The aftermath of a pedestrian accident can be confusing and overwhelming. However, the attorneys at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP can help you take legal action. While you rest and navigate your circumstances, a Valley Stream lawyer on our team can manage all aspects of your pedestrian accident case.
No Fees Unless We Win Your Case
Don’t be concerned about not being able to afford a lawyer. At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, we work on a contingency basis, so:
- When you call us, you will receive a free, no-obligation case review.
- You won’t owe us anything upfront when we take your case.
- We only request payment for our help once we win your case. If we can’t win your case, you don’t pay our attorney’s fees.
Collecting Compensation Following a Pedestrian Accident
You could collect compensation for your damages if you can prove that the other party was negligent. Using evidence, our legal team can establish the following:
- Duty of care. The other party was obligated to follow traffic laws to keep you safe.
- Breach of duty. The other party violated that duty of care by failing to abide by the road’s rules (e.g., speeding, failing to yield, etc.).
- The other party’s breach of duty caused your accident.
- You have injuries and other losses related to the collision.
If you cannot prove even one of these elements, then you will not be allowed to pursue compensation.
Recoverable Economic Damages
The financial losses you can recover after an accident include:
- Emergency transportation
- Hospital stays
- Assistive medical devices
- Medications
- Lab work and diagnostic tests
- Doctors’ visits
- Past lost wages
- Future lost earning capacity
Types of Compensable Non-Economic Damages
Contrary to economic damages, non-economic damages are physical and emotional, so you can’t put an exact price on them. However, our team can evaluate your case’s details to determine the cost of these losses.
Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
Wrongful Death-Related Damages
Because pedestrians do not have any protection on the road, it is not uncommon for them to lose their lives in accidents. If you lost a loved one, you can recover compensation for:
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering
- Their medical bills
- Funeral and memorial services
- The burial plot
- Floral arrangements
- Loss of consortium, guidance, and affection
You can pursue other damages not listed here. Talking to our pedestrian accident attorney can give you a better idea of how much your overall case is worth. We can use your invoices, billing statements, and employment records to determine the value of your losses.
How a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer from Our Firm Can Help You Take Legal Action
Our lawyers have helped many pedestrian accident victims over the years, so they know what to expect from the legal process. Let them manage all aspects of your case. Some of our services include:
Gathering Evidence
No evidence, no case. Your lawyer can review all relevant documents to see what happened during your accident and how it affected your life. They can look at:
- The crash report
- Photos of your injuries
- Photos of the accident scene and roadway’s conditions
- Video footage of the accident itself
- Eyewitness testimony
- Testimony from accident reconstruction analysts, medical professionals, and economists
- Your medical records
If you have any other forms of evidence that could help your case, let your lawyer know right away.
Determining Fault
Using the evidence we find, we can determine who caused your accident. This is especially important, as this will give us information about who can be held accountable for your losses.
One or more of the following parties could hold responsibility for the crash:
- A motorist
- A government department
- A vehicle’s parts manufacturer
Handling Communications with the Other Party
Trying to communicate with the other party’s insurance company can mean playing phone tag. Our pedestrian accident lawyers in Valley Stream have experience with insurance companies. We know what strategies these organizations use to deny claimants compensation.
For instance, the insurance company may reach out to you and ask that you give a recorded statement. This could work against you. If this happens, refer them to your lawyer right away, as they might try to twist your words and use them against you during negotiations.
Negotiating a Fair Settlement on Your Behalf
Insurance companies make money off selling policies, not compensating injured claimants. You would be surprised at some of the things insurers do to deny claims.
If they offer you a settlement that is too low, your lawyer can counteroffer that amount to get you what you need to properly deal with your injuries and losses. Don’t settle for an insufficient amount. You should be able to get what you are entitled to receive.
Should the insurance company still offer you a low amount, your lawyer can take your case to trial and present it in front of a judge and jury.
Complying with New York State Deadlines
If you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit, CVP §214 generally gives you three years to do so. You usually have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit under EPT §5-4.1.
It may seem like a generous amount of time, but it goes quickly. Investigating a case, negotiating a settlement, and calculating losses take time, so get started on your case as early as you can.
If you miss the filing deadline, then the court will keep you from pursuing damages from the other party. They will no longer be responsible for paying you back—that financial burden will be yours.
Reach Out to the Attorneys at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP Now
Pedestrian accidents often leave those involved with severe injuries and economic hardships. Don’t take on the financial, physical, and psychological burdens of an accident because of another person’s carelessness. You can hold them accountable through a claim or lawsuit.
To learn how our Valley Stream lawyers can help you with your pedestrian accident case, call us today at (516) 358-6900.
For a free legal consultation with a pedestrian accidents lawyer serving Valley Stream, call 516-358-6900
