Holding Reckless Drivers Accountable
The consequences of a severe car accident can be swift and catastrophic. When one driver causes you to suffer extensive medical costs, lost income and property damage, they should also be responsible for covering those costs. In order to get the fair and full compensation you deserve, you may need the help of a skilled personal injury attorney.
At Kaston & Aberle, LLP, we fight to help our clients secure the best possible compensation for their motor vehicle accidents. In the decades we have been representing clients throughout the New York Metro Area and Nassau and Suffolk Counties, we have secured multimillion-dollar settlements, judgments and verdicts.
Guidance You Can Trust
Getting the settlement you need is not easy, especially if the driver who hurt you is uninsured or underinsured. Regardless of the liable party’s insurance, we can help you recover from injuries involving:
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Truck crashes
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Uber/Lyft rideshares
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Motorcycles accidents
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Mass transit
- Car accidents
The outcome of any personal injury claim can shape how well the victim is able to recover from their injuries. Our goal as your legal representation is to see that you receive fair and full compensation for all of the expenses tied to your injuries, including the emotional suffering that you experienced from your accident.
What Are The Common Causes Of Motor Vehicle Accidents?
Understanding what factors contribute to vehicle accidents can help drivers remain vigilant on the road. While some accidents are unavoidable, many result from preventable behaviors and conditions.
- Distracted driving: Using cell phones, adjusting entertainment systems or eating creates significant risk. Even a momentary distraction can lead to catastrophe.
- Speeding and aggressive driving: Drivers who exceed posted limits have less time to react to hazards. Aggressive behaviors such as tailgating and frequent lane changes increase accident risk.
- Impaired driving: Operating a vehicle under the influence severely compromises judgment, coordination and reaction time. Despite strict laws, impaired driving remains a leading cause of serious accidents.
- Fatigue: Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as impaired driving, impairing concentration and slowing reaction times.
- Weather conditions: Rain, snow, ice and fog reduce visibility and traction, making accidents more likely.
These factors often combine to create particularly dangerous situations on New York roads. Our experienced attorneys can identify all contributing factors in your accident.
Types Of Injuries You Can Sustain From A Serious Auto Accident
Motor vehicle accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor to catastrophic. The type and severity of injuries often depend on the collision’s force, vehicle safety features and victim positioning.
- Whiplash and neck injuries: Sudden acceleration-deceleration forces commonly damage soft tissues in the neck and shoulders, leading to pain and reduced mobility.
- Traumatic brain injuries: Even with seatbelts and airbags, occupants may strike their heads during a collision, causing injuries ranging from mild concussions to severe trauma.
- Spinal cord damage: Back injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, chronic pain and limited mobility. These life-altering injuries often require extensive rehabilitation.
- Broken bones: The impact forces in crashes frequently fracture ribs, arms, legs, hips and facial bones. Complex fractures may require surgical intervention.
- Internal injuries: Blunt force trauma can damage organs and cause internal bleeding that may not be immediately apparent after an accident.
Understanding the full extent of your injuries is crucial when seeking compensation. Our attorneys work with medical experts to document all current and future medical needs resulting from your accident.
Motor Vehicle Accident FAQs
Our New York City auto attorney has helped many clients navigate the challenging aftermath of car accidents. Below, we have compiled answers to the questions we hear most frequently.
What steps should I take immediately after a motor vehicle accident in New York?
First, try to ensure everyone is safe and call 911 if there are injuries. Document the accident scene with photos and collect contact information from witnesses. Seek medical intervention even for seemingly minor injuries because some symptoms tend to delay before manifesting. Finally, notify your insurance company about the accident, but avoid making statements about the fault.
What types of damages can I seek after a car accident in New York?
You may pursue compensation for:
- Economic damages: Medical expenses, lost wages, property damage and future medical costs
- Noneconomic damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life
Our New York car accident lawyer can review your case to determine which accident compensation you can pursue.
How is fault determined in a New York motor vehicle accident?
The Empire State follows the pure comparative negligence rule, meaning responsibility can be shared among multiple parties. Fault is established through:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Physical evidence
- Traffic laws
- Expert testimony
We can analyze your case to help ensure you are not assigned a higher percentage of fault than you are responsible for.
What is New York’s no-fault insurance law, and how does it affect my ability to sue after a car accident?
New York operates under a no-fault insurance system, requiring all drivers to have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. This means your own insurance pays for medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident.
However, you can pursue accident compensation if you meet the “serious injury” threshold, which includes:
- Significant disfigurement
- Bone fracture
- Permanent limitation of body organ or member
- A significant limitation of body function
- Substantially full disability for 90 days
We can help you understand these car accident laws to help ensure you have an informed legal journey.
Do Not Settle For Less In Your Claim
Insurance companies often pressure victims into accepting lowball settlement offers or accepting liability for the accident. We know how to identify bad offers and shady negotiation tactics, and stop them in their tracks. Instead of taking the first offer you receive and having to pay the rest of the costs yourself, let us handle your claim while you focus on your health.
If you are ready to meet with a lawyer who will fight for every penny that you deserve in your personal injury case, contact our offices in Garden City or Brooklyn today. Call 516-879-7280 for your free initial consultation or email us here. Se habla español 24/7