Every year, a significant number of individuals in Yonkers find themselves facing the aftermath of car accidents.
Car accidents are an unfortunate and common occurrence that can lead to devastating consequences. The likelihood of being involved in a car accident is a sobering reality in the bustling city of Yonkers.
The bustling streets, heavy traffic, and diverse road conditions contribute to the prevalence of car accidents in the area.
These incidents can result in injuries, from minor collisions to severe crashes. The consequences of car accidents extend beyond the immediate physical and emotional toll.
In such challenging times, proper legal representation can make all the difference. A skilled Yonkers car accident lawyer has the knowledge and expertise to navigate the complex legal landscape, ensuring victims receive the financial compensation they deserve.
Whether negotiating with insurance companies or pursuing a legal claim, having a legal advocate from The Ward Law Group who understands the intricacies of personal injury law can help alleviate some of the burdens faced by accident victims.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, often leaving individuals and families grappling with the consequences. In Yonkers, a city characterized by its bustling streets and varied traffic conditions, understanding the common causes of these accidents is crucial for prevention and seeking legal recourse.
Distracted Driving
One of the most prevalent causes of car accidents is distracted driving. In our modern world, the allure of smartphones, navigation systems, and even in-car entertainment can divert a driver's attention from the road.
Sending a quick text, scrolling through social media, or adjusting a playlist may seem harmless, but it takes a moment of distraction to lead to a life-altering collision.
New York has strong laws to attack this problem, and there are many campaigns to make people aware of the danger of driving distractedly.
It is an effort to avoid accidents that can take lives. However, we can only reduce it a little because some negligent people are careless about what is happening.
Speeding
The need for speed can come at a high cost. Speeding reduces a driver's ability to react to unexpected situations and magnifies the impact of a collision. In Yonkers, where traffic congestion can vary from one street to another, maintaining a safe and reasonable speed is essential for preventing accidents.
There are multiple reasons why people attempt to speed up in Yonkers streets. They may be running late to work or like to feel the adrenaline of putting themselves and others in danger.
Police enforcement always looks for any driver who is breaking the law by speeding on streets or highways. Every street has a permitted speed limit for a specific reason.
It may be because of the design of it. Especially in curves, roads have a speed limit, and along with cambers, they prevent cars from getting out of the turn due to the centrifugal force.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs is illegal and incredibly dangerous. Impaired judgment, slowed reaction times, and compromised motor skills significantly increase the risk of accidents. DUI-related accidents often result in severe injuries and even fatalities, leaving families shattered and seeking justice.
New York has zero tolerance for drunk drivers. DUI can get you into huge problems with justice. Drivers are subject to high fines, and it is considered a crime.
It takes 0.08 percent of blood alcohol content (BAC) to break the law.
Several studies have shown that the level of BAC causes drivers to lose coordination and reaction times to decrease. Penalties for drunk drivers can go from getting tickets up to $10,000 if they are recidivists. They can also spend jail time and get their license revoked from months to years.
Reckless Driving
Recklessness behind the wheel, such as aggressive tailgating, frequent lane changes without signaling, and ignoring traffic signals, can lead to catastrophic accidents.
When drivers prioritize their haste over their safety and that of others, the results can be devastating.
Reckless driving is hazardous. In a personal injury lawsuit, reckless drivers can also be punished with punitive methods that make them pay even more monetary compensation for their acts.
Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer?
Car accident claims are rarely straightforward. Determining liability, assessing damages, and negotiating with insurance companies require a deep understanding of New York's complex legal system.
A car accident lawyer in Yonkers specializing in personal injury cases possesses the expertise to investigate the accident thoroughly, gather crucial evidence, and build a compelling case on your behalf.
New York is known as a no-fault state, meaning that car accident victims can sue their insurers for compensation for their damages, regardless of who was at fault.
However, most of the time, personal insurance protection (PIP) coverage is not enough to pay for everything. Insurance companies may also employ tactics to devalue your claim or deny responsibility altogether.
Having a knowledgeable car accident lawyer in Yonkers levels the playing field. They are well-versed in these tactics and can effectively counter them, protecting your rights and ensuring you are not taken advantage of during the claims process.
Moreover, the emotional toll of a car accident can be immense. Dealing with injuries, medical appointments, and the stress of legal proceedings can affect your well-being. A car accident lawyer helps you with legal issues so you can concentrate on getting better.
If you reach your car insurance limits and have serious injuries, you can sue the driver who caused the accident.
This will compensate you for the extra damage you have. The case should go to court if an agreement can't be reached. To ensure you receive fair compensation, it's important to have a skilled Yonkers car accident attorney represent you.
Types of Car Accident Cases Handled
At The Ward Law Group P.L., We specialize in personal injury lawsuits. We have a team of personal injury lawyers who are experts in different areas:
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Hit-and-Run accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accidents
We always provide a high-level representation and have built a reputation of success throughout the years.
What to Do After a Car Accident?
We know that many people have never been involved in a car accident before, and they don't know how to act when that happens. Unknowing the steps after the accident can affect the outcome of seeking compensation.
Therefore, The Ward Law Group wants to provide you with a step-by-step in case you need it:
Ensure Safety: The safety of everyone involved should be your top priority. If possible, put yourself in a safe location to prevent further accidents. It is also advisable to turn on hazard lights and set up warning triangles or flares if available.
Check for Injuries: Check yourself and others for injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Even if injuries appear minor, seeking medical attention is vital as some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
Contact Law Enforcement: Call the police to report the accident. A police report will provide an objective account of the incident, which can be invaluable for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
Document the Scene: If it's safe, document the accident scene. Take photos of vehicle damage, position, conditions, and relevant road signs or signals. This visual evidence can be crucial later on.
Exchange Information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the other parties involved. Get the names and contact details of witnesses as well.
Gather Witness Testimonials: If there are witnesses to the accident, ask for their account of what happened. Their testimonials can provide additional perspectives on the incident.
Limit Communication: Avoid admitting fault or making speculative statements when speaking with others involved in the accident or witnesses. Stick to factual information.
Seek Medical Attention: Even if you don't feel seriously injured, seeing a medical professional is advisable. Some injuries, such as whiplash, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, concussions, traumatic brain injuries, or internal injuries, may not show immediate symptoms. Likewise, emotional or psychological issues like PTSD will not present until after the accident event.
Notify Your Insurance Company: Contact your insurance company to report the accident. Provide accurate and concise details without admitting fault. Your insurer will guide you through the claims process.
Consult a Car Accident Lawyer: Consider consulting a Yonkers car accident lawyer if injuries or significant damages are involved. They can provide expert advice, protect your rights, and help you navigate legal claims.
If you feel too nervous or panic due to the event, you can always call your Yonkers car accident lawyer when the accident happens. We will be right there and will take care of everything you need while being assisted by medical care.
Understanding Liability and Insurance Issues
As mentioned before, New York is a No-Fault state. Every driver must have car insurance to circulate through public roads. This car insurance will have at least a basic coverage to provide in case of an accident.
If the collisions are not too severe, the coverage may be enough to cover all expenses. These coverages can go up to $10,000 for a basic range. This can reduce the likelihood of legal disputes.
Basic car insurance may not provide sufficient coverage if the accident is severe, resulting in serious injury or death.
This is when the case gets complicated. You may want to have a backup from a Yonkers car accident lawyer. Even if the car accident was minor, insurance companies tend to fight or guilt you into giving the least amount of money possible.
Having a proficient lawyer with you will guarantee you receive fair compensation when you need it.
Compensation and Damages
Car accident victims in Yonkers can receive financial compensation for their medical expenses, such as medication and rehabilitation. They can also receive assistance with transportation to the hospital and compensation for lost income. Those are known as economic damages.
They are straightforward to calculate. However, there are other non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional damage, loss of consortium, etc.
A car accident victim can seek compensation for these damages when they sustained severe injuries due to a car accident, and regular car insurance won't cover those damages, so most likely, the victim will need to claim those damages through a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.
Punitive damages, also called "exemplary damages," punish defendants in inevitable accidents when they intentionally act to cause harm. They are scarce, but they can happen.
Statute of Limitations in Car Accident Cases
In New York, car accident victims may file a personal injury lawsuit within three years of the accident occurring. If you, as a victim, fail to do so during this period, you will lose your right to compensation.
This is one of the reasons why we always encourage people to seek legal help, as many lose their rights by ignoring the laws. The Ward Law Group is constantly educating people regarding New York's laws and how to make their rights count.
Contact a Yonkers Car Accident Attorney
The Ward Law Group has existed for over 12 years. However, our top lawyers have up to 25 years of experience representing victims of car accidents. We specialize in personal injury and can help you get fair compensation.
We are committed to providing excellence in our service. We assist the Hispanic community, who are often unaware of their rights. Others exploit them due to their limited English proficiency.
Through the years, we have built a reputation of success by winning multi-million dollar settlements for our clients. Feel free to contact us if you have questions about an accident and didn't get fair compensation.
If it is within the timeframe to file a lawsuit, we can review it and tell you what to do. Call us at 855-DOLOR-55 for a free consultation.
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