Suffolk County car accident lawyer

Although you can’t plan when an accident will happen, knowing what to do after you are involved in an accident can mean the difference between a smooth recovery and a life change for the worse.

The Suffolk County car accident lawyers with Carner & DeVita want you to be aware of your rights after an auto accident. The proper legal strategy can put you in the best position possible to make a full medical and financial recovery.

If you were injured in a crash, call (631) 543-7070 or contact us online to speak with one of our skilled attorneys one-on-one.

What to do after a car accident

A car accident can be a jarring experience. You may be unaware of the extent of your injuries due to adrenaline release, triggered by your fight-or-flight response. It is important to slow down, breathe deep, and take it one step at a time. 

1. Call 911

As soon as the accident occurs, call and report the accident to the police so they can respond with emergency services. The quicker the police arrive on the scene, the more accurate they can be in determining what happened and who is at fault. In addition to contacting local police, if the accident caused $1,000 or more in damages, you must report the accident to the DMV within 10 days. 

2. Check for injuries

After calling the police, check yourself and the other driver/s for any serious injuries. Do not move someone who seems to have severe injuries, but direct first responders to the injured parties as soon as they arrive on the scene. 

3. Get to a safer location

Be aware of your surroundings. If possible, move to the shoulder of the road or a nearby parking lot to wait for the police. If the accident is severe and you are unable to move, stay put so first responders can take action with a clear picture of what occurred.

4. Collect evidence

Safely, take pictures of the damage to your car, your injuries, and the other person’s plates as well as any damage to their vehicle. Make sure you are also taking a record of anything else that may have contributed to the accident (broken traffic light, missing or damaged signage, road conditions, etc.) If there are any witnesses, be sure to collect their names and numbers if they are willing to share them. 

5. Exchange information

You and the other driver should exchange insurance information. Your insurance companies will need to communicate with one another following the accident. 

6. Seek medical attention

Your body may feel fine at first, however the next day may leave you feeling your injuries with more intensity. This could be due to shock triggered by the initial trauma. Make sure your head, back, neck, and spine are all checked for damage, and tell your doctor if there are any other areas you are experiencing pain as well as any other symptoms you are having. This includes trouble breathing, limited body movement, and more. Nothing should be left out. 

7. Call a Suffolk County car accident attorney

After a car accident, you should contact a trusted car crash attorney as soon as you can. Your Suffolk County car accident lawyer can start collecting evidence, requesting proper documents, and communicating with the other driver’s car accident adjuster. We won’t let them deny or diminish your claim. 

You pay nothing unless we win and we mean that. You came to us because you were injured by a negligent driver. We will make sure they pay for your damages, tangible and intangible, and that they cover your court fees as well. 

Sometimes a trial is the only way to obtain the compensation that you deserve. If your case does go to trial, we will vigorously act on your behalf. Contact us online or give us a call at (631) 543-7070 for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about your rights. Our team of Suffolk County personal injury lawyers are standing by to help you.

Make sure you file a claim in time

In New York, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim for damages. This deadline is known as a “statute of limitations,” and it’s very important that you follow this deadline in order to receive fair and prompt compensation. If you do not file in time, you could lose your right to compensation.

Damages you may be able to claim

You may be able to recover two main types of damages for your accident: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages

If you have received a bill, receipt, or lost money due to a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you’re legally allowed to pursue financial compensation for those economic damages. Essentially, anything you have to pay for after and because of an accident can be considered economic damage. That includes:

• Ambulance fees
• Emergency room expenses
• Physical therapy
• Pharmacy and prescription costs
• Cognitive therapy and counseling services
• Follow-up treatments 
• Potential or lingering injury costs
• Property damage
• Car mechanic fees
• Rental car fees
• Personal property lost in the accident 
• Income loss
• Lost wages from missing work due to the accident
• Loss earning capacity
• Loss of potential income.

Non-economic damages 

Mental and physical issues that arise and linger after a car accident are called non-economic damages. These are harder to calculate, but that doesn’t make them any less of an option. Non-economic damages include:

• Mental hardships and trauma – This can include mental suffering, emotional distress, depression, anxiety, and grief. 
• Physical pain and reparations – This includes pain felt, disfigurement, scarring, physical impairment, and more. 
• Unexpected losses – These damages include the loss of a loved one or a permanent change in lifestyle due to the accident. Loss of consortium, loss of companionship, loss of quality of life or enjoyment of life. 
• Social disparities or social standing – Dealing with apprehension, embarrassment, humiliation, and indignity due to your accident.

Maximum compensation for your car accident injuries

It’s impossible to know exactly how much compensation you may be able to recover without knowing the unique circumstances of your case. The amount of compensation you may be entitled to depend on several factors, including:

• Severity of the accident
• Types of injuries that you suffered
• Injuries requiring long-term care
• How your life has been affected by the accident
• Cause of the crash

The answers to these questions will help shape your lawsuit and guide your attorney to an agreeable amount that covers all of your tangible and intangible losses.  

We’ll help you deal with insurance the smart way

Insurance will try to pay out as small of a settlement as possible. They may also make misleading statements concerning your rights and the best course of action for you to take. 

When an insurance company’s offer is far too low to cover both tangible and intangible damages and they refuse to fairly compensate the injured, that leaves going to court as the final option.

By preparing the case for trial from the beginning, we’re steps ahead of the insurance company. We will gather evidence, records, reports, and more to protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for the injuries you’ve suffered.

Causes of car accidents

Distracted driving

Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous aspects of driving on the road today. In 2016, there were more than 3,100 fatal accidents caused by distracted driving. New York has passed a hands-free law in an effort to prevent people from using their cell phones while driving. 

However, cell phones are not the only distraction on the road today. Passengers, the radio, and even billboards can be a distraction to drivers.

Speeding

Speed limits are posted to tell people what speed is safe when driving on a specific road. Unfortunately, they are not always followed. In 2018, 200 accidents involving speeding resulted in a fatality. Despite laws that can heavily punish speeding drivers, speeding remains a constant problem on the roads, and those who drive too fast can cause serious accidents.

Intoxicated/impaired driving

Though distracted driving has become a serious problem, drunk driving is statistically much worse. In 2017, 30% of all fatal accidents in New York involved an alcohol-impaired driver. Of course, alcohol isn’t the only way a driver may be impaired. Illicit drugs may cause a driver’s senses to slow down and cause a collision.

Following too closely/tailgating

We have all been stuck behind drivers who insist on driving below the speed limit or otherwise too slowly for our taste. This can cause tailgating, or following a driver too closely. Tailgating is highly dangerous. If the driver in front suddenly brakes, you may have little to no time to react.

Illegal driving maneuvers

There are a variety of illegal driving maneuvers that can cause serious accidents. For instance, making an illegal U-turn or blowing a stop sign can put a car directly in the line of oncoming cars. Different illegal driving maneuvers carry different penalties, but for many, the convenience of making the maneuver outweighs the penalty or risk involved.

Drowsy driving 

Driving when you are tired can be just as dangerous as driving drunk. Your senses are dulled, and your reaction time is much slower. However, many don’t consider drowsy driving all that dangerous. The truth is drowsy driving accounts for tens of thousands of car accidents a year.

Improper prescription or over-the-counter drug use

Just because a drug isn’t being used illegally, doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous for drivers. Over-the-counter and prescription drugs come with side effect warnings. Any drugs that warn against using heavy machinery, or say they can cause drowsiness, should never be taken before operating a vehicle.

Common car accident injuries

• Traumatic brain injury – An easily overlooked injury from a car accident is a traumatic brain injury. In some cases, it can take days or even weeks for traumatic brain injuries to have severe enough symptoms to be diagnosed.
• Neck/back injuries – Injuries that can quickly change your quality of life are neck and back injuries. It can sometimes feel like you have a “kink” in your neck or shoulders, a pulled muscle, or stiffness. These annoying early symptoms can become severe if not treated carefully. 
• Broken bones/fractures – Broken bone and fractures are some of the most common injuries that come from serious car accidents. Depending on the type of fracture, healing time may be a few weeks to several months. Fractures also tend to be breeding grounds for dangerous bacteria.
• Whiplash – If your head was whipped forward and back in your car accident, you may be suffering from tenderness and stiffness in your neck and shoulders. This type of injury is referred to commonly as whiplash. 
• Soft tissue damage – If you’re experiencing pain, tenderness, and limited mobility, you may have soft tissue damage from your accident. Ligaments and tendons are important as they keep our limbs moving. 
• Internal damage – Any damage that happens internally is called internal damage. Most of the time, this results in internal bleeding, which can be hard to catch early. This is one of the reasons it’s so important to go to a doctor soon after your accident as internal injuries can be life-threatening. Chest injuries and seatbelt injuries are easy way to get internal damage in car accidents. 
• Lacerations – Cuts, scrapes, and lacerations are common in severe accidents due to windows busting out and sharp metal compressing in on the accident victims. Lacerations are bad by themselves, but more dangerously can lead to amputation if infected. 

Let an experienced Suffolk County car accident lawyer on our team help you

Your needs and the full enforcement of your rights are our #1 priority. After you receive your free consultation and decide to utilize our services, one of our experienced Suffolk County personal injury lawyers will meet with you to explain your rights and how to best protect your interests. We can come to you at home or in the hospital, if necessary. 

Your attorney will aggressively negotiate with insurance companies and other parties to make sure that you are properly compensated for your pain and suffering, medical bills, lost time from work, and other expenses associated with the accident. Sometimes a trial is the only way to obtain the compensation that you deserve. If your case does go to trial, we will vigorously act on your behalf. You can count on our considerable expertise.

Our team at Carner & DeVita is standing by to help you. Give us a call at (631) 543-7070 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about your rights.