If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important to understand this: Many accident victims lose their chance for a full financial recovery by trying to handle insurance issues on their own. Don’t make this mistake. To receive full and fair compensation for medical care and other losses, you will need strong and effective legal representation. Contact our car accident lawyers Albany NY today to fight for the compensation you deserve.
At Bailey, Johnson & Peck, P.C., we have handled car accident cases from both sides – the insurance company and the injured person. This double experience on both sides of personal injury disputes positions our attorneys to achieve optimal results for injury victims and their families. We know what to expect and how to get you the maximum available compensation after an accident. To speak with a car accident lawyer who genuinely cares about your case, call us today at 518-456-0082 to schedule a consultation.
To speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer about your case, call us in Albany at 518-456-0082 or complete our contact form. We can help.
Immediately following a car accident, there are certain steps you should take in order to give your case the best chance possible. We list these below.
After a car, motorcycle, or truck accident, one of the first things to do is seek medical attention. Injuries from car accidents may be immediate, or they could become apparent later. A thorough medical exam can help you understand the full extent of your injuries — and help you get the treatment you need to recover.
For many car accident victims, filing a personal injury claim is more than a choice. It could be a financial necessity. We work closely with our clients to help them get the maximum available compensation for their injuries and other economic losses.
Aside from the challenges of handling a car accident claim, auto accident victims often face a number of challenges from insurance companies. Your Albany New York personal injury attorney will most likely warn you about the following issues.
At Bailey, Johnson, and Peck, we don’t just handle car accidents. We handle a variety of cases on behalf of motor vehicle accident victims. The following are just a few of the cases we have experience litigating.
In New York, fault for the accident does not affect your ability to file an injury claim through your insurance company. Even if you contributed to the crash, you can seek compensation for injuries. Keep in mind that your compensation amount diminishes by the percentage you were at fault for the car accident case.
However, the fault for the accident could matter if you have a major injury, such as the loss of a limb. The at-fault party may owe you significant compensation. Furthermore, a fatal accident may be grounds for a wrongful death claim.
In cases where the other driver’s negligence caused very serious injuries, Bailey, Johnson & Peck, P.C. can take your case one step further. We have extensive trial experience, and we know how to hold negligent drivers and their insurance providers accountable if they refuse to pay the full and fair compensation you deserve.
An insurance company may refer to no-fault insurance as personal injury protection insurance or PIP. Albany car accident lawyers see cases involving this insurance often, and it can sometimes affect how the other driver’s insurance company interacts with you.
Generally, this type of insurance intends to help cover both future and immediate medical treatment for car accident injuries. No-fault insurance covers auto accidents regardless of fault. It is different from liability insurance in that it offers coverage regardless of fault, as long as the car crash falls within the terms of your policy.
In the state of New York, no-fault insurance is required. Liability and uninsured motorist insurance types are also required. No-fault insurance generally covers medical expenses, hospital bills, lost income, and funeral expenses. It does not cover theft or vehicle damage.
As a part of the vehicle registration process, drivers must show proof that they carry no-fault insurance with a minimum of $50,000 in coverage for each injured person. As with other types of insurance, this type has its own benefits and limitations. It also has notable exclusions and specific situations in which you can file an insurance claim with the other driver’s insurance company. Importantly, filing a no-fault insurance claim also has strict deadlines. Below, we outline the specifics surrounding this type of insurance.
According to New York laws, the following individuals are excluded from no-fault coverage.
If you suffered severe injuries like broken bones, internal injuries, or other injuries, you need experienced car accident attorneys on your side. After a car accident injury, the last thing you’ll want to worry about is dealing with the other driver and their insurance company. Let the Albany car accident lawyers with Bailey, Johnson, and Peck handle it for you. The following are just some of the damages we aim to claim on your behalf.
If a negligent driver and their actions resulted in your suffering terrible injuries that gave you immense pain, you deserve fair compensation for that. An attorney will use your medical reports and medical records to support your legal claim to compensation for pain and suffering.
Car accidents can be devastating to all parties involved. If you end up spending money for a medical examination or other more extensive treatments, those payments are subject to compensation. As long as your Albany car accident lawyer can produce documents to support your claims, you can likely obtain compensation.
Many people are unable to continue working or to perform the same work that they once did after car accidents. When this happens, they can claim lost earnings and loss of earning capacity. Additionally, if you have to pay for retraining in order to work, you can claim that as well. Speak with an Albany car accident lawyer about how to claim this.
Under New York law, you can seek compensation for the cost of repairing your vehicle after a car accident. This includes car accidents that happened because of a drunk driver or even a driver ignoring traffic signals.
When you’re already bogged down with bills from car accidents, you likely won’t want to pay a huge sum of money upfront to a car accident attorney. Luckily, many car accident attorneys choose to represent clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning they don’t get paid until they secure a recovery for you.
However, it’s also important to read the fine print of a contract before you sign with car crash lawyers. You may find that they want to take too large of a portion of your recovery for your comfort.
If you have a complicated case, it’s critical that you speak with an Albany car accident attorney who has extensive experience in cases involving motor vehicles. The following are some of the costs associated with hiring a car accident attorney.
In New York, it’s standard practice to set the fees at no more than 33.3% of a client’s recovery. One notable exception occurs in medical malpractice cases, in which many attorneys use a sliding scale.
It’s almost always a good idea to hire an Albany car accident attorney for your case. The following are some situations in which a lawyer is basically a necessity.
Personal injury cases can take anywhere from 4 months to 5 years to conclude. This depends largely on the scale and complexity of the case in question. For a small fender bender, you likely won’t have to wait more than a few months to settle. However, for more complex cases, it could take well over a year.
It’s important to remember that the personal injury statute of limitations in New York is three years from the date of the accident. This means that you have three years from the day you get in the accident to file your claim. However, those who are under 18 years old at the time of the accident usually have more time to file.
If you fail to meet this deadline, it is likely that a court will throw your case out altogether. One notable exception exists in cases against the government. You only have one year from the date of the accident to file a claim against the government. To file a lawsuit against the state of New York, you only have 90 days to file. Contacting an attorney as soon as possible will ensure that you don’t miss your opportunity to file.
In terms of your legal options, the clock starts ticking as soon as the accident happens. Our lawyers can provide prompt guidance to make sure you meet the various deadlines for your case. To set up a consultation, call 518-456-0082 or complete our contact form. We serve clients throughout the Capital District of New York State, including in Albany, Schenectady, and Troy.
Our attorneys have extensive experience in personal injury law, including car accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. If you have questions about insurance coverage and how to get the financial compensation you need, contact us today to see how we can help.
We have represented many clients on both sides of personal injury and insurance disputes. Let us use our depth of knowledge and experience to help you and your family get the medical care and financial compensation you need and deserve.
