Auto Accident Attorneys You could be left with a large medical bill and a decrease in income and pain and suffering in the aftermath of an accident. The party responsible for your accident should be accountable for the losses. A New York City auto accident attorney can help you seek full compensation for your losses. An experienced car accident lawyer can also safeguard you from unfair denials from insurance companies. Distracted driving Every driver has a duty to drive their vehicle safely and keep their focus on the road. Distracted driving can be dangerous for other road users. It's a major cause of collisions. If you've been injured by a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Although many people think of texting and calling when they hear the phrase distracted driving it's actually any activity that requires your hands off the steering wheel, your eyes off the road, or thoughts off the task at the moment. This includes eating, reaching for items in the car, interacting with other drivers, adjusting dashboard controls like the radio or temperature or personal grooming such as shaving or applying makeup, and many more. According to research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, around 80 percent of all crashes and 65 percent of close-collisions result from driver distraction. If you take your eyes off the road for just five seconds when you're driving at 55 mph could double the risk of a crash. If you've been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, an experienced lawyer for auto accidents can assist. They can look into your case and present the strongest arguments for a full settlement which includes covering all of your current and future expenses. Car crashes Car accidents can take on various forms, from minor fender benders to catastrophic head-on collisions. The nature of the accident determines who's liable, as well as the scope and nature of the injuries suffered by the victims and the magnitude of their financial losses. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash statistics show that driver error is the leading reason for motor vehicle accidents. Even the tiniest of distractions such as flipping through radio stations, putting on makeup or looking at a map could cause an accident that is serious. Other common causes of car accidents include speeding, reckless driving drunk driving, bad road conditions and weather, as well as inexperienced or elderly drivers. A knowledgeable New York City car accident lawyer will analyze your case and identify the parties responsible for your financial losses and injuries. They can also negotiate an acceptable settlement with the insurance company that is the defendant's. A skilled auto accident lawyer will help you obtain the compensation you're due for your injuries and losses which include past and future medical treatment costs as well as lost earnings, physical and emotional distress, and other damages. They can also ensure that your claim is covered by uninsured or under-insured motorist coverage should it be required. This is particularly important if the driver at fault is not insured or has insurance, or has the minimum amount required by New York law. Uninsured or underinsured motorists Some drivers don't carry car insurance, and others have only a small amount of coverage. It can be difficult to get the compensation you are due if an uninsured motorist causes a collision. In these circumstances it is important to have a qualified legal advocate on hand to assist you in achieving your goals as well as those of the insurance company. When the other driver's liability limits aren't high enough to pay for your losses, you may be able to file a claim under your own insurance policy's underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. This kind of insurance is typically included in a comprehensive insurance policy and provides you with crucial protections in the event that you're involved in a serious collision. The process of filing a UIM/UM claim is similar to making a typical car accident claim. It typically involves submitting copies of your medical bills as well as automobile repair bills. The insurance company will look over these documents along with other ones to determine whether your losses are covered under the other driver's policy. It is important to speak with an New York City auto accident lawyer as soon after the accident as you can and file a UIM/UM right away especially when the other driver states they don't have insurance or lack coverage. This allows your lawyer to work with the other driver's insurance provider and their own underinsured/uninsured coverage providers to get you maximum compensation for your loss. Property Damage If your vehicle has been damaged in a collision then you may be able to pursue compensation for the repairs through the insurance company of the responsible party. company. Our lawyers can assist you submit a claim for economic and non-economic damages, such as the cost of medical bills and lost income. You could also be eligible to receive compensation for your pain and suffering. We will take a careful look at the damage to your vehicle, and document all physical evidence for your case. This includes taking pictures of the scene of the collision, your property and any damage, such as scratches and broken glass. We also will collect copies of any accident or police reports, as well as secure any vital information about witnesses. The law in New York State is comparative negligence meaning that even if you are found to be partly responsible for the accident the damages you incur will be reduced by the proportion of responsibility you are liable for. The defendant could also be found to be completely responsible for the accident and, therefore, not able to recover at all. Be careful not to give any written or oral declarations to representatives of the at-fault parties' insurance companies, since these can be used against you later in court. You should also see a doctor as soon as possible after the incident. Certain injuries may take time to manifest and could be used against you in court if you later attempt to claim compensation.