Car accidents happen every single day here in New York State, and if you’ve recently been wrongfully injured in one, you may require the services of an experienced Ulster County car accident lawyer. Contact John A. Degasperis, Esq. today to learn more about car accidents and how our firm can help if you’ve been hurt in one.
Do I Need an Ulster County Car Accident Lawyer?
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, you most likely now require financial compensation to help cover the cost of the damages you’ve sustained. It is always best to file a personal injury claim with the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney, as an attorney understands the various complexities so often associated with motor vehicle accidents.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Like most accidents, car accidents are primarily caused by negligence. The five most common causes of car accidents are as follows:
- Texting while driving/distracted driving: Texting while driving is now the number one cause of auto accidents in the United States. If you can prove that you were injured by a motorist who was texting while driving, you should have a valid personal injury claim.
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol: Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is an extremely dangerous action, though unfortunately, it is a risk that many people are willing to take. Drunk driving accident victims need a strong legal advocate on their side.
- Speeding: Practically anywhere you look on the road, you will notice a speeding motorist. However, despite the fact that so many people speed, it is still extremely dangerous. In most cases, when an auto accident occurs, you can bet that at least one of the motorists was speeding.
- Driving while fatigued: Many of us are guilty of driving while tired, however, doing so is, in many ways, a form of negligence, as driving while fatigued slows our reflexes and makes us far less alert to our surroundings, often leading to very serious accidents.
- Ignoring traffic lights and signs: Running red lights or stop signs is incredibly dangerous, yet so many people still do so. All traffic signs must be obeyed–they are there for a reason–to keep drivers safe. When drivers ignore these signs, accidents are sure to happen.
Other common causes of car accidents include failing to look before merging or changing lanes, failing to account for inclement weather conditions, and vehicle defects, among others.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
After a car accident, you should take the following steps in an effort to maximize your chances of fulfilling the burden of proof in your personal injury claim:
- Call the police to the scene of the accident.
- Obtain the other motorist’s insurance information.
- Take pictures of any vehicles or property damaged in the accident.
- Ask anyone who witnessed your accident for their contact information.
- Seek medical treatment and receive a copy of all documentation concerning your injuries.
- Hire an experienced Ulster County car accident lawyer who can assess your situation and work to obtain all other evidence needed to prove your claim. As long as we can prove that you were injured as a direct result of another party’s negligence, you should recover the compensation you need.
What is PIP?
Personal Injury Protection insurance, also known as PIP, is a form of no-fault insurance that all motorists in New York State are required to have. When a driver who carries PIP is injured in an auto accident, PIP should cover an individual’s medical bills, economic losses, and death benefits, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. You must purchase at least $50,000 in PIP. If you are injured in an accident, you will not receive more in compensation than the amount you purchased. This means that if you purchased $50,000 in PIP, you will only receive up to $50,000 in compensation.
That being said, if your insurance does not cover the entire cost of the damages you’ve sustained and you were not the at-fault party, you should consider speaking with a Kingston personal injury lawyer who can fight for the full compensation you need.
What Happens if I’m Injured as a Passenger in a Car Accident?
When someone is injured as a passenger in a car accident, they are often unsure of what to do, as they do not want to sue their friend, relative, or whoever else is driving, but they still require financial compensation to heal from an accident that wasn’t their fault. However, you should understand that if you were injured as a passenger and your driver was at fault, you will not have to sue the driver; instead, you will only sue the driver’s insurance company.
Can an Ulster County Car Accident Lawyer Help Me Recover Compensation?
Once someone proves their personal injury claim, they should receive a monetary award to compensate them for any damages they’ve incurred as a result of their accident. This compensation should help cover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include the cost of surgeries, multiple overnights at a hospital (and other medical bills), lost wages from being unable to return to work, and more. Non-economic damages cover emotional distress, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and other non-monetary damages.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New York State is three years. This means you cannot wait any longer than three years from the date your accident occurred to take legal action against the liable party. Our Ulster County auto accident lawyer is prepared to guide you through every step of the legal process ahead.
Contact an Ulster County Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a car accident due to no fault of your own, you can depend on our experienced Ulster County firm to work towards the compensation you deserve. Contact John A. DeGasperis, Esq. today to schedule your initial consultation with our seasoned legal team.
