Staten Island Car Accident Lawyer
The economic impact of a car accident can be devastating, even with good health insurance coverage and auto insurance. In 2021, the comprehensive costs of a disabling motor vehicle accident were over one million dollars. This far exceeds the $25,000 bodily injury coverage required by auto insurers. If your car accident was due to the negligence of another party, you have the right to pursue compensation for all your losses and damages.
The Staten Island car accident lawyers at Douglas & London fight for the maximum compensation you need to heal and move on with your life. Whether a case requires a jury verdict or a settlement outside the courtroom, we work tirelessly to ensure our clients are fairly and appropriately compensated for the injuries and losses they have experienced due to someone else’s negligence. Let us put our experience, skills, and resources to work for you. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your Staten Island car accident.
What Types of Compensation Are Available After a Staten Island Car Accident?
Expenses from a serious car accident are enough to risk anyone’s financial security, no matter how much you make at work or how well you’ve saved your whole life. Before liquidating your assets or declaring bankruptcy, it’s worth speaking to a lawyer at Douglas & London to explore your options.
For example, car accident victims may be eligible for economic damages including:
- Medical bills arising from the accident, including hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, ambulance costs, and medications
- Modifications to your home that may be necessary to accommodate your injuries
- Lost wages and future lost earnings
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
You may also be eligible for non-economic damages such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment
- Loss of companionship
- Scarring and disfigurement
Non-economic damages are often more challenging to calculate because they are soft costs, but they can significantly increase the total value of your claim. An experienced car accident lawyer in Staten Island from our firm can carefully assess all the hardships you face—financial, medical, and emotional—to help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation available under the law.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Staten Island?
Staten Island has several dangerous streets and intersections. A 1.3-mile stretch of Lincoln Avenue between Father Capodanno Boulevard and North Railroad Avenue has seen so many accidents the city has worked to redesign the much-traveled route.
In addition, Hylan Boulevard is among Staten Island’s most dangerous roadways, accounting for a third of all traffic deaths over ten years. Any highway, road, or intersection in Staten Island can prove hazardous, especially when distracted, drunk, and otherwise negligent drivers are behind the wheel.
Negligent Drivers
One of the critical aspects of your car accident claim is to determine the cause and identify the responsible party. The New York injury lawyers at Douglas & London have significant investigative resources to uncover the causes of car accidents, which include the following:
- Texting while driving and other forms of distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Speeding, reckless driving, running red lights, and other traffic violations
- Potholes, missing railings, unmarked intersections, and other defects in road design and construction
- Faulty brakes, steering, and other mechanical components
With the facts, we can negotiate on your behalf or fight for your compensation in court. Our Staten Island car accident lawyers have an outstanding record of success in obtaining favorable settlements for our clients. When the opposing party refuses to treat our clients fairly, we are always prepared to meet them in court.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
Your priority after a car accident is removing yourself from harm’s way, and if you are hurt, seek medical treatment. Other steps to take after a car accident in Staten Island include:
- Gather Evidence. Photographic evidence from the scene of your accident can play a pivotal role in a car accident claim. Take pictures of skid marks, vehicle damage, injuries, and weather conditions. Also, if possible, gather the contact information of potential eyewitnesses. Their testimony could make a difference in your case.
- Do not Admit Fault. Your statements in the immediate aftermath of a car accident can impact your personal injury claim. Do not apologize or admit fault. Further, if the at-fault driver’s insurance company contacts you, they may try to get you to say things that limit their liability—and hurt your financial future. Avoid saying anything that could harm your legal prospects, and always speak to your lawyer before signing anything.
- Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer. Consult with a lawyer as soon as possible so they can protect your rights. The at-fault driver’s insurance company and legal team are likely already building its case, including gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. Our team can help level the playing field and protect your rights.
Schedule a Free Consultation at Douglas & London
Our Staten Island car accident lawyers are here to help you recover compensation for your damages. We can provide the representation that has made us a leader in New York personal injury law. Schedule a free consultation with an experienced and compassionate member of our legal team. We handle personal injury claims in Staten Island, throughout all five boroughs, and across New York State. Since we work on a contingency basis, there are no upfront legal fees.
