New York laws permit a wrongfully injured individual to pursue compensation from the person or entity that caused their injury. The injured person should find a reliable personal injury lawyer to help them seek just compensation. Discover New York’s personal injury laws, including how to find the best lawyer to handle your case.
Definition of Severe Injury
The definition of “serious injuries” by New York laws may be relevant when injury victims seek compensation. New York laws define severe injuries as those that impact a person’s life for at least 90 days within six months following an accident.
The law lists the following types of serious injuries:
- Notable deformity
- Dismemberment
- Broken bones
- Miscarriage
- Loss or impairment of a body organ
- A restriction on the regular operation of a body part, organ, or system
- Dangerous medical concerns that can cause death
Benefits of Working with a Personal Injury Attorney
Personal injury attorneys take several steps to give the plaintiff the best chance at winning a just settlement or jury verdict. Every personal injury case needs the plaintiff to prove liability and damages. The attorneys prepare the plaintiff by documenting and preserving any evidence to prove the claim.
A personal injury attorney can do the following to strengthen an injury case:
- Hear the victim’s testimony
- Gather proof of the accident cause and damages
- Calculate the value of a case and evaluates the losses
- Create a compelling claim and defense for compensation
- Make paperwork and court records
- Discusse a fair settlement with insurers
- Represent the plaintiff in court
What Cases Do Personal Injury Attorneys Handle?
Personal injury laws cover different types of accidents, including:
- Truck collisions
- Car crashes
- Railroad accidents
- Medical negligence
- Abuse in nursing homes
- Faulty product
- Construction accidents
If an accident results in a fatality, the victim’s surviving next of kin may file a damage claim. A wrongful death attorney can offer support during such cases.
Read Also: Live Up North? Climate Impact on Artificial Turf
What Damages Can a Lawyer Seek?
Physical injuries following an accident can be challenging to recover from. Victims also cope with mental distress, property damage, and expensive medical bills. Personal injury attorneys can pursue financial compensation to offer support and secure the injured person’s needs.
In a successful claim, one could get compensation for economic and noneconomic damages. These damages may include the following:
- Past and future medical care costs
- Emotional and physical pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of present and future earnings
- Loss of life’s pleasure
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages may also be awarded if the defendant disregards the victim’s safety or intentional negligence. These damages hold the offender accountable for their acts and provide the injured person with further help during recovery.
Consideration for Selecting a Personal Injury Lawyer
Dealing with injuries after an accident due to someone else’s negligence is enough trouble. To select the best NYC personal injury attorney to defend your rights, consider the following factors:
Experience
Choose a lawyer who has dealt with similar cases in the past to get helpful advice on moving forward. A victim may benefit from an attorney’s experience in a specific area of case law, such as medical negligence or car accident cases.
Past Outcomes
Find out about past outcomes of the lawyer you intend to hire following an accident. You can check out their website portfolio or past client reviews. An attorney’s past performance can provide valuable insight into their abilities and effectiveness. It also shows how well they represent clients in and out of court.
Fee
When selecting an attorney, determine whether the law firm offers free initial consultations. During the first free session, a lawyer can evaluate the strength of a claim. The sooner you file a worthy claim, the better for your case.
The lawyer should also charge on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t have to pay anything out of pocket. Your attorney should collect a predetermined percentage of the money you obtain from your settlement. Most New York lawyers charge a third of the settlement. The expense of your attorney shouldn’t increase the level of financial stress you already experience.
Never underestimate the value of an attorney in your injury case. Find a reliable personal injury lawyer in New York based on the above considerations to get the compensation you deserve.
