248 ReviewsDo I Need to Hire a Bronx Personal Injury Attorney or Car Accident Lawyer After Being Involved in an Accident?
Under New York law, you are not required to hire a personal injury lawyer, however, by obtaining experienced legal representation, you can significantly increase your chances of a successful outcome. At Friedland Law, our personal injury attorneys will guide you through each step of the process while protecting your claim and your legal rights. We know how important it is to recover every penny of compensation you’re owed and we will not back down until you obtain the fair settlement you deserve.
What Types of Cases Does Friedland Law Handle?
At Friedland Law, our personal injury lawyers handle a wide range of accident claims, including the following:
- Motor vehicle accident lawyer
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Wrongful death
- Slip and falls
- Dog bite incidents
- Catastrophic injuries
- Premises liability
- Medical malpractice
- Birth injuries
- Nursing home abuse
- Boat accidents
- Construction accidents
- Product liability
Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer
Ridesharing services have transformed transportation, but accidents involving Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies require specialized legal attention. At Friedland Law, our experienced rideshare accident lawyers understand the complex issues surrounding insurance coverage and multiple policies in rideshare accident claims. Our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys will investigate your accident claim. They will work tirelessly to identify all liable parties and ensure you recover the compensation you deserve from the negligent driver, and in some cases, the rideshare company as well.
How Can a Bronx Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me with My Claim?
At Friedland Law, our personal injury attorneys can help in a number of ways:
Investigate the Accident and Gather Evidence
Our legal team knows what it takes to win a claim or lawsuit. We will investigate the accident, gathering evidence that can help strengthen your case and prove liability.
Evidence may include:
- Police report/accident report
- Video surveillance footage
- Eyewitness testimony
- Expert testimony
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- Pay stubs
- Employment records
- Phone records
- Photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any property damage
Negotiating with the Insurance Company or Defense Attorney
Negotiating a fair settlement can be a frustrating and time-consuming process. We have extensive experience handling aggressive claims adjusters and defense attorneys and are familiar with the tactics they will use to minimize payout or deny liability. If a reasonable settlement offer is not made, we will proceed with filing a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf and present your case before a judge and jury.
How Do the Lawyers at Friedland Law Prove Negligence in a Personal Injury Case?
For a successful case, four elements must be present:
An attorney must prove that the other party owed you a duty of care. For example, a property owner has a duty of care to keep their property safe and free of hazards and dangers.
They must also prove that the other party breached their duty of care. If a property owner failed to maintain their land, resulting in a slip and fall accident, the property owner breached their duty of care.
Next, they must establish that the other party’s breach of duty resulted in harm, such as injuries from the fall.
Lastly, your attorney must establish that the other party’s breach resulted in damages, such as ongoing medical care, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
Your personal injury attorney will use evidence, such as medical records, pay stubs, photos of the accident scene, and other evidence, to establish that the other party was negligent and that their negligence resulted in your injuries and subsequent damages.
How Much is My Accident Claim Worth?
The damages you’re entitled to will depend on the circumstances of the accident, your level of fault, the severity of your injuries, and other variables.
In many cases, an accident victim can recover the following types of damages for most types of personal injury accidents, with the exception of auto accidents:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Vehicle damage
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Your Bronx personal injury lawyer will investigate the accident and work with experts to determine the value of your claim and which damages you must pursue.
Non-Economic Damages for New York Motor Vehicle Collisions
New York is a no-fault state. This means the accident victim must file a claim with their own insurer. The accident victim will be unable to recover compensation for non-economic losses unless they sustained a serious injury and file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver.
Non-economic damages can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In other areas of personal injury law, accident victims can recover both economic and non-economic damages.
What is Considered a Serious Injury Under New York Law?
Serious injuries are classified as injuries that prevent the accident victim from performing their normal daily activities for a period of three months.
These injuries can include:
- Broken bones/bone fractures
- Loss of organ
- Loss of limb
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Burns
And other injuries that severely impact the affected person’s ability to carry out routine tasks and activities.
What is Comparative Negligence?
New York operates under the comparative negligence rule. Under this rule, an accident victim can still recover compensation for their medical bills and other damages, however, their settlement or award will be reduced based on their percentage of fault. This means that if you were 20% at fault for an auto accident, the compensation you are awarded will be reduced by 20%.
What is the Statute of Limitations?
If you intend to file a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to do so. If the accident resulted in wrongful death, the statute of limitations is also three years from the date of death.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in New York?
The New York statute of limitations gives accident victims three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the negligent party. Failure to do so within this time frame can result in a case being dismissed, preventing the accident victim from recovering any and all damages related to the incident.
What Are the Common Types of Accident Injuries?
Accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, varying in severity from minor to life-threatening. While each accident is unique, certain types of injuries tend to be more common due to the mechanics of car collisions.
Some of the most common types of car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Loss of limb
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Chest injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Knee and leg injuries
- Facial injuries
What Are Most Dangerous Freeways and Highways in the Bronx?
In the Bronx, some of the most dangerous freeways and highways include:
- I-95 (Cross Bronx Expressway)
The Cross Bronx Expressway is notorious for its congestion and traffic delays.
- Bronx River Parkway
This scenic parkway runs through the Bronx, offering a connection between New York City and Westchester County.
- Bruckner Expressway (I-278)
The Bruckner Expressway is another significant route connecting the Bronx with other parts of New York City.
- Major Deegan Expressway (I-87)
As a major north-south route, the Major Deegan Expressway experiences heavy traffic flow and various exits.
- Grand Concoeurs
While not a freeway, the Grand Concourse is a wide boulevard running through the Bronx.
- Pelham Parkway (Bronx River Parkway Extension)
This parkway extends from the Bronx River Parkway and connects various neighborhoods.
- Hutchinson River Parkway.
Though not entirely within the Bronx, the Hutchinson River Parkway runs along its eastern border.
- I-895 (Sheridan Expressway)
Running along the Bronx River, this expressway can experience congestion and abrupt exits, potentially leading to accidents.
What Are the Top 8 Causes of Auto Accidents In New York?
In 2022, there were a total of 17,678 auto accidents in the Bronx alone.
The top eight causes of motor vehicle collisions in New York in 2022 include:
- Distracted driving: 28,753 crashes
- Failure to yield the right of way: 7,823 crashes
- Following too closely: 7,765 collisions
- Improper lane usage or improper passing: 5,126 accidents
- Passing too closely: 3,967 collisions
- Speeding: 3,940 crashes
- Backing unsafely: 3,152 accidents
- Improper turns: 2,514 crashes
2021 Personal Injury Bronx Accident Statistics
- Auto accidents: 17,000
- Bicycle accidents: 18
- Pedestrian accidents: 1,730
Contact Us Today!
At Friedland Law in the Bronx, we recognize that an accident can leave a lasting impact on every aspect of your life. From medical bills and lost wages to pain and suffering, the toll can be overwhelming. If you were injured in a motor vehicle collision that was caused by the negligence of another motorist, our car accident attorneys and personal injury lawyers will go above and beyond to fight for your rights and ensure that you receive the full and fair compensation you need to rebuild and move forward.
