Skilled Personal Injury Attorney in Smithtown, NY
If you have been injured in an accident, it is important to get in touch with a qualified personal injury attorney in Smithtown. Our legal professionals at the Law Office of Frank A. Cetero can guide you toward a fair settlement that covers your medical expenses and missed wages. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may also have the opportunity to claim non-economic damages, such as PTSD or emotional distress.
These damages have the potential to completely alter your life. A disability can prevent you from working ever again, leading to a lifetime of missed wages. Your injuries may also require expensive medical treatments. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may need to continue paying for these treatments for the rest of your life. In addition, your accident may have been highly traumatic, causing mental issues that also require lifelong counseling and related treatment.
Due to the high costs of medical treatment in the United States and the importance of income in a highly inflationary economy, victims are left with no other choice but to file personal injury lawsuits. These lawsuits can lead to settlements that cover victims’ damages and continue to provide financial support that can help with the rising cost of living. But what exactly can a personal injury lawyer do for you? How do these injury lawsuits work?
How Do Auto Injury Claims Work in Smithtown?
Auto injury claims are particularly common in Smithtown, as this is a leading cause of injury and death on Long Island. If you have suffered an injury in a car crash, it is important to understand how this process works. Lawsuits and claims related to car crashes are handled slightly differently compared to other accidents in the state of New York.
The first thing you need to know is that New York follows a system of no-fault car insurance. This means that if your injuries are minor or moderate, you can file a claim through your own PIP insurance without actually proving negligence. This system makes it easier for victims to get the compensation they need to cover their medical expenses and missed wages, but it does not cover emotional distress.
If your own PIP insurance does not cover the full cost of your injuries, you will need to explore other options. This might include filing a claim through the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. You may also choose to step outside the no-fault system if your injuries meet the “serious” threshold. Serious injuries include life-altering issues like amputation, disfigurement, loss of bodily function, spinal cord injuries, severe brain damage, and so on.
If you have suffered a serious injury, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. This can provide you with more compensation because you can claim non-economic damages. These damages cover emotional or psychological issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and so on. These non-economic damages can increase the value of your final settlement significantly.
Common Issues When Filing Injury Claims
Injured victims encounter problems when they fail to get medical treatment after an injury. This makes it very difficult to prove that their injuries are legitimate. With no medical records proving that the injury ever occurred, the defendant can simply argue that you did not suffer any real damages. It is always a good idea to prioritize your health and get the necessary treatment.
You may also encounter issues if you were injured by an uninsured driver. If this is the case, then you may only turn to your own PIP insurance for compensation. You might also have the opportunity to file a personal injury lawsuit, but this is not worth it if the defendant has no real assets. If they cannot afford to pay for insurance, they probably cannot cover the cost of your damages. These same issues arise if you were struck by someone with a stolen vehicle or a driver that successfully flees the scene after committing a hit-and-run.
What Can a Personal Injury Lawyer in Smithtown Do for Me?
Personal injury lawyers in Smithtown can provide many services, including:
- Negotiating on Your Behalf: Lawyers can negotiate with insurance companies and defendants on your behalf, ensuring you walk away with a fair settlement. The best lawyers have solid negotiation skills, and they can push back against low-ball offers.
- Helping You Gather Evidence: Lawyers can also help you gather the necessary evidence to support your claim. This might include medical documents, surveillance footage, eyewitness accounts, and much more.
- Representing You in Court: If negotiations fall through, your lawyer can represent you during a personal injury trial. The best lawyers can convince juries and judges to award you with a suitable amount of compensation.
- Filling Out Paperwork: In addition, lawyers can help you fill out any paperwork that might be related to your lawsuit. These tasks can be quite time-consuming.
What if I Lost a Loved One in an Accident?
If you have lost a loved one in an accident, you can file a personal injury lawsuit on their behalf. This is called a “wrongful death lawsuit.” A wrongful death lawsuit can provide family members with compensation for funeral costs, emotional distress, future missed wages, outstanding medical expenses, and much more.
We Also Represent Our Service in The Following Cities:-
- Huntington
- Patchogue
- Ronkonkoma
- Farmingdale
- Massapequa
- Deer Park
- Brentwood
- Central Islip
- Port Jefferson
- Hauppauge
- Levittown
- Long Island
- Wantagh
- Stonybrook
- West Babylon
- West Islip
- Commack
Book a Consultation With the Law Office of Frank A. Cetero Today
If you have been searching for a Smithtown injury lawyer, look no further than the Law Office of Frank A. Cetero. With our assistance, you can approach this situation in a confident, efficient manner. Whether you have suffered major or minor injuries, you are fully entitled to explore your legal options alongside a legal professional. After all, no victim should have to pay for their own medical expenses and missed wages out of their own pocket – not when someone else is to blame for these injuries. With help from the Law Office of Frank A. Cetero, you can hold negligent parties accountable and pursue a fair settlement for your injuries. Book your consultation today to get started with an effective action plan.