Car Accident Lawyers in Poughkeepsie, NY

New York is also a "no-fault" car insurance state, which means your options for pursuing a claim are often limited when you're injured in a car accident. New York is one of a dozen or so states that follow some form of a "no-fault" car insurance system. Under no-fault, after a car accident, your own car insurance coverage (specifically, your "personal injury protection" or "medical benefits" coverage) pays for medical treatment and other out-of-pocket losses incurred by anyone covered under the policy up to coverage limits, regardless of who caused the accident. But with this system, you can't get compensation for your "pain and suffering" and other non-monetary damages stemming from the accident. It's important to note that New York's no-fault car insurance system applies to injuries caused by car accidents but not to vehicle damage claims. A claim for damage to (or total loss of) a vehicle can be made against the at-fault driver in New York with no limitations.

What Are Common Car Accident Injuries?

Physical injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents range from mild cuts and scrapes to significant bodily harm. Motor vehicle accident victims commonly suffer from the following:

•  Broken or fractured bones,
•  Muscle sprains and strains, 
• Tendon and ligament tears, 
• Back injuries, including bulging and herniated discs, 
• Nerve damage, 
• Spinal cord injuries,
•  Paralysis, 
• Eye injuries, 
• Concussions,
•  Loss of limbs,
•  Internal bleeding, 
• Other traumatic brain injuries.

Car accident victims may be faced with high medical bills, including the costs of past and future medical treatment, prescriptions, rehabilitation, and physical therapy, as well as lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and costs related to physical damage to their vehicle. Medical treatment for car accident injuries may be necessary for years following the accident. Car accident victims, with the help of a New York attorney, may also recover for their conscious pain and suffering and out-of-pocket expenses, including future medical expenses. In wrongful death cases, the surviving family members may also be entitled to compensation.

Obtaining Car Accident Injury Compensation

Car accident victims seeking to obtain compensation for their injuries may file personal injury lawsuits against responsible parties. Depending on the circumstances of your particular case, responsible parties could include the driver or drivers involved, auto manufacturers and designers, and even government entities, including local and state maintenance authorities. When the negligence, carelessness, or recklessness of any of these parties leads to a motor vehicle accident, they can be held liable for damages.

Although most cases result in a lawsuit being filed, many times, an experienced car accident attorney will be able to resolve your case without even filing suit. Car accident victims should always consult an experienced car accident lawyer prior to even discussing the claim with insurance companies or other drivers. Insurance companies have an incentive to spend as little money as possible on each claim and can take advantage of inexperienced and unrepresented individuals. Insurance companies have experienced legal teams working on their behalf, and so should you.

What is New York`s Statute of Limitations for Accident Claims?

Time is of the essence in dealing with automobile accident claims. New York law requires that injured individuals file their claims against responsible parties within a certain period of time. This is known as the statute of limitations. Failure to do so may result in an injured person’s forfeiture of their rights. For most general negligence cases in New York, the statute of limitations is three years. However, it can be shorter in some instances. For example, claims against a municipality must be filed within 1 year and 90 days.

In addition to the statute of limitations, there are other deadlines that must be adhered to, such as the requirement of filing a “no-fault” application within 30 days of the accident or filing an MV-104 within 10 days of the accident. Failure to adhere to these timeframes can be detrimental to your case, which is why it is important to seek an experienced car accident attorney right away.

Evidence Needed in an Auto Accident Claim

Pictures from the automobile accident scene, witness information, police reports, and medical records are important items of evidence in motor vehicle accident lawsuits. It is also important for injured individuals to keep detailed records of all medical treatment received as a result of the accident and a log of all conversations held with insurance companies and other potentially responsible parties. This information is critical to the success of your car accident lawsuit.

Contact Our Car Accident Attorney Today

Motor vehicle accidents can result in overwhelming financial and emotional stress to injured drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. At McCabe, Coleman, Ventosa & Patterson PLLC, our experienced team of lawyers understand that the pain of living with serious physical injuries can be devastating to the injured individuals and their families.

Our Poughkeepsie car accident attorneys have navigated the complexities of the law surrounding motor vehicle accident cases, including insurance law and rules and regulations related to underinsured and uninsured drivers. McCabe, Coleman, Ventosa & Patterson PLLC has aggressively represented countless car accident victims in New York, obtaining large settlements and awards for our clients.

Contact McCabe, Coleman, Ventosa & Patterson PLLC today to get started with our car accident lawyers in Poughkeepsie, NY.