An unexpected injury can turn a regular day into a tragedy. You may have medical bills that you can’t pay because you’ve missed work due to your injury. If someone else caused your injury, you may be entitled to compensation to cover these and other expenses.
Pursuing a claim for compensation after an injury can be a complex process. If you’re on Long Island, you can turn to a Brentwood personal injury lawyer at TonaLaw. Our firm is dedicated to our clients, and we work hard to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries. Call us today.
What Types of Cases Do Personal Injury Attorneys in Brentwood Handle?
When you work with a Brentwood personal injury lawyer at TonaLaw, you can rest assured that your attorneys have had ample experience handling injury cases in Long Island. Our firm has represented clients on various types of cases, such as those involving:
- Defective products,
- Car accidents,
- Bus and truck accidents,
- Motorcycle accidents,
- Slip-and-fall accidents,
- Rideshare accidents,
- Premises liability issues,
- Boating accidents,
- Pedestrian accidents, and
- Bicycle and e-bike accidents.
These are examples of cases TonaLaw attorneys have handled.
Common Injuries After an Accident
There are many possible injuries people experience after an accident. Some common injuries in personal injury claims include:
- Bruising and lacerations,
- Burns,
- Road rash,
- Whiplash and other neck injuries,
- Spinal injuries,
- Broken bones,
- Concussions,
- Traumatic brain injuries,
- Post-traumatic stress disorder, and
- Emotional or mental trauma.
These injuries range from relatively minor to severe. Some people may recover quickly, while others may face long-term or permanent restrictions.
Steps to Take After an Accident or Injury
There can be a great deal of confusion after an accident or injury. We’ve compiled a list of steps you can take after an accident to benefit your health and preserve your legal rights.
Get Medical Assistance
Your health and safety are of the utmost importance. Get medical help immediately after an accident. You may have severe injuries requiring emergency medical transport to a local hospital. However, some people don’t feel the full extent of their injuries for hours or days after the accident because adrenaline can sometimes mask pain. This is why you should see your healthcare provider after an accident, even if you think your injuries are minor. They may be more significant than you realize and insurance companies may try to use this delay in getting treatment against you in a potential lawsuit for damages.
Be sure to follow any treatment plans your health care provider recommends. This will aid your recovery and help you if you wish to pursue a claim for damages. Keep all documents related to your diagnosis and treatment.
Contact the Authorities
Depending on the nature of your accident, you may have to contact the police and other authorities to file a report. For example, if you are in a car accident that causes any physical injury, you must report the accident to the police. You’ll also have to file a report with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
A police report is another helpful piece of evidence should you wish to pursue a compensation claim. The police may write down their impression of what happened. They may also collect information from any witnesses.
Collect Evidence
If your injuries are not too severe, gather evidence immediately after the accident. Use your phone to take pictures of the scene of the accident. For example, if you slipped and fell in a store, take a picture of what you believe caused you to slip. Additionally, gather contact information from anyone involved in the accident. You should also take down information from any witnesses.
Don’t Miss Any Deadlines
Every personal injury claim has a deadline to file suit set by a statute of limitations. This is a date by which you must file your case in court. You must file by the deadline to obtain compensation for your injuries. For most personal injury cases in New York, you only have three years from the date of the accident or injury to file your case in court. Some claims, such as those against healthcare providers or state and local governments, have much shorter deadlines and you should act much more quickly to pursue them.
Why Hire a Brentwood Personal Injury Law Firm?
A personal injury attorney can significantly ease your burdens after an accident or injury. They’ll investigate your case, handle negotiations, and ensure you don’t miss any filing deadlines. An experienced and knowledgeable Brentwood personal injury lawyer will be able to advise you on the law and tailor a legal strategy for you to maximize your potential compensation.
Common Personal Injury Claim Misconceptions
Everyone has an opinion about what to do after an accident or injury. Unfortunately, this means many misconceptions about personal injury claims in New York. We address some of the more common misconceptions below.
Misconception #1: I Don’t Need a Lawyer
Many believe they do not need a lawyer for their personal injury claims. However, navigating the legal process while recovering from an injury can be extremely overwhelming. While you aren’t required to hire an attorney for your case, you’ll greatly benefit from hiring an experienced personal injury attorney for your case. Your attorney can handle all the legal matters involved in your case, including haggling with aggressive insurance companies so that you can focus on your health while your attorneys focus on getting you the maximum recovery.
Misconception #2: Personal Injury Lawyers Are Expensive
Often when people think about hiring an attorney, the first thing that makes them hesitate is the cost. It’s true that some attorneys require you to sign a retainer and give them thousands of dollars up-front.
However, TonaLaw’s Brentwood personal injury lawyers charge nothing up-front for personal injury matters. In fact, we don’t get paid unless you do. We use a contingency-fee arrangement. This means that we cover all of the up-front expenses for your case, and we only get paid our attorney fees and costs if you’re compensated.
Misconception #3: The Insurance Company Will Pay Me What I Am Due
Some people believe that if they have enough evidence, an insurance company will pay the compensation they’re due. However, insurance companies will try to settle your case for as little as possible and haggle over the smallest detail to lower your potential compensation amount. They often employ “white-shoe” law firms or have their own law departments that are dedicated to minimizing their potential payouts. Sometimes the insurance companies may use questionable tactics to low-ball injury victims. This is all the more reason to hire a lawyer—to fight for your rights against aggressive insurance companies.
Contact a TonaLaw Brentwood Personal Injury Lawyer Today
New York personal injury cases can be complicated and overwhelming to someone recovering from an injury. The whole process can seem scary. If you need legal assistance, contact our office today. A dedicated personal injury lawyer from TonaLaw can answer any questions you may have about your potential case. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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