Car accident lawsuit lawyers in Suffolk, NY
Suffolk County on New York’s Long Island shares many of the amenities – and dangers – that are found in nearby New York City and throughout Long Island. These dangers include the regular occurrence of car wrecks and accidents. Despite the frequency with which car wrecks occur in Suffolk County, each one has the potential to devastate a person’s world if the person and/or his or her family members are killed or seriously injured in the wreck.
Parker Waichman LLP wants injured Suffolk County drivers and passengers to know they are not alone: Parker Waichman LLP is dedicated to serving the legal needs of car crash injury victims in Suffolk County and helping these vulnerable individuals obtain financial compensation for their injuries.
Causes of Car Accidents in Suffolk County
Your Suffolk County car accident can come about as a result of any number of factors. Not only this, but in a fair number of car accident cases, there are multiple factors combined to create your car wreck. Unpacking all the various causes of your car wreck is the task of your Suffolk County car accident lawyers. Sorting out “who did what” is the only way to ensure you are fairly compensated for your injuries. Some of the more common causes of car accidents in the Suffolk County area include:
- Disregard of traffic laws, signs, and signals: Whether someone “zones out” and fails to see that he or she is speeding 20 miles per hour over the limit or someone is in a rush and believes he or she can “beat” the yellow light, disregarding traffic laws and control devices puts others on the road at risk. While these laws and mechanisms may be inconvenient, they are designed to help ensure cars are driven in a way that promotes the safety of all. Reckless or careless disregard of them can lead to catastrophe.
- Inattentive or distracted driving: Texting while driving, driving while drowsy, or simply not paying attention to the road ahead all take a driver’s eyes and mind off of the task of driving. For drivers who have been behind the wheel for a number of years, the temptation is to believe that one is capable of dividing his or her focus between driving and other tasks like responding to a text message or applying makeup. The truth is, however, that inattentive or distracted driving makes it extremely difficult to detect obstructions or hazards that suddenly appear (like stopped traffic or a pedestrian in the roadway) in time to react safely. One commonly-cited statistic put forth by the federal government says that reading and responding to the average text takes a driver’s focus off of the road for five seconds – at 55 miles per hour, doing so is like driving the length of a football field blindfolded.
- Impaired driving: Of course, alcohol and illegal drugs like cocaine and K-2 (also known as “spice”) can interfere with a person’s ability to safely drive a car, but so can “legal” drugs like over-the-counter medicines and prescription drugs. Even taking prescription opioid drugs in accordance with a doctor’s orders can lead to serious impairment behind the wheel. When drivers are prescribed medications or choose to consume alcohol or other drugs before getting behind the wheel, courts will hold them accountable for the harm they cause.
These are but a few of the more common reasons why car accidents happen in Suffolk County. Other reasons can include defective repairs or maintenance, defects in a vehicle’s design or manufacturing, poor road maintenance – the list goes on! Even if you feel your car wreck was due to “freak-ish” circumstances, Parker Waichman LLP can help. Our vast and varied experience means we’ve handled car accident cases in and around Suffolk County caused by common and not-so-common circumstances. Contact Parker Waichman LLP today to discuss your case.
Injuries You May Suffer in a Suffolk County Car Wreck
The injuries drivers and passengers sustain in car wrecks are as varied as the reasons for the car wrecks themselves. One driver may escape with just a few scratches on his or her head; another passenger may suffer a concussion or a debilitating injury to his or her back. Car accidents, in general, have a tendency to result in one or more of the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries (or TBIs), either because the person slammed his or her head against the steering wheel or some other object or because of “whiplash.” Severe TBIs can lead to life-long impairments and disabilities.
- Neck or spine injuries that can lead to significant (and even permanent) pain and/or paralysis;
- Broken bones that often require weeks or more to heal and therefore limit a person’s ability to return to work or resume other activities;
- Internal trauma and bleeding due to damage to vital internal organs or tissue;
- Amputations can also occur in car wrecks, either because a sharp piece of metal severs a limb, a limb is crushed in the wreckage, or because it becomes medically necessary to remove a limb that cannot be repaired or reattached.
New York is a “no-fault” insurance state, meaning that in many car wreck cases involving minor or no injuries, your own insurance company will pay for your losses, and you will have no right to pursue compensation through a car wreck lawsuit. Those car accident injury victims who suffer a “serious injury” such as loss of limb, death of a fetus, or permanent disability or significant limitation are eligible to pursue a claim for compensation against the driver or other person responsible for causing the wreck. Parker Waichman LLP will carefully evaluate the medical records and other evidence in your case and advise you whether you are eligible to file a lawsuit seeking compensation directly from the individual who caused your crash.
Services Provided By Your Suffolk County Car Accident Law Firm
In a lawsuit stemming from a Suffolk County traffic accident that caused you or your loved one serious injuries, you (the “plaintiff” or injured party) prevail and obtain compensation if you can demonstrate that (1) the at-fault party drove his or her car or otherwise acted in a careless manner; (2) this careless behavior caused or contributed to the crash and your injuries; and (3) you suffered some type of harm as a result of the crash that can be compensated with money.
In order to prove these “elements” or facts, your Parker Waichman LLP injury attorney will:
- Review the facts of your case and advise you of your legal rights, the options you may have for obtaining compensation, and what type of compensation to which you may be entitled;
- Locate and interview witnesses who may have seen your car wreck or spoken with the at-fault party after the crash;
- Gather together your medical records as well as documentation of your medical bills, time missed from work, and other past, present, and future expenses;
- If needed, employ one or more expert witnesses to assist in explaining to the court or a jury how your crash occurred and/or how you suffered harm from the crash;
- Draft your initial pleading to start your lawsuit and prepare and file any additional legal documents that are necessary;
- Appear with you at court hearings and explain to you the significance of each hearing as well as any court orders that may be entered at these hearings; and
- If you desire, represent you during settlement negotiations (settlements or settlement agreements may result in you obtaining an amount of compensation sooner than you would if you proceeded to trial).
Why You Can Trust Parker Waichman LLP to Handle Your Suffolk County Car Crash Case
You can trust Parker Waichman LLP to handle your Suffolk County car crash case with professionalism and efficiency. Some of the recognition our firm has received includes:
- An “8” out of “10” rating from the attorney rating website Avvo
- A “Preeminent Lawyers” AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®
- A perfect “5 Dragons” peer review rating on Lawdragon
- Recognized in the Best Lawyers publication
The experienced and professional Suffolk County car accident lawyers at Parker Waichman LLP pride themselves on providing exceptional advice, service, and representation to the firm’s clients and vigorously advancing their claims for compensation in and out of the courtroom.
What Happens When You Call Parker Waichman LLP About Your Car Accident Case
When you reach out to Parker Waichman LLP, our friendly and helpful staff will schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a member of our Suffolk County car crash recovery team. This allows you the opportunity to have any questions you may have about your case and your rights answered by a knowledgeable professional, and it gives Parker Waichman LLP the chance to learn more about your situation and explain how we may be able to assist you. This initial consultation comes with no obligation – you are free to decide to use another firm’s services or not to file any lawsuit at all.
If you do choose to retain Parker Waichman LLP’s services, our firm will handle your Suffolk County car crash lawsuit on a contingency fee basis. This means we do not charge any attorney’s fees upfront to handle your case. Moreover, if we cannot deliver for you and help you obtain compensation, you do not owe us any payment for attorney’s fees. If you aren’t paid, then we aren’t paid: it’s as simple as that.
Your Time to File a Suffolk County Car Accident Lawsuit Ends Soon
You only have a small window of opportunity after being hurt in a Suffolk County car accident in which to take control of your future and file a lawsuit. Even the simplest of Suffolk County car accidents can involve complex factual and legal questions, and an experienced car crash attorney from Parker Waichman LLP is well-equipped to address these factual and legal issues quickly and in a manner designed to protect and advance your right to compensation.
Throughout New York generally, and in Suffolk County specifically, those injured in car wrecks have three years from the date their wreck occurred to file a lawsuit (if, of course, they are even entitled to file one in the first place). Wait too long, and your lawsuit can be dismissed without consideration for the evidence in your favor or the amount of physical, mental, and financial harm you suffered. Therefore, the time to call your Suffolk County car injury lawyer and get started on your case is now!
Contact Your Car Crash Attorney in Suffolk County Today
Let Parker Waichman LLP be your partner on your road to recovery. You have rights after you have been seriously hurt in a Suffolk County wreck, and Parker Waichman LLP is committed to assisting you and your family. Call our office at 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529) or complete our online contact form and schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with us today.
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