Albany Car Accident Lawyer
Experienced Car Accident Lawyers at William Mattar Law Offices
Have you suffered injuries due to another driver’s negligence? If so, contact William Mattar today to speak to an Albany car accident Lawyer. We have an experienced team of Albany car accident lawyers ready to assist you immediately when you need legal help.
Are you in the hospital or recuperating at home and cannot come to us? Don’t let that stop you from obtaining compensation for your injuries. We will come to you!
Why Choose Our Albany Car Accident Lawyers?
The aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with injuries, medical bills, and insurance companies. An experienced car accident attorney can be an invaluable ally during this challenging time, helping you protect your rights and fight for the compensation you need. Here are some of the ways an attorney from William Mattar Law Offices can assist you:
Assessing Your Case
A skilled attorney from our law firm will evaluate your case, determine the strengths and weaknesses of your claim, and advise you on the best course of action.
Investigating the Accident
Your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident, gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and surveillance footage. This evidence can be crucial in establishing liability and supporting your claim.
Communicating with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to settle claims quickly and for the lowest amount possible. Your attorney can handle all communication with the insurance companies, protecting you from saying anything that could jeopardize your claim and negotiating on your behalf to secure a fair settlement.
Assessing and Documenting Your Damages
An experienced attorney at our law office can help you assess the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future costs. They will document your damages thoroughly to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation you’re entitled to.
Representing You in Court
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your attorney can file a personal injury lawsuit and represent you in court. They will present your case, argue on your behalf, and fight to secure a favorable verdict or settlement.
Providing Peace of Mind
Dealing with the legal process after a car accident can be stressful, but having an experienced attorney on your side can provide peace of mind. You can focus on your recovery while your attorney handles the legal aspects of your case.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Albany, NY
If you’ve been involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s important to take the right steps to protect not only your legal rights, but your health too. Here’s what you should do in the days following the accident:
- Seek Medical Treatment: Even if you feel fine, you should still get a thorough medical examination. Some injuries, such as whiplash or internal bleeding, may not show symptoms right away. A doctor will help make sure that you receive proper treatment and establish a record of your injuries, which can help your car accident claim.
- Report the Car Accident: If you haven’t already done so, report the accident to the police and your insurance company. Provide them with the facts of the accident but refrain from admitting fault or liability.
- Gather Evidence: Collect as much evidence as possible, including photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your car accident injuries. It’s also worth it to obtain contact info from witnesses and the other driver(s) involved. Additionally, keep a record of all medical treatment, expenses, and any time missed from work due to the accident.
- Contact an Experienced Albany Car Accident Attorney: Consult with a skilled Albany car accident lawyer who can protect your rights and help you take on the legal process. They can communicate with insurance companies on your behalf, gather additional evidence, and fight for the maximum compensation you need.
- Follow Your Doctor’s Orders: Adhere to your doctor’s treatment plan and attend all follow-up appointments. This not only helps your proper recovery but also demonstrates the severity of your injuries to insurance companies and can often strengthen personal injury claim.
- Keep a Journal: It’s worth it in many car accident cases to document your daily experiences, such as pain levels, emotional distress, and how the injuries have impacted your life. This information can be valuable when seeking compensation for your damages.
Remember, the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. By taking these steps and working with an experienced car accident attorney, you can focus on your recovery while your lawyer handles the legal aspects of your car accident claim.
Truck vs Car Accidents: What You Need to Know
Pick-up and semi-trucks are backed by powerful engines and heavy-duty frames. When a truck hits a small to medium sized car, the consequences can be devastating for drivers and passengers of these lighter vehicles.
Severe physical injuries could force victims to remain in the hospital for weeks, causing them to miss work for an extended period. Losing your ability to earn a living inevitably adds to the stress of recovering from internal injuries, broken bones and head trauma.
Drivers of semis and pick-up trucks may cause accidents when they doze off while driving, take overly wide turns or exceed the speed limit on highways and interstates. Because pick-up trucks have extended back ends, their drivers could miss seeing another car if they don’t take the time to look properly.
Understanding Your Rights after a Car Accident in Albany, NY
When you’re involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault in New York, it’s important to know that New York follows a “no-fault” car insurance system, which means that after an accident, your own car insurance will cover your medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
However, if you’ve suffered serious injuries that meet certain thresholds, you have the right to step outside of the no-fault system and file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. In New York, some serious injuries are defined as:
- Personal injury resulting in death
- Dismemberment
- Significant disfigurement
- Fracture
- Loss of a fetus
- Permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function, or system
- Permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member
- Significant limitation of use of a body function or system
- A non-permanent injury or impairment that prevents the injured person from performing most of their usual daily activities for at least 90 out of the 180 days immediately following the injury or impairment.
In addition to motor vehicle accident victims having the right to seek compensation through the no-fault system or a personal injury lawsuit, they also have the following rights:
- Seek Medical Treatment: You have the right to seek medical attention for your injuries, regardless of the severity. Don’t hesitate to get the care you need, as your health should be your top priority.
- Hire a Car Accident Injury Attorney: You have the right to hire a car accident attorney to represent your interests and protect your rights throughout the claims process. An experienced New York lawyer can help you understand certain things regarding the legal system, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
- Refuse Early Settlement Offers: Insurance companies often try to settle claims quickly and for the lowest amount possible. You have the right to refuse any settlement offer that doesn’t adequately cover your damages and to negotiate for a fair settlement.
- Fair Investigation: You have the right to expect a thorough and fair investigation of your accident by both the police and the insurance companies involved.
- The Right to Privacy: You have the right to keep your medical records and other personal information private. You should only share this information with your trusted attorney and medical providers.
By understanding these rights and working with an experienced Albany car accident lawyer, you can help protect your interests and seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.
Car Accidents and Determining Who is at Fault
In most car accidents, it’s clear who caused the accident, whether somebody ran a red light, failed to yield or drove recklessly.
When establishing driver negligence is difficult, you shouldn’t attempt to represent yourself. An Albany car accident attorney has the skills and knowledge to know how and where to search for evidence that will support your car accident case.
If the other driver’s insurance company attempts to obtain statements from you, do not interact with the agent, contact an Albany auto accident attorney immediately. You could unintentionally admit liability for the accident which impacts the ability for you to obtain compensation.
Common Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents
Car accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, some of which may not be immediately apparent. It’s important to be aware of these common injuries so that you can seek proper medical attention and determine whether your injuries meet the serious injury threshold in New York, allowing you to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Some of the most common car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries: Sudden impact can cause your head to jerk forward and back, straining the muscles and ligaments in your neck. Whiplash symptoms may include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness.
- Back and Spinal Cord Injuries: Car accidents can lead to herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or even paralysis in severe cases. Back pain, numbness, tingling sensations, and weakness in the limbs may indicate a serious back or spinal cord injury.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): A violent jolt or blow to the head can cause a TBI, which may result in concussion symptoms like headaches, memory loss, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. More severe TBIs can lead to long-term cognitive and physical impairments.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: The impact of a crash can cause fractures in various parts of the body, including arms, legs, ribs, and hips. These injuries can be painful and may require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, strains, and tears to muscles, tendons, and ligaments are common in car accidents. These injuries can cause pain, swelling, and limited mobility, and may take weeks or months to heal properly.
- Psychological Trauma: Not all car accident injuries are physical. Many victims experience emotional distress, anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a crash.
If you’ve experienced any of these injuries or other symptoms after a car accident, seek medical attention promptly. Your medical records will play a crucial role in determining the extent of your injuries and whether they meet the serious injury threshold in New York.
If your injuries are severe or significantly impact your daily life, you may be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. An experienced car accident attorney can help assess your case and guide you through the legal process to seek the compensation you deserve.
Contact an Albany Car Accident Attorney
After suffering minor injuries following a car accident, too many crash victims do not think they need a car accident lawyer, especially if everybody involved has insurance to cover any vehicle damages.
If another driver’s negligence caused you to get into an accident, don’t hesitate to call the experienced Albany car accident lawyers at William Mattar today at (844) 444-4444 or fill out and submit online a free consultation form. We take calls 24/7 because we understand that accidents can happen at any time. As mentioned earlier, a car accident lawyer from our law firm can even visit you at the hospital or home if necessary.
Albany Location
William Mattar Law Offices
350 Northern Blvd., Suite 306
Albany, NY 12204
(518) 444-4444
