You were unlucky enough to get injured in a car accident in Rochester. What’s next? Following a collision or crash, people often feel too overwhelmed to take a decision. While you can always file an insurance claim with your insurer to claim damages (New York is a no-fault car insurance state), you must also think of hiring a lawyer. Below are 3 reasons to seek the help of Rochester car accident attorneys.
- Because personal injury laws in NY are complicated. Filing a car accident lawsuit in New York may not be easy. There are only selected circumstances, when you can file a personal injury case against the driver at fault. For instance, if you suffered a ‘serious injury’, such as organ damage or miscarriage, you may have the scope to file a lawsuit. That said, NY also follows the pure comparative fault rule, which means that if you had a share in fault, your compensation will reduce accordingly. You need a car accident lawyer, who can navigate through the laws and maximize your compensatory damages.
- Because you are not getting a fair settlement. Insurance companies have their own ways of handling claims. Eventually, these are companies working for profit, and they want to minimize their financial burden. As such, if the offer made by the claims adjuster is too low or mediocre, you should consult an attorney to negotiate further. A skilled attorney knows what it takes to handle complicated car accident claims.
- Because hiring an attorney doesn’t cost a fortune. Many people step back from contacting a lawyer after a car accident because they cannot afford to pay the high fee. The good news is many personal injury lawyers in Rochester, and rest of NY, work on a contingency fee. This means that the lawyer doesn’t get paid if they don’t win a settlement. You don’t have to pay the lawyer upfront, but when you win a settlement, the lawyer will charge a percentage of that as their fee. The contingency fee is usually no more than 40%.
You definitely need a car accident lawyer in NY, if
- You had part share of fault
- You suffered serious injuries
- There is no clarity of fault
- You have suffered losses beyond $50,000
Contact an attorney soon after your accident, so that they can collect evidence and build your case accordingly. Your lawyer can also give a fair overview of how much to expect in settlement.
