Auto Accident Attorney in Bronx, New York

The automobile paired with the freedom to drive has long been associated with what it means to be an American. While we do need and depend on our cars and taxis and Ubers to get us around town, one of the undeniably negative consequences of contemporary car culture is the accidents that come from it. 

When you or someone you love has been injured in an auto accident, you’ll almost always need to file a claim with either your own insurance provider or the insurance provider of the other driver. However, there are also times when you may need to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party to ensure you’re properly compensated.

If you’d like to speak with a car accident attorney about your rights after an auto accident, reach out to our team at MJP Injury Law. We are proud to serve individuals in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester County, Nassau County, Suffolk County, and anywhere else in New York. 

Types of Auto Accidents

Car accidents don’t only refer to a collision between two vehicles. Essentially, any accident that involves a car, including pedestrian accidents, can be considered an auto accident. 
 

• Car Accidents: One of the most common types of accidents on the roads occurs between two or more cars. This could be a relatively minor fender-bender that occurs when one car rear-ends the other, or it can be a much more serious accident that leads to major injuries or even death. 

• Bicycle Accidents: When a car strikes a bicyclist, this is also categorized as an auto accident which could require filing a claim on the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. Unfortunately, cars don’t always respect the rights of cyclists sharing the road and can often cut them off or not give them enough room when passing. This could result in life-altering injuries. 

• Motorcycle Accidents: Like bicycles, motorcycles can be hard to see by other cars which is why drivers should always exercise care and double-check all blind spots. Motorcycle riders are also required to follow the rules of the road and carry insurance in case of an accident.  

• Truck Accidents: Truck accidents can be some of the most frightening incidents on the road due to the size and weight of commercial trucks. These kinds of wrecks could happen if the truck driver is inattentive or if a passenger car fails to give a truck enough room to pass. 

• Rideshare Accidents: Lastly, accidents can also involve cars taking part in a rideshare service like Uber and Lyft. In these cases, a passenger may be injured who had absolutely no hand in causing the accident to happen.

The Importance of Legal Representation

One of the most important steps you can take if you’ve been involved in one of these crashes is to contact an auto accident attorney as soon as possible. In the days and weeks following a crash, you’ll be recovering from injuries, healing from trauma, and trying to negotiate back and forth with an insurance adjuster about your compensation. When you work with an experienced lawyer, they can help to protect your rights and pursue fair compensation—whether you’re seeking damages for yourself or a wrongful death settlement on behalf of a loved one who lost their life in an accident. 

Understanding auto accident insurance claims can also be extremely complicated. Keep in mind that adjusters are not on your side. In fact, an adjuster will almost always try to close out your case as fast as possible while saving their company as much money as possible. It’s not uncommon for an insurance adjuster to contact you the very next day after a crash trying to get you to issue an official statement and maybe even agree to a settlement. You should never agree to this. Instead, tell them you’re working with a lawyer who you’ll be consulting with. 

Finally, a skilled personal injury attorney can help you stay on the right side of the law and ensure you’re meeting all deadlines regarding the state’s statute of limitations for bringing forward a lawsuit. You will also need to be aware of New York’s comparative negligence rule which allows liability to be shared between two parties in an accident. If the other party accuses you of having a hand in causing the accident, this could result in you losing a large portion of your much-needed compensation.