Helping You Move Forward After Your Car Accident
Last updated on August 17, 2023
We all must share the road. When we get behind the wheel, we agree to obey traffic rules and pay attention. Unfortunately, not everyone does. When another driver fails to drive safely, that driver puts everyone else on the road in danger. In New York, there are thousands of accidents and injuries every year due to negligent drivers.
At Rutberg Breslow Personal Injury Law in Poughkeepsie, we help clients throughout the state obtain financial compensation after a car crash. If another driver was at fault, we will pursue their insurance company to pay your medical bills and compensate you for your losses. When you work with us, we will assess your case and ensure you understand your next steps. Whether you slid on icy roads or were t-boned by another vehicle, our experienced car accident attorneys can help you.
Common Types Of Car Accidents
Car accidents can happen in any number of ways. From single-vehicle accidents to multi-vehicle pile-ups, any crash can cause debilitating injuries. In New York, we most commonly see rear-end collisions and T-bone accidents. Rear-end collisions often happen during heavy traffic or when bad weather causes poor road conditions. Head-on collisions can be deadly and usually occur when a driver operates their vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Causes Of Car Accidents
The most common reason for a car crash is driver error. When a driver is on their phone or looking for something on the floor, that driver is not paying attention and becomes a danger on the road.
Other common causes of car accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Weather and road conditions
In some cases, an equipment failure or design flaw may be to blame, such as tires that blow out or a brake failure.
Establishing Liability In Car Accident Cases
The immediate aftermath of an accident plays a critical role in your case. In order to have a valid and successful personal injury claim, you must be able to establish liability. You must establish that someone else’s negligence or reckless driving caused the accident and your injury. In proving this, eyewitness accounts, police reports and other evidence gathered at the scene of the evidence plays a vital role. After your accident, you should take photos of the vehicles and the area and get the names and information of any witnesses.
Types Of Injuries From Car Accidents
Even seemingly minor car accidents can cause devastating injuries that may impact your physical and mental well-being for years to come. Common physical injuries include whiplash, fractures, and traumatic brain and spinal injuries. You may also face emotional impacts, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and trauma. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may require long-term medical treatments and rehabilitation, which can quickly become expensive.
The Legal Process For Car Accident Claims
Rutberg Breslow Personal Injury Law has assisted clients in Poughkeepsie with car accident claims for over 40 years. We have a solid foundation in this area of law. We understand how to prove negligence and how to handle insurance companies. We also recognize how to value what an injury is worth. This saves time and means we can cut to the chase. We are skilled negotiators who know when to work out a deal and when to take your case to court. When it comes to getting the type of compensation that covers all your current and future medical care and all your lost income and other economic losses, you can trust us to fight for your best interests.
After your initial consultation, we will begin the investigative phase of your case, gathering relevant information and witness reports. We will help establish negligence and liability before moving forward with negotiations or, in some cases, a trial. In New York, you have three years to file a personal injury claim. It is vital that you get started as soon as possible.
Seeking The Compensation You Deserve
After a car accident, you may face expensive medical bills and may even have to replace or repair your vehicle. When filing a personal injury claim, you can fight for economic and non-economic damages to compensate you for your losses. Economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs and property damage. Non-economic damages refer to unquantifiable harms, such as pain and suffering and mental anguish.
Dealing With Insurance Companies After A Car Accident
Insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with. After your accident, you may start receiving calls from insurance adjusters trying to settle your case. However, the settlements they offer are often far below what you need and deserve. When you work with our attorneys at Rutberg Breslow Personal Injury Law, we will take over communications with insurance companies on your behalf. We will ensure that they do not employ any tactics that catch you off guard and take advantage of you.
Litigating A Car Accident Case
If your case cannot be settled outside of court, litigation is a necessary next step. While this may seem intimidating, our experienced litigation attorneys will guide you through the court process and advocate for your best interests. When necessary, we will use expert medical witnesses to support your claim and prove the validity of your injuries.
Settlement Vs. Trial: Making Informed Decisions
After a car accident, it may seem temping to accept an offer from an insurance company. When you do, you receive your funds faster and do not have to deal with the legal process. However, accepting their offer removes your ability to receive the full compensation you may be entitled to.
Insurance companies offer low settlements to settle your claim quickly and cheaply. Their calculations often do not include all contingencies such as long-term rehabilitative costs. Before accepting any offers, discuss your case with one of our car accident attorneys. We will advise you of your rights and help you understand your options.
Let Us Help You Fight For The Compensation You Deserve
Our experienced car accident attorneys are here to help however we can. We offer a completely free initial consultation, so that you can understand if you have a case and what steps to take next. With our main office in Poughkeepsie and other offices located throughout New York, we provide skilled legal aid to the injured across all of New York.
We fight tirelessly for our clients and are not bullied by big insurance companies. Call us to schedule your free consultation at 845-846-8120 or complete our online contact form to get in touch.