Accidents can happen anytime and anywhere, and New York City is no exception. Knowing what types of compensation you or a loved one can receive is crucial, whether it’s a car accident, slip, trip or fall, or another type of accident.
Let’s review different types of accident compensation available in New York City, including how you can receive compensation, the types of injuries accidents can cause, and answers to frequently asked questions about compensation.
The experienced accident compensation lawyers at Schwartzapfel Lawyers are here to help. Call us now at 516-342-2200 for a free consultation and so much more. Your financial future is worth fighting for. Start protecting it today!
What Are The Most Common Types Of Accidents In New York City?
New York City has a high population density and heavy traffic, which means many types of accidents occur every day. Among them, common examples include but aren’t limited to:
- Vehicle Accidents: On busy New York roads, car accidents are common. These can range from minor fender-benders to serious auto accidents involving severe injuries.
- Slips, Trips & Falls: Wet floors, uneven sidewalks, or poorly maintained property can cause slip-and-fall accidents, which happen frequently in the city.
- Workplace Accidents: New York City is constantly under construction, and workplace accidents are very common for construction workers and contractors in the city.
- Pedestrian Accidents: Walking in NYC comes with risks, and pedestrian accidents can happen if drivers are negligent or if walkways are not properly maintained.
- Public Transportation Accidents: Most people in NYC rely on buses or subway trains, and accidents involving these can lead to serious injuries.
Significantly, it’s of critical importance to take prompt action after any accident. To this end, you should always seek medical attention if there’s any chance that you were injured, whether you feel symptoms right away or not, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
What Types Of Injuries Do Accidents Cause?
Accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, depending on the severity of the incident:
- General Bodily Injury: This includes physical harm to your body, such as fractures, sprains, or cuts. Bodily injuries can range from minor to serious and may require medical treatment.
- Serious Injuries: Severe and can include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or severe fractures. Serious injuries often require long-term medical treatment and physical therapy.
- Disfigurement: Accidents can sometimes lead to permanent changes in appearance, which can impact a person’s quality of life and emotional well-being.
In addition to physical injury, accidents often cause financial harm. While financial harm doesn’t directly impact your physical health, it can still be difficult to overcome:
- Medical Expenses: Injuries usually come with medical bills for treatment, including emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, and ongoing medical care.
- Lost Income: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may lose wages. This is known as lost income and is an important factor in determining compensation.
- Non-Economic Damages: These are damages that are harder to quantify, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Accident compensation is about fixing both the physical injuries you suffered and the money you’ve lost because of the accident. In this way, it helps cover the expenses and hardships that stem from your injuries.
What Are The Different Types Of Accident Compensation?
In New York City, there are several types of compensation you might be entitled to if you’ve been in an accident:
- Coverage For Medical Bills: You can receive compensation for medical expenses related to your injuries, including hospital bills, doctor visits, surgeries, and physical therapy.
- Future Medical Treatment: If you need ongoing medical treatment or therapy, you may also be compensated for these future costs.
- Wages Lost: If your injuries keep you from working, you can claim compensation for the income you lost during your recovery.
- Future Earnings: In cases of severe injury that impacts your ability to work long-term, you may receive compensation for future lost earnings.
- Car Accident Compensation: If your vehicle was damaged in a car accident, you can claim compensation for repairs or replacement.
- Other Property Damage: This includes any personal property damaged in the accident, such as electronics or clothing.
- Emotional Distress Or Pain And Suffering: Compensation can be awarded for the physical pain and emotional suffering caused by the accident and injuries.
- Loss Of Quality Of Life: If the accident has significantly impacted your enjoyment of life, you are entitled to compensation for this loss.
- Compensation For Loved Ones: If someone you care about has died due to an accident, you can seek compensation for their wrongful death. This can include damages for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other related costs.
- Permanent Scarring: If an accident causes permanent scarring or disfigurement, you are eligible for compensation to address the physical and emotional impact.
- No-FaultInsurance Coverage: New York is a no-fault state for car insurance. This means that your own insurance company typically covers medical expenses and lost income regardless of who was at fault in the accident. However, you can still pursue additional compensation for serious injuries or damages through a personal injury claim.
The seasoned accident compensation attorneys at Schwartzapfel Lawyers can review your case and advise you on the types of compensation you’re entitled to receive. Call us now at 516-342-2200 for a free consultation and peace of mind.
How To Receive Accident Compensation In New York City
Recovering financial compensation after an accident typically involves several steps, including the need to:
Seek Medical Attention
Your health should be your top priority. Get medical treatment for your injuries as soon as possible. This also helps establish a record of your injuries. Immediate care may improve your recovery outcome. Keep all medical records and bills related to your treatment.
Document Everything And Gather Evidence
Collect evidence from the accident scene, such as photos of the damage and injuries, and gather contact information from witnesses.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your own insurance company and provide them with all necessary documentation to file a claim.
File A Personal Injury Claim
If you are seeking compensation beyond what your insurance policy covers, you might need to file a personal injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or with the owner of the property where you were injured.
Legal Advice
Consider seeking legal advice from a skilled car accident attorney or seasoned personal injury attorney. They can help you better understand your rights and will fight for you throughout the claims process. Call Schwartzapfel Lawyersnow at 516-342-2200 for a free consultation and so much more!
Negotiate A Settlement And Receive A Settlement Offer
Your insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurance may make a settlement offer. We’ll work with you to review it carefully and negotiate if necessary to ensure it covers all your damages.
Follow Time Limits
Be aware of the statute of limitations, which is the time limit within which you must file your claim. In New York, this is generally three (3) years from the date of the accident for personal injury claims.
The award-winningpersonal injury attorneys at Schwartzapfel Lawyers are prepared to fight for you both in and out of court. Call us now at 516-342-2200 for a free consultation and/or case evaluation. But you shouldn’t wait, as your window to file a claim and recover financially may soon close forever. To keep that from happening, act now and call Schwartzapfel Lawyers today!
Do I Need A Skilled Attorney To Get Compensation?
While it’s not required, having a seasoned car accident attorney or qualified personal injury attorney can help you get the maximum amount of compensation. They have the knowledge and experience to handle complicated claims and negotiate with insurance companies.
The amount of compensation depends on the specifics of your case, including the severity of your injuries, the impact on your life, and the extent of property damage. Your skilled attorney can help estimate a fair amount based on your situation.
What If I Was Partially At Fault?
New York follows a comparative negligence rule. This means you can still receive compensation even if you were partially at fault, though your compensation may be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
Can I Get Compensation If The At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured?
If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you may be able to seek compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage if you have it. Your seasoned personal injury attorney can guide you through this process.
You don’t have to accept the first settlement offer. You can negotiate or even reject the offer if it doesn’t cover your damages. It’s often wise to consult with a skilled attorney before accepting any settlement.
Getting The Seasoned Legal Representation You Deserve
Accident compensation in New York City can help cover various types of damage you may face after an accident. From medical expenses and lost income to pain and suffering and wrongful death, there are multiple types of compensation available. Understanding these types of compensation and how to pursue them can significantly impact your recovery and financial stability.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, you should seek qualified medical attention first, and then document as much as you can with the help of your knowledgeable personal injury attorney.
Here, the skilled legal team at Schwartzapfel Lawyers has more than (150) years of combined experience helping clients recover maximum compensation to account for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Call us now at 516-342-2200 for a free consultation and so much more. Alternatively, you can schedule your free case evaluation online today. Either way, our goal is the same: to make you whole again.
DISCLAIMER: Nothing on this page should be considered legal advice. You should seek the appropriate counsel your situation requires. For more information, call 516-342-2200 now!
Sources:
Schwartzapfel Lawyers, P.C. | Fighting For You
Traffic Data – Collisions | NYPD
Costs of Motor-Vehicle Crashes | Injury Facts
COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE Definition & Meaning | Black’s Law Dictionary
