Personal injury claims often involve considerable damages, and obtaining just compensation will play an important role in your recovery. If you’ve been injured in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, it’s time to consult with an experienced Buffalo personal injury attorney.
When Personal Injury Applies
Personal injury law applies only when specific elements are present, including:
- The other person owed you a duty of care, which means they were responsible for your safety in some way. For example, when we drive, we accept a duty of care toward everyone else on the road.
- The other person didn’t uphold this responsibility, which means they were negligent in some way.
- The other person’s negligence was the direct cause of the accident in question.
- You suffered covered losses.
When each of these applies, you have a personal injury claim.
Personal Injury Claims Fall into Several Basic Categories
Every personal injury claim has its own unique circumstances, but most fall into categories like the following:
- Traffic accidents, including car, motorcycle, and truck accidents
- Train accidents
- Construction and other work-related accidents
- Premises liability claims like slip and fall accidents
- Product liability claims like those related to dangerously designed consumer goods
- Boat Accidents
- Dog Bites
The Time Limit
New York has a three-year statute of limitations in place for most negligence cases. This means that you have only three years from the date of the accident that causes you to be injured to file a lawsuit against the negligent party. Sometimes this statute may be as as short as 90 days. Time is of the essence – consult with a seasoned personal injury attorney today.
Your Compensation
In your personal injury claim, you can seek money damages in several primary categories, such as the following:
- Medical bills that include expenses related to hospital bills and doctors visits
- Lost income, including losses related to career advancement and earning potential
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
FAQs
Is an attorney necessary?
Without the legal guidance of an accomplished personal injury attorney, your ability to fully recover for your losses and regain your health and well-being to the extent possible could be jeopardized.
I may be partially responsible. What should I do?
In New York, bearing partial responsibility for the accident that leaves you injured will not bar you from seeking compensation for the portion of your losses that the other party is responsible for.
Will my case go to trial?
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court and many claims are settled without ever having to file a lawsuit. Only if the insurance company handling your case refuses to engage in fair dealings will your attorney advise you to bring a lawsuit and possibly a trial.
An Experienced Buffalo Personal Injury Attorney Is on Your Side
The formidable Buffalo personal injury attorneys at Steve Foley Law Firm have a wealth of impressive experience guiding challenging claims like yours toward favorable resolutions that support our clients’ fullest recoveries and brightest futures. To learn more about what we can do to help you, please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at 716-249-2222 today.