In the aftermath of a serious collision, you may be experiencing more than just property damage and auto repair bills; you may also be facing lifelong impairments to your physical and mental health.
If you have been involved in a car accident on Long Island, a car accident lawyer from the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP can handle your case on your behalf. Our law firm will evaluate the cost of your damages, such as your medical bills, lost income, and property damage expenses. From there, we will pursue compensation through an insurance claim or lawsuit. You have dealt with enough. We want to protect your rights.
Determining Compensation for Your Long Island Car Accident
The damages you are facing will be specific to your car accident case. Your lawyer can review the invoices, billing statements, and receipts associated with your accident to determine the value of your losses. Additionally, they can project what losses you can expect in the future.
Following a car accident, your recoverable damages may include, but are not limited to:
- Current and future medical bills
- Auto repair or replacement costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Physical therapy
- Paralysis
- Loss of a limb
If you lost a loved one in a car accident, our car accident lawyer can help you pursue damages through a wrongful death claim or lawsuit. You may be able to recover the cost of the decedent’s funeral expenses, medical bills, and lost income. A lawyer from our team can explain what other damages you may be able to recover.
We can Build Your Personal Injury Case
At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, we can build your case in accordance with the American Bar Association’s (ABA) guidelines. For your case to be successful, your legal team will need to prove how the at-fault party in your collision acted negligently. From there, we can get to work negotiating with the liable insurance company.
Your lawyer must:
Establish that the At-Fault Party Owed You a Legal Duty of Care
The at-fault driver possessed a legal duty of care to drive responsibly, keeping other motorists on the road safe.
Demonstrate that the At-Fault Party Failed to Uphold this Obligation
The at-fault driver breached their duty of care by failing to drive safely. They were negligent in some way. They may have been driving while intoxicated, texting or talking on the phone, messing with their GPS, or engaging in another distracting activity.
Prove that the At-Fault Party Caused Your Accident
Due to the at-fault driver’s negligent act, they caused an accident which led to you suffering injuries.
Assert that As a Result of the Collision, You Have Incurred Financial Losses
Because of the accident and your injuries, you now have damages, and your losses can be remedied through receiving compensation.
When you get in touch with the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, you can ask us any questions that you have regarding your legal matters.
A Car Accident Lawyer from Our Team Can Gather Evidence
Your lawyer can help you gather evidence that works to establish the validity of your case and the cost of your damages. The pieces of information present in your case will help your legal team demonstrate fault and liability for your collision.
An investigation into the cause of your accident not only explains who can be held accountable for your damages, but the information we find can be useful when we enter into negotiations with the insurance company.
We can gather the following forms of evidence on your behalf:
- Photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, and your vehicle’s damage
- A copy of the police report
- Traffic surveillance footage
- Eyewitness testimony
- Your medical records
Our law firm can assist you in a myriad of ways. The sooner you act, the sooner we can get started pursuing justice and compensation on your behalf. To learn more about what pieces of evidence could strengthen your case, call the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP today.
We Can Communicate with the Insurance Company for You
One of the many ways that our Long Island car accident lawyer can serve your case is by handling all communications with the insurance company overseeing your claim. The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) reminds us that New York is a no-fault insurance state, meaning that you will need to first file a claim with your own insurance company before pursuing more money from the at-fault party.
Insurance Companies Are Not on Your Side
You may think that because you are filing a claim with your own insurance company, they have your best interests in mind. However, this is not necessarily true. The insurance adjuster may employ certain methods that work to deny or undervalue the value of your car accident claim. We are familiar with the tactics they use and do not want you to accept a lower settlement than you deserve.
When you work with a lawyer from the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, we can manage all communications and negotiations with the liable insurance company. We can present them with evidence that demonstrates the nature of your accident and injuries. Furthermore, we can work to protect you against any unfair insurance practices. We will tirelessly fight for a just settlement.
The Statute of Limitations in New York for Personal Injury Lawsuits
The statute of limitations determines the amount of time you legally have to file a personal injury lawsuit after an accident. According to CVP § 214(4), car accident claimants typically have three years after their collisions to file a lawsuit.
If You Miss the Deadline to Take Action, You May Be Unable to Recover Damages
If you file your case after the state’s statute of limitations expires, your case will be time-barred, meaning that you will likely be unable to recover compensation for your damages. The insurance company and the at-fault party’s legal counsel may try to prevent you from filing your case within the state’s statutory deadline.
Our Long Island car accident lawyer can work on filing your lawsuit within New York’s statute of limitations, so you do not miss out on your chance to pursue compensation. The sooner you reach out to us, the better. There is a lot that needs to get accomplished in order to have a strong case.
Take Steps to Protect Yourself After a Car Accident
After a car accident, the first step is to seek the necessary medical treatment. Even if you feel fine, it is best that you see a doctor. Certain injuries can take weeks or months to manifest. If you wait to see a doctor, an insurance company can argue that you got injured in another way, not in the car accident.
It is also crucial to report the accident to the police and then to your insurance company. Because New York is a no-fault insurance state, your insurance carrier must pay you for your losses no matter who caused the accident.
However, you should know that in some cases, you may also seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurer. This is particularly effective if the crash resulted in permanent injuries, scarring and disfigurement, or the death of a loved one.
Dealing with the Insurance Company
As you speak to insurers, it is important to protect yourself. Answer questions truthfully, but do not provide information that is not requested. Do not say anything that casts blame on you. Do not downplay the extent of your injuries. You do not have to give a recorded statement if you do not want to; you can direct the insurance company to us.
Your Lawyer Can Speak on Your Behalf
An insurer may ask you to record or sign a statement, or the adjuster may offer you a fast monetary settlement. You should not record or sign anything or accept a check. You could be signing away your right to seek compensation that you deserve.
Once you accept a settlement, you will not be able to ask for more money. If you are unsure about the payout an insurance company is offering, don’t hesitate to ask for our guidance. As you seek medical care for your injuries, save every record and receipt related to your car accident. These records may be used as evidence if you have a legal claim for compensation.
Our Nassau County Car Accident Lawyers Fight Insurers for Your Full Compensation
A dedicated Long Island car accident attorney can help you build and file a strong claim for compensation. After an auto accident, it is important to preserve evidence and connect with a car accident attorney as soon as possible, particularly if you have been seriously injured.
Photos of your injuries, the vehicles, and the accident scene may make a significant difference in the success of your case. Witnesses should give statements while memories are fresh and untainted. Your lawyer can arrange interviews with them.
Our Long Island car accident lawyer will document your needs and losses. We are prepared to go to trial if necessary to get justice in your case.
Our Representation Can Benefit You
Insurance companies employ adjusters who drive around Long Island. They show up at accident scenes and offer settlements on the spot to accident victims in an effort to save money. Your claim is almost certainly worth much more than an adjuster will offer you. Do not sign anything without first consulting with an attorney.
Connect with a Long Island car accident attorney from the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, now. If you are unable to come to us, we can come to you.
Seek Justice for Your Car Accident with the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP
At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, our goal is to help you recover fair compensation following a car accident. A Long Island auto accident lawyer from our team can get started pursuing compensation on your behalf today.
To begin a free consultation with our law firm, call us at (516) 358-6900. We want to hear about your accident and determine how we can help.
For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving Long Island, call 516-358-6900
