When car accidents happen, victims should contact our lawyers immediately so we can determine who is liable. Photos you took help us determine fault, so give us any pictures from the scene. Once we know who is to blame, we can hold them accountable in a lawsuit.
Only victims who meet certain criteria can file car accident lawsuits in New York because it is a “no-fault state” for collisions. We will see if you do, then file your claim and negotiate a fair settlement. Car accident lawsuits often get resolved out of court, letting you get sufficient compensation without having to go to trial.
Call our car accident lawyers at (914) 685-6950 for a free case assessment from The Martello Law Firm.
Why Do Car Accidents Happen in Haverstraw?
Most car accidents happen because of negligence. Contact us right after a collision, and we can figure out who is liable for your injury.
Negligent Drivers
Negligent drivers often cause car accidents, whether by speeding, driving drunk, tailgating other drivers, or making unsafe lane changes. To document another driver’s negligence, call 911 after a crash. Tell the police what happened so they can write an accident report, which we can help get in the following days.
Defective Car Parts
Brakes or other components failing might cause single- or multi-vehicle accidents in Haverstraw. In such cases, the vehicle or part manufacturer could be liable, and we may hire experts to help prove this.
Bad Conditions
Bad weather and road conditions can also contribute to car accidents. If drivers do not adjust their behavior in heavy rain or snow, they might injure others and bear liability. Suppose local roads are not maintained and large potholes or other defects cause accidents. In that case, you may also have a claim against the municipality, so contact our attorneys in Haverstraw.
What Photos Should I Take After a Haverstraw Car Accident?
Photos are important evidence for your lawsuit. Take as many as you can before leaving the scene, and give them to our lawyers. If you need help taking any pictures, you can ask first responders or eyewitnesses for assistance.
Property Damage Photos
Photograph any property damage to your car and the negligent driver’s vehicle. Take pictures from different angles, and make sure they are clear.
Property damage photos help us reconstruct an accident and can give jurors crucial context if claims go to trial. Pictures can indicate which driver struck the other, how fast they were driving, and other important information.
Injury Photos
Take pictures of any visible injuries, too. Pictures of lacerations, compound fractures, road rash, burns, and other injuries help prove you were hurt during the accident in question. You can continue documenting your injuries with photographs as they heal to show their progress.
Miscellaneous Photos
Before you leave the crash site, take pictures of anything relevant. That includes nearby traffic signs the negligent driver may have ignored, double yellow lines they may have driven over, or anything else that seems important.
How to Track Car Accident Damages
We track car accident damages for victims so they do not lose count of their losses from a crash. Hospital bills let us prove medical damages, income records let us prove lost wages, and your testimony lets us prove non-economic damages.
Testifying during a trial lets you explain your pain and suffering to a jury. It also lets you explain how the defendant was negligent and why they are liable for your other damages, like medical bills and lost wages.
Tell us if you cannot work after an accident, and do not push yourself to return to your job if your injuries prevent you. Doing so could worsen your injuries and raise questions about which damages the defendant should cover, so avoid that at all costs.
Who Can File Car Accident Lawsuits in Haverstraw?
There are two ways to overcome the serious injury threshold and qualify to file a car accident lawsuit in New York, which our lawyers can explain after taking on your case.
Victims Who Suffer Serious Injuries
I.S.C. Law § 5104 lets you file a lawsuit if you suffer a “serious injury.” A serious injury is any that causes death, limb loss, fracture, miscarriage, and significant disfigurement, among other harms.
Any injury that stops you from performing material acts for at least half of the first 180 days after a crash, otherwise known as passing the “90/180 rule,” also warrants litigation.
Our car accident lawyers use medical records to prove you suffered a serious injury in a crash. Medical records contain diagnoses, test results, surgery reports, physicians’ notes, prescribed medications, and other important injury information.
Victims Who Incur a Basic Economic Loss
Incurring a basic economic loss also entitles you to file a lawsuit after a car crash in New York. Under § 5102(a), basic economic loss is up to $50,000 in medical damages, lost wages, and some other expenses.
Hospital bills prove the extent of medical damages, which grow quickly. Near-fatal traumatic brain injuries, compound fractures, or other bad injuries might cost thousands of dollars after the first emergency room visit and require months of additional care. We can calculate your damages for you to determine your deserved recovery.
What Happens After I File My Car Accident Lawsuit?
After we file the lawsuit, we may settle the case. Trials are not always necessary, as some defendants will offer fair settlements soon into negotiations.
Expect the defense’s first several proposals to be lower than you would accept. This is a common tactic from defendants, who may end up offering more after staunch negotiations.
Settlement talks range in length, with some taking a matter of days and others taking months. You should not settle your case for less than its value, which we can ensure.
We will quantify your claim before filing and discuss your preferred settlement amount. We will remind you of your deserved damages during negotiations, especially if we believe you can still get more, whether from a settlement or trial award.
Call Our Accident Lawyers About Your Haverstraw Car Crash
Call (914) 685-6950 for a free case analysis from car accident lawyers of The Martello Law Firm.
