Navigating the New York Legal System
Hiring an attorney for a serious car accident case is typically a necessity based on what the accident victims face. Severe injuries leave the victim suffering and unable to work. Many are hospitalized, have gone through a surgery or several surgeries and are taking months to recover. Aside from the excruciating pain and strong desire to feel normal again, the person may be wondering, “How can I afford being off work or how can I pay the mounting medical costs?”
In New York, a serious injury caused by a car accident enables the victim to sue for damages. New York insurance law outlines specific requirements that define the “serious injury threshold” for car accidents. When your injury meets this threshold, you will need a lawyer.
Why You Need a Lawyer if You Meet the Serious Injury Threshold
Substantial monetary amounts are at stake. If another driver was at fault for the accident, you can expect their insurance company to do everything it can to pay as little as possible. Their insurance adjuster may call you and appear to be very interested and compassionate. However, the information you provide will become part of their lawyers’ legal strategy to settle quickly, pay as little as possible and safeguard the insurance company’s bottom line.
The at fault driver will have a team of insurance lawyers working diligently to prove the driver either was not at fault or that the driver’s percentage of fault for causing the accident was minimal. They would like to prove that your injuries are not as serious as you claim or that your actions contributed to the accident more than they actually did.
They are advocates for the defendant, not for you. What you need is an experienced attorney who can advocate on your behalf and argue your side of the case.
Let Your Lawyer Gather the Facts and Prepare Your Case
Aside from the fact you do not have in-depth knowledge of how the legal system works, if you are seriously injured, you are in no shape to gather case information anyway. About all you can do is follow your doctor’s orders, deal with the pain and suffering, struggle with the tasks of daily living and try to recover.
If your attorney has years of experience handling accident cases, he will have valuable knowledge and skill when dealing with insurance companies. He knows what a fair settlement offer should look like. He also knows to have you wait until your doctor says you have met maximum medical improvement. By doing so, he can arrive at realistic and adequate monetary amounts to recover compensation for damages.
Personal injury lawyers take car accident cases based on contingency, which means the lawyer receives no fee unless he wins or settles your case.
If you are seriously injured in a car crash, an attorney can help you protect your rights. There is no charge for an initial consultation. During the consultation, the lawyer will evaluate your accident and discuss the prospects of pursuing a case.