Should I Call a Personal Injury Attorney After a Car Accident?
Regardless of how careful you may be in your own actions, accidents are an unfortunate fact of life. This is especially true when it comes to driving in New York. From 2012 to 2014, traffic crash-related injuries were among the top causes of injury-related hospital and emergency department visits in the state. In addition to this, the state sees an average of $729 million in hospitalization charges from traffic crashes every year. 10% of these victims are eventually released to another long-term facility.
From these statistics, it is clear for all of us to see that car accidents are something we should all take seriously. They can bring about a significant personal injury that can affect you for the rest of your life. They may cause significant emotional suffering, property damage, medical expenses, or physical pain—just to name a few. If you are suffering from one or more of these factors, you have the right to seek out legal compensation for your injuries.
If you or a loved one have recently suffered injury as a result of an automobile accident in Central New York, it may be in your best interest to procure the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney. Many people believe that insurance will be enough to cover their expenses. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Insurance Companies May Have Ulterior Motives
A common misconception among personal injury victims is that their insurance companies will automatically be on their side. While this is true, it does come with certain limitations. As every payment to you is technically a loss to your insurance company, they have every reason to minimize the settlement you receive. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to push you to accept the lowest reasonable offer.
This is especially true when considering how difficult it is for you to have a true valuation of your case. While many websites purport
to have reliable calculators for your personal injury claim, the truth is that they are not able to assess various fluctuating factors in real-time as a real live legal professional could. In fact, sometimes the only way to get a true valuation of your case is to meet with a seasoned personal injury lawyer.
Understanding the amount you are actually owed is the first step to collecting those damages. Furthermore, it is very easy to inadvertently say things that could be misconstrued as admitting liability. A good attorney can act as a liaison between you and the insurance company, minimizing your chances of at-risk communication.
Seeking Legal Assistance
If you have recently been involved in an automobile accident in Central New York that resulted in severe or permanent injury or wrongful death, it is in your best interest to seek out the help of a competent personal injury attorney immediately. We can also help if the collision occurred in a protected area, the insurance company is refusing to provide you with any compensation, or there is any ambiguous legal fault.
Having to go through a car crash, even one that does not result in any injury, is traumatizing enough. Suffering from personal injury and having to deal with its aftermath is even worse. The only thing you really want is to ensure that you maintain your quality of life so you can move onto your next chapter. At Gattuso & Ciottoli, we believe you should not suffer for somebody else’s mistakes.
As an esteemed law firm based in Syracuse, we have over 50 years of combined personal injury experience and proudly serve the Central New York area, including Syracuse, Watertown, Binghamton, Camillus, Liverpool, Cortland, and Auburn. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation with a qualified member of our legal team.