NY Car Accidents

A severe car accident dramatically changes the life of those involved. For luckier victims, the injuries are short term, but for a large number, these injuries are long lasting and sometimes fatal. Unfortunately, with New York's high population, car accidents are a common occurrence and one of the most common types of personal injury accidents. In 2007, there were more than 1,300 fatalities and 194,255 injuries in New York State.

If you or someone you love has become the victim of a car accident due to another's negligence, be they a driver or the manufacturer of a vehicle, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. Contacting an experienced New York Attorney in a timely fashion is the best way to know what steps you can take to help ensure that you will not be paying out of pocket for your medical and repair expenses.

If you have been involved in a car accident, there are several steps to take to help ensure the safety of yourself and others and to protect your rights if you have to seek legal compensation for injuries or repairs.

First seek out medical assistance for yourself and others involved.

Exchange contact information with the other driver. Obtain the other driver's license number and plate number. Get the other driver's insurance information such as company name and insurance policy number.

Gather witness information such as names and contact information.

Obtain contact information with the police so that you can obtain a copy of the police report.

Take photographs of the accident with either a camera or a cellphone with built in camera.

Notify your insurance company of the accident but do not provide a written or recorded statement until you have spoken with an attorney.

It is important to know that there are many laws surrounding personal injuries involved with a NY car accident. If you or someone you love has suffered serious injury due to the negligence of another driver, then it is important to contact a NY personal injury attorney to help ensure that your rights are protected. This is important for many reasons one of which is are the deadlines involved with filing claims. If you don't act quickly, you may lose your right to pursue compensation for damages.

Below are some of the deadlines:

• File Accident Report: 10-day deadline
• File for lost wages: multiple deadlines
• File No-Fault Claim: 30-day deadline
• File for New York state Disability: 30-day deadline
• File Notice of Claim (if applicable): 90-day deadline
• File claim against other driver: no specific deadline, but you are recommended to do it as soon as possible
• File claims with MVAIC (the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation – responsible for no-fault benefits for those injured by someone without insurance): multiple deadlines
• File SUM/UM claim (supplementary uninsured motorist /underinsured motorist): as soon as possible
• File lawsuit: Typically within three years, but it can be shorter under certain circumstances and a person who was a minor at time of accident may qualify for an extension

If you are involved in an automobile collision in New York State, and you wish to file a claim for damages beyond economic compensation, such as pain and suffering or wrongful death, the law requires that your injuries must meet the requirements of a "Serious Injury." The conditions for a serious injury include one of the following:

• Permanent loss or limitation of the use of a body organ or function
• Significant disfigurement
• Death
• Dismemberment
• Fracture of a bone or part of a bone
• Loss of a fetus
• An injury so severe that it prevents the victim from performing daily functions for at least 90 days during the first 6 months following the accident.

If you have lost a loved one to a car accident, you may have the right to seek compensation for loss of financial support, lost of parental guardian, loss of household help, or for pain and suffering by the deceased prior to death.

The time required to fill out the appropriate forms can be a daunting task even when you are not recovering from injuries. An experienced New York vehicle accident lawyer will have the knowledge of the appropriate actions to take. A lawyer can also best determine who is at fault for your injuries and pursue compensation from the liable parties.

If you have been injured in a serious New York vehicle accident resulting from the negligence of another person or company, please contact an experienced vehicle accident attorney today to help ensure that your rights are protected.

Call us at 877-625-4473 or fill out our online contact form.

These Hubs are provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Professional legal counsel should be sought for specific advice relevant to your circumstances.