Thousands of people are injured in New York car accidents each year, and many of those crashes are caused by another driver’s reckless or careless actions. If you have been hurt in a crash, it’s important to hire an experienced lawyer to help you seek the compensation that you deserve. The right lawyer can take on the big insurance companies that are responsible for your injuries and protect you from being taken advantage of by them.
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other financial losses. In addition, you could be entitled to non-economic damages such as your emotional trauma or physical pain and suffering. Your lawyer will review your medical records and other evidence to determine the full value of your case and pursue maximum recovery.
It’s important to see a doctor soon after a crash, regardless of how minor your injury seems. Your medical records will be essential to your claim and can be used to prove how serious your injuries are. It’s also important to follow your doctor’s orders in terms of seeking treatment, following up on tests, and attending therapy sessions. If you fail to do so, the insurance company can use this as proof that your injuries are not as severe as you say they are, which may impact how much your claim is worth.
In a personal injury claim, an attorney will typically request your medical records from all the providers who treated you for your injuries. They will then go over the records with you to identify any significant expenses related to your injury, such as hospital bills, out-of-pocket costs, a missed paycheck or time off from work, and other financial losses. It’s also important to keep track of any additional costs, such as the cost of modifications to your home or vehicle to accommodate an injury.
An experienced car accident lawyer will have the resources to handle a large-scale case, including access to expert witnesses such as accident reconstruction specialists and medical professionals. They will also have experience dealing with big car insurance companies and their legal teams.
If you’re interested in hiring a car accident lawyer, schedule an initial consultation with the firm to meet with an attorney and discuss your case. This will give you a feel for the attorney’s dedication and commitment to your case and whether they are the right fit for you.
Many car accident lawyers offer a contingency fee arrangement, meaning they only get paid when they win your case. This aligns their interests with yours and ensures they will work hard to secure the best possible outcome for your case. Some attorneys charge an hourly rate, and in these cases, you should ask for a detailed breakdown of how they calculate their fees and when they expect to be reimbursed for case-related expenses. In either case, you should negotiate an upfront retainer fee to cover the attorney’s time until your case is resolved.