A car accident can change your life in an instant. You might be facing emotional stress, physical injuries, loss of wages and more questions than you can answer. No matter what situation you are in, your priority is to make a swift and full recovery. When it comes to car accident lawsuits, the sooner you act, the better your chances are of a positive outcome. Do not hesitate to protect your rights and safeguard your future when the unexpected happens.

At Jaroslawicz & Jaros, our New York City attorneys inform our clients how to move forward through the legal process in order to obtain the compensation they deserve. If a car accident has left you in a difficult situation, turn to a legal team that has on behalf of clients in personal injury cases in New York. Additionally, hundreds of our clients have received verdicts and settlements of $1 Million or more.

Protect your future by taking the right steps. Schedule a FREE consultation to discuss your situation with our New York City car accident lawyers today!

The questions that arise after a car accident can be overwhelming. You may not know what the next step is, or where to turn, or how to make a claim for your damages and injuries. With more than 45 years of experience, the car accident lawyers at Jaroslawicz & Jaros have extensive knowledge of car accidents and the legal procedures involved. Get informed about your situation and develop a plan of action accordingly.

When you are involved in a car accident, it is important to keep the following information handy:

• Take Pictures of the Car Crash Scene.
• Get Contact Information from Witnesses.
• Note Your Injuries and Treatment Received.
• Collect Medical Bills and Records.
• Save Receipts for Property Damage.
• Do Not Discuss the Accident With Anyone Except Your Attorney.
• Report All Collisions to your Insurance Company Even if No One is At Fault.

At Jaroslawicz & Jaros, our there’s a New York car accident lawyer available to answer any questions you may have immediately after an accident occurs or any time thereafter throughout your case. We are dedicated to achieving the best possible results for our clients and provide quality legal representation you can trust.

In addition to the above, there may be other evidence you have that is important for your case. Such evidence may include:

• Radiology Reports - Imaging Studies such as X-Rays and CT Scans.
• Police Accident Reports - This report is created by law enforcement on the scene and will identify the parties involved, the time of the accident, weather conditions and other important information.
• Traffic Control Device Photos - For example, if you were hit by a car because it ran a red light or stop sign.
• Witness Statements - If there are individuals who saw your accident and provided a written statement to law enforcement or to you on the scene, their statements could be helpful to your case.
• Insurance Information - Your insurance policy should have identification and contact information for your carrier. Also, any other insurance that may cover you in the accident such as a rental car agreement or homeowner’s insurance should also be considered.

If you have been injured in a car accident and are looking for legal representation or if you suspect that your injuries may change your life forever, turn to the experienced New York City injury lawyers at Jaroslawicz & Jaros. Our New York personal injury lawyers have recovered more than $2 billion on behalf of clients. Get the legal representation you need and contact our personal injury law firm today. For your convenience, we offer services in several languages and will work with you if you did not understand any of the above information.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT MY FIRST MEETING WITH AN NYC CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER?

When you call to schedule a meeting with one of our lawyers you will speak with a staff member who will explain the initial process. This person may be an intake assistant, paralegal or attorney depending on the severity of your claim and how much work is needed to prepare for your case. At this first meeting you will speak with someone in our office who can answer questions regarding your accident, injuries and treatment until you are able to speak to an attorney. During this time your case will be evaluated and at the conclusion of the meeting you should leave with a better understanding of what to expect next, how long it may take for your case to settle or go to trial if necessary, how much it will cost you to pursue your claim and what rights are available to you.

HOW LONG WILL MY CASE TAKE?

Every case is different. Some settle quickly, others take months or years to resolve. Generally you can expect that it will take several weeks to reach a settlement with the insurance company representing the party who was at fault for your accident. If your claim goes to trial it may be many more months before your case is resolved and you will need to continue to seek medical treatment and care throughout your lawsuit.

WHAT WILL MY LAWYER DO?

Your attorney will do everything possible to maximize the compensation you receive for your case. Your lawyer’s role is to work on your behalf by:

1. Gathering evidence such as witness statements, photos, police reports and any other information that pertains to your accident.
2. Communicating with you throughout the case to make sure you are aware of what is happening at each stage of the process.
3. Advocating on your behalf by negotiating a settlement with the insurance company representing the party who was at fault for your accident or by litigating against them if necessary.
4. Filing all necessary paperwork with the court to make sure your rights are protected.
5. Payment arrangements for medical treatment and care you need as a result of your accident. You should not have to pay for any medical services received after your accident. Your lawyer will work out payment arrangements with the providers or may reduce their billing amounts so that you do not have to worry about the cost of your medical treatments.

HOW WILL I BE ABLE TO WORK DURING THE CASE?

Most personal injury cases settle without ever going to trial. This means it is rare for a plaintiff to lose their job due to missed time at work because of an accident. If your case settles before trial you should never have to miss a day of work. If your case goes to trial it is likely that an award for damages will include money so you can hire someone to cover your responsibilities at work while you are forced to be off due to your injuries.

HOW CAN I PAY FOR MY LAWYER?

Most lawyers offer a free initial consultation and meet with potential clients to discuss their case and answer questions. If you hire a lawyer, the fees for his/her services will be paid from your future settlement or trial award. The amount of legal representation offered by a lawyer is usually based on a percentage of the money that you receive as compensation for your accident. This means that if you win your case, your lawyer will be paid a percentage of your settlement or the jury award. If you lose the case, you do not owe anything to your attorney.

DO I HAVE A CHOICE OF LAWYER?

It is very important that you meet with and discuss your accident and injuries with a skilled and experienced car accident lawyer before making any decisions regarding your claim. You should meet with and interview several lawyers before making a decision about who to hire as your lawyer. A lawyer’s education, employment history and experience will help you choose the best person for your case.

WHAT IF I CAN’T AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER?

Some personal injury attorneys offer a free initial consultation to discuss your accident and injuries. If you do not have the resources to hire a lawyer, look for one who offers their services on a contingency basis. A contingency fee arrangement means that if your claim is successful, your attorney will receive a percentage of the award or settlement proceeds as his legal fee. However, you should be aware that most personal injury lawyers on a contingency basis receive at least one-third of the total amount awarded as their fee. If you do not win your lawsuit, you will not owe any fees to your lawyer and he/she cannot ask for payment on his usual hourly rates even though he may have put in many hours preparing your case.

Contact us today for a free consultation about your claim!

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AFTER AN ACCIDENT IN NEW YORK CITY

If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to begin taking steps to protect yourself as soon as possible.

Steps you can take to protect yourself after an accident include the following:

• Obtain names, addresses, and phone numbers of witnesses.
• Take pictures/video of the scene of the accident and damage to all vehicles.
• Get a full medical assessment of your condition.
• Record all costs incurred due to the accident.
• Contact an experienced car accident attorney to represent you.

Also, it is important not to enter into any conversations with car insurance companies following an accident. It’s not uncommon for an insurance company to call you and talk to you about a settlement figure - but they are not acting in your best interests. You must understand that you will be talking to a “loss adjustment" department when they call - these are the people who minimise the amount of compensation paid out in the event of a car crash.

Your call with an insurance company will be recorded - and one slight mistake or incorrect recollection about what has happened could lead to your case being thrown out completely. Don’t let an insurance coverage provider decide the outcome of your personal injury lawsuit. Instead, call us - we’ll talk to insurers on your behalf and our NYC car accident lawyers will make sure you get what you deserve - not what an insurance company wants to pay.

WHAT TYPE OF COMPENSATION ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CAR ACCIDENT VICTIMS?

Like other situations of personal injury, injured victims in a car accident are eligible for fair compensation of their injuries. If another party’s negligent action or reckless behavior caused or contributed to your injuries, you deserve to recover the maximum compensation available.

Most car accidents result in some type of medical expenses, so you will likely be allowed to seek reimbursement for your non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. Most car accidents also cause some degree of property damage, so you can also recover for this loss. Finally, there are types of economic damages that NYC car accident attorneys will try to recover for injured victims, including:

• Lost wages
• Medical expenses
• Disfigurement
• Permanent injuries

WHAT IS THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON CAR ACCIDENT CASES IN NEW YORK?

The deadlines for filing claims vary among states, so it is important to contact an experienced NYC car accident attorney soon after your accident. In New York, a two-year statute of limitations applies to most personal injury cases while auto insurance companies have one year from the date of the accident to investigate and pay a claim.

This might feel like a long time - but it’s important you act quickly, speaking to New York car accident attorneys promptly. This gives you attorney the maximum amount of time to prepare the case. Not only that - but keeping your timescales as short as possible increases the chances of getting accurate witness statements from anyone who has seen your accident or responded to it.

TYPES OF CAR ACCIDENT CLAIMS WE HANDLE

There are many different car accident situations, including:

• Passenger Injuries
• Whiplash Injuries
• Front End Accidents
• Rear End Accidents
• T-Bone Accidents
• Interstate Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Tractor-Trailer Accidents

After any motor vehicle accident resulting in personal injuries you must consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to ensure your rights will be protected. Contact Jaroslawicz & Jaros to speak with our NYC personal injury lawyers about your situation.

ESTABLISH LIABILITY AND DRIVER NEGLIGENCE

Liability is one of the most important elements of a car accident case and most personal injury matters. Proving that another party is liable for your injuries is the first step in obtaining compensation for the injuries you suffered in an auto accident. The term “liability" basically means that another party was negligent, which is the legal term used to describe careless behavior.

When an accident occurs in New York City, state law applies regarding who is liable for your injuries. There are two basic types of liability when it comes to car accidents:

‘Negligence’ and ‘no-fault’.

If negligence is proven, the negligent party can be found liable for your injuries and required to pay compensation. It does not matter if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured. You may claim damages from your own insurance company as well unless the policy specifically excludes such claims.

What happens if I’m partially to blame?

If you were partially at fault for causing an accident, the damages you recovered from the other party may be reduced to reflect this percentage. This is because New York law operates on a “pure comparative negligence" basis around road traffic accidents. So, if you are deemed to be 25% to blame for your accident, your compensation will be reduced by 25%.

A lot of people worry that being partially to blame will mean that they are not entitled to pursue compensation. This is not the case. If you’ve been injured, our investigation will help to decide how much blame lies with you and how much with other parties. We’ll always fight hard to make sure you get the maximum possible payout.

Even if your injuries are not significant or life-threatening, you could still have a legal claim for compensation. New York State personal injury laws protect all citizens. Even if there is no insurance or if there are no significant medical bills or circumstances, it is still possible to file a claim for damages.

Driver negligence and liability covers many situational factors, including:

• Distracted driving
• Driving while intoxicated
• Driving too quickly
• Following too closely

300+ YEARS OF COMBINED EXPERIENCE IN CAR ACCIDENTS

Since 1980, the attorneys at Jaroslawicz & Jaros has been assisting personal injury victims in protecting their rights and obtaining the compensation they deserve. We have acquired many million-dollar settlements for clients in difficult situations:

• $6 Million verdict for a 19-year-old man who suffered a leg injury in a car accident.
• $4.75 Million settlement for a 55-year-old woman struck by a car while crossing the street.
• $2.8 Million verdict for a 43-year-old woman who suffered a back injury in a car accident.
• $2.7 Million settlement for a 20-year-old man injured while a passenger in a car accident who suffered a head injury.
• $1.5 Million verdict for a 20-year-old woman who suffered a back injury in a car accident.

Read more of our past results.

Our lead attorneys have been honored in The National Trial Lawyers “Top 100 Trial Lawyers," an organization that invites only a select few trial lawyers in the nation who meet strict ethical standards and performance levels, as well as being selected for inclusion in “Super Lawyers" list and other numerous awards. Our legal team has experience in many courts, including the New York Court of Appeals, the U.S. Courts of Appeals and even the U.S. Supreme Court. We use our experience and success to better prepare our clients for legal procedures and help them recover the maximum compensation possible.

NO-FAULT CAR ACCIDENT INSURANCE INFORMATION

New York State law requires all drivers to carry a certain amount of insurance coverage for liability, pain and suffering and underinsured motorist protection. Car accident injuries can be severe - even life-long - and cause significant financial hardship on victims and their families. Because of this, many car accidents are caused by uninsured motorists.

A no-fault insurance policy may be available to you if the accident was not your fault, but did result in injuries that required medical attention beyond basic first aid. You can then file a claim against your own car insurance carrier. You should always consult with an attorney before filing a no-fault insurance claim.

Even if you do not meet the criteria for receiving no-fault benefits, you may still be able to receive compensation for your injuries and damages through a personal injury claim against the other driver. Car accident claims can be complicated and it is important to file your claim as soon as possible. You should consult with an attorney before filing a Car accident lawsuit or speaking to car insurance companies about an incident you’ve been involved in.

WHAT IF I AM UNINSURED?

If you were injured by an uninsured driver, you may be able to receive compensation through Uninsured Motorist Car Accident Insurance coverage under your own policy or through a Car Accident Lawsuit. It is important to consult with an experienced Car Accident Attorney about your rights and requirements for filing a Car accident lawsuit if the at-fault driver was uninsured.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HIRING A NEW YORK CITY AUTO ACCIDENT LAWYER?

If you have been injured in a New York Car accident, the first thing that you should do is to preserve your legal rights. This means that you should not agree to any statements with insurance companies or sign any “Release of Liability" documents until consulting with an experienced New York City Auto Accident Lawyer.

You should not worry about the cost of hiring an attorney.

An experienced New York City car accident attorney will ensure that you receive all the benefits and compensation that you deserve for your car accident.

NEW YORK CITY CAR ACCIDENT STATISTICS

There are thousands of car accidents in New York City every year. Car accident statistics for Manhattan indicate that there is approximately one major car wreck every three hours and over 100 traffic-related fatalities per year. Car accident statistics also show that most New York drivers believe they are better-than-average drivers, however, most New Yorkers think their driving skills are exceptional compared to drivers in other big cities. Car accident statistics for New York City indicate that motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of injury related deaths in the city each year, claiming more lives than murders or suicides do. Car accident statistics show that over 50,000 car accidents occur every year on New York’s roadways. NYC Car accident statistics indicate that most accidents happen in Manhattan, due to the fact that vehicles travel faster and more distracted than they do in other boroughs. Car accident statistics for New York City reveal that Staten Island has the lowest per capita rate of car accidents. Car accident statistics show that Brooklyn has a high per capita rate of car accidents because there is heavy traffic along large, congested roadways in Kings County. Car accident statistics for the city indicate that drivers are at fault in nearly 70% of all car accidents in New York. Car accident statistics show that male drivers are more likely to get into a car accident than females in New York City, and males between the ages of 15-35 are the most likely to get into a car accident. Car accident statistics for New York City show that the most dangerous time to drive in the city is between 3-4 p.m. Car accident statistics suggest that nearly 40% of all fatal crashes involve alcohol, and over 10% of all accidents result in someone being injured or killed.

EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS WITH JAROSLAWICZ & JAROS

When you work with Jaroslawicz & Jaros, you retain award-winning New York City personal injury lawyers with more than 45 years of experience — lawyers who have recovered more than $2 billion in verdicts and settlements, with more than 100 clients receiving $1 Million or more in compensation.

If you or a loved one is in need of legal assistance after a car accident, call Jaroslawicz & Jaros in New York at or fill out our convenient online questionnaire.

The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to handle your case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds. In many cases, a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. Please call to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation. Or you can email Abraham Jaros at ajaros@lawjaros.com

Contact the New York City car accident attorneys at Jaroslawicz & Jaros today. Let us fight for the compensation you deserve!