Car Accident Lawyer near Coram, NY – Winkler Kurtz LLP
Few things in life can be more traumatic than being in a car accident. When this happens to you, it’s essential to know the next steps that need to be taken. At Winkler Kurtz, LLP, we have the answers to this question. Our car accident lawyer near Coram, NY, will provide the legal representation needed to keep you protected. For more information on what this process will entail, please continue reading.
Establishing Fault
The first step in any legal case revolving around a motor vehicle accident will involve determining which drivers were at fault. Our team works on both sides of this coin and will keep you protected in either scenario. If you’re at fault for the car accident, our car accident lawyer near Coram, NY, will work to ensure you are not taken advantage of by the judge, jury, or defendant. If the other person were at fault, we’d craft a case that will work towards securing the highest possible damage or settlement package.
Understand The Damages
One piece of advice our team would like to pass along after being in a car accident is to understand the damages you may be entitled to, or put on the hook for. Our car accident lawyer near Coram, NY, will work diligently to provide the best possible outcome, no matter what side of the damages you end up on. Below are a few examples of the damages the person at fault may be required to pay:
- Current medical bills.
- Future medical bills.
- Property damage and loss.
- Loss of income.
- Loss of earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering.
Get The Damage Appraised By Numerous Mechanics
When your car has not been wholly totaled after the accident, and you fully intend to have it repaired, our legal team recommends getting the damage appraised by numerous mechanics. If you choose to go to a family mechanic, and they give you an extremely generous estimate, it will likely be quickly disputed in court. However, by going to multiple mechanics, you allow our team to gather substantial evidence that shows just how much money you should be entitled to when it comes to property damage.
Be Honest In The Police Report
The last piece of legal advice we’d like to offer is to speak honestly in the police report that is taken. While you may think embellishing the situation in this report will help you out in court, it will cause more harm than good. Lying on this report can put you in hot water, even if you weren’t at fault for the car accident. By being truthful to the police, we’ll have more to work within the courtroom.
Schedule A Consultation With Our Car Accident Lawyer near Coram, NY
After deciding to schedule a consultation at Winkler Kurtz, LLP, you’ll receive an abundance of legal advice about your case. We’d be happy to represent you after you’ve been involved in an accident, and allowing us to do so could help you achieve the best possible outcome in court. Don’t hesitate to contact our car accident lawyer near Coram, NY, to help keep yourself legally protected.
Can You Sue The City For Bad Roads in Coram, NY?
If you’ve driven anywhere on Long Island, you’ve probably had to dodge potholes or other types of road damage. Long Island drivers may require costly repairs after driving on bad roads, which can be very frustrating to handle. You can’t sue your town for car damage after hitting a pothole. However, if a bad road caused a car accident, you may have a cause of action against those responsible for maintaining the roads. Our highly skilled personal injury lawyer near Coram, NY at Winkler Kurtz, LLP is here to help you determine your options so you can seek appropriate compensation.
Can Bad Roads Lead to Accidents?
Roadways on Long Island withstand heavy traffic. Long Island is also an area that experiences various temperature changes throughout the year, and these conditions can lead to potholes or road deterioration. When the roads are poorly maintained or designed, accidents are bound to happen. When a driver hits a large pothole, they may get into an accident. Avoiding large potholes can also lead to car wrecks. If poor road maintenance or design is the reason for an accident, you may be able to file a claim against the government. Filing a claim can be complicated due to the many different rules and regulations that govern these claims. However, an experienced personal injury lawyer near Coram, NY can help.
If you have suffered injury after a car accident due to the government’s negligence, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your damages. To be successful in your claim against your city for damage caused by bad roads, a Long Island car accident lawyer will help you prove negligence. This usually means that you have to show how they were negligent or failed to fulfill their legal obligation to maintain the road safely and reasonably. If there is a sinkhole or pothole in the road, or if the road is severely cracked, it’s in poor condition. Several other conditions can also indicate liability for bad roads:
- Confusing or poor street signage.
- Construction debris.
- Narrow roads.
- Lack of shoulders on roadways.
- Icy or snowy roads.
As previously mentioned, the government in charge of reasonably maintaining the roads where the accident occurred may be held responsible for damage caused by poor road conditions. The key to these claims is understanding what is considered reasonable. The town may not always be responsible. State laws allow the town to discover and repair poor road conditions in a reasonable amount of time. These conditions are usually found through surveys of the roadways or by individuals reporting the conditions.
If your town has not yet discovered a poor road condition, they may not be responsible for damages caused by the condition. If a large pothole has been plaguing your street for months and has damaged numerous cars, and the local government has been notified about its existence, this is a clear case of negligence against them. To prove this negligence, you must prove that the city was aware of this problem. The statute of limitations for formal personal injury claims against the city is 90 days. Then, you have one year to file a lawsuit.
Making Your Claim
You should report poor road conditions no matter what. After your incident, you want to record all relevant information:
- The location of the road, including the name.
- The direction of travel.
- The characteristics of the conditions.
If you think you have a case for a claim against the government, our personal injury lawyer near Coram, NY can assist you through the process.
Contact A Personal Injury Lawyer near Coram, NY
If you’ve been involved in a car accident that resulted from poor road maintenance, you may be able to file a claim against the government. At Winkler Kurtz, LLP, we are dedicated to delivering the best possible results to our clients so that they can recover from their accidents. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our personal injury lawyer near Coram, NY.