In the aftermath of a serious auto collision, you may be experiencing more than just property damage and auto repair bills. You may also be facing lifelong injuries that impair your physical and mental health.
If you have been involved in a car accident, a Long Island car accident lawyer from the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP can handle your case. Our car accident attorneys will evaluate the cost of your damages, including your medical bills, lost income, and property damage. From there, we will pursue compensation through an insurance claim or lawsuit. You have dealt with enough. We want to protect your rights.
A Car Accident Lawyer Can Determine Fair Compensation for Your Accident
The damages you are facing will be specific to your car accident. Your injury lawyer can review the invoices, bills, and receipts associated with your auto accident to determine the cost 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 may not be 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 lawyers could 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 financial support. A Long Island car accident lawyer from our team can explain what other damages you may be able to recover.
The Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP Will Tailor Our Services to Your Needs
Our firm believes that legal care should be personal. We do many common tasks for clients, like gathering evidence and seeking fair compensation. However, we work hard to treat each client like family, responding specifically to their needs and requests.
Our team goes the extra mile for clients by:
- Learning and remembering your story
- Listening intently when you have questions or concerns for us
- Answering emails and phone calls in a prompt manner
- Helping you find medical care and temporary transportation
- Trying to honor any special requests that you have of us (such as providing case updates at regular intervals)
- Treating you with understanding and compassion
We are a New York-based personal injury firm with deep ties to Long Island. We understand the legal landscape where your case will take place. With our knowledge, experience, and dedication to client service, we feel prepared to lead your car accident case.
You don’t have to believe our words, as our former clients explain how we’ve fought for them:
- “I knew I had made the right decision when I decided on the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP. From the beginning to the end, the entire staff made me feel as if I were family.” – Rosa, former client
- “If you ever have any doubts about your current lawyer and would like to see what a real law firm is supposed to be, then I highly recommend this firm. From start to finish, Richard Jaffe, Stephen Tiger, and the whole staff genuinely care about you and your family, and whatever else is important to you.” – Do Chang, former client
- “ Jaffe has represented me on numerous occasions over the past dozen years, all with successful outcomes. Knowledgeable, professional, diligent. Aggressive in pursuing cases to completion, while managing to be courteous and empathetic to my family and me.” – Ed, former client
We are ready to fight for justice on your behalf.
We Can Build Your Long Island Car Accident Case
At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, we will 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 party’s insurance company or attorneys.
As your car accident lawyers, we 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. This means that they had a responsibility to keep other motorists on the road safe.
Demonstrate That the At-Fault Party Failed to Uphold Their 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
- Dealing with their GPS
- 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 caused you to suffer serious injuries.
Assert That as a Result of the Car Collision, You Have Incurred Financial Losses
Because of the accident and your injuries, you now have damages. Your losses can be remedied by receiving compensation.
If we can prove these arguments, then you may receive compensation for your losses.
A Car Accident Attorney from Our Team Can Gather Evidence for You
Your auto accident lawyer can help you gather evidence. This evidence may establish the validity of your case and the cost of your damages. The facts of your case will help our legal team demonstrate fault and liability for your auto collision.
Our investigation into the cause of your accident will explain who can be held accountable for your damages. The information we find may also be useful when we enter into negotiations with the insurance company.
If it is available, 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 car accident attorneys in Long Island, NY can assist you in a number 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 lawyers 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) explains that New York is a no-fault insurance state, meaning that you will need to 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 to deny or undervalue 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.
Some tactics that insurance companies may use are:
- Offering a quick-but-cheap settlement: Insurance companies may realize that they should pay you but may not want to pay the full value of your claim. The insurer may hope that you will jump to accept quick, easy compensation. This is why, in some cases, the insurance company may tender a quick settlement offer. We generally advise that you don’t accept the quick offer, because it is not always the fair
- Stalling your claim: An insurance company may stall the completion of your claim, especially if it has already offered the quick lowball settlement. The insurer may hope that mounting financial pressures will lead you to accept their settlement offer, especially as your claim drags on. Our firm’s fee structure, and communications with your creditors, may help you stand up to such pressure.
- Misrepresenting your words: Insurance companies record their calls for good reason. One of those reasons is that, given the opportunity, an insurance company may try to misrepresent your words. If you misspeak or are not completely clear about your accident, then the insurance company may try to assign you fault. Our firm will prepare you for any recorded statements that you must give, ensuring that you know what to say, and what not to say.
- Using lawyers in the hope of overwhelming you: Many car accident victims are intimidated by the presence of lawyers. Insurance companies may have their own lawyers and may deploy them in an intimidating manner. With us on your side, you’ll have no reason to fear lawyers.
Insurance companies know what they’re doing. You may want your own reinforcements, and we are ready to serve that role for you.
When you work with a car accident lawyer from the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, we manage all communications and negotiations with liable insurance companies. 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 fight tirelessly for a just settlement.
The Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Lawsuits
The statute of limitations determines the amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit after a serious auto accident. According to CVP § 214(4), car accident claimants generally 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 may 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 lawyers can work on filing your lawsuit within New York’s statute of limitations, so you do not miss out on your chance to pursue fair 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, rather than in your 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 generally pay 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 may be necessary 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. We generally advise that you 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, as 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 without first speaking to an experienced car accident lawyer. 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 useful as evidence if you have a legal claim for compensation.
Our Long Island Car Accident Lawyers Will Fight for Your Full Compensation
A car accident attorney can help you build and file your 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, damaged 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 car accident lawyers in Long Island, NY will document your needs and losses. We are prepared to go to trial if necessary to get justice in your case.
Our Representation May 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 more than an adjuster will offer you. Do not sign anything without first consulting with an attorney.
Connect with a Long Island personal injury lawyer 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 car accident attorney from our team can get started pursuing compensation on your behalf today.
To begin a free consultation with our law firm, call us today. 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
Office Information
Address Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP2001 Marcus Ave W295 New Hyde Park, NY 11042, USA
Phone: 516-358-6900
