When you’ve been hurt in an accident, a personal injury lawyer can help you recover fair compensation for your medical expenses and other damages. They can also review your claim to ensure you’re filing for all the damages to which you are entitled. They’ll also know the experts to hire and the evidence to gather to help build your case, so you have the strongest possible chance of success.
You should select a Accident injury lawyer attorney who has extensive experience representing injured people. They’ll be able to evaluate your case and determine if there is a possibility of recovering damages from the negligent party, even if their insurance company denies it. The attorney can also explain legal strategies and their risks to you, so you can choose which one to follow.
A good attorney can negotiate with the insurance companies for you, which may make your case go to trial. They can work with medical experts to help assess your injuries and offer medical reports to support your case. They can also calculate pain and suffering damages for you, taking into account your current and future expenses, as well as your diminished quality of life.
An experienced lawyer will also be familiar with local courts, which can be beneficial in helping you navigate the system. They can take into consideration the court’s procedures, staff and judges when evaluating your case. They might also have experience settling cases out of court and can use that knowledge to help you get a faster resolution.
The right lawyer can prepare a strong case showing that the at-fault driver failed to comply with their duty of care and that this led directly to the accident and your injuries. This includes establishing how the other driver violated specific traffic laws or a general standard of care. Your attorney should also consider how the accident affected you, including any loss of property or income.
A good accident lawyer can also help you navigate New York’s no-fault insurance system, which limits your ability to sue the at-fault driver. This means that you must have a basic personal injury protection (PIP) coverage as part of your auto insurance policy, which provides you with immediate compensation for medical expenses and lost wages up to the coverage limits of your policy.
If your injury meets a threshold for a lawsuit, your attorney will file a complaint in court. This can be difficult, but your lawyer will be in a better position to get you a higher settlement than if you represent yourself. They can also consult with expert witnesses to establish the cause of your injuries, such as accident reconstruction specialists. They can also analyze factors that contributed to the accident, such as poor road conditions or mechanical failures. They can then present this to the jury in a clear and compelling way. They can also help you pursue punitive damages if the other party was grossly negligent. This could include a monetary award that is intended to punish the defendant for his or her actions.