No matter where they happen, car accidents can turn your life upside down in an instant. The moment of impact is just the beginning of what could be a long, frustrating battle for justice. Between medical bills, lost wages, and uncooperative insurance companies, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
For most people, the legal process can be unbearable, especially when trying to recover from injuries. If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Long Island, hiring an attorney can make all the difference.
An experienced Long Island car accident lawyer can take care of all the legal complexities of your case while you focus on healing. They protect your rights and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Here’s why legal representation is essential after a car accident in Long Island and how it can impact the outcome of your claim.
1. In-depth knowledge of Local Laws and Regulations
Long Island operates under New York State laws, but the processes can vary from one county to another. Nassau and Suffolk counties have their particularities, and it's important to understand these local idiosyncrasies to build your strongest case.
Local Long Island Car Accident Lawyers are familiar with how things work in the Long Island court system. They understand what deadlines you need to meet, the papers you should file and how you should present every required document in court.
They will ensure you don’t inadvertently miss an important deadline by helping you collect the necessary documents, guiding you on how to fill out the papers, and accompanying you on important court summons.
Besides, New York State has a no-fault insurance system, which means that your insurance company should cover all your accrued medical bills and lost wages, no matter who is at fault. However, if you have suffered a serious injury, you may be able to sue for additional compensation beyond what your insurance policy allows for through a personal injury claim.
Determining whether or not an injury satisfies legal standards regarding “seriousness” can be very complex. Insurance companies often seek ways not to pay out on claims by trying to downplay the severity of claimants' injuries.
A Long Island car accident lawyer will have experience dealing with such determinations and can ensure your claim is classified accurately.
2. Accurate Assessment of Your Damages
When injured in a car accident, it is natural to assume that your damages include only the medical bills and car repair costs. However, more than that can be considered in an accurate assessment of your damages.
It is important to consider the financial impact a car accident or personal injury may have on your life beyond the immediate aftermath. A good personal injury lawyer will look at future medical expenses, lost earnings, pain, and mental distress.
If you are facing a lengthy recovery, an attorney can also help calculate the costs of any future medical needs you may require. For injuries that prevent you from returning to work, an attorney will evaluate and calculate lost future earnings and other potential damages.
Again, without an attorney, it’s easy to overlook the long-term and overall financial burden of the accident. Insurance companies often seek quick settlements following an accident in the hopes that victims without the proper legal counsel will accept less than what they truly deserve.
3. Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies are not in business to pay claimants a fair settlement. They accomplish this by disputing liability, minimizing injuries or property damages, and even delaying handling the claim with the hope that a desperate victim will settle cheaply.
Without an attorney, you are at their mercy and will almost always receive less than you deserve. A car accident attorney is accustomed to how insurance companies function and can manage all communications for you.
When an insurance company doesn't agree to a reasonable settlement, your lawyer should be willing to go to trial. The fact that you have an experienced lawyer on your side signals insurers that you will go to trial if necessary and are serious about winning.
4. Building Strong Case with Evidence
The strength of your claim is dependent upon the quality of evidence you can present. To prove negligence, you need a lot of evidence, including police reports, medical records, witness statements, surveillance tapes, and even reconstructions of the accident if necessary.
While you can attain this information independently, lawyers have ready access, and they know what can strengthen your case. They regularly employ expert witnesses, such as doctors who will testify to the extent of your injuries or reconstruction experts who will show exactly how an accident occurred.
Additionally, they can access trade secrets, such as getting traffic tape data that will directly show how an accident happened in certain instances. The more evidence you obtain, the better your potential for settling is, and the less likely you'll get lowballed by insurance adjusters.
Lawyers also have links with doctors, which can help you get better care from physicians since many attorneys develop relationships with their client's treating doctors.
5. Meeting Legal Deadlines and Filing Requirements
Strict deadlines, better known as the statute of limitations, apply to all personal injury cases. For example, Long Island and, by extension, New York provide you up to three years from the date of the accident within which to file a personal injury lawsuit.
However, you only have 90 days to file a notice of claim if the opposing party is a governmental entity. If you fail, you will be prohibited from seeking compensation for your injuries.
Beyond just deadlines, there are other numerous legal documents and filings you ought to submit correctly throughout your claim. If you fill out even one form incorrectly or submit it late, you risk slowing down your case or throwing it out altogether.
A car accident lawyer knows how to promptly complete and submit all necessary paperwork so your case keeps moving forward without unnecessary delays.
Final Thoughts
Hiring a car accident lawyer in Long Island is more than just having legal representation by your side—it's about protecting your future. After all, without an attorney, you risk being shortchanged by insurance companies, overlooking important deadlines, or failing to compile the necessary evidence needed to prove your case.
Long Island has reputable car accident attorneys who understand all the ins and outs of personal injury law in New York and beyond. From negotiations to compiling evidence, they will go every step of the way to help you get the compensation you deserve and put your life back together again.
