Staten Island Car Accident Lawyers
Staten Island roadways have become more dangerous in recent years as drivers have less respect for societal norms and the rules of the road. Not only are there more car accidents occurring, but those that happen are more serious. If you have been injured in a Staten Island car accident, there is a chance that you may be eligible for substantial financial compensation in the form of a settlement check or jury award. First, you need to prove that the other driver was responsible for the crash to be in a position to receive money for your accident injuries.
Dangerous Roads and Areas in Staten Island
Due to a lower population density, Staten Island may not have as much traffic as the other boroughs in New York City. However, that introduces its own set of dangers. Drivers may have more space and room to speed and operate their vehicles in a reckless manner. Some dangerous roads in Staten Island include:
- Hylan Boulevard is referred to as the “Boulevard of Death” based on traffic fatality statistics and its reputation
- Lincoln Avenue, which had a section of the roadway recently narrowed to take away a motorist’s ability to drive recklessly
- The Staten Island Expressway is where motorists can travel drunk or at dangerous speeds after hours
- New Dorp Lane often appears on surveys of the most dangerous roads and intersections in Staten Island
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Staten Island
Drivers can cause accidents in Staten Island in several ways, including:
- Speeding
- Illegal turns
- Excessive tailgating
- Drunk driving
- Failure to check blind spots when changing lanes
- Distracted driving
- Running stop signs and red lights
No matter what the other driver did to cause the accident, they would owe you money when you can prove they were at fault for the crash.
How Do I Receive Compensation for My Car Accident Injuries?
You could be paid for your car accident injuries through a settlement agreement negotiated directly with the insurance company or through the court system. Both the insurance company and a jury would need to see that there was a responsible party who has the legal obligation to pay you. When you file a claim or a lawsuit, you need to prove that the other driver or someone else was negligent. The legal meaning of this term is that they did something which would be considered unreasonable under the circumstances.
How Do I Prove Negligence in a Car Accident Case?
There is only one way that you can meet your burden of proof in a car accident case, and that is by coming forward with evidence that shows that the driver was responsible for the crash. Car accident evidence can take on a number of forms, and you may be best served by presenting several types of proof to either the insurance company or a jury. Your car accident lawyer would investigate the crash, and they would be tasked with compiling the evidence that you need to win your case. Some potentially persuasive forms of evidence in a car accident case include:
- Eyewitness testimony from people who saw the accident
- Pictures of the scene of the accident
- Video footage of the accident
- The police report documenting the crash
- Testimony from an accident reconstruction expert
What Can I Expect in Car Accident Compensation?
Your car accident compensation depends on both your personal injuries and the amount of insurance coverage that is available to pay for it. If the other driver did not have enough coverage to fully pay for your injuries, you could then file a claim against your own underinsured motorist coverage. Your car accident lawyer would review the documentation that you provide to determine the amount that you are seeking when you file a claim or lawsuit. Generally, your car accident settlement check would pay you for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Embarrassment and humiliation
Your car accident lawyer would likely need to negotiate with the insurance company to ensure that you are paid enough to cover the full extent of your losses. Standard insurance company practice is that they try to negotiate your claim, making you low settlement offers and forcing you to reject them. If they do not pay you enough, your car accident lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf and let the jury decide the matter.
How Will a Staten Island Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?
You are best off when you get legal help for your car accident case, as opposed to trying to go it alone. The insurance company often has its way with self-represented claimants, either getting away with denying the claim or paying far less than the full value. A car accident lawyer can help you in a number of ways, including:
- Conducting a full investigation of the accident and compiling the proof you need to win your case.
- Communicating with the insurance company on your behalf and fighting back when they wrongfully tried to blame you.
- Quantifying the damages you have suffered so you know the full value of your case.
- Drafting and filing a claim or lawsuit on your behalf.
- Fighting to get you top dollar for your car accident damages.
The car accident lawyers at Ellis Law have been helping injured Staten Island residents for nearly four decades. We bring to the table an aggressive yet common-sense approach to your car accident claim, working to get you the best possible result.
How Do I Pay a Car Accident Lawyer?
Although there is not much good news for you when you have been injured in a car accident, one thing that should bring you comfort is that you do not take on any financial risk when you hire a lawyer for your case. A car accident lawyer represents you on a contingency basis, meaning they are only paid if and when you receive money for your injuries. You do not have to pay any money upfront, and you do not pay anything whatsoever to a lawyer unless you win your case.
Contact the Staten Island Car Accident Lawyers at Ellis Law Today for Help with Your Case in Seeking the Compensation You Deserve
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle crash, you need immediate legal help from the Staten Island car accident lawyers at Ellis Law. Schedule a free initial consultation with one of our car accident lawyers by calling us today at 732-308-0200 or filling out our online form. Our office is located in Freehold, New Jersey, and we proudly serve clients in Asbury Park, East Brunswick, Toms River, Middletown, Jersey City, Long Branch, Neptune, Hudson County, Union County, Essex County, Monmouth County, Marlboro, and Ocean County, as well as Brooklyn and New York City.
