Many people wonder who will pay for car repairs after a car accident with another driver in New York. Under New York no-fault insurance, both drivers are expected to be compensated by their auto insurance companies. Multiple factors play into how this works and how car repairs are paid after an accident. Feel free to talk to a New York City automobile accident lawyer to find out.
Under no-fault insurance in New York, both drivers in a car accident are eligible for compensation regardless of who was at fault for the accident. This compensation is meant to cover basic car accident damages like medical bills for injuries and lost wages from missed work. No-fault insurance in New York does not tend to cover car repair costs.
This leaves many drivers wondering how they are going to pay for the vehicle damages caused by the accident. Other auto insurance policies designed to cover vehicle damages might be needed to cover these expenses. However, in some cases, auto insurance coverage is not enough to pay for all the car accident expenses.
In cases like these, drivers have the option to file a lawsuit against the other driver to collect additional compensation. Under no-fault insurance laws, this usually only works if the costs of the car accident far exceed the coverage offered by insurance. The costs may exceed in terms of medical expenses, car repairs, and other financial losses from the accident.
Try contacting a New York City car accident lawyer if you have any questions about how this process works. An experienced lawyer can work with you to find the best legal options for having your car damages paid for. Taking this step is vital if you find yourself struggling to pay for the costs of the accident.
The steps for handling car accident repairs start with filing a car accident claim with the insurance company. Include details and evidence pertaining to the car accident. For car repairs, start with having your damaged vehicle thoroughly inspected. Take pictures of the damage yourself first.
Request a vehicle repair cost estimate from the repair shop. Obtain a written copy of this cost estimate and be prepared to work with your auto insurance agent on this. Sometimes insurance agents will negotiate a new cost estimate. The final step is to confirm that the insurance company will cover these costs.
When the insurance company refuses to cover the repair costs or does not offer enough coverage, you have options. Mediation, arbitration, and small claims courts can handle these disputes.
You may not have to pay for damages to your vehicle if another driver was involved. Call the Sullivan and Brill Law Firm today at (212) 566-1000 to speak with a Westchester car accident lawyer for a consultation about the accident. Our legal team might be able to increase your compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. We can be found in New York City, Long Island, Kings, Bronx, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland Counties, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
In the blink of an eye, one simple mistake can quickly lead to a catastrophic car accident. This means that being astutely aware of some of the most common mistakes associated with car accidents can be helpful. This may help prevent future car accidents and might help when filing a car accident claim. If you suffered injuries from another driver, then you could be eligible for compensation. Reach out to a New York City car accident lawyer for more information.
There are four types of driving errors that can increase the chances of a car accident. These include performance errors, recognition errors, decision errors, and non-performance errors. Being aware of these
types of errors may help with avoiding car accidents in the future.
Performance errors are described as using poor directional control over the vehicle. They are also described as overcompensation. Using poor directional control might look like not staying in the proper lane or turning too quickly. Overcompensation often means steering or braking too quickly when coming across a sudden change on the road. This could lead to a rollover accident.
Recognition errors involve not paying attention or not noticing important chances on the road. Pedestrians crossing the street, drivers turning left, and drivers shifting lanes may lead to accidents when a driver fails to notice these changes. Distracted driving like texting while driving plays a big role in these types of accidents.
Decision errors occur when a driver makes a risky decision like driving too fast on a sharp turn. This might also mean misjudging their distance from other drivers. Risky driving decisions like rapid lane changing and speeding can also lead to accidents.
Non-performance errors happen when drivers do not take any action and an accident occurs. This often looks like falling asleep at the wheel or experiencing a medical emergency like a stroke.
Other driving mistakes that can cause car accidents include failure to use a turn signal, not checking blind spots, and speeding through yellow lights. Not using a turn signal confuses other drivers and can easily lead to an accident. This is especially true at four-way stops where other drivers depend on knowing what the other driver is about to do.
Failure to check blind spots while shifting lanes can lead to side-sweep car accidents. The same outcome can happen when mirrors are not checked properly. Lastly, speeding through yellow lights may result in accidents when time runs out and the light turns red.
Try contacting a New York City car accident lawyer if you suffered injuries in an accident with another driver. Depending on what happened, you could be eligible for compensation.
Proving a car accident claim can be difficult. Call the Sullivan and Brill Law Firm today at (212) 566-1000 to talk to a New York automobile accident attorney for a free consultation. Our Long Island legal team might be able to increase your chances of compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical costs. We are located in New York City, Long Island, Kings, Bronx, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland Counties, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
All it takes is one minor driving error to cause a major traffic accident. Since trucks like 18-wheelers are so massive, the damages can be catastrophic. Several drivers can be affected by a large truck collision. Identifying the error that caused the truck accident you were is important if you want to file a claim for compensation. Reach out to a New York City truck accident attorney to find out what steps this might take.
The most common truck driver errors that lead to truck accidents include errors in judgment, lane changing, speed, and right-of-way. Judgment errors most commonly involve things like failing to stop, not braking early enough, and misjudging what other drivers are doing.
For example, a driver may try to pass a truck driver who is turning right. Due to the large size of these trucks, this maneuver can leave a driver little room to pass. The driver may not realize how much room the truck driver will take up in the other lane while turning. This can lead to a side collision.
Lane-changing errors happen in similar ways when drivers merge into traffic the wrong way. Merging too late can lead to rear-end accidents when truck drivers do not have enough time to come to a stop. Changing lanes too quickly in front of a large truck can create similar problems.
Speeding errors may involve not slowing down at construction sites and misjudging speed. A truck driver may not realize they are driving too fast for an upcoming sharp turn. The same goes for other drivers on the road. Drivers may also misjudge how fast a truck is driving and think it is safe to merge or turn in front of the truck.
Right-of-way errors involve unsafe turns, passes, and crossings. This may also involve crossing lane lines while passing a large truck.
If you were on the other end of a major truck accident, you have options. Taking these car accident steps could help you secure compensation. The first step to take is to move to safety and call 911 if anyone is injured.
Make sure the police and paramedics arrive, especially if you are injured. You will want a copy of your medical records and the police report if you want to file an accident claim. Collect the truck driver's basic contact, vehicle, and trucking company information. Write down details about the accident, including the cause.
Consider contacting a New York City truck accident lawyer to see what other steps you can take to improve your chances.
You may not have to pay for the damages caused by another driver. Contact the Sullivan and Brill Law Firm by dialing (212) 566-1000 to speak with a New York truck accident lawyer for a free consultation today. Our Kings team of lawyers is ready to help you obtain compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost income. We can be found throughout New York City, Long Island, Kings, Bronx, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland Counties, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Knowing what increases the chances of teen driver car accidents can be enormously helpful when filing an accident claim. If you were in an unexpected car accident, then you could be eligible for compensation that could pay for your medical bills and car damages. This requires filing a car accident claim. Feel free to talk with a New York City automobile accident attorney about what steps this will take.
Teen driver car accidents tend to have common causes associated with them. Some of the most common teen driver accident causes include:
Distracted driving is one of the most well-known causes of teen car accidents. Texting while driving stands out as the most common form of distracted driving involved in these accidents. However, texting is not the only type of distracted driving. Other forms of distracted driving include eating, reaching for something in the back, not paying close enough attention to the road, and looking through CDs.
Drugged driving can mean consuming alcohol, illicit drugs, or medications that warn against driving. Drunk driving is the most well-known cause but not the only cause of teen driver car accidents. Abuse of prescription medications may also result in car accidents if the teen decides to drive while the medication is still in effect.
Driving with multiple passengers is particularly riskier for teen drivers due to less driving experience. Having other teens in the vehicle while a teen with minimal driving experience is driving can raise multiple risks. These risks include distractions while driving and being influenced by their friends to take greater risks while driving.
This leads to risky driving behaviors like pulling into traffic too soon, illegal lane changes, speeding, and turning too quickly or sharply.
Do not panic if you find yourself on the other end of an accident as a teen driver. There are several teen driver accident steps you can take to protect yourself. Taking a deep breath is often powerful enough to regain your composure and think more clearly. Mistakes can be made while in panic mode.
Call 911 to ensure you and others are protected by ensuring professional help is on the way. Always call 911 if you or anyone is injured. Once you are in a safe spot, try collecting as much information and evidence as you can by writing details down and taking pictures. Consider contacting a New York City car accident lawyer if you have questions about the next steps.
The aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming but you do not have to face this alone. Contact the Sullivan and Brill Law Firm by dialing (212) 566-1000 to speak with a New York car accident lawyer for a free consultation today. Our Queens legal team can help increase your chances of compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost income. We serve clients throughout New York City, Long Island, Kings, Bronx, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland Counties, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Violent car accidents can often result in severe and life-threatening injuries. Catastrophic car accident injuries could warrant additional compensation that can help cover added expenses associated with these types of injuries. If you have any questions about how to obtain additional compensation, then ask a New York City car accident attorney for help.
Catastrophic car accident injuries are the types of injuries that are severe, life-threatening, or life-changing. Many of these injuries result in either long-term expensive medical treatments or lifelong impairments and disabilities. Some of the most common types of catastrophic car accident injuries are:
The long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries vary wildly depending on which of the brain is injured and the injury severity. Some brain injuries heal within a month or longer. Moderate to severe brain injuries can come with lifelong deficits in thinking, movement, sensation, communication, or personality.
Motor deficits from brain injuries can cause problems with walking, physical activity, and coordination. Some people might become unemployed as a result. Thinking problems related to memory, attention, or logical reasoning can also lead to difficulties with maintaining a basic income.
Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or full-body paralysis. Breathing and eating problems can result. This can dramatically change a person's life. Traumatic amputations can also lead to physical disabilities that may limit job options and limit physical activities.
Severe burn injuries create multiple complications from infection risks, chronic pain, disfigurement, and surgical amputations. Some burn injuries may result in long-term disabilities.
If you suffered catastrophic and life-changing injuries from a car accident caused by another driver, then you could be eligible for additional compensation. Being aware of the compensatory damages offered for car accidents can help you figure this process out. The two main compensatory damages are economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover measurable monetary losses from the car accident. These include medical bills, car repair costs, car replacement expenses, and lost wages from missed work. You can prove these with bill statements, medical records, pay stubs, receipts, and other documents.
Non-economic damages include subjective distress caused by the accident like physical pain or psychological suffering. Proving these damages can be challenging and may require witness statements or therapy records. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment, and the loss of your relationship are types of non-economic damages.
Consider contacting a New York City car accident lawyer if you have questions about how to prove each of these damages. Your lawyer can also help you add up damages you could sue for to maximize your compensation.
Major car accidents can happen at the most unexpected times. Call the Sullivan and Brill Law Firm today at (212) 566-1000 to talk to a New York automobile accident attorney for a free consultation. Our Suffolk legal team can help you obtain additional compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical costs. We are located in New York City, Long Island, Kings, Bronx, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland Counties, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
While car accidents cannot usually be predicted, there are ways to decrease the chances of future accidents. Looking into various driving safety tips and defensive driving methods might reduce your chances of a car accident. If you were in a major accident, you could be eligible for compensation depending on the circumstances. Talk to a New York City car accident attorney to find out.
Many driving safety tips come from knowing what causes car accidents the most. The top causes of car
accidents are distracted driving, drugged driving, sleep deprivation, and speeding. Other common causes include risky driving maneuvers and not checking blind spots.
One major way to reduce the chances of a car accident is to avoid all of these main causes. Avoid driving when drunk or sleep-deprived. Pull off to the side of the road to use the phone instead of trying to continue driving. Always check blind spots and drive cautiously instead of taking even small risks.
There are also tips for avoiding certain types of car accidents. Hydroplaning can be avoided by slowing down on wet roads. If the vehicle starts hydroplaning, rather than hitting the brakes, slowly apply pressure to the brake pedal. Allowing the car to slow down on its own is much safer than trying to regain control.
Reduce rear-end car accidents by maintaining two car lengths of distance from other drivers. Slow down instead of tailgating. Left-turn collisions can be avoided by following a similar rule. What tends to cause these accidents is failing to accurately judge distance and time. Be sure to give yourself plenty of distance and time to turn in front of traffic.
Defensive driving is a set of driving skills that can significantly reduce the chances of a car accident. Many people associate defensive driving with legal punishment. However, learning about defensive driving skills can give you major advantages for avoiding car accidents.
Defensive driving is all about caution and thinking ahead. Instead of going in blind, defensive driving teaches people to expect what other drivers might do. This means preparing for how other drivers may react to changes on the road and other drivers.
This means keeping enough driving distance from drivers in front of you. Going the speed limit and slowing down in inclement weather is part of this. Avoiding distractions and keeping an eye on mirrors, blind spots, and changes on the road is vital.
However, if you find yourself in an accident, feel free to contact a New York City accident lawyer for advice. You could be eligible for compensation.
Knowing what to do after a car accident can be confusing. Call the Sullivan and Brill Law Firm today at (212) 566-1000 to talk to a New York automobile accident attorney for a free consultation. Our Rockland Counties legal team can help you increase your compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical costs. We are located in New York City, Long Island, Kings, Bronx, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland Counties, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
When the pain and soreness from a car accident have still not gone away after a week, many people become concerned. Certain injuries might induce chronic back pain that lasts several weeks, months, or years. Figuring out the cause of your back pain could help you potentially sue for additional compensation. Explain your situation to a New York City automobile accident lawyer to see if you could qualify.
The violent forces and impacts of a car accident can inflict various types of damage to the back. Finding the precise cause of your back pain often requires a visit to your doctor or a specialist. Some of the most common causes of back pain after a car accident include:
Strains involve stretched or torn muscles and ligaments that make up the back and spine. This can happen in the upper, middle, or lower back. Torn muscle and ligaments may require surgery to reattach tissues for proper healing. Some strains may involve pain and soreness that persists after the injury or surgery.
Ruptured disks involve ruptures of the discs between each vertebra that serve as cushions. Without these cushions, the nerves around the spine can become compressed which results in pain. This might be managed with surgery and prescription medications.
Spinal cord injuries represent the most severe type of back injury because this injury can cause lifelong paralysis. Severe back pain right after a car accident could indicate a spinal cord injury. Some spinal cord injuries can result in chronic pain depending on whether the nerves and spinal cord were damaged.
Spine fractures, otherwise known as fractures to the vertebrae that make up the spine, can cause spinal cord injuries. These fractures may also result in pain if nerves are damaged.
You might be wondering if you can sue for chronic back pain. If the other driver was partially at fault and your injuries are severe, you could sue for additional compensation. Increase your chances by documenting medical evidence tied to the car accident and your back pain.
Keep a written log with dates and times of your back pain, daily struggles, symptoms, and treatments. Detail doctor's appointments, medical expenses, and medications. Talk with your doctor about how the pain started right after the car accident. This is essential for tying your injury to the accident.
Consider contacting a New York City accident lawyer about how to file a car accident claim for compensation. This compensation could cover your pain and suffering.
Dealing with chronic back pain can be exhausting. Call the Sullivan and Brill Law Firm at (212) 566-1000 to talk to a New York car accident attorney for a free consultation today. Our Puerto Rico lawyers are prepared to increase your chances of compensation for lost income, pain and suffering, and medical costs. We are located in New York City, Long Island, Kings, Bronx, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland Counties, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Certain unexpected medical emergencies like heart attacks can make a driver immune from liability for a car accident. This involves using the medical emergency defense when submitting a car accident claim. However, specific criteria must be met to qualify a driver to use this defense. Feel free to ask a New York City car accident lawyer to see if this could apply to your car accident.
The medical emergency defense is something that could make an at-fault driver immune from liability in a car accident. Only certain medical emergencies can qualify for this defense to work. Common examples of medical emergencies that usually qualify include:
What these all have in common is they are unexpected, unforeseeable medical events. They are also sudden medical conditions that are hard to manage in enough time to pull off to the side of the road. These medical events are severe enough to make drivers lose control over their vehicles.
For the medical emergency defense to work, the driver must prove the medical event caused a loss of control over driving. This loss of control must have happened before the car accident. Proving these can be difficult depending on the complexity of the accident.
If the medical emergency or event is deemed predictable, then this defense may not work. When the driver was aware of the medical condition or forewarned not to drive due to a medical condition, this could also work against this defense. Certain disorders like epilepsy, for example, may disqualify people for the medical emergency defense since they know about the risks of driving.
You can use the medical emergency defense in your car accident claim to defend against liability. Other necessary car accident steps can improve your car accident claim. One of the most important steps is to call 911 if anyone is injured. Contact the police for the same reason or if property damages are severe.
Be sure to collect the other driver's contact and auto insurance information. Without this, filing an accident claim will be extremely difficult. The same issue may arise without a copy of the police report. Obtaining a copy of your medical records is also vital to prove any injuries you suffered.
You might be able to request compensation from the other driver if you suffered injuries and the other driver was partially at fault. Consider contacting a New York City accident lawyer to see what legal steps this requires.
You may not have to pay for all the car accident damages yourself. Contact the Sullivan and Brill Law Firm by dialing (212) 566-1000 today to speak with a New York automobile accident lawyer for a free consultation. Our New York City attorneys might be able to help you obtain compensation for medical expenses, emotional distress, and lost wages. We serve clients throughout New York City, Long Island, Kings, Bronx, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland Counties, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Over the last decade, the use of bicycles to get around New York City has more than quadrupled. Citibike began operating in New York City in May of 2013, and since that time, New Yorkers have taken over 50 million rides. Membership has increased from 5,000 to over 150,000 and there are now over 950 docking stations throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island and New Jersey City. That trend has been accelerated by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Nationwide, bicycle sales have doubled. In May of 2020, it became nearly impossible to by a bicycle at local bicycle shops in New York City. Lines snaked around corners in Brooklyn and Queens. Showroom floors where empty. New Yorkers, concerned about the spread of the coronavirus on subways and buses, rushed to buy bicycles ahead of New York City's planned reopening in June.
Along with this increase in bicycle use, there has been an increase in bicycle accidents. In the last month, the New York City Police Department reported a 7% increase in bicycle accidents compared to 2019, while simultaneously reporting a 60% decrease in total collisions. As more people get back to work in New York City and choose to commute by bicycle, the incidents of injuries resulting from bicycle accidents is sure to increase.
While New York City has continued to expand its installation of protected bike lanes, New York City still lags behind many major cities. Accordingly, bicyclists in New York City need to be extra-vigilant to avoid begin injured or killed by a motor vehicle in New York City. While the risk of bicycle riding in New York City has decreased when taking into account the increase in rides, the absolute number of fatalities has generally remained in the range of 150 deaths per year. Last year was the exception with cycling deaths nearly tripling. Now, with a surge of bicyclists on the roads, many of whom have chosen bicycle transportation as their primary means of transportation for the first time, we are concerned that the incidents of serious injury and death are likely to continue to rise.
To protect yourself, Bike New York recommends that bicyclist always ride in the same direction as traffic, never ride within the “door zone”, the area within 4-5 feet of parked cars, be extra careful at intersections, avoid making a left-hand turn from the right side of the intersection or a right turn from the left side and obey traffic signals and signs. Bicyclists should also remember that they are required to follow the rules of the road, just like cars. In New York City, a bicyclist must use a bike lane whenever available, unless at an intersection or where the use of the bike lane would be unsafe.
However, vehicles in New York City must also remember that on most streets in New York City in many circumstances, bicyclists have the right-of-way. Motorist have a duty to keep a vigilant lookout for bicyclists, to sound their horn to warn a bicyclist of danger and to avoid colliding with a bicyclist. Driving on or across a bike lane is prohibited, except when necessary to access a driveway, leave a parking space, cross or turn in an intersection, comply with law enforcement officer or avoid an obstacle. Bicyclists are permitted on both sides of most one-way streets.
When a car, truck or bus crash into a bicyclist, the bicyclist is often seriously injured. These accidents call for prompt investigation so that potentially valuable evidence can be preserved. The bicyclist may also be concerned about how they are going to pay their medical bill or replace income where they can no longer work. Fortunately, when a car hits a bicyclist, New York's no-fault insurance law will apply and the bicyclist can get these losses reimbursed through the car's insurance.
The lawyers and paralegals at Sullivan Brill handle its client's no-fault claims for free. The firm has decades of experience representing victims of bicycle accidents. In one recently resolved case, the firm recovered $425,000 on behalf of a bicyclist that injured his hand after getting hit by a car. If you or someone you care about has been involved in a bicycle accident, you should not delay in contacting an attorney. There are deadlines that must be met in order to obtain no-fault benefits and investigation that must be done to maximize the potential value of any claim against the motorist.
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