Why Rear Impact Injury Victims in New York Should Not Handle Their Injury Claims
Rear Impact Accidents
When a driver climbs behind the wheel and leaves home, the prospect of another driver slamming into the motorist’s vehicle from behind probably does not cross his or her mind. Nonetheless, auto accidents constitute the leading cause of accidental death in New York according to the New York State Department of Health (DOH). DOH statistics reveal that New York auto accidents account for almost 1,100 deaths, over 12,000 hospitalizations, and more than 136,000 emergency room visits per year.
Despite these disturbing statistics, the number of rear-impact collisions has continued to climb in recent years because of the prevalence of cell phones and other portable electronic devices. Some injury victims make the mistake of assuming they can handle their injury claim based on the generalization that a driver who rear-ends another vehicle usually will be assigned fault for the accident. In this blog, we examine two reasons why handling one’s own rear-end accident injury claim amounts to a bad idea.
The Other Driver’s Insurance Company Will Not Protect Your Rights or Interests
The adjuster for the other driver’s insurance company might come across as helpful and friendly, but the adjuster will not protect your interest. The insurance company pays the adjuster to minimize payouts on claims. Adjusters employ a multitude of strategies to accomplish this goal. A common strategy employed by insurers when their policyholder rear-ends another driver involves claiming the incident involved a “low impact crash.” Adjusters often justify this conclusion based on a lack of damage to the vehicles involved in the collision.
While high-quality bumpers are designed to compress and absorb the impact of a collision that occurs at low speeds, the quality of bumpers differs significantly. Federal law only requires car manufacturers to make bumpers capable of withstanding an impact up to five (5) mph. See eCFR :: 49 CFR Part 581 — Bumper Standard. While bumpers offer some protection in low-speed crashes, this vehicle feature provides more protection to the vehicle than its occupants. The human body lacks the capacity to withstand the force of impact of the hard materials that make up the body and frame of a motor vehicle.
Studies Reveal Clients with Attorneys Fair Better When Settling Accident Claims
Even if the other driver’s insurance company concedes fault, the insurance company will dispute the size of your loss. Insurance companies often do not even offer enough to cover an injury victim’s medical bills, but an experienced New York rear impact accident attorney can provide the expertise, knowledge, and skill to maximize your settlement. Several studies quantify the benefit of letting an experienced attorney handle your car accident injury claim. One study conducted by the Insurance Research Council (IRC) found that 85 percent of all payouts by insurance companies went to individuals represented by an attorney. A separate IRC study revealed that car accident victims with legal representation on average received a settlement 350 percent higher than those without an attorney.
If you or someone you love has suffered an injury in a rear-impact collision, an experienced auto accident lawyer can evaluate your claim and advise you about important steps to safeguard your legal rights.
CONTACT PARKER WAICHMAN LLP FOR A FREE CASE REVIEW
Parker Waichman LLP helps families recover monetary compensation for harm caused by reckless drivers. For your free consultation, contact our Accident Law Firm today via live chat or call 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
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