The insurance company may offer a quick, small payment after your auto accident. Many people accept this initial offer, believing it’s the best they can do. A skilled car accident lawyer serving NYC knows this is a tactic to close your case for less than its full value before you understand the total impact on your life.If a serious car accident injured you, William Mattar Law Offices can help maximize your compensation. Call us at (716) 444-4444 today to learn more, or complete our online form.
Key Takeaways for Car Accident Lawyer Serving NYC
- The insurance adjuster's objective is to minimize the company's payout, which directly conflicts with your goal of fair compensation.
- New York's serious injury threshold creates a complex barrier that can prevent you from filing a lawsuit for non-economic damages unless your injuries meet specific legal criteria.
- Evidence from the accident scene, such as police reports and witness contact information, forms the foundation of a strong personal injury claim.
- Different sources of compensation may apply to your case, including claims against the at-fault driver's insurance and your own policy benefits.
- Acting quickly gives your legal team the best opportunity to preserve evidence and build a comprehensive case file on your behalf.
Why Choose William Mattar Law Offices for Your NYC Car Crash Claim?
Choosing the right car accident lawyer serving NYC requires selecting a team that immediately takes the pressure off you. Our attorneys take over all communication with insurance companies the moment you hire us.
We start building your case right away, allowing you to focus entirely on your medical treatment and personal recovery.
A Record of Success
William Mattar Law Offices has a long and established history of helping New Yorkers injured in car accidents. We leverage the full resources of our established law firm to build a comprehensive claim for you, applying our collective knowledge to the unique facts of your accident.
Decades of Experience Assisting New Yorkers
For years, William Mattar Law Offices has helped accident victims across New York State. We know the tactics that insurance carriers use to diminish claims. Our experience informs every action we take, from the initial investigation through settlement negotiations.
A Legal Team Ready for Complex Cases
We commit significant resources to investigating every client's claim thoroughly. Our team collaborates to establish a robust position that aims to achieve a favorable outcome for you and your family. Contact William Mattar Law Offices at (716) 444-4444 for a free consultation.
NYC Collision Scenarios We Handle
Our firm has experience with a wide variety of car accident claims, and we understand that the specific circumstances of your crash matter. Our team investigates thoroughly to determine the cause and identify all responsible parties.
Our team represents clients injured in crashes involving:
- Distracted Driving: We can subpoena cell phone records and utilize other evidence to demonstrate that a driver was texting, talking, or otherwise not paying attention to the road.
- Speeding and Aggressive Driving: Drivers who speed or engage in risky behaviors, such as sudden lane changes or tailgating, put everyone on the road at risk.
- Drunk Driving Accidents: Our attorneys hold intoxicated drivers accountable for the harm they cause and seek maximum compensation for victims.
Building a Strong Claim After an NYC Collision
A successful injury claim depends on solid evidence. Your legal team works to gather and preserve all critical information related to your accident. This proactive approach shows insurance companies that we’re prepared for litigation if necessary.
Evidence that strengthens a claim includes:
- Police Accident Report: This official document contains the officer's initial observations, identifies the parties involved, and may include a preliminary determination of fault.
- Witness Statements: Independent witnesses provide an unbiased account of the events, which can support your version of what happened.
- Photographs and Videos: Visual evidence from the scene shows vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and the positions of the cars, which helps reconstruct the accident.
- Medical Records: Your medical files establish a direct connection between the crash and your injuries, documenting the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis provided by medical professionals.
Types of Compensation in New York Injury Cases
A settlement or verdict can account for many types of losses you suffer after a car crash. Our legal team diligently documents your damages to build a comprehensive demand package.
While every case is unique, we can pursue compensation for many categories, including:
- Past and Future Medical Bills: This covers everything from the initial emergency room visit to ongoing physical therapy, surgeries, and required medications.
- Lost Wages and Income: We can seek reimbursement for the time you missed from work and any reduction in your future earning capacity if your injuries have long-term effects.
- Pain and Suffering: This compensates for the physical pain and emotional distress resulting from your injuries and the accident itself.
- Property Damage: This addresses the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property destroyed in the collision.
Common Types of NYC Auto Accidents
Heavy traffic, constant construction, and congested intersections contribute to thousands of collisions across the five boroughs each year. Our firm has experience handling claims arising from various common crash types specific to the city's challenging driving environment.
Here are several common crash types we see:
- Rear-End Collisions: These frequently occur in stop-and-go traffic on major arteries, such as the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE), during rush hour, often because a following driver was distracted or tailgating.
- Intersection Accidents: T-bone and failure-to-yield crashes are common at complex, multi-lane intersections such as the convergence of Flatbush Avenue and Tillary Street in Downtown Brooklyn, where drivers may disregard traffic signals.
- Sideswipe and Lane-Change Collisions: The high volume of vehicles changing lanes on wide thoroughfares, such as Queens Boulevard, often leads to sideswipe incidents when a driver fails to check their blind spot before merging.
- Taxi and Rideshare Accidents: Given the prevalence of for-hire vehicles, accidents involving taxis and rideshare cars are a daily occurrence, especially in high-density areas like Midtown Manhattan, where vehicles are constantly stopping to pick up or drop off passengers.
The Challenge of New York's Serious Injury Threshold
New York law places a significant restriction on your ability to file a lawsuit against an at-fault driver after an accident. To pursue a claim for damages like pain and suffering, your injuries must meet a specific legal standard known as the serious injury threshold.
The law defines a serious injury through specific categories. These include death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, a fracture, or a medically determined injury that prevents you from performing your typical daily activities for at least 90 of the 180 days following the crash.
Without meeting this threshold, you cannot hold the at-fault driver accountable for your non-economic losses.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Serving NYC Evaluates Your Case
Proving you sustained a serious injury requires detailed medical documentation and a clear legal argument. A car accident lawyer serving NYC from our team can help. We review your medical records and consult with your doctors to establish the severity of your injuries.
Next, your attorney will frame this evidence within the legal requirements to demonstrate your right to pursue a full claim against the at-fault party.
The Insurance Company Protects Its Own Interests
After a crash, an insurance adjuster from the other driver's company may contact you. The adjuster may seem friendly and helpful, but their professional duty is to their employer. Insurance companies are businesses that profit by collecting more in premiums than they pay out in claims.
An adjuster's primary role involves limiting the amount the company pays, and they may ask for a recorded statement, hoping you say something that harms your claim. They might request access to your complete medical history to find pre-existing conditions they can blame for your pain.
An adjuster may also make a quick settlement offer before you know the full extent of your injuries and future medical needs. A low initial offer rarely covers long-term expenses.
How an Attorney Counteracts Insurance Tactics
Our lawyers handle all communications with insurance companies on behalf of our clients. We protect you from these tactics and ensure your story is told accurately. We’ll instruct the adjuster to direct all future inquiries to our office.
Your car accident lawyer serving NYC builds your case through an independent investigation. We don’t rely on the insurance company's version of events or its assessment of your damages.
Our team gathers police reports, interviews witnesses, and reviews all relevant medical documentation to create a clear and fact-based record of what happened and its impact on your life.
FAQ for Car Accident Lawyer Serving NYC
What Are the First Steps I Can Take To Protect My Claim?
If you have already received initial medical care, organize all the documents related to the accident into a single file, including the police report, the other driver's information, and any photos from the scene.
Continue with all recommended medical treatment and be sure to attend every follow-up appointment, as these records document the full extent of your injuries.
Report the accident to your own insurance company to begin the claims process, but don’t speak with the at-fault driver's insurance adjuster or provide them with a recorded statement. Consult with an attorney before giving any statements to any insurer to protect your rights.
Why Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer Serving New York if the Adjuster Seems Helpful?
Insurance adjusters are trained professionals whose job is to protect their company's financial interests. They may use a friendly demeanor to build rapport and encourage you to accept a quick, low settlement or to say something that damages your claim.
An experienced NYC car crash attorney acts as your advocate, handles all communications on your behalf, and works to make sure any settlement offer fully compensates you for your losses.
What if I Were a Passenger in an Accident?
As an injured passenger, you have the right to pursue a claim for your damages against the at-fault party. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, you may have a claim against the driver of the car you were in, the driver of the other vehicle, or both.
An attorney can help identify all responsible parties and sources of recovery.
What if the At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance?
If an uninsured driver hits you, you may still have options. Your own auto insurance policy may include Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. This coverage allows you to make a claim with your own insurance company for the damages the at-fault driver would have been responsible for.
When Should I Contact a Car Accident Lawyer Serving NYC?
You should contact a car accident lawyer serving NYC as soon as possible after your accident. Critical evidence can disappear over time, and witnesses may become difficult to locate. Additionally, New York has strict deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, for filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Getting an attorney involved early protects your rights and gives your legal team the time it needs to build the strongest possible case for you.
Your Bridge to Recovery
The legal system can seem complicated and burdensome during this time. Let our firm build a bridge over those legal complexities. William Mattar Law Offices takes on the responsibility of the claim process, allowing you to dedicate your energy to what truly matters—your recovery.
Let us handle the paperwork, the phone calls, and the negotiations. Call us now at (716) 444-4444 today to learn more, or complete our online form.