Although it’s NYC’s least populated borough, driving on Staten Island still carries the risk of a collision with a negligent driver. With the busy Staten Island Expressway and the famously dangerous Hylan Boulevard, car accidents on Staten Island are common, even if you’re doing everything correctly.
Whether you’re driving, a passenger, or a pedestrian, being injured in a car accident presents a lot of problems, like paying for medical expenses or repairs, not to mention having to miss work as you recover.
While you can’t plan for a crash, knowing there are knowledgeable car accident lawyers familiar with experience dealing with Staten Island car accidents is one step to easing your recovery or helping you recover the maximum compensation you deserve. Contact Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. for a free consultation. Call 212-490-5700 or use our online form.
Types of Car Accidents
Car Accident Attorneys in Staten Island for All Types of Crashes
If you were injured in a car crash in Staten Island, New York, the best thing you can do is contact a knowledgeable and experienced attorney at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. as soon as possible.
We have handled injury claims arising from all types of collisions, including but not limited to:
- Side Swipe Crashes
- Side Impact “T-Bone” Accidents
- Hit and Run Accidents
- Defective Vehicle and Vehicle Part Accident
- Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Accidents
- Fatal Car Crashes
- Uber & Lyft Crashes
- Rear-end Collisions
- Head-On Crashes
- Impaired Driving Accidents
Whether you suffered whiplash in a rear-end collision or lost a loved one in a fatal head-on crash, we can help.
Common Causes of Car Crashes in Staten Island
The most common contributing factors to collisions include:
- Driver inattention and distraction
- Driver impairment due to drugs or alcohol
- Following too closely
- Bad weather and road conditions
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Another uninvolved vehicle
- Passing too closely
- Improper passing or lane usage
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improper turning
- Disregarded traffic control signs or signals
- Driver fatigue and falling asleep behind the wheel
- Backing up unsafely
- Aggressive driving and road rage
- Young and inexperienced drivers
What to do After a Car Crash in Staten Island
When you’re involved in a car crash, dealing with the aftermath can be very stressful, whether you’re anxious about any injuries or damages to your property. After a collision, there are critical steps to recover the most compensation you can.
- Stop your vehicle and stay at the scene. It’s important to stay until you’ve been cleared to leave the scene. You could face a license suspension if you don’t stay.
- Call 911 if anyone was seriously injured. According to the NYPD, collisions that only result in property damage don’t need to be reported to the police. However, calling the authorities is recommended, as they can create a report you can use in any third-party insurance claims and lawsuits.
- Note that if the police do not create a report, the crash must still be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days of the crash if it caused more than $1,000 in property damage, even if no one was injured
- Move the vehicles out of the way. This decreases the chance of another crash and allows emergency responders to get to you easily.
- Exchange contact and insurance information. Even if New York is a “no-fault” state, you may need the other driver’s information for further lawsuits or claims. Look for any witnesses and get their information.
- Take photographs and videos of the damage. Be sure to get evidence of the weather and look for any other cameras in the area so your attorney can request their video for evidence. If you’re taken away from the scene, ask someone else to photograph the area.
- Seek medical attention as soon as you can. This is essential for your help, but a medical professional can also identify any “invisible” injuries caused by the accident. This information is also crucial if you file a lawsuit or third-party insurance claim.
- Call a Staten Island lawyer as soon as possible
Staten Island Car Accident Injuries
Our Staten Island car accident attorneys handle cases involving:
- Amputation
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Crush injuries
- Facial and dental injuries
- Knee injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal injuries and paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
Possible Compensation After a Staten Island Car Accident
In the aftermath of a car crash, you will be busy recovering from your injuries or adjusting to a new way of life. Although drivers in New York are required to have Personal Injury Protection insurance, there are limits. You may not be thinking of recovering compensation to pay for medical bills or property damage caused by someone else’s negligence.
But finding an attorney will help you recover damages for:
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Emotional Distress
- Lost Wages
- Medical Treatment expenses
- Pain and Suffering
- Reduced Earning Capacity
Insurance Requirements, Time Limits & Sharing Fault
In New York, drivers are required to carry certain insurance. And your insurance coverage can influence the compensation you can expect after an accident and your ability to pursue a lawsuit or third-party insurance claim.
New York Auto Insurance Requirements
- No-Fault/Personal Injury Protection: This policy pays up to $50,000 for lost wages and/or medical expenses and death benefits. It does not cover property damage.
- Liability: This policy pays for bodily injuries and property damage you cause other people. The minimum policy limits are $25,000 for one person’s bodily injuries, $50,000 for one person’s death, $50,000 for bodily injuries of two or more people, and $100,000 for fatalities of two or more people. The minimum property damage liability policy is $10,000.
- Uninsured Motorist: This policy pays for bodily injuries in crashes where the at-fault driver lacks liability insurance. It doesn’t cover property damage. The minimum policy limits are the same as liability insurance limits.
Remember, you can only pursue a third-party insurance claim or lawsuit if you were seriously injured in the crash. New York considers the following serious injuries: death, dismemberment, significant dismemberment, fractures, loss of a fetus, permanent loss of a body organ, member, function, or system, or a permanent disability.
The New York Personal Injury Statute of Limitations
You have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit after a Staten Island auto accident. This deadline is the statute of limitation and states that personal injury claims must be filed within three years from the date you suffered the injury. However, the statute of limitations is much shorter for claims against municipalities and New York State. There is also a requirement that before filing a lawsuit, a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days.
Comparative Negligence
If you were hurt in a Staten Island car accident, you might believe the other driver was at fault. However, that driver may claim you were to blame. When there is a question of who is at fault, you need an attorney. You and the other may be partly responsible for the crash, and New York’s comparative negligence rule applies in these circumstances.
Under the comparative fault rules, you can still receive compensation if you are somewhat to blame for the accident. So long as you were less than half responsible, you can obtain compensation. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
If you are more than 50% at fault for the crash, you are prohibited from receiving any compensation.
What to Expect During the Claims Process
After a crash, it’s important to receive help for the injuries and losses you endured. If you call the experienced Staten Island car accident lawyers at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., we’ll listen to your story and work to resolve your case. Your consultation is free, and you won’t be charged upfront: you’ll only pay if you win the settlement or the lawsuit.
We’ll ask you some questions during your consultation to get a sense of what happened. If we believe you have a case, then we will:
- Investigate the crash: We will investigate the accident thoroughly, gathering evidence of what happened. We’ll use the evidence, like police reports, crash scene photos, statements, or even expert opinions, to prove who was negligent.
- Calculate the Value of Your Case: During the investigation, we will keep track of any financial or emotional losses you may have experienced because of the crash to calculate a fair value in any settlement or lawsuits going forward.
- Negotiate with the Insurance company: Dealing with insurance companies can be difficult, especially as they work to protect the interests of their stockholders rather than your well-being. A lawyer can help keep them honest and get you a more attractive settlement.
- Send a Demand Letter: If we must pursue a settlement or a lawsuit, your attorney will draft the demand letter, tallying your losses and keeping those responsible for the crash honest.
- Resolve Your Claim: If the insurance company does not agree to a settlement, we will prepare for a trial and work to get you your compensation.
Schedule a Free Consult with a Staten Island Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one were hurt in a car crash anywhere in Staten Island caused by negligence, the last thing you want to do is worry about medical bills or lost wages on your own. Hiring an experienced lawyer significantly increases the odds of a successful settlement or lawsuit.
At Hecht, Kleeger & Dmashek, P.C., we are ready to help. HKD will address your situation, ensure your rights are respected after a car accident and help recover the maximum compensation possible.
Our Staten Island car accident lawyers are ready. Call HKD today at 212-490-5700 or use our online form to set up a free, no-risk consultation. We are here 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
CLIENT REVIEWS
07/05/2015
After meeting a half dozen lawyers at different firms, I decided to go to Hecht, Kleeger and Damashek. As soon as I met Jon Damashek, I knew I had to look no further. Mr. Damashek made me feel at ease…
5
Michael R., HKD CLIENT