At the Morelli Law Firm, we have extensive experience fighting for clients who have been injured in various car accidents. Our side-impact collision lawyers in Yonkers know what it takes to get our clients the compensation they deserve to recover from their injuries and get their lives back on track.
Determining Liability in a Side-Impact Collision
After a side-impact collision, you will likely be dealing with serious injuries and facing expenses that you cannot afford on your own. If so, your best option is going to be filing a lawsuit or an insurance claim. First, though, you need to determine who is liable for your damages.
When it comes to T-bone collisions, either driver directly involved in the crash could be liable, depending on the circumstances. Additionally, a third-party driver whose actions directly resulted in the collision could also be held liable.
If one of the vehicles malfunctioned, the manufacturer may be at fault as well.
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877-751-9800What Does a Yonkers Side-Impact Collisions Lawyer Do?
One of the first steps a lawyer will take on your behalf after an accident is to begin an investigation into your accident. They will be looking to determine liability as well as gathering evidence to help support your compensation claim. Some of the steps your lawyer and their legal team are likely to take include:
- Visiting the accident scene
- Interviewing witnesses
- Speaking with experts
- Reviewing the official accident report
- Reviewing your medical files relating to any injuries you sustained
After completing their investigation, your side-impact collisions attorney in Yonkers will assess your damages and calculate the full value of your compensation claim.
The next step will be to prepare your lawsuit along with any other necessary paperwork and file it with the court. After that, they can begin the pre-trial process. Finally, if your case has not reached an out-of-court settlement, your attorney will represent your interests at trial.
As they prepare your case, your attorney will be in continued negotiations with the legal representatives of the opposition to try and get you a deal for fair compensation. Meanwhile, they will be in constant communication with you, keeping you apprised of all updates to your case, including any settlement offers.
Damages You May Be Eligible to Claim for a Side-Impact Collision
After an accident, there are several damages for which you may be able to recover compensation. Which damages apply to you depends upon the specifics of your case. Damages are generally broken into three categories:
- Economic
- Non-economic
- Punitive
Economic Damages
These cover the damages that cost victims monetarily. Some of the most common economic damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
Determining the value of economic damages is fairly straightforward. Even the more complicated damages like lost earning capacity have formulas that make calculation simple.
Non-Economic Damages
These are the more difficult damages to quantify. Common non-economic damages include:
- Diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Lost companionship
It is impossible to put a price on the damage caused by lost companionship after a wrongful death. Unfortunately, our legal system doesn’t have any other means of compensating victims for these irreplaceable losses. Because of this, non-economic damages tend to make up the greatest part of a compensation payout.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages work differently than the other two groups. They are not meant to function as compensation for a loss on the part of the victim, but rather as a punishment for the at-fault party. Punitive damages are only assessed in cases where the liable party acted in a way that is deemed willfully negligent and with wanton disregard for the safety of others.
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877-751-9800How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Side-Impact Collision Lawyer in Yonkers?
The short answer is nothing. When hiring a Yonkers side-impact collision attorney, it shouldn’t cost you any money out of pocket. Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means that they only get paid if you receive compensation for your damages.
When your attorney is working on a contingency fee basis, you can feel confident that they will take every action within their power to ensure you get a fair settlement.
On average, people who hire an attorney get a far greater payout than those who attempt to represent themselves. Even after a lawyer has deducted their fee, their clients tend to be in a far better financial position.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit in New York?
In the state of New York, there is a three-year statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit in a personal injury case. However, it is important to be aware that there are certain situations in which this window may be far narrower. A personal injury attorney can advise you if your period to file is shorter than usual, depending on your circumstances.
However much time you have, it is always best to get started as soon as possible. Delays can greatly weaken your case as evidence can become lost or corrupted, and witness testimony becomes less reliable with each passing day. Hire a side-impact collision lawyer immediately after an accident so they can begin building your case.
Should You Take a Settlement or Go to Court?
There is a reason that the vast majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court. Both sides would typically prefer to avoid the time and unpredictability associated with a courtroom trial.
If your attorney is able to negotiate a fair settlement deal with the legal representatives of the opposition, it is almost always in your best interest to take it. However, if the other side is not open to agreeing to a fair settlement, you need to be willing and prepared to fight your case in the courtroom.
The one perk, if you are forced to fight it out in court, is that the potential payout you could receive is certainly going to be higher than any settlement offer you might get in negotiations.
A Personal Injury Law Firm Representing Side-Impact Collision Victims in Yonkers
The best weapon you have at your disposal when fighting for compensation after an accident is an experienced legal representative. At the Morelli Law Firm, our team of side-impact collision attorneys in Yonkers have been around the block. We know what it takes to get our clients the money they deserve.
Reach out to us today by giving us a call or filling out our easy online contact form. You can schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation with a member of our legal team. We will walk you through all your options and advise you on the best path to take to get the compensation you deserve after an accident.
Call or text 877-751-9800 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form