Auto accidents, crashes, and collisions happen on the roads of New York all the time. While some accidents are just minor bumps, others often involve extensive property damage, fatalities, or/and serious injuries. Following an accident in Rochester, you may have a common question in mind – Do I really need to hire a personal injury lawyer? While you may be able to manage on your own, but that doesn’t mean you should. A lawyer at King Law would be able to help you most likely, depending on the details of your case. The experience of attorneys for personal injury cases is extremely valuable. Here’s why and when you may want to consider hiring a lawyer.
Because personal injury laws in NY are complicated
New York is a no-fault car insurance state. If you are injured in an accident, you should file an insurance claim with your own insurer, seeking compensation through your PIP coverage. So, what happens if the other party was at fault? There are limited circumstances when you can file a personal injury lawsuit. This is when your injuries are serious and your losses are not entirely covered by the compensation offered by your insurance company. Also, you can only get a settlement up to $50,000 through your insurer. Considering how complicated things can get, consider hiring an attorney.
When you are at fault
Just because you believe that you have a valid personal injury lawsuit against the other driver, it doesn’t mean you have a case. New York follows what is known as the ‘pure comparative fault’ rule. If you have a share of fault in causing the car accident, your eventual settlement will be reduced by your share of fault. As such, consider talking to a personal injury attorney, so that you get a fair overview of what to expect from the case. Car accident matters often get complicated when multiple parties are involved, or more than one driver is at fault.
Meeting a personal injury attorney
Most personal injury attorneys in Rochester will be happy to offer a free initial consultation. Make sure that you meet an attorney first and discuss the facts of your case, before deciding on the course of action. Depending on the facts of the case, your attorney may work on a contingency basis, which is a good advantage, especially at a time when you are dealing with serious losses.
Ask around for the best-rated personal injury lawyers in Rochester, NY.
