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Syracuse Car Accident Lawyer

An experienced Syracuse car accident lawyer is an invaluable asset if you have recently been hurt in a collision caused by another driver. You may have more options to recover your losses than you realize, but you will need an attorney’s help to maximize your recovery. The team at Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC, is ready to help with every stage of your car accident case in Syracuse.

A car accident can happen in a second, but their effects can last for years or even a lifetime. When you’ve been in a car accident in Syracuse, NY, one of the first phone calls you want to make is to our office to speak to a car accident lawyer. We’re available by phone 24 hours a day, and we begin work on your case immediately after you call to get you quick results.

Our Syracuse personal injury firm at Gattuso & Ciotoli offer free consultations for personal injury victims. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by getting in touch with us. We can hold the negligent parties and insurance companies accountable for the damages they’ve done to your physical health, finances, and property. The right compensation could help you replace your vehicle so you can get to work, as well as pay any bills for healthcare or physical therapy.

Common Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

Some of the highways around Syracuse, such as I-81, known as one of the most treacherous highways in the United States, are prime locations for unexpected crashes to happen with no warning. It’s also possible for accidents to occur in the busy urban streets of the Syracuse metropolitan area, and even if they occur at lower speeds, they can result in severe injuries to those involved.

From rear-end collisions to multi-car pileups, all car accidents have the potential to cause serious injuries. In many cases, these injuries require lengthy treatment times and result in expensive medical bills. You may also need to seek long-term care after the accident, such as physical therapy or necessary surgeries.

Car accident victims can sustain any of the following injuries:

  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Brain injuries
  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Lacerations, bruising, and scarring
  • Mangled limbs that require amputation
  • Facial scarring and disfigurement
  • Serious burns
  • Psychological trauma

If you have suffered such injuries, it is natural to wonder how you can recover and whether another driver is responsible for your damages. New York’s auto insurance laws and no-fault system may be challenging to navigate, but the right attorney can help you make sense of your situation. You may also have grounds for legal recourse outside of filing an auto insurance claim.

New York’s No-Fault Law

New York is a no-fault car insurance state, which means that each driver involved in a crash is responsible for paying for their own damages. Insurance policies usually extend coverage to any injured passengers in the vehicle as well. If your injuries qualify as serious, you may be able to file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company as well.

To uphold these financial responsibilities, New York requires all drivers to carry certain amounts of insurance. You can purchase more coverage than the required minimums if you choose.

  • $50,000 in personal injury protection coverage, which pays for your medical expenses and out-of-pocket losses
  • $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, in case you cause an accident
  • $50,000 in total injury liability coverage per collision, in case you cause an accident
  • $10,000 in property damage liability if you cause an accident
  • Uninsured motorist coverage that meets these minimum limits

If you do not sustain serious injuries, you can only file a claim under your own no-fault insurance to collect compensation for your out-of-pocket expenses. It is important to have an attorney’s help in filing your auto insurance claim, as the insurer is likely to look for any justification it can find to devalue or deny your claim. You’re more likely to be treated fairly if you have legal representation.

If you suffer any of the following injuries, you may file a third-party insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver:

  • A broken bone or fracture
  • Serious disfigurement
  • A substantially full disability for at least 90 days
  • Permanent damage to or limitation of a body part or organ
  • Significant limitation of use of a body part or organ

Your Syracuse car accident lawyer can review your medical records and other evidence to determine whether you have grounds to file a personal injury suit. If so, you will need to firmly establish liability for the accident and accurately calculate the full extent of the damages you suffered. If you succeed with this case, you could potentially secure substantial compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.

Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Syracuse

If you have suffered a serious injury from your recent car accident, proving fault for the accident will be an essential step in your recovery efforts. Most of the vehicle accidents reported around the Syracuse area are the result of driver negligence, a blanket term that can define any failure of a driver to use reasonable care behind the wheel. Some of the most common examples of driver negligence in the Syracuse area include:

  • Distracted driving, such as texting while driving, is one of the leading causes of accidents throughout the United States each year. Drivers have a duty of care to operate their vehicles attentively at all times.
  • Speeding. Accidents are not only more likely to happen when drivers exceed the speed limit; they are also more likely to result in severe injuries. Excessive speeding could also result in reckless driving charges for the at-fault driver if they cause an accident.
  • Moving violations. Illegal turns, improper lane changes, failure to signal, failure to yield the right-of-way, and running red lights and stop signs are just a few examples of moving violations that can lead to serious accidents.

While many accidents in Syracuse happen because of negligence, they can also occur when drivers break the law. The most common example of this would be driving while intoxicated (DWI) by drugs or alcohol, which can lead to driver’s license suspension, heavy fines, incarceration, and liability for damages for any driver who causes an accident due to their impairment behind the wheel.

If you have suffered a serious injury and have grounds to file a personal injury case for your accident, it is crucial to speak with a Syracuse car accident lawyer at Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC, at your first opportunity. The evidence you may need to prove liability for the accident will only be available to collect for a short time, and witness testimony is most reliable when obtained as quickly as possible after the accident.

It can take time to build your personal injury case after a car accident. You must not only prove liability for the accident but also ascertain the full scope of the damages you suffered. Gathering evidence needed to prove fault, compiling evidence to show the full scope of your damages, and meeting the filing deadline with the court will be easier with the help of an experienced Syracuse car accident lawyer.

What is New York’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents?

If you want to file a lawsuit against the driver responsible for your injuries, you will need to meet the statute of limitations. New York sets a deadline for all civil lawsuits, and if you do not file your claim by this deadline, the court will dismiss your case.

You have three years from the date of your accident to file your claim. If you’re filing on behalf of a deceased loved one, you have two years from the date of death to file. There are exceptions to the statute of limitations, but they are not common in car accidents. For best results, speak to an attorney at Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC to begin the filing process as soon as possible.

How Much Compensation is Available?

If you choose to file a personal injury lawsuit after your car accident, you can claim additional damages outside of medical expenses. Unlike other states, New York does not place limits on the amount of compensation you can receive. Because each case is so unique, it’s difficult to estimate your claim value without speaking to your lawyer first.

The purpose of these damages is to help you recover from the financial, physical, and psychological harm you sustain in the accident. You can collect two types of damages in New York: economic and non-economic. The exact damages you can collect depend on whether you are filing a no-fault claim, a third-party claim, or lawsuit.

Economic damages concern the out-of-pocket losses you experience after the accident, including the following.

  • All past and future medical care. You have the right to claim full compensation for all medical expenses you incur for your injuries. Your attorney can assist you with calculating these losses to ensure maximum compensation.
  • Any therapy you need to treat your condition. Car accidents can be highly traumatic, and it is possible to recover compensation for the psychological suffering you have experienced. Your attorney can explain how much you can reasonably expect for your non-economic damages.
  • Disability accommodations. Some accidents result in permanently disabling injuries. Victims may require the use of medical devices such as wheelchairs and may even need modifications to their homes to handle basic everyday tasks. Some will require constant in-home medical supervision during the early stages of recovery.
  • Property damage and vehicle repairs. The victim of a car accident can seek repayment for the cost of repairing or replacing their vehicle, as well as the value of any personal property lost in the accident.
  • Lost wages and loss of future earnings. If you are unable to work due to the injuries you suffered, you can seek compensation for the income you were unable to earn during your recovery. Additionally, if you are unable to return to work in the future, you will also be able to claim compensation for the future income you are no longer able to earn.

On the other hand, non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify. These damages concern your physical and emotional harm, and may include the following.

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Mental anguish
  • Chronic pain
  • Amputation and disfigurement
  • Permanent disability
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

If you have grounds to file a personal injury case due to a severe injury and have the right attorney representing you, your pain and suffering compensation could potentially form the bulk of your total recovery. Generally, the more severe the plaintiff’s injuries are, the more they are likely to obtain in pain and suffering compensation, especially if they suffered any kind of permanently disabling injuries.

Why You Need a Car Accident Attorney in Syracuse

A personal injury can be devastating. Depending on the severity, it could affect you for the rest of your life. You deserve to be compensated for your pain and suffering, as well as your medical expenses and lost wages. We offer representation for injuries sustained in a variety of situations, including:

With more than 50 years of combined experience and a range of practice areas, you can be sure we know our way around a courtroom. As members of the New York Bar, we keep up with State law and do what we can to make it work for you. Once you have us helping you out, you and your family can focus on recovery. We know how to fight for what you’re entitled to and fast.

An accident injury shouldn’t ruin your life and your ability to provide for your family, especially if it was someone else’s fault. Hiring an experienced Syracuse personal injury attorney to go to bat for you is the first step toward ensuring that doesn’t happen. All of our years in practice have allowed us the opportunity to work on all kinds of cases, and we encourage you to call us right away if you ever find yourself dealing with the following legal situations:

An experienced attorney is an invaluable asset for any type of civil case in Syracuse. The team at Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC, has more than 60 combined years of experience representing injured clients in the Syracuse area, and we’re ready to put this experience to work for you. If you are unsure how to recover from your recent car accident in Syracuse, reach out to our firm at your first opportunity to learn how we can help.

FAQs

Q: How Do You Prove Liability for a Car Accident in Syracuse?

A: It’s possible to prove liability for a car accident in Syracuse using various forms of evidence. A Syracuse car accident lawyer can help their client prove fault using the police report from the accident, testimony from eyewitnesses, cell phone data, vehicle computer data, and traffic camera footage, if available. If you suffered a serious injury, proving liability is crucial for obtaining compensation for your damages.

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Recover for My Car Accident?

A: The amount of compensation you can recover for your car accident will depend on the overall severity of your injuries. If you are eligible to file a personal injury case, it is possible to recover compensation for the entire scope of the economic and non-economic damages the at-fault driver caused.

Q: When Should I Hire a Syracuse Car Accident Lawyer?

A: It’s a good idea to hire a Syracuse car accident lawyer as quickly as possible after your accident, ideally before speaking with any insurance companies about your case. Insurance carriers generally try to settle claims for as little as possible and may try to use your own words against you. Having an attorney’s help can ensure you are treated fairly, and your legal team can explain all of the legal options available to you after your accident.

Q: What Happens if I Share Fault for My Personal Injury in New York?

A: If you share fault for your personal injury in New York, you are still able to claim compensation for your damages from the defendant. However, you will have a fault percentage assigned to you, and this percentage will be taken from your case award under New York’s pure comparative negligence law. If you have any concerns about partial liability for your accident, consult an experienced attorney as quickly as possible after the accident.

Q: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Syracuse Car Accident Lawyer?

A: There is no need to worry about the cost to hire a Syracuse car accident lawyer if you choose Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC, to represent you. We accept personal injury cases on contingency, meaning we only charge our client a fee if and when we win compensation for them, and the fee is a percentage of the total recovery. If we are unable to obtain compensation for your damages for any reason, there is no fee at all.

Get Skilled Legal Representation – Call A Syracuse Car Accident Lawyer Today

The aftermath of your car accident in Syracuse is likely to be confusing and stressful, and you need experienced legal counsel in this situation to reach the optimal results for your recovery efforts. You have limited time to pursue your recovery, and Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC, is ready to help. Contact us to consult about your case. We represent the residents of Syracuse, New York, and the surrounding areas. Call (315) 314-8000 to get started.