Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation in New York

If you suffer injuries from a motor vehicle accident law firm vehicle collision that the state of New York deems serious, you could be eligible to sue for compensation. Your lawyer can inform you if your injuries meet the threshold.

Insurance companies are skilled in denying the extent of your losses. Insurance companies may offer settlements that aren't enough to cover your losses.

Damages

If you have been injured in an auto accident, you could be entitled to compensation. These damages are intended to cover your losses as well as expenses like medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. You may also be eligible for compensation for pain and suffering. This type of compensation could be subjective and hard to quantify. A skilled lawyer for torts can help you get maximum compensation for your injuries.

If, for instance you sustain an injury that causes permanent impairment to your leg or arm it could be possible to receive compensation for future expenses associated with the impairment. These might include physical therapy, surgeries or equipment or prosthetics. Additionally, a permanent loss of a limb or major disfigurement may result in an ongoing cycle of emotional trauma as well as a diminished enjoyment of life. This is called mental anguish.

Insurers frequently try to reduce the value of non-economic damages which are intangible. However, a skilled tort lawyer at Morgan & Morgan can make sure that you receive the full value of general damages in your case.

Medical bills

When you are injured in a motor vehicle accident medical bills can build up quickly. You may feel overwhelmed by the cost, especially if you are still recovering from your injuries.

There are many ways to help car accident victims pay their medical expenses. In New York, all drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) which covers the victim's first medical expenses after an accident. PIP will cover the loss of income if the person is disabled for upto 90 days.

In addition to PIP, a victim's health insurance and Medicare could also cover their medical bills. The only restriction is that the patient has to be able proof that the costs are related to the accident by submitting doctor's bills and receipts.

Some hospitals and doctors may allow a victim of an accident to negotiate a payment agreement in exchange for a lien on the victim's personal injury verdict or settlement. These liens are also referred to as medical liens or hospital liens. If you fail to resolve these liens within a reasonable amount of time, the debts may be transferred to collections. By keeping track of and storing their mileage receipts, victims are also able to claim compensation for the expenses associated with traveling to and from a medical appointment.

Lost wages

If you're unable to work because of an accident in your vehicle it can be extremely difficult to come up with the money. Losing a few weeks of pay or even a month could be a major blow to many Americans who live pay check to paycheck. Fortunately, those who suffer from car accidents are often able to get back lost wages through car accident lawsuits.

Typically, claims for lost wages are calculated by determining the length of time a injured worker could have worked in the absence of their injuries. This could include missed shifts, overtime hours and any work performed in hospital. To prove that the income was lost the plaintiff needs to request documentation from his employer. This could include letters that verify the time spent away from work, as well as their hourly rate or salary. Other documentation can include pay stubs, copies of the injured person's tax return from last year.

It is vital to ensure that the claim package is completed as soon as is possible following a car accident. The injured party can get the maximum benefit from their claim. In addition, evidence of the accident may be more compelling when it is made available as quickly as it is possible.

Suffering and pain

The physical and emotional stress that result from a car crash can be very difficult to place a value on. It is important to seek compensation in your accident case for these losses.

These are referred to as non-economic damages. They may include the cost of your pain and suffering and motor vehicle accident the loss of enjoyment in life and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and much more. These costs are difficult to quantify as it could take a while to understand the full impact of your injury.

Your lawyer may employ one of two methods to calculate your pain and suffering damages. The most common is the multiplier method, where your entire economic damages are added up--including the future and past medical bills and any loss of income from work because of your injury, and damage to property. These are then multiplied by a number that varies from 1.5 to 5. The more significant the number, the more severe your injuries are considered to be.

Per diem is an alternative method to quantify pain and suffering. Your lawyer may ask the jury to decide on a dollar amount each day you suffer. This is especially beneficial for accident victims who work outside the home or who struggle to take care of children while they recover from their injuries.