Our Skilled Personal Injury Attorneys in Central Islip, New York

Various accidents in Central Islip may seriously alter the lives of victims in a number of different ways. These individuals may incur expensive medical bills, and even moderate injuries are now very costly to treat in the United States. More serious injuries and permanent disabilities may cost millions of dollars to treat, and these costs may continue for the rest of the victim’s life. In addition, injured individuals in Central Islip may lose the ability to work either temporarily or permanently. Even in a few weeks, a high-income individual may lose tens of thousands of dollars in missed wages as they heal from their injuries.

Finally, victims may suffer a range of non-economic damages, such as PTSD, disfigurement, and emotional distress. Even after physical issues have been resolved, the psychological scars of a traumatic accident may remain with a victim for the rest of their life. When facing all of these issues, residents of Central Islip may be wondering how they can pursue compensation. A consultation with a personal injury attorney in Central Islip may provide answers.

How Can an Injury Attorney in Central Islip Help Me?

Central Islip is a hamlet that lies on Long Island. With a population of about 35,000 in 2010, the area was first settled by the Secatogue tribe of the Algonquin people. A major development came in 1873 when the Long Island Rail Road established the Central Islip Station in the area. In the 90s, a number of housing developments helped renew the area – attracting a large number of Spanish-speaking Americans. Unfortunately, many of these residents are all too familiar with a range of accidents.

Personal injury attorneys in Central Islip can guide victims toward compensation by providing a number of services and benefits. These include:

  • Providing guidance
  • Answering questions
  • Negotiating with insurers
  • Gathering evidence
  • Representation during trials

The main goal of a personal injury attorney is to seek compensation that covers the damages of their clients. This requires them to calculate the various losses that their clients have experienced due to the accident – including losses that the client may not have considered.

What Damages Can I Claim in a Personal Injury Claim?

Plaintiffs can claim a range of damages for their injuries, although the exact damages for each claim depend on the specific circumstances involved. Generally speaking, damages fall into two categories:

  • Economic Damages: Economic damages include all out-of-pocket expenses you incurred due to your accident. These might include medical expenses and missed wages. In the case of wrongful death, it might also include funeral expenses.
  • Non-Economic Damages: Non-economic damages are more abstract in nature, and they include psychological issues like emotional distress, pain and suffering, PTSD, disfigurement, and so on. These issues may not have dollar values associated with them, but they can lead to compensation.

Certain accidents may limit access to damages. For example, New York follows a “no-fault” system when it comes to car accidents. Although this makes it easier for injured auto victims to pursue compensation for light or moderate injuries, it prevents them from pursuing non-economic damages. That being said, those who suffer serious injuries can file injury lawsuits instead of filing a claim with PIP insurance providers.

While other states impose damage caps on settlements, New York does not. Even in areas where damage caps are typically imposed – such as medical malpractice – there is no limit on how much money you may be awarded by a jury.

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Suing for a Slip and Fall in Central Islip

Slip and fall lawsuits are common. This is a form of premise liability claim that involves a plaintiff slipping and falling on some kind of hazard on someone else’s property. This might be a business, such as a grocery store, restaurant, or hardware store. It might also be a government facility, such as the DMV, a courtroom, or a passport office.

Property owners may cause slips and falls through a range of actions and inactions. If a property owner notices a fall hazard on their premises, they must take quick action to address it. Although the ideal course of action is to fix the issue directly, they may potentially escape liability by placing clear signage near the hazard. This signage must warn the public of the fall hazard. A classic example is a “wet floor” sign.

Examples of fall hazards include:

  • Spills
  • Debris
  • Ice
  • Snow
  • Broken stairs
  • Land of handrails
  • Dim lighting
  • Cracked sidewalks
  • Building code violations

As Central Islip residents are no doubt aware, snow and ice are common in the State of New York. Property owners must clear away ice and snow as quickly as possible to prevent injuries. That being said, New York adheres to the “ongoing storm” rule. This means that if the storm is currently in progress, the property is allowed to wait until the complete cessation of precipitation before clearing away ice and snow. If an injury occurs while a storm is in progress, they can potentially escape liability thanks to this rule.

Suing for Fractured Hips in Central Islip

A hip fracture can be a life-changing injury, particularly for elderly residents. These injuries are typically associated with slips and falls. A victim who suffers a fractured hip might find themselves confined to a wheelchair or a hospital bed for the foreseeable future, drastically affecting their quality of life. Hip fractures may even be fatal, especially if the injury becomes infected. Again, seniors are vulnerable to this complication.

Where Can I Find a Personal Injury Attorney in Central Islip?

If you have been searching for an experienced personal injury attorney in Central Islip, look no further than the Law Office of Frank A. Cetero. Injured plaintiffs can assess their options for compensation by booking a consultation with a Central Islip injury attorney such as Frank A. Cetero. During these consultations, they can ask questions, receive advice, and determine their next steps. Reach out today to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) For a Central Islip Personal Injury Lawyer:

What should I do following a personal injury accident in Central Islip?

After a personal injury accident you should make sure you do not have any major injuries. If you or someone else involved in the accident has major injuries be sure to call an ambulance. You will also want to contact the police to get a police report at the scene of the accident. If you are able to it is a good idea to take photographs of the scene of the accident and exchange contact information. After the police have left, you will want to get your injuries assessed. You will also want to contact a Central Islip personal injury attorney to help you with your case.

What if I don’t think I can afford an attorney?

One reason people don’t think to contact an attorney after an accident is that they’re afraid they can’t afford one. In personal injury cases the attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means if you don’t have the money to afford a lawyer upfront, you can still seek legal help. The payment to the attorney will come out of your settlement winnings.

Do I have to pay my medical bills while my case is ongoing?

It depends. There is a letter of protection that if your medical professional accepts, you can wait until your case has settled to pay your medical bills. If your medical professional does not accept the letter of protection, you will be responsible for paying for your medicals as they come through. You may be able to set up a payment plan as well if you are unable to pay the amounts in full.

Can I ask for compensation to pay for future medical bills?

Yes, if you are still receiving medical care for your injuries while your case is ongoing, or you know you will need more medical care pertaining to the injuries suffered from the accident then you can ask for future compensation. Odds are you will need an expert witness to testify for how much more medical treatment you will need and an estimate of the cost of the treatments.

Should I gather evidence at the scene of the accident?

Yes, if you are physically able, getting evidence from the scene of the accident can be vital. If you are able to, take pictures of the roads, the accident, your injuries, any vehicles involved, or street signs. You will also want to get contact information from the negligent party, and any witnesses that may have seen what happened.

The insurance company offered me a settlement, do I have to take it?

You do not have to take the first settlement that the insurance company offers you. Typically speaking, the first offer they give you will be less than what you deserve and what you need. It is best to have your attorney review the offer and counter on your behalf.

What are the different types of compensation in a personal injury case?

The main two kinds of compensation are economic and non-economic damages. There are some cases where punitive damages may be applicable, but it is awarded very infrequently.

When do you have to pay taxes on your settlement winnings?

After your personal injury case settles and you get paid you may be thinking about what this means for your taxes. In most instances your personal injury settlement won’t be taxed. In New York if you have lost wages as a part of your settlement that will not be taxed like in other states. On the off chance you were awarded punitive damages you will be expected to pay taxes on that amount.

What are the benefits of settling a personal injury case out of court?

When you settle your case outside of court you save a lot of time. Settling outside of court also tends to be less stressful. And since it takes less time, you tend to get paid faster.

What determines the value of my personal injury case?

A major factor is how at fault you are for the accident. The less at fault you are found the more compensation you can ask for. How bad the accident was and how bad your injuries were, also determines the amount your case is worth. If you spend a lot of time in the hospital or have a lot of property damage, you will need more compensation than someone who had minor injuries and little property damage.

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