Bethpage Car Accident Lawyer

You Could Collect Damages After a Car Accident in Bethpage

Each accident will have different results. So, we cannot know how yours affected you until you tell us. However, we have won the following kinds of damages for clients:

• Medical costs: These include the ambulance, hospital stay, doctor appointments, specialists visits, prescriptions, mobility aids, and more.

• Lost wages: Your accident could have put you out of work for a time. We can help you pursue the cost of lost tips, wages, benefits, and bonuses.

• Reduced earning capacity: You might have suffered a severe injury that affects your ability to work. We can consider this when assigning a value to your case.

• Pain and suffering: Your anxiety, aches, and stress are compensable losses. Your lawyer will use their past experience to valuate your intangible pain.

We have secured settlement awards that have helped families affected by personal injuries, such as:

• $500,000 for a car accident victim that suffered worsened neck, back, and knee pain from a pre-existing condition
• $215,000 for a car accident victim that sustained a fractured shoulder bone

Reasons for New York Car Accidents Resulting in Losses

To secure financial recovery for your collision-related losses, you will need to assert how your accident occurred. When you team up with a lawyer, they can use evidence to build your case. This might include traffic camera footage and photographic evidence.

Some causes of motor vehicle accidents in New York include:

Speeding

Speeding continues to be a primary factor in many car accidents. When a person speeds, they are more likely to lose control of their vehicle. If an accident occurs, it may cause serious injuries or death due to increased impact force. You could pursue a wrongful death lawsuit if you lost a loved one to such an event.

Distracted Driving

While driving, motorists may be distracted by texting, talking on their phone, reading, grooming, changing music selections, or other activities. These distractions can cause drivers not to recognize hazards until it is too late.

Aggressive Driving

In New York, many drivers are in a rush or frustrated by the density of traffic.

This may cause motorists to engage in aggressive driving behaviors, such as:

• Tailgating
• Failing to yield to the right of way
• Making unsafe turns
• Weaving in and out of lanes without signaling

There are other examples of aggressive driving than those listed above.

Drunk Driving

According to a report from the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, 262 fatalities in 2019 were connected to intoxicated driving. We know how drunk driving affects our community. Accidents like the one PIX11 reported in June 2021 only scratch the surface.

Fatigued Driving

Drowsy driving shares many of the same effects as drunk driving. These include the inability to think clearly or having impaired judgment.

Driver Error

Most car accidents stem from human error, which may include:

• Failing to yield to the right of way
• Following too closely
• Driving too fast for conditions
• Not obeying traffic signals or signs

This is not intended to serve as an exhaustive list.

Inclement Weather Conditions

Accidents increase during periods of bad weather, such as torrential rain, blizzards, or fog. Drivers may have difficulty seeing clearly and may not adjust their speed to account for these factors.

Hazardous Roadway Conditions

Relevant authorities must properly maintain roads to prevent accidents from happening. Some examples of poor roadway maintenance include:

• Potholes
• Malfunctioning traffic signals
• Obstructed signs
• Debris on the road

Again, this should not serve as an exhaustive list.

Defective Vehicles

Defects in automobiles, vehicle parts, or safety devices can result in serious injuries. In these situations, vehicle manufacturers or designers may be liable.

Failure to Maintain Vehicles

Drivers have a legal responsibility to properly maintain their vehicles, so they are not a danger to others. When vehicle owners neglect regular maintenance or do not address a problem with their vehicles, they may be held liable if they cause a crash.

Many factors can contribute to a car accident. Your lawyer may need to investigate your circumstances to identify fault, causation, and liability.

Injuries that Occur in Motor Vehicle Collisions

When two vehicles collide, serious injuries can occur. Some common injuries that occur in car accidents include:

• Back injuries
• Chest injuries
• Neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Concussions
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Burns
• Amputations
• Paralysis and spinal cord injuries

If you suffered injuries in a Bethpage car accident, you should follow through with your doctor’s recommended course of treatment. This is not only good for your health but your chance at compensation. You likely want to get back to work, but you also want to achieve maximum medical improvement. This way, you know the general future medical damages you might (or might not) incur.

You also take away the insurance company’s option of claiming that you exaggerated your injuries for money. If you stop caring for yourself before your doctor recommends it, the insurance company could draw their own conclusions.

Deadlines to File a Claim or Lawsuit

You must follow specific time limits to preserve your right to compensation. New York is a no-fault state. So, following an accident, you would file a claim with your own insurer to recover compensation. The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) says that you have 30 days to make a claim with your insurance company.

If you suffered a serious injury because of another driver’s negligence, you have up to three years from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit. This is outlined under CVP § 214.

How Your Lawyer Taking Car Accident Cases in Bethpage Can Help You

Car accident victims sometimes suffer from serious injuries that require them to rest and refrain from working. This can make it difficult for them to manage their accident claim on their own.

Additionally, some insurance companies try to avoid paying fair compensation to accident victims. They may do this by denying liability or offering unfair settlements. At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP our Bethpage car accident lawyer can help you. We can prove that another party caused your accident. Your lawyer can help you by:

• Investigating the crash
• Identifying all liable parties
• Collecting evidence to establish your claim, including pictures, videos, and eyewitness testimony
• Handling communications with the insurance company
• Evaluating the full extent of your damages
• Negotiating a settlement with the insurance company
• Litigating your case, if we cannot reach a pre-trial settlement agreement
• Building a case on your behalf

Despite the advances in automotive technology, like lane assistance and back-up cameras, motor vehicle accidents continue to occur. Still, many collisions can be traced back to driver error.

We Value Our Clients and Their Priorities

All we want is to help you get your life back to normal, even if that looks different from what you knew before the accident. One way to do that is through seeking fair damages. We have helped the following people do just that:

“When I was hit by a car and lost both my jobs I thought I would be homeless… All of the staff that I had worked with had been professional courteous and reminded me of appointments so that I could get the best possible settlement. … [Attorney Jaffe had an] understanding towards my situation. For that I will be forever grateful.” – Steven

“I was involved in a car accident and from the beginning [they] were there for me no matter what I needed. They were a great support. The results of my case were… a direct result of their hard work and tireless efforts. I highly recommend them to anyone who needs a personal injury lawyer.” – Lynda

Contact Our Law Firm to Get Started

If you or a loved one was injured in a Bethpage car accident, the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP is ready to assist you with all aspects of your claim. Your lawyer will investigate your accident and identify all potential sources of compensation.

Contact us today at (866) 878-6774 to get started.