New York Personal Injury Lawyer

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Sarah Edwards

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Reviewed By Adam Ramirez, J.D.

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Summary

  • After an accident, a personal injury lawyer may help you recover damages
  • Most personal injury cases settle out of court
  • Injury lawyers usually work on contingency, meaning you only pay if you win

From the bustle of New York City to the cool, clean air of the Catskills, New York is a state that offers a wide variety of experiences. If one of those experiences leads to a serious injury, you might find yourself in need of a personal injury lawyer. Here’s what you need to know before you choose one.

Free Personal Injury Case Review

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What Does a Personal Injury Attorney Do?

Personal injury attorneys work to recover compensation for injured people. More specifically, if you get hurt because someone else was careless or negligent, a personal injury attorney can attempt to negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company. If doing so proves to be impossible, they can also represent you in court.

When a New York personal injury lawyer represents a client, they perform a wide variety of tasks like these:

  • Investigating the accident
  • Gathering evidence
  • Coming up with a legal strategy and putting together an argument
  • Negotiating with insurance companies
  • Arguing the case in court

Personal injury lawyers often work on contingency, which means you pay them only if you win. In most cases, working with a personal injury lawyer comes at no risk to you.

What to Look for When Choosing New York Personal Injury Attorneys

When you’re considering a lawyer, look closely at their experience. Have they handled cases like yours? Do they have a track record of success?

You should also check client reviews to see if most clients have been happy with their experience. If the lawyer has been recognized by organizations in the legal field, that can mean they’re respected by their peers as well.

It’s also important to choose a lawyer who communicates effectively. If they respond promptly to questions and take time to answer thoroughly, that’s a good sign.

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Common Types of Personal Injury Claims Filed in New York

The field of personal injury encompasses a wide range of accidents and injuries. These are some of the case types New York personal injury lawyers commonly handle:

Car Accidents

Serious car accidents happen nearly every day, so many personal injury firms regularly handle car accident cases.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

Pedestrians and cyclists can be especially vulnerable to injury when they’re involved in car accidents, even those at low speeds.

Truck Accidents

Truck accidents involve many factors that distinguish them from car accidents. For example, commercial trucks often inflict even more severe injuries, and in many cases, truck accident lawsuits involve multiple liable parties.

Trucking companies also tend to have vast resources and skilled attorneys at their disposal, so having your own highly experienced legal representative is crucial.

Motorcycle Accidents

Recovering compensation after motorcycle accidents can be difficult, especially if the other side states that you weren’t wearing a helmet or were violating traffic laws. An attorney knows how to navigate such challenges.

Slip and Fall Accidents

These accidents happen when a business owner or other property owner doesn’t maintain a safe environment.

Medical Malpractice

Malpractice cases involve incompetent medical professionals. They require extensive legal and medical knowledge, so finding a firm that focuses specifically on these cases can be very helpful.

Dog Bites

New York dog bite laws are complicated, but an experienced attorney can assist you in understanding how those regulations apply to your particular case.

Workplace Accidents

Workplace accident cases are uniquely complex. Many injured employees aren’t sure whether they should file a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit, but a work injury lawyer can offer qualified guidance.

Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?

The best way to determine whether you have a strong case is to consult a New York personal injury lawyer. Keep in mind that if one lawyer says you don’t have a case, it’s possible that another will say you do. This is why it’s important to take advantage of the free consultations that many firms offer.

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When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Law Firm?

If you were injured by someone’s negligence and you have substantial damages to collect, it’s generally a good idea to consult a personal injury firm. If a lawyer believes they can recover compensation for you, they will offer to represent you.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in New York?

The statute of limitations for most personal injury cases in New York is three years. That means you typically have three years from the date of your injury to file a case.

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Common Damages in Personal Injury Cases

In New York, you can be compensated for a number of different types of losses. Some of the most common types of damages you can collect include:

Medical Bills

You can often be compensated for your existing medical bills as well as estimated future medical costs.

Property Damage

Not all injury cases involve property damage. If yours does, you may be reimbursed for repair or replacement costs.

Lost Income

If your injury caused you to miss work, you could receive compensation to make up for lost wages.

Lost Earning Capacity

Many serious injuries cause permanent total or partial disability. If your earning capacity is diminished, your settlement may include compensation to offset that loss.

Pain and Suffering

Although you can’t assign a monetary value to physical and mental suffering, you can receive compensation for these intangible losses.

Loss of Consortium

Your spouse could recover compensation for loss of consortium if your injuries have negatively affected your relationship.

Serving Personal Injury Clients Across New York

ConsumerShield has built a network of experienced lawyers across the country. We’ve helped clients in almost every city in New York, including:

  • New York City
  • Albany
  • Syracuse
  • Yonkers
  • Rochester
  • Buffalo
  • Utica
  • White Plains
  • Hempstead
  • New Rochelle
  • Troy
  • Niagara Falls
  • Long Beach

Because we partner with New York personal injury lawyers in all 62 counties in the state, our team can match you with a trusted attorney in any area.

Free Personal Injury Case Review

Preparing Case Review Form. ConsumerShield is transforming the way consumers experience law.

Connect With Experienced New York Personal Injury Lawyers

If you’ve been hurt by a negligent person, you don’t need just any personal injury lawyer; you also need someone with experience and determination. At ConsumerShield, we match people in need of legal help with qualified attorneys nearby.

Getting started is easy. Fill out our contact form for a free case review today.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Personal injury lawyers represent you in civil court, which is different from criminal court. The criminal court determines whether the defendant will be convicted of a crime, and the civil court decides whether they owe you damages.

  • Many personal injury cases don’t go to court. Usually, cases are only decided at trial if the two sides can’t come to an agreement on a settlement amount.

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