including full-time and part-time employment and business losses
- Costs to restore your vehicle to its pre-accident condition or to replace it if it was declared a total loss
The same statute allows you to recover non-economic damages that could include physical pain and suffering, mental and emotional anguish, physical impairments, permanent scarring, and other lasting forms of disfigurement. Our case assessment team may help you calculate the financial value of your lawsuit and ensure its accuracy before negotiating with the at-fault driver.
Do Not Wait to File Your Personal Injury Lawsuit
Like other states, New York has specific timelines that govern the filing of civil lawsuits. These statutes of limitations determine how long you have to file a lawsuit against an at-fault driver or another liable party. Failing to comply with the filing deadline could prevent you from receiving compensation from the responsible party.
If a collision involving your passenger vehicle caused injuries to you or someone you love, you generally have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit, according to New York Civil Practice Law & Rules (CVP) §214. Additionally, if a collision claimed a loved one’s life, you generally have three years from the date of their death to file a wrongful death lawsuit, according to New York Estates, Powers & Trusts (EPT) §5-4.1.
Additional restrictions may apply if the vehicle that collided with yours was a municipal or government vehicle. In those cases, you generally have 90 days from the accident date to file a notice of claim, according to New York General Municipal Law (GMU) §50-E. Our team can help you define the relevant timelines and ensure the filing of your lawsuit is compliant.
New Rochelle Passenger Vehicle Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Compile the Evidence that Supports Your Lawsuit
A passenger vehicle collision can have causes and contributing factors that may initially make the at-fault party difficult to identify. If the accident was a hit-and-run or was caused by brake or tire failure or a vehicle design flaw, it might be challenging to accurately assign fault and financial responsibility on your own.
The paper trail that the accident generates may help our team identify the at-fault driver by providing details that establish cause and neglect. A New Rochelle passenger vehicle accident lawyer might be able to help you compile the proof you need to establish fault and appropriately assign liability. When you are ready to hold the at-fault party responsible for your post-accident financial damages, contact the car accident review team at Morelli Law Firm by calling (212) 751-9800 today.
Obtain a Copy of Your Crash Report
Because you were injured in the passenger vehicle collision, you are required to file a crash report, according to New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) regulations. When the crash report becomes available, provide a copy to our team. It may help us determine whether to assign liability to the at-fault driver, the vehicle’s manufacturer, or the vehicle’s owner if the car was on loan to a friend or family member.
The crash report also tells our team members how to contact each of these potential defendants and anyone who came forward after witnessing the accident. It tells us the date that allows us to determine the statute of limitations and whether there was any indication of driver distractions or intoxication playing a role in the accident.
We may also ask you to obtain copies of your health care records to substantiate the severity and extent of your injuries, your medical expenses to date, and the projected costs of your future health care needs. These costs might be recoverable with a personal injury lawsuit.
You Can Recover from a Passenger Vehicle Accident
If you or a member of your family was injured in a passenger vehicle accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. The guidance and direction of a New Rochelle passenger vehicle accident lawyer can help you identify the at-fault party, assign financial liability, and seek monetary compensation.
While our team builds your lawsuit, you can focus on your physical recovery or on helping a loved one recover. Contact the personal injury team at Morelli Law Firm by calling (212) 751-9800 when you are ready to pursue compensation for your injuries and injury-related expenses.