Williamsburg Car Accident Lawyers

The Brooklyn neighborhood of Williamsburg is one of New York City’s trendiest communities. Its galleries, theaters, boutiques, and restaurants attract city residents and thousands of tourists interested in art, theater, fashion, music, dining, and more.

Traffic congestion is widespread throughout Williamsburg, frequently resulting in car accidents. A car accident can devastate your life, leading to serious injuries, medical bills, lost income, and property damage. At Rubenstein & Rynecki, our Williamsburg car accident lawyers help clients injured by negligence.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?

Car accidents in Williamsburg happen for any number of reasons, with the most common being:

Distracted driving: Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents nationwide. Using a cell phone, messing with onboard electronics, eating, and other things can divert your focus from driving.
Drunk driving: Operating a car under the influence of drugs or alcohol slows reaction times, distorts eyesight, inhibits brain function, reduces attention, and more.
Drowsy driving: Sleep deprivation causes the same neurological deficits as drugs and alcohol, and driving while sleep-deprived can be just as dangerous.
Reckless driving: Lane jumping, disregarding traffic signs, and cutting off others are dangerous actions.
Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit inhibits the ability to make rapid stops or avoid obstructions and frequently leads to severe accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
Tailgating: Traveling behind others too closely reduces stopping distance and can cause rear-end collisions, especially in congested city sections.
Weather: The rain, snow, and ice in New York cause slick road surfaces, leading to severe accidents.

What Types of Injuries Are Common in Car Accidents?

Even in minor collisions, car accident injuries can range in severity. Among the most common include:

Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries
Broken bones and fractures
Burns
Concussions and head injuries
Crushed or severed limbs
Cuts and lacerations
Disfigurement and scarring
Nerve damage
Organ damage
Paralysis
Psychological trauma
Whiplash
Soft tissue injuries
Traumatic brain injuries

What Should I Do if I am in a Car Accident in Williamsburg?

Your personal injury claim can benefit significantly from your actions following an accident. If you are physically able, you should do the following after a car accident:

Call the police to report the collision and injuries.
Photograph the vehicle damage, injuries, license plates, road and weather conditions, signage, and any other relevant factors.
Obtain contact information and statements from witnesses.
Seek medical attention, even if your injuries appear to be minor. Symptoms of certain internal injuries often do not develop until much later and can be life-threatening if left untreated. A medical report is also an essential part of your claim.
Keep all records, including medical bills, invoices, estimates, other expenses, and conversations related to the accident.
Speak with an experienced car accident lawyer.

Additionally, keep conversations with the other driver to a minimum. Exchange contact and insurance information, but do not engage in further discussion, arguments, or apologize. Statements you make in front of others on the scene can be used against you later.

What Compensation Can I Recover for My Car Accident Injuries?

Compensation in personal injury claims has no established value and is determined through a combination of economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages encompass actual expenses incurred, such as:

In-home medical care
Lost wages and future earning capacity
Permanent or temporary disability
Medical expenses
Medical devices and equipment
Ongoing medical care
Rehabilitation and therapy
Repair costs
Wrongful death and funeral expenses

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are those with no established financial value or expense and are calculated by the pain and suffering of your injuries as a result of the accident and include:

Amputations
Chronic pain
Cognitive impairment
Disability
Disfigurement
Emotional distress
Loss of consortium
Loss of enjoyment of life
Pain and suffering
PTSD
Scarring

In New York, car accident cases are subject to the state’s rule of pure comparative negligence, meaning that each driver is assigned a percentage of fault for the collision. A plaintiff may be eligible to collect compensation even if they contributed to the accident. The total compensation you can receive will be lowered by the percentage of fault assigned to you.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in New York?

The statute of limitations to file a personal injury claim in New York is three years from the accident date or two years from the date of death.

How Can a Williamsburg Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?

After a car accident, your priority should be your health, not negotiating with insurance companies for a settlement. Working with Rubenstein & Rynecki allows you the time needed to recover. Our Williamsburg car accident lawyers can do the following:

Investigate the accident scene.
Obtain and review police reports.
File all required documents.
Interview witnesses.
Consult your medical team to establish your needed current and future medical care.
Work with industry experts.
Negotiate with insurance companies.
Represent you in court should the case go to trial.

In most personal injury cases, car accident lawyers, including ours, work on a contingency basis. Contact us to learn more.