White Plains Personal Injury Lawyer

Whether you are suffering because of a car crash, slip and fall accident, or workplace injury, if you were hurt because of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to hold them financially responsible for your losses.

The Morelli Law Firm’s White Plains personal injury lawyers may be able to pursue compensation on your behalf. These cases can be overwhelming. Your attorney can take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on healing from your injuries.

A Personal Injury Attorney in White Plains Can Help You File a Claim for Your Accident

If you have been injured in an accident, it is important to seek legal advice. A personal injury lawyer can help you file a claim for your accident and ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve to cover your financial losses, physical injuries, and emotional distress.

When filing a claim, it is important to understand the laws surrounding personal injury cases. An attorney will be able to explain the laws to you and help you navigate the legal process. When you have an accident caused by someone else’s carelessness or negligence, a personal injury claim is a legal remedy.

There are many types of accidents that can be caused by negligence. Some of the most common are:

Slip and Fall Accidents

When a hazardous condition exists on someone’s property that causes a person to fall and get hurt, there can be cause for a slip and fall claim.

Wet flooring, uneven surfaces, or objects in the path can all contribute to the risk of a slip-and-fall accident on someone else’s property. A person injured due to a fall on such a surface may have grounds to sue the property owner for damages.

Medical Malpractice

While doctors and nurses are highly skilled, they are human; despite their best intentions, they can make mistakes just like anyone else. Medical malpractice can lead to complications, new injuries, disabilities, and even cost patients their lives.

Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents include car accidents, motorcycle accidents, large truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, and bus accidents. They can occur for a variety of reasons, including driver distraction, fatigue, intoxication, or speeding.

Construction Accidents

Due to the nature of building sites, there are dangerous conditions that can be hazardous to workers and other people in the area. Accidents of this nature can be particularly serious and even result in fatalities. There may be several liable parties and ways to recover compensation.

An experienced White Plains personal injury attorney can review the details of your situation and advise you on the best course of action to take. Depending on the circumstances, this might involve filing a lawsuit and negotiating with insurance companies.

Working with an experienced lawyer can help ensure that your rights are fully protected and that you receive consistent support throughout this process.

New York Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Lawsuits

The statute of limitations limits the amount of time you have to pursue compensation through a civil claim. In the state of New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is generally three years, per New York Civil Practice Law & Rules (CVP) §214.

Family members who have lost a loved one due to another party’s negligence have two years from the death date to file a wrongful death lawsuit, per New York Estates, Powers & Trusts (EPT) §5-4.1.  However, there may be circumstances that can reduce or expand your window to file a claim.

This is why it is important that you reach out to a personal injury lawyer in White Plains promptly after your accident, as missing the statutory deadline may stop you from being eligible for any compensation in court.

Compensation and Damages After a Personal Injury Accident

When you’ve been injured in an accident, it can be difficult to know what types of damages you are entitled to recover. In White Plains, New York, a personal injury lawyer can help you understand the different types of damages available and how they may apply to your case.

The most common type of damages awarded in personal injury cases is compensatory damages. These are intended to compensate the injured party for their losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

In some cases, punitive damages may also be available. These are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter them from engaging in similar behavior in the future.

Some of the common damages that victims recover in personal injury cases include:

• Medical costs like ambulance rides, assistive devices, surgical procedures, and examinations
• Therapy and rehabilitation
• Estimated costs of future medical care
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Future wages if your earning potential is diminished
• Property damage
• Out-of-pocket expenses

The types of damages accident victims can recover depend entirely on the details of their case and the effects the accident has had on their quality of life. It is important to note that each case is unique, and you should speak with a White Plains personal injury lawyer to determine what types of damages may be available in your case.

Wrongful Death Damages

Some of the possible recoverable damages family members can collect after the passing of their loved one in a wrongful death claim may include:

 Funeral and burial costs

• Medical costs from the accident left to the family
• Wages and benefits previously provided by the deceased
• Loss of consortium

Types of Injuries We Can Claim

In some instances, a personal injury attorney may not be necessary. If your injuries were minor and resulted in only scrapes or bruises with no real damage done, you probably won’t need a lawyer. However, you may benefit from legal representation if you experienced harm that resulted in time off work or medical bills.

Some of the injuries we commonly claim in a personal injury case are:

• Broken bones, fractures
• Wrist and hand injuries
• Brain injuries
• Neck injuries, back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Facial injuries and broken teeth

This list is certainly not all-inclusive and you may still be eligible to file a claim to collect damages. Your personal injury lawyer in White Plains will be happy to review your case and determine the best course of action.

Costs of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Many personal injury attorneys in White Plains work on a contingency fee basis and do not require any up-front payment. Expenses made to move your case forward, such as court filing fees or payments to hire a medical expert, will be covered by the law firm. This bill will need to be paid back at the conclusion of your case.

In the state of New York, clients have the option to select where their legal counsel collects their fees from. You can choose either a percentage of your net recovery or a percentage of your total recovery; regardless, your attorney will collect about 33.33% of this award.  

A contingency fee-based arrangement can be beneficial for you because it allows you to pursue your case without having to pay any upfront legal fees. Your lawyer will only receive a payment if they obtain a settlement or verdict on your behalf. This eliminates the financial risk associated with pursuing a personal injury claim.

New York’s Negligence Law Could Impact Your Personal Injury Claim

New York follows a pure comparative fault system when it comes to personal injury cases, as per state law §1411. Even if you are partially responsible for causing an accident, you may still be able to recover damages. However, the compensation you can recover will be reduced by the degree to which you were at fault.

For example, if you were 20% responsible for causing the accident, and your damages are valued at $100,000, your compensation would be reduced by 20% to $80,000.

Unfortunately, the defendant’s lawyers may use this law as a defense tactic. They may claim you are more responsible for an accident than you really are to reduce their client’s liability and the amount of money they would have to compensate you. An experienced White Plains personal injury lawyer may be able to defend you against underhanded tactics like these.

How a  Personal Injury Lawyer at Morelli Law Can Help

At Morelli Law Firm, when one of our White Plains personal injury lawyers represent you, we manage all legal aspects of your case while you focus on your recovery such as:

• Gathering evidence by taking statements from witnesses
• Obtaining copies of police reports
• Reviewing surveillance footage
• Examining your medical reports
• Speaking with medical experts to determine how your accident will impact your future
• Negotiating for a settlement with the responsible party’s insurance company
• Taking your case to trial if a fair settlement is not reached in negotiations

Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm in White Plains to Find Out More

If you have been injured in an accident, it is important to contact a personal injury law firm in White Plains to find out more about your legal rights and options. A qualified White Plains personal injury lawyer can help you understand the complexities of the law and provide advice on how best to proceed with your case.

Our legal team will review the facts of your case and advise you on the best course of action. They will also help you understand your rights and responsibilities under New York law, as well as the potential damages you may be entitled to.

Contact Morelli Law Firm today for a free consultation. We are committed to our clients and helping them to obtain the maximum compensation available. Get started today with a free case review and learn how you can fight back against negligent parties to get the compensation you need.