Car accidents cause injuries, death, and property damage almost every day in Nassau County. According to the most recent government statistics, traffic accidents in Nassau County cause an average of 6 deaths, 83 hospitalizations, and 842 emergency room visits per week.
Rear-end collisions are a common type of car collision in North Bellmore. While these are sometimes minor accidents, in many cases, they have catastrophic consequences. If you suffered an injury in a rear-end accident, protect and assert your rights by hiring a North Bellmore car accident lawyer at Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. Call our office today at (516) 932-0400.
- What to Do After a North Bellmore Rear-End Collision
- Establishing Fault in a Rear-End Collision
- No-Fault Insurance in New York
- How a North Bellmore Rear-End Collision Lawyer Will Assist You
- Statute of Limitations in New York
- Call Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. Today
What to Do After a North Bellmore Rear-End Collision
Make sure to call the police after your accident so they can record a crash report. In addition, the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) requires anyone who is injured in a car accident to file a claim for No-Fault benefits, (to pay accident related medical expenses, lost earnings and other costs,) within 30 days of the accident.
For a free legal consultation with a Rear-End Collisions lawyer serving North Bellmore, call 516-932-0400
Establishing Fault in a Rear-End Collision
Many rear-end collisions are caused by the driver who rear-ends another car. If you were hit from behind, the other driver is most likely at fault. The driver may have been texting, talking on the phone, speeding, engaging in other risky driving behaviors that caused him to hit you or, quite simply, just failing to pay attention.
There are a few situations, (such as suddenly reversing or slamming on the brakes when it was not safe to do so or when safer options were available,) in which the driver of the car that was rear-ended may be at least partially at fault for the accident. If you were rear-ended and the other driver tries to blame you, a North Bellmore personal injury lawyer can protect you from false claims.
North Bellmore Rear-End Collisions Lawyer Near Me 516-932-0400
No-Fault Insurance in New York
The NYDFS describes the state’s no-fault insurance system. Under this system, if you are injured in a car accident, you must file a claim with the insurance provider covering the car in which you were an occupant, not the insurance provider of the at-fault driver.
While this system does limit your claims after an accident, it does not completely prevent you from seeking damages from the other driver. The no-fault regulations do not apply to property damage, allowing you to seek compensation for repairs to your vehicle or its replacement cost if it cannot be repaired.
New York’s no-fault insurance policies also allow anyone who has suffered a serious injury to pursue damages. Under New York Civil Insurance Laws § 5102(d), some examples of serious injuries include those that cause a fracture, dismemberment, disfigurement, loss or permanent limitation of a body organ, loss of a fetus, or death. This law allows people who are injured to claim damages for medical expenses caused by the injuries as well as lost earnings if the injuries prevent the individual from working.
A lawyer from Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., will work with you to determine which claims are covered by the no-fault insurance rules and which claims you should pursue against the at-fault driver. Call our office today at (516) 932-0400 to speak with our team.
Click to contact our North Bellmore Car Accident Lawyers today
How a North Bellmore Rear-End Collision Lawyer Will Assist You
A lawyer from Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. will help you with all legal aspects of your case after a rear-end collision. We will advocate for your rights with the insurance companies and, if necessary, and indicted by the unique circumstances of your case, in court. Throughout the process, your North Bellmore rear-end collision lawyer will stay in touch with you about the status of your case.
We will identify all parties that are liable for the rear-end collision and take over all communication with them. If the other driver or other passengers reach out to you, you never have to speak with them, nor should you. It is best if your lawyer handles all written and verbal communication with the other parties and their insurance companies.
We will gather evidence to support your claims of personal injury and property damage. Some examples of the types of evidence we collect include:
- Vehicle towing bills
- Vehicle repair bills
- Pictures of your damaged vehicle and the accident scene
- Surveillance and dash-cam video of the accident
- Medical bills for doctor’s appointments, surgeries, hospital stays, x-rays, prosthetic services, physical or occupational therapy, psychiatric care, and prescription drugs
- Eyewitness testimony
If you hire a lawyer with Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., we will begin to collect evidence right away, as some of it is very time-sensitive, especially eyewitness accounts and video footage of the accident scene.
We will gather, analyze and use all evidence to determine a value for your case. Your North Bellmore rear-end collisions lawyer will advocate for you to be compensated for your injuries, property damage, and loss of income.
Our team will work hard to negotiate a settlement for you. If the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, we are able to file a lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court, presenting to a judge and jury the strongest possible case for the damages you are entitled to.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Statute of Limitations in New York
There is a limit on how long you have to recover damages for personal injury or property damage after a rear-end collision. New York Civil Practice Laws and Rules § 214 sets the statute of limitations. If you lost a loved one in the accident, you can also sue for wrongful death under New York Estates, Powers & Trusts § 5-4.1. If you wait too long to file, you could lose your right to file your lawsuit
In addition to these legal deadlines, practical considerations pertaining to prompt action are important as well. For example, it is best to obtain evidence such as witness statements and dash-cam and surveillance video as soon as possible. Unfortunately delay in obtaining these items can result in them being unavailable for a variety of reasons.
Call Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. Today
If you were hurt in a rear-end collision in North Bellmore, the team at Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. is ready to help you. Call us at (516) 932-0400 today for a free consultation. If English is not your preferred language, we have team members who can speak Spanish, Greek, Bengali, Tamil, and Kannada.
The sooner you contact our firm., the sooner we can start working on your case, and the greater our opportunity to build the strongest case possible on your behalf.
Call or text 516-932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form