After a severe auto collision, you may be experiencing more than just property damage and auto repair bills. Like many car accident victims, you may also be facing lifelong injuries that impair your physical and mental health.
If you have been injured in a car accident, a Long Island car accident lawyer from the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP can help you recover the compensation you deserve for your losses. Our car accident attorneys will evaluate the total cost of your damages, help you pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit, and advocate for your rights and interests every step of the way. We understand the stress you are facing and are committed to making the process as stress-free as possible so you can focus solely on your recovery.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in the State of Long Island
Following a car accident, it is essential to take steps to protect both your safety and the success of your claim. These steps include:
Seeking Immediate Medical Attention
Following a car accident, it is imperative to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Many injuries that may not seem severe following an accident could worsen over time without proper treatment. 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 another way, rather than in your car accident.
Reporting the Accident to the Police and Your Insurance Company
It is critical to report the accident to the police and your insurance company. Since New York is a no-fault insurance state, your insurance carrier must generally pay for your losses no matter who caused the accident. You may also seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurer in some cases. This might be necessary if the crash resulted in permanent injuries, scarring and disfigurement, or the death of a loved one.
Contacting an Experienced Attorney
Insurance companies may use different tactics to deny or devalue your claim based on the information you give them. Before speaking to the insurance company, contact a highly-qualified Long Island attorney. Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to ensure you receive a fair settlement for your losses.
Ways Our Skilled Attorneys at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe Can Help You After a Car Accident
At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, we will build your case per the American Bar Association’s (ABA) guidelines. For your case to be successful, your legal team must 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. We also take a personalized approach to every case to ensure each client gets the representation they deserve for their unique needs. Some ways our attorneys can build a strong case include:
Establishing That the At-Fault Party Owed You a Duty of Care and Violated It
The at-fault driver possessed a “legal duty of care” to drive responsibly. This means that they were responsible for keeping other motorists on the road safe. If the driver engaged in reckless or careless driving that resulted in an accident, they violated their duty of care and must be held accountable. Some examples of negligent behavior behind the wheel include:
- Driving while intoxicated
- Texting or talking on the phone
- Dealing with their GPS
- Engaging in another distracting activity
This is by no means an exhaustive list, and there may be other negligent behaviors that contributed to the accident. Your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation into your accident to determine the cause and fault so that you can be compensated for your losses.
Proving That the At-Fault Party’s Negligence Caused the Accident
Once the other driver’s negligence is established, your attorney must prove that their behavior caused the accident. Your lawyer will thoroughly investigate your case, collect evidence, and interview witnesses to strengthen your claim.
Asserting That as a Result of the Car Collision, You Incurred Financial Damages
Due to the accident and your subsequent injuries, you may have had to pay for extended hospital stays, physical therapy, and more. Your attorney will argue that these damages resulted from the accident so that you may recover compensation.
Gathering Evidence to Support Your Claim
Your auto accident lawyer can help you gather evidence to 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 helpful when entering 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 determine which pieces of evidence will be the most beneficial to your case and advise you on the best course of action moving forward.
Tailoring Our Services to Your Unique Needs
At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, we believe that legal care should be personal. While we perform the necessary tasks to build a strong case on your behalf, we also personalize our approach for each client. We treat each of our clients like family as we respond 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
- Understanding the legal landscape of Long Island, where your case will take place. We feel prepared to lead your car accident case with our knowledge, experience, and dedication to client service.
We have longstanding ties to the Long Island community and have a proven track record of achieving successful results for our clients. However, you do not have to take our word for it. See how we have helped our clients in their own words below:
- “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
Our attorneys are ready to fiercely advocate on your behalf so you can recover the maximum amount of compensation for the damages you have endured.
How Insurance Companies May Try to Deny or Devalue Your Claim
One of the many ways our Long Island car accident lawyers can serve your case is by handling all communications with the insurance company overseeing your claim. 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.
Many accident victims assume that because they are filing a claim with their own insurance company, they have their best interests in mind. However, this is not necessarily true, and the insurance adjuster may employ certain methods to deny or undervalue your car accident claim. We are familiar with their tactics and do not want you to accept a lower settlement than you deserve.
Some tactics that insurance companies may use include:
- Offering a quick-but-cheap settlement: Insurance companies may realize that they should pay you but may not want to pay the total value of your claim. The insurer may hope that you will jump to accept quick, easy compensation.
- Stalling your claim: An insurance company may stall the completion of your claim, especially if it has already offered a quick lowball settlement. The insurer may hope that mounting financial pressures will lead you to accept their settlement offer, especially as your claim progresses.
- 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.
- 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 intimidatingly.
When you work with a car accident lawyer from the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, we will manage all communications and negotiations with liable insurance companies. We can present them with evidence that demonstrates the nature of your accident and injuries and can work to protect you against any unfair insurance practices. When you partner with us, you can rest assured that we will fight tirelessly for the maximum compensation available for your claim.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident Claim in Long Island?
The statute of limitations determines the amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit after a severe auto accident. According to CVP § 214(4), car accident claimants generally have three years to file a lawsuit after their collisions.
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 to have a strong case.
Damages You May Be Eligible to Collect Through a Car Accident Claim
The damages you are facing will be specific to your car accident and the severity of your injuries. 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 someone you love lost their life in the accident, our lawyers may be able to 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. One of our skilled attorneys will review every detail of your case to determine which damages you may be eligible to collect.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What Damages Can I Recover in Long Island for my Car Accident Claim?
The damages you may be able to collect are dependent on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of your accident. At Cohen & Jaffe, we may review invoices, bills, and other relevant receipts to determine the value of your past and future losses.
Recoverable damages in a Long Island car accident claim may include medical bills, property damages, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, emotional suffering, permanent disabilities and disfigurement, physical therapy, paralysis and more.
How is Fault Determined in a Long Island Car Accident?
At Cohen & Jaffe, our comprehensive investigation into the collision will determine who may be financially responsible for the significant damages you’ve sustained. If the liable driver exhibited reckless or careless behavior while behind the wheel that contributed to the accident, they violated their duty of care and must be held accountable.
Evidence that may determine negligence in a Long Island car accident may include detailed photographs of your injuries, the car accident scene and property damage; a copy of the police report; surveillance footage at stoplights and private businesses; eyewitness and expert testimony; medical records; and others.
When Can I File A Personal Injury Claim After A Car Accident in Long Island?
According to CVP § 214(4), you may file a personal injury claim three years following a Long Island car accident. If the statute of limitations lapses before you have the opportunity to file a claim, your case may be time-barred, and you will be unable to recover compensatory damages for your injuries and other financial losses.
Seek Justice for Your Car Accident With the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP
At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, we aim to help you recover fair compensation following a car accident. Our Long Island car accident attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience helping clients just like you achieve justice. We are committed to being fierce advocates for accident victims so that they can recover the compensation they need to heal and recover fully.
To schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled legal experts, give us a call at (866) 924-1787 or complete our contact form today.
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
