For a free legal consultation with a distracted driving accident lawyer serving Long Island, call 516-451-7900
Why hire Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP for your distracted driving accident claim?
Auto accident claims can get quite complex at times. These are just a few of the reasons clients come to us for legal representation:- We have represented personal injury clients in New York since 1996.
- We use highly trained and dedicated attorneys; and support staff.
- We have the financial capacity to pay the price of litigation and increase the chances of recovery.
- We have longstanding relationships with members of the medical community in distracted driving cases.
- We are thorough, diligent and pay attention to detail.
Long Island Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me 516-451-7900
Distracted Driving Accident Victim Compensation
As the victim of a distracted driving accident, you may be eligible for compensation. New York civil laws give accident victims the ability to obtain financial compensation for the damages they suffered after a car accident. New York is a “no-fault” state, which means that you will initially seek compensation from your own insurance company, even if a distracted driver caused your accident. If your insurance company accepts your claim, you may be able to receive compensation from personal injury protection or other insurance coverage.- You may be able to get reimbursed for medical bills . This may include payments for your past and future hospital stays, surgeries, treatments, medications, medical devices, home care, and other medical expenses related to the accident.
- You may be able to receive compensation to repair or replace your vehicle . You could receive compensation for the value of your vehicle (if the accident was a total loss) or the price of repairs, based on a mechanic's estimate.
- You could receive compensation for lost wages . If you had to miss work, lost wages, or used vacation time due to a distracted driving accident caused by another driver, you may qualify for a refund of your lost earnings.
- You may be able to receive compensation for your pain and suffering . New York courts allow recovery for physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and mental anguish after a serious auto accident. These intangible losses could be spread over the lifetime of the victim, and the victim could be eligible for financial compensation accordingly.
- You may be able to receive compensation for other non-economic damages . Additional non-economic damages that may be available with a third party lawsuit include loss of future earning capacity, loss of quality of life, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and loss of company. , love, support, and guidance from a loved one (for a wrongful death claim).
- You could be awarded punitive damages . Courts may award additional punitive damages to punish a distracted driver for his or her unwarranted disregard for the safety of others. Punitive damages serve to provide additional compensation to a seriously injured victim and/or to punish the defendant for her misconduct.
Time Limit to File a Distracted Driving Accident Claim in New York
Call your insurance company and let them know about the distracted driving accident as soon as possible after the crash. Most insurance companies have a rule that requires people to call and file a claim as soon as they can. Waiting too long could result in your insurance company denying your claim. If your injuries are serious and you want to pursue a third party claim or personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault distracted driver, abide by the New York statute of limitations. The statute of limitations, or the deadline for filing a personal injury claim in New York, is three years from the date of the injuries. This may be the date of the car accident, or it may be a later date if you discover your injuries after the fact. If you had a late-onset traumatic brain injury, for example, you would have three years from the date of your diagnosis instead of the date of the crash. Property damage claims also come with a three-year statute of limitations in New York. If you lost a loved one in a distracted driving accident, you have two years from the date of their death to file a wrongful death lawsuit in New York. A wrongful death claim could result in compensation similar to a personal injury claim, plus one-time damages for surviving family members. If the distracted driver in your case was a government employee, the federal employer could be the defendant in a personal injury case. In this situation, you would have a shorter time limit to file a personal injury claim: 90 days. Pay attention to your time limit for filing a New York distracted driving accident claim, as missing your deadline often results in losing your right to file a lawsuit. Speak to a Long Island distracted driving accident attorney to learn more about your specific deadline.Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Types of distracted driving
There are many forms of distracted driving. Anything that takes the driver's attention away from driving could qualify as a form of distraction. This includes passengers, food and drink, personal grooming, GPS devices, radios, outside distractions, and mental distractions. Today, cell phones are the most frequent cause of distracted driving accidents. Cell phones are so dangerous for drivers because they meet all three types of distracted driving: manual, visual, and cognitive.- A driver needs both hands on the wheel to properly react to changes in the road. A manual distraction is anything that takes one or both of the driver's hands off the wheel. This may include grabbing something from the passenger seat, using the radio, or holding a cell phone.
- Keeping both eyes on the road is imperative for quick reaction time and the ability to prevent a crash. A visual distraction takes the driver's eyes off the road. Looking at passengers, electronic devices, or distractions on the road, such as a car crash or an advertisement, can cause an accident.
- The driver's mind should always be focused on operating the vehicle. Thinking about something else could slow down reaction times and impair judgment. Cognitive distractions include past or ongoing conversations, emotions such as road rage, drowsy driving, or worry about personal issues.