The experienced vehicle accident attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP can help you and your family secure the compensation you need following an injury accident in Manhattan. Automobile accidents in the city can lead to severe injuries and extensive medical bills. Allow our firm to review your case and explore your options to regain the stability lost because of your injuries.
Types of Auto Accidents in Manhattan
Because of the numerous factors at play, vehicle crashes in Manhattan can occur in many different ways. The type of accident and subsequent damage usually depend on the positioning of the vehicles involved, the speeds at which they were traveling, and the particular conduct of the driver causing the collision. In our attorneys' experience litigating Manhattan accident cases, we have represented people injured in the following types of crashes, among others:
- Rear-end collisions - Rear-end collisions occur when one vehicle slams into the back of another, either because of inattention or following too closely.
- T-bone crashes - T-bone crashes occur when one driver runs a stop sign or red light and crashes into a car traveling in another direction with the right-of-way.
- Side-swipe collisions - Side-swipe collisions usually happen when one driver loses control or swerves and collides with the side of another car.
- Rollover accidents - Rollover accidents involve higher speeds and more forceful impacts that send one or more vehicles into a rolling motion.
- Multi-car crashes - Multi-car crashes occur in a chain-reaction effect, where one car starts a series of crashes by forcefully slamming into another car or by blocking oncoming traffic after the initial collision.
All of the above types of accidents have the potential to result in serious injuries, some of which have lasting effects on the victims and their families. Speed and force of impact play a significant role in the severity of injuries, frequently making the difference between walking away from the scene and spending a lifetime addressing injuries.
Manhattan Auto Accident Injuries
According to recent data from the New York State Department of Health, the City of Manhattan and its surrounding county regularly see a large number of injury accidents. Every month in New York County (the county in which Manhattan is located), approximately three people die because of traffic-related crashes, 28 people are hospitalized, and 265 people are treated in an emergency department. Auto accident victims often require emergency care for their injuries, and many will require ongoing care, depending on the type and extent of their injuries. Parker Waichman LLP has advocated for people injured in the following ways because of Manhattan vehicle crashes:
- Bruises and abrasions
- Broken or dislocated bones/joints
- Burns
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Internal bleeding
- Death
Each of these injuries affects victims in serious ways, including bodily harm, vehicle damage, and costly medical expenses. The average hospitalization charge in New York County following a vehicle accident is almost $83,000, which is an incredible hit with any family. Our attorneys have successfully litigated countless vehicle accident claims in Manhattan, and we have seen a wide range of complex cases. Our attorneys have the well-developed knowledge that helps you navigate the system to ensure a significant result. One specific and significant way your Parker Waichman attorney can assist you is in understanding the New York No-Fault Law and how it applies to your accident claim.
New York's No-Fault Law
In New York, if you are involved in an injury vehicle accident, you must submit a claim to your own insurance carrier for your economic losses. Regardless of whether you share zero blame for the accident and regardless of whether you were a driver or passenger, you are required under the No-Fault Law to work with your own insurance first. This might seem counterintuitive, especially if the other driver is entirely at fault, but New York implemented the law with the intent of actually speeding up your claims process.
Instead of arguing about fault in court and clogging the courts with countless car accident cases, this law is supposed to allow victims to take a more simplified approach and potentially see money faster. However, it is important to remember that it only applies to economic losses, like medical bills and lost wages. To recover for losses beyond that, like pain and suffering, you must meet what is referred to as the "serious injury threshold" within the law.
The serious injury threshold includes all of the following types of injuries:
- Bone breaks and fractures.
- Significant disfigurements.
- Loss of an unborn baby.
- Permanent limitation of use of a body organ or body part.
- Significant limitation of use of a body function or body system.
- Permanent limitation of a body part or body organ.
- Full or substantial disability for at least 90 days following the accident.
- Loss of life.
If you were or a loved one was injured in one of these ways, you could be eligible to seek damages for your non-economic losses by filing a lawsuit in court against the driver who injured you. Looking at this list of injuries, though, it might not be readily ascertainable whether you meet the threshold and can file a lawsuit. This is where a skilled Manhattan personal injury lawyer can help.
When you hire Parker Waichman LLP to represent you in your Manhattan vehicle accident case, our attorneys will investigate your potential claims to the fullest extent and quickly provide you with your legal options. We can help you understand how and when to complete your obligations under the No-Fault Law and can determine whether you can seek non-economic damages in court. Contact Parker Waichman LLP today for a free, no-obligation consultation regarding your accident claim. Our seasoned Manhattan lawyers are ready to help you discover the best actions for you and to ease the burdens placed on you and your family.
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