If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one because of a negligent motorist’s actions, then a Valley Stream car accident lawyer can seek compensation on your behalf. Either through an insurance claim or lawsuit, you could recover compensation for your medical bills, missed time from work, and pain and suffering.
At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, we recommend taking prompt action in regard to your legal matters. CVP § 214 (otherwise known as New York’s statute of limitations) only grants you three years to file a car accident lawsuit. For wrongful death cases, claimants have two years to file their lawsuits, per EPT § 5-4.1.
We Handle Cases on a Contingency-Fee Basis
Did you know that hiring our firm may cost you nothing out of your own pocket? The Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP works on a contingency-fee-basis.
This means:
- Your lawyer gets paid for their services out of the funds they get for you.
- You don’t pay anything up front to get legal help.
- Your lawyer only gets paid their attorney’s fees if they “win” your case.
In short, a lawyer who works on a contingency-fee basis may take on your case at no direct cost to you or your family. Some New York injury firms charge hourly rates or retainers. We don’t. Compensation for our help depends on the success of your car accident case.
Compensable Damages Following a Valley Stream Car Accident
When you partner with the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, a lawyer from our team will review the extent of your damages and apply a monetary value accordingly. This will give you insight into what constitutes a fair settlement offer.
Examples of compensable damages following a car accident may include, but are not limited to:
- Healthcare expenses, both current and projected
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Diminished future earning capacity
- Property damage costs
- Physical therapy expenses
- Mental health counseling costs
How Our Nassau County Law Firm Can Advance Your Legal Goals
Every car accident-related lawsuit or insurance claim comes with its own set of considerations. Your lawyer will personally need to review the details of your case to explain how they can help you.
Take a look at some of the services your car accident lawyer in Valley Stream can provide:
We Can Consult with Field Experts to Build Your Case
Your case’s success rests on the evidence we find. Police reports, traffic camera footage, and black box data can only tell us so much. We may consult with the following parties to build your case:
- Accident reconstruction specialists
- Healthcare providers
- Economists
- Mechanical engineers
- Your employer (if your car accident happened on the job)
We Can Handle Your Case’s Paperwork
Our team works “behind the scenes” on your case. You’d be surprised at how much paperwork goes into filing a successful claim or lawsuit. Even the smallest error or misunderstanding could delay the financial recovery process.
We can manage your case’s paperwork and review all forms for completion and accuracy.
We Can Calculate the Value of Your Losses
Your injury-related losses will be split into two categories: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages can be calculated based on your employment records, medical bills, and receipts.
Non-economic damages are different, however. They include things like pain and suffering. We calculate these losses based on various factors, including your pain levels and quality of life.
Understanding the value of your damages is crucial to getting a fair settlement. Otherwise, you could walk away with less than you deserve.
We Can Negotiate a Settlement or File a Lawsuit
First, we will try to resolve your case through insurance negotiations. However, even if you’re filing a claim with your own insurer, this process can get complicated – mostly because insurance companies don’t like paying claims.
If an insurance offer is not feasible, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf. As mentioned earlier, we must do so within the applicable statute of limitations. We can cross-examine witnesses, present your case’s evidence, and argue your rights.
Your lawyer may render services not listed here. Our goal is to recover compensation for you and your loved ones while you focus on your personal life. We will do everything we can to protect your legal rights.
We Must Prove These Elements to Recover Damages
Pursuing compensation is more than just showing that you were hurt; we must show that the other driver acted negligently. Negligent behaviors include speeding, distracted driving, and intoxication.
The American Bar Association (ABA) requires us to:
Show the Other Driver Had a Duty of Care Toward You
All motorists owe other road users a duty of care. This means they must operate their vehicles safely and in accordance with New York’s traffic laws.
Establish the Other Driver Violated Their Duty of Care
When a motorist engages in distracted driving, speeds, or operates a vehicle while intoxicated, they breach their duty of care. We can use your case’s evidence to prove this factor.
Demonstrate the Cause of Your Accident
Even though New York operates on a no-fault insurance system, we still need to prove the cause of your accident. If you contributed to the accident in any way, this does not bar you from recovery; rather, your role in the accident will reduce the compensation you can seek.
Prove That You Have Damages
Finally, we must prove that because another driver acted negligently and caused your accident, you incurred damages. These losses can be physical, emotional, or financial in nature.
What’s the Most Important Thing to Do After a Collision in Valley Stream?
You should seek medical attention immediately after your accident. Back injuries, spinal cord damage, and brain trauma do not manifest right away. It could be days or even weeks before you notice a difference in your abilities.
Securing a doctor’s opinion right away not only promotes your well-being but also promotes your case’s outcome. We can use the following information to assert the severity of your condition:
- Your imaging scan results
- Your lab test results
- Your medical history
- Testimony from your doctor
- Photos of your external injuries
- The names of your medications
- Your treatment plan
- Any follow-up appointment dates
Without visiting a care provider, it could be difficult to prove that you were hurt in the accident.
Connect With the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP Today
A car accident attorney in Valley Stream can secure financial recovery for your various economic and non-economic damages. When you get in touch with our legal team, you can learn more about your options.
Call the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP today at (516) 358-6900 to begin your free case review.
For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving Valley Stream, call 516-358-6900
