Many people are injured each year because of car accidents in Cortlandt, NY. A high number of these accidents happen because drivers act negligently. For instance, crashes regularly occur because motorists drive drunk, distracted, and at illegal speeds.
Thankfully, you may be able to recover compensation for any injuries you sustain as the result of a car crash. However, the route to payment can differ depending on various factors such as the cause of your accident and the severity of injuries it caused. The team at our law firm will review your case and help identify the appropriate next steps to take.
In the aftermath of your harmful collision in Cortlandt, seek support from our experienced car accident lawyers at The Martello Law Firm by dialing (914) 685-6950.
Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Cortlandt, NY
Time limits to file specific types of lawsuits are set forth by states’ statutes of limitations. According to C.V.P. Law § 214, you will generally have three years from the date of your accident to file a case against the at-fault party. If you wait too long to bring your claim to court, then you may miss out on your opportunity to recover monetary damages.
Despite potentially having years to file, you should begin working on your car accident case as soon as possible after your collision. The evidence required to support your claim can begin to deteriorate as time passes. The sooner you seek help from our car accident attorneys, the more efficiently we can gather the information we need to win your case.
In addition to filing your claim on time, several other conditions have to be satisfied when bringing your car accident lawsuit to court. For instance, you have to file in the proper jurisdiction, pay filing fees, attach necessary supporting documents, serve defendants, and make sure you are filing a complete claim. When filing your case, the team at our law firm will ensure that these requirements are met.
Considering Settlement Offers in Cortlandt Car Accident Cases
After filing a car accident claim, the defendant and their insurer will likely attempt to settle your case before going to trial. When you reach a settlement agreement, the defendant will pay you an agreed-upon sum of damages in exchange for the dismissal of your claim. There are potential advantages to settling early. For example, plaintiffs who settle before trial often recover payment sooner. Further, they may save on various expenses that they would incur in court.
Still, defendants in car accident cases regularly attempt to settle their claims for less than they are worth. If you are not presented with an adequate settlement offer, then you must go to trial to recover the payment you deserve. Fortunately, our legal team can offer valuable guidance when considering settlement offers in your case.
Common Types of Injuries Suffered by Car Accident Victims in Cortlandt, NY
There are several different types of injuries that can result from car accidents. The following are all common injuries suffered by crash victims in Cortlandt:
Broken Bones
Broken bones are common in car accidents. The impact of a collision can exert extreme force on the body, leading to fractures. Depending on the severity of the crash and the point of impact, any bone in the body can be affected.
Common broken bones include fractures of the arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones. Treatment for broken bones may involve immobilization with casts, splints, or braces. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to realign and stabilize the bones. Rehabilitation and physical therapy may follow to regain strength and mobility.
Spinal Cord Damage
Car accidents can cause damage to the spinal cord, which is a critical part of the central nervous system. The force of impact can lead to compression, bruising, or even severing of the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, depending on the level and extent of the damage.
Treatment for spinal cord injuries often involves immediate medical attention to stabilize the spine, followed by rehabilitation and physical therapy to enhance functional recovery. Unfortunately, in some cases, the damage can be permanent, requiring ongoing medical support and assistive devices for daily living.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries are common car accident injuries that affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The sudden impact can strain or tear these tissues, leading to conditions such as whiplash, sprains, and strains. Soft tissue injuries can cause pain, swelling, and restricted movement. Treatment may involve rest, pain management, physical therapy, and sometimes, in more severe cases, surgical intervention.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries occur when the head experiences a sudden jolt or blow during a car accident, causing damage to the brain. TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe brain trauma with long-term consequences. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, memory problems, mood changes, and loss of consciousness. Immediate medical attention is crucial for TBIs, and treatment may involve monitoring, medication, and rehabilitation therapies tailored to the specific type and severity of the injury.
Burn Injuries
Car accidents can lead to fires or explosions, resulting in burn injuries for drivers and passengers. Burn injuries can be categorized into first-degree (superficial), second-degree (partial thickness), or third-degree (full thickness) burns, depending on their severity. Treatment for burns may involve wound care, skin grafts, pain management, and ongoing rehabilitation to minimize scarring and restore function.
Psychological Injuries
Car accidents can have not only physical but also psychological impacts on the individuals involved. Psychological injuries, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, can develop as a result of the traumatic event. These injuries can interfere with daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life. Treatment for psychological injuries may involve counseling, therapy, and, in some cases, medication to help manage symptoms and promote healing.
Motor Vehicle Accidents we can Represent You for in a Cortland, NY Personal Injury Lawsuit
Our New York personal injury lawyers have a wealth of experience representing clients injured in a wide variety of circumstances. While some of the legal procedures will be the same no matter your circumstances, each injury will have certain fine details that need to be taken into account when preparing your lawsuit. Moreover, each plaintiff has different facts and circumstances surrounding their injuries, which requires an even more tailored approach that we can provide. Below, we will go into some of the kinds of injuries our lawyers can help you with in around the Cortland area.
Car Accidents
Car accidents happen all the time on I-85, Dio Way, and other major roadways around Cortland. It is no secret that car accidents often lead to serious injuries like broken bones, brain damage, and even burns, cuts, or lacerations. If you were a pedestrian hit by a motor vehicle, you are even more likely to be injured because pedestrians do not have the benefits of a car’s safety features when going about their day.
Car accidents frequently happen because a driver is careless. Drivers can be careless by running red lights, speeding, tailgating, and a myriad of other dangerous driving activities.
Bus Accidents
Cortland has a number of places listed on the National Register of Historic Places that people may wish to see, such as the Hatheway House, Glenwood Cemetery, or the Clock Tower located in the Cortland, NY Living History Museum. Accordingly, people passing through may take buses to get through an itinerary of seeing some or all of these sites. The reality, unfortunately, is that these buses can get into accidents. When a bus accident happens, there is a good chance that many people will get injured because buses often contain many passengers. Moreover, if a bus hits an ordinary motor vehicle, the occupants of the hit vehicle are much more likely to be injured because the bus is much larger and heavier.
Bus drivers can be negligent in many of the same ways that ordinary drivers can. However, their negligence puts many other people at risk than is likely to happen when a regular everyday driver is negligent.
Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks and 18-wheelers may not always be passing through side streets in Cortland, but they do travel on highways in and around the area. Truck accidents are extremely destructive because of the sheer mass of the vehicles involved. Injuries from truck accidents can be grievous and frequently are permanent and life-altering.
In addition to all the ways that any driver can be negligent, truckers have some special rules that they also need to follow. For example, the FMCSA has hours of service regulations that must be followed. Driving any vehicle tired is dangerous, and driving a big heavy truck while fatigued is that much riskier. Accordingly, it can be considered negligence if a trucker does not follow these rules.
Wrongful Death
Regrettably, sometimes serious injuries from car accidents result in death. In these lawsuits, you are filing on behalf of a deceased loved one for financial compensation and for the pain and suffering they endured before passing. Wrongful death lawsuits have some unique quirks that make them somewhat different than ordinary personal injury lawsuits, so you should speak with our lawyers if wish to file a wrongful death claim.
Seek Help from Our Car Accident Lawyers After Your Collision in Cortlandt, NY
Get assistance from our experienced car accident attorneys by calling The Martello Law Firm today at (914) 685-6950.
