The Value of a Rego Park Car Accident Lawyer

The Value of a Rego Park Car Accident Lawyer

Nestled in the borough of Queens, Rego Park’s unique blend of architecture makes this New York City neighborhood a special place to live. Unfortunately, no locale is immune to automobile accidents.

Rego Park is part of New York’s 112th Precinct, an area that recorded 12 injury-causing accidents in March 2022. Distracted driving and other negligent actions by others could entitle you to compensation for your injuries.

With that possibility in mind, it pays to know what to do in the aftermath of a vehicle accident, and when consulting a Rego Park car accident lawyer is your best move.

Accident Scene Steps

Accident Scene Steps

When you suffer an injury in motor vehicle accidents, your health takes precedence over other concerns.

If your injuries permit, you should take these steps:

  • Dial 911: Describe the accident and then follow the dispatcher’s instructions.
  • Document the Scene: Safety permitting, use your smartphone to take photographs or videos of the accident scene, including the daamge and position of all vehicles involved in the accident  Include surrounding detail such as skid marks, debris, or ice patches. This evidence will assist your claim, whether or not you choose to work with car accident attorneys in the Rego Park area.
  • Remain near the site: It is best to take photos or videos before you move the vehicle, but only if it safe to do so. Remain near the site; leaving the scene of an injury-causing accident is a serious crime in New York. It is generally not advisable to move the vehicle, unless told to do so by responding officers. This is especially so if someone is injured or there is extensive damage to the vehicle.
  • Exchange Information: New York requires that drivers involved in an accident must show their driver’s licenses and then exchange names, addresses, contact information, and insurance details. Keep this interaction courteous and respectful, but do not apologize or admit guilt to police, insurance companies, or the other driver.

Inform Your Insurance Provider: Nearly every auto insurance contract requires prompt notification after a vehicle accident. Your carrier may have a smartphone app to streamline this process.

Essential Follow-Up Actions

If you received treatment at the accident scene or outpatient care at an emergency department, contact your primary physician. Your doctor may refer you to an orthopedist for musculoskeletal issues or a neurologist for concussion care.

Attending these appointments is imperative. The health consequences of an auto accident may remain hidden for days or weeks after the incident, and a timely diagnosis can head off long-term disability.

Car accident lawyers in Rego Park or Greater New York will recommend that you avoid discussing your accident on social media. If you pursue car accident claim to gain fair compensation for your injuries, any posts become fair game for opposing legal counsel.

Modern web-scraping software enables the preservation of your posts, even if you delete them later. By maintaining self-discipline, you can avoid undermining your side in car accident cases.

With your medical treatment on track and the social media ground rules understood, you’re ready to move forward under New York’s insurance system.

New York’s No-Fault Insurance Law

New York No-Fault Insurance Law

New York is one of several states that mandate no-fault auto insurance. Under this system, injured persons begin the compensation process by filing a claim with their insurance carrier, regardless of fault for the accident.

For accidents with relatively minor injuries, the no-fault laws effectively preclude suing other parties for compensation.

What happens when an accident causes death or serious injuries? In these cases, an individual may step outside the no-fault system and pursue compensation from a negligent party.

Beyond death New York state law defines serious injury with these benchmarks:

  • Permanent disfigurement
  • 90 or more consecutive days of disability
  • Bone fractures
  • Significant limitation of use of a body part of system
  • Permanent body system impairment
  • Fetal death
  • Permanent range-of-movement loss

Since the enactment of the no-fault statutes, rulings and verdicts have sharpened these definitions. If you suspect that your injuries meet one or more of these tests, contacting a Rego Park car accident attorney is wise.

The 30-Day Rule

If you sustain an injury in a New York auto accident, the state’s ironclad 30-day rule comes into effect. Under this provision, you and any injured passengers must file an NF-2 form with your auto insurance provider within 30 days of the accident.

our insurance company may not spell out this requirement, so proactive steps on your part are necessary. The NF-2 form comprises three pages, but several questions require additional attachments.

If you fail to meet the 30-day filing deadline, you forfeit any chance of gaining injury compensation. The NF-2 is not a claim and does not commit you to file a claim — the document merely preserves your options.

Along with timely submission, it is imperative to ensure accuracy. The NF-2 requires a description of all medical treatments up to the submission date and photocopies of all bills.

Omitting a procedure on your NF-2 impairs your ability to gain compensation for that item. If an NF-2 stretches into multiple pages, it’s time to consult an attorney.

Benefits of a Rego Park Car Accident Attorney

Benefits of a Rego Park Car Accident Attorney

An attorney who focuses on personal injury cases can do far more than proofread your NF-2. When injuries cross the serious threshold, an attorney can free you to focus on rehabilitation and recovery.

First, a lawyer can assume the burden of dealing with your insurance company. Second — if legal action is appropriate — a law firm has the resources to gather and preserve evidence that exceeds a layperson’s ability.

These steps may range from acquiring surveillance camera footage to employing forensic accident reconstruction experts.

Enlisting an attorney does not guarantee that you will need to endure a trial; nearly all personal injury cases resolve with a settlement agreement. A good lawyer will offer free initial consultations, making this step risk-free.

The Time-Proven Legal Representation of Elliot Ifraimoff & Associates

Now entering its third decade, the law firm of Elliot Ifraimoff & Associates, PC, remains dedicated to providing effective advocacy for persons injured by other parties’ negligence.

Comprehensive client service is the cornerstone of our firm; if we take on your case, we’ll keep you informed every step of the way. Whether you need a Rego Park car accident lawyer or representation for another injury, our team takes the attorney-client relationship seriously and stands ready to help. We handle construction and medical malpractice and related practice areas as well.

We serve clients throughout the boroughs and Long Island, and will provide a free consultation on your legal issue.

If you or a loved one now copes with an injury owing to others’ negligence, we invite you to contact us today.