Our Family of Lawyers Has Been Helping Injured People For Three Generations If you are injured because of the neglect, recklessness, or wrongdoing of another, New York law allows you to pursue compensation for your losses. In any personal injury case, it is important to find the attorney who is right for you and your unique circumstances.
Just as no two individuals are alike, no two cases are the same. In seeking a positive outcome to yours, contact a White Plains personal injury lawyer who should take the time to listen to you, make a thorough evaluation of your claim, and come up with the best possible strategy to reach your goals.
Whether you were hurt because of a car accident, medical malpractice, a slip and fall incident, or some other cause, a free consultation should set your mind at ease and help you determine what steps you should take to help you financially and physically recover.
What You Should Do After Being Injured
The number one priority after an accident should be your recovery. It is important to always undergo a thorough medical exam after being injured. In many cases, a doctor’s evaluation can uncover injuries or consequences that may not be immediately apparent. In addition, medical records often are an important part of the evidence needed to obtain compensation.
It is a good idea to collect and preserve as much evidence as possible, including photographs of the accident scene if you can. An experienced White Plains personal injury lawyer should help with collecting and organizing evidence for a potential negotiation or lawsuit. An attorney can also help answer questions or respond to requests for statements after an incident.
Compensation Should Cover Numerous Consequences
Accidents can cause all types of injuries from bone fractures and burns to catastrophic injuries. Whatever the specific cause of the injury, the law provides various degrees of potential monetary compensation referred to in legal terms as damages.
Those suffering injuries as the result of a neglected duty of care or the wrongdoing of others can be awarded damages to compensate for their economic losses. Examples of such losses include:
- Medical costs incurred in the past
- Medical expenses anticipated in the future
- Lost wages from time missed from work
- Anticipated lost future wages
- Diminished future earning capacity
- Cost of help or modifications needed for daily living
In addition to compensation for these economic losses, a court may award compensation for intangible harm that does not have an immediately identifiable value such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of certain activities. In rare cases, courts also award punitive damages to deter future wrongdoing.
Negotiating a Settlement for Your Injuries
Assuming the at-fault insurance company accepts liability for the accident, the insurance adjuster will probably make a low settlement offer to start the process. It is often best not to accept an insurance adjuster’s initial settlement offer – unless the initial offer is for policy limits – since these offers typically represent much less than the actual value of the case. After the adjuster makes an initial settlement offer, your White Plains personal injury lawyer should make a counter-demand and aggressively negotiate on your behalf for fair compensation.
These negotiations between the attorney and the adjuster typically go back and forth until the parties agree to settle or reach an impasse. Settlement negotiations may last for a few weeks or for many months, depending upon the nature of the injuries and the complexity of the personal injury case.
Finding the Right White Plains Personal Injury Attorney
If you were hurt in an accident, work with a White Plains personal injury lawyer who can take care of fulfilling requirements and be building the best possible case on your behalf so that you can focus on the well-being of yourself and your family.
A seemingly small fact can sometimes make a huge difference in the outcome of a case, so working with an attorney who takes the time to uncover all the necessary evidence in pursuing compensation can be very valuable. Call now to learn how the attorneys at Tomkiel & Tomkiel should put their experience to work for you.
