Car accidents are a near-daily occurrence in New York, and drivers are injured all the time. While some accidents are relatively minor, others are severe, and you might be easily overwhelmed by the experience. Contact an attorney for help as soon as possible. They may be able to help you fight for fair compensation to pay for the accident and your injuries.
After a car crash, you should immediately call for help. If necessary, make sure an ambulance and the police are dispatched to your location to render aid. After the dust settles, call a lawyer and explain your situation. They may help you determine the extent of your damages, such as economic costs and non-economic injuries. It is important to act quickly, as you only have a few years from the accident to file your case in court or risk losing your right to file the cause of action. We also need time to find evidence to support your claims. If your case is filed without evidence, it might be dismissed for being baseless.
Receive a private, initial case review for free when you call (914) 685-6950 and speak to our car accident lawyers at The Martello Law Firm.
What You Should Do After a Car Accident in North Castle, NY
If you are involved in an auto collision, your first step should be to get to safety as quickly as possible. Your vehicle might be stranded in the middle of the road, and you should steer to the shoulder to get out of traffic. Immediately call for help if you need it. If you cannot safely operate your car or have any injuries, call 911. Minor injuries like small fender-benders might not necessitate a call to emergency services, but you should still get yourself examined by a doctor.
Often, 911 dispatchers send the police to investigate accidents and help drivers. Talk to the police about the accident when they get there. They may want a statement from the drivers and passengers involved in the crash. If you are badly hurt, you might be rushed to a hospital before the police can ask you any questions. In such a case, make a point of contacting the authorities and talking to them later.
Exchange information with other drivers. You need their information to file insurance claims or lawsuits. If the other driver refuses to provide you with their name and contact information, talk to the police about it. Drivers are often required to exchange information. If the other driver fled the scene before you could speak to them, report it to law enforcement, as they may be charged with a hit-and-run.
Finally, call a lawyer. Between medical treatment, vehicle repairs, the police, and possible insurance claims, you might feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. Your lawyer can take charge of your situation and help you take care of business. This might involve filing insurance claims for you, talking to the police and witnesses, and beginning a personal injury case.
Damages Available in a North Castle, NY Car Accident Case
Damages in car accident cases may include a litany of injuries, losses, costs, and painful experiences. Taking stock of all your damages and making sure they are accurately evaluated can be very difficult. Your lawyer can walk you through it and make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
Economic damages include injuries and losses that cost you money. For example, if your injuries require medical care, you may claim the cost of hospital bills. For many, medical bills are extremely high because their injuries are so severe. Many others need long-term care, and they may incur future medical costs. Your attorney can help you make sure all your current and reasonably expected future medical costs are accounted for.
You might also lose property or personal belongings in a car accident. Our car accident lawyers will include the cost of your damaged vehicle. Even minor damages can lead to big repair bills. If your vehicle was destroyed, you may claim the cost of a replacement. We should also include the value of personal items inside the car that were destroyed in the accident.
Non-economic injuries are not based on money since they often do not come at a financial cost. Instead, non-economic injuries tend to take a mental or emotional toll on plaintiffs. For example, the pain of your injuries and the deep psychological trauma of the crash might take an enormous toll on your life and well-being, and these experiences should be fairly compensated. Other examples of non-economic damages include humiliation, scarring and disfigurement, reduced quality of life, and other unpleasant experiences.
How Much Time You Have to File a Car Accident Case in North Castle, NY
The statute of limitation, under C.V.P. Law § 214, gives you only 3 years to file your case in the courts. This limitation period begins the day of your car accident, so your time is already counting down. While having a couple of years to file your case might seem like plenty of time, this is a somewhat tight limitation period. Many cases take several months or more to prepare, and many plaintiffs wait weeks or months before even speaking to a lawyer. The best thing to do is contact an attorney as soon as possible to give yourself the most time to prepare.
If time is running out, your lawyer might be able to help you have the statute of limitations tolled. Tolling effectively pauses the clock counting down your time, but only for specific reasons. If you are eligible for tolling, you may essentially buy yourself some more time to prepare your case.
Tolling is often permitted in cases where the plaintiff was a minor or “insane” at the time of the crash. According to § 208(a), minors may have the statute tolled until they are 18, meaning their 2-year time limit would not begin until their 18th birthday. Plenty of young teenagers have driver’s licenses, so this might be incredibly helpful. You may have the statute tolled for “insanity” if you have a mental condition that inhibits your ability to understand your rights or file the case on your own. In such cases, the statute may be tolled until the mental condition is removed.
Call Our North Castle, NY Car Accident Lawyers for Legal Support
Receive a private, initial case review for free when you call (914) 685-6950 and speak to our car accident lawyers at The Martello Law Firm.
