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A crash on the highway, a fall on the sidewalk, or an accident on the job can change your life in an instant. You may suddenly find yourself unable to work, facing mounting medical bills, or even suffering from the loss of a family member.
If any of these has happened to you, the Queens personal injury lawyers at Pyrros, Serres & Rupwani can help. Whether you need assistance negotiating with an insurance company or want to file a personal injury lawsuit, we will work to protect your rights and help you seek fair compensation.
When you’re dealing with a serious injury, we know you may be feeling overwhelmed. The first step is to schedule a free consultation with us. Call today at 718-626-7730 to discuss your accident and your options with our experienced personal injury lawyers in Queens.
Personal injury accidents can occur in almost any setting, involve almost any type of vehicle or equipment, and happen to all sorts of people. However, most personal injury cases fall into one of the following broad categories.
When you think of motor vehicle accidents, you probably imagine passenger car crashes. However, this category also includes a variety of collision types involving other vehicles like commercial semis, motorcycles, trains, and buses. According to the New York State Department of Health, motor vehicle accidents hospitalize over 12,000 New York residents — and kill nearly 1,100 — in a typical year.
Premises liability cases involve dangerous conditions that cause accidents on public or private property. Most commonly, premises liability law comes into play in slip, trip, and fall cases. According to the National Safety Council, nearly 7 million people in the U.S. went to the emergency room for fall-related injuries in 2021.
These types of accidents can happen anywhere, including residential properties, construction sites, nursing homes, shopping malls, and workplaces. For example, you may slip on a wet floor in a supermarket or trip down poorly maintained stairs at another person’s house.
Product liability claims arise from injuries or illnesses related to defective consumer products, dangerous pharmaceutical drugs, or faulty medical devices. For example, you may suffer health complications from a prescription medication, or your child may choke on a small toy.
These complicated cases tend to involve complex laws and have large corporations as defendants. The responsible party in product liability lawsuits can include almost anyone in the chain of distribution, including manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, and distributors.
Construction sites should be safe for both workers and passers-by. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. According to the National Safety Council, construction is one of the most dangerous industries in the U.S.
People can suffer injuries by falling in holes, being struck by objects or equipment, or other unsafe conditions on or around the site. The dangerous nature of construction means these injuries are often severe, including spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, and death.
When someone’s careless actions hurt someone else, the victim can file a personal injury lawsuit. If the victim dies, however, the personal representative of their estate can make a wrongful death claim on their behalf. These lawsuits seek accountability as well as financial compensation for economic and emotional losses caused by the death.
In a legal environment, damages refer to the legal compensation available to you based on the injury you suffered. Unlike many other states, New York does not limit the amount an injured person can receive in court damages in personal injury lawsuits.
In New York, courts may award damages in the following categories:
Economic damages refer to compensation for financial losses you suffered as a result of your accident. These can include the following:
Non-economic damages cover the consequences of your accident that are not as easy to quantify. These tend to include mental and emotional anguish, such as the following:
Also known as exemplary damages, punitive damages are not available in all personal injury cases. In rare cases, courts may award punitive damages on top of compensatory damages to “punish” the defendant. As such, they only apply to cases where the defendant has exhibited gross misconduct or negligence.
Depending on your circumstances, you may recover some of your expenses through an auto insurance policy or workers’ compensation benefits. Unfortunately, insurance often doesn’t cover all your out-of-pocket costs, and it most likely will not consider pain and emotional distress. In some cases, insurance companies may deny your claims outright.
When your injuries are severe or your insurance refuses to pay, you may wish to hire a qualified attorney. In addition to providing solid legal guidance, Queens personal injury lawyers can help you do the following:
If you need help filing a claim or simply have questions about your options after an accident, contact Pyrros, Serres & Rupwani. We have over 30 years of experience representing victims in many common types of personal injury cases and filing personal injury claims.
You can schedule a consultation with us with no financial risk or obligation. Call our Queens law offices any time of day at (718) 626-7730 for a free case review.
The New York statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years. This means you typically have three years from the date of the accident to file the initial documentation in court, although there are exceptions. Speak to a personal injury lawyer about your case to understand your timeline to file a claim.
Yes, you can sue for pain and suffering in New York. Your compensation amount depends on multiple factors, including the circumstances of your case and the severity of your injuries.
You do not need a lawyer to file a personal injury claim in New York. However, for severe and debilitating injuries, Queens personal injury lawyers can help you seek the maximum compensation you are entitled to under the law.
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