Car Accident Lawyers in Albany, New York
If you or someone you love was hurt in a car accident, the Albany car accident attorneys at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. are here to help you. Our car accident lawyers work closely with victims and their families to help them seek the maximum possible recovery permitted under the law. In the aftermath of a serious car accident, victims and their families can face many unique challenges. You and your family might need to negotiate settlements with insurance companies and determine whether you can take your case to court under New York’s “no fault” laws. Sometimes victims and their families might be offered what appears to be a substantial settlement after a car accident, but if they don’t know what their case might be worth, they might find themselves settling for less.
The Towne Law Firm, P.C. is a car accident law firm in Albany, New York that can help. Our Albany car accident lawyers can investigate your accident, negotiate with insurance companies, estimate the value of your claim, and fight to help you and your family to get the justice you deserve. We are here to help.
What’s the Difference Between Bodily Injury and Personal Injury?
Bodily injury and personal injury refer to New York’s no fault car insurance requirements and specifically refer to the different types of coverage that all drivers in New York must hold. According to the New York State Department of Financial Services, personal injury protection or PIP protection pays for medical costs, lost wages, and other expenses related to injuries resulting from a car accident, regardless of who was at fault for the crash. Required personal injury protection coverage in New York is $50,000 per person, to cover driver, passengers, and pedestrians, injured in a car accident.
Because of New York’s requirement that every driver hold no fault insurance, New York limits the kinds of personal injury claims that can be brought to court for personal injuries resulting in automobile accidents. A person can only file a lawsuit for an automobile accident if medical costs and other injuries exceed $50,000 and if the person sustained a “serious injury” as defined by New York’s no-fault laws.
No fault insurance coverage will pay:
- Rehabilitation costs
- 80% of lost wages (up to $2000 per month)
- Up to $25 a day for other expenses related to an injury, like the cost of household help or transportation
- $2000 death benefits
Bodily injury coverage, on the other hand, protects you against claims made by another person. If you are being accused of negligence, bodily injury coverage can cover your legal expenses and pay if you are found negligent for an accident. Minimum coverage for bodily injury includes up to $25,000 per person for bodily injury, up to $50,000 if a person was killed in an accident, and up to $50,000 to cover multiple injuries, up to $100,000 if injuries resulted in death.
These are only the minimum coverage amounts required by New York law. You or another driver can elect to hold higher insurance limits to provide additional coverage and protection. For example, under New York law, drivers are only required to have $10,000 for property damage protection. Because many cars are worth more, many drivers choose to purchase additional coverage.
New York’s no-fault laws mean that most personal injury claims will be handled through insurance. It can still be helpful to have a car accident lawyer on your side helping you negotiate and deal with insurance companies and adjusters. The Albany car accident lawyers at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. can estimate the value of your case, submit evidence to insurers, and negotiate with insurance adjusters to help you and your family get the best possible settlement permitted under the law. We can also review your case to see whether your damages exceed $50,000 or qualify as a “serious injury” case, which may allow you to make a lawsuit.
If you have questions about the insurance claim process after a car accident, you are not alone. The process can be stressful and challenging for many families. The Albany, New York car accident lawyers at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. are here to help. Contact our lawyers today to learn more.
How Do New York’s No-Fault Laws Impact my Albany, New York Car Accident Case?
New York’s no-fault laws can significantly impact whether you can pursue a lawsuit for your car accident claim. To pursue a lawsuit, your injuries must exceed $50,000 and must qualify as a “serious injury” according to the New York State Bar Association. What qualifies as a serious injury? Here are some examples provided by the New York State Bar:
- Dismemberment
- Disfigurement
- Fracture
- Loss of a Fetus
- Permanent Loss of an Organ or Bodily System
- Limitation to a Bodily Organ or Limb
- Inability to Engage in Normal Daily Activities for More than 90 Days
Because of these restrictions, many car accident claims will be handled outside of court through insurance settlements. This doesn’t mean that serious accidents don’t happen. If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a car accident, you may have the right to pursue a lawsuit if you meet New York’s requirements. The car accident lawyers in Albany, New York at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. are here to help and can review your case to see if you qualify. We are here to assist with your case and help you understand your options and rights under the law.
How Can a Car Accident Lawyer in Albany, New York Help Me?
A car accident lawyer in Albany, New York can help you with your car accident claim. The attorneys at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. can take steps to help you, and your family, receive the settlement you may deserve. We can:
- Investigate Your Accident
- Gather Evidence and Speak to Witnesses
- Seek Medical Opinions
- Read Your Insurance Policy and Help You Understand Your Coverage
- Estimate the Value of Your Car Accident Claim
- Work with Adjusters and Insurance Companies to Help You Get the Best Settlement Possible
- Fight for Your Rights
One of the major aspects of a car accident claim is estimating the value of a victims’ damages and losses. Many factors go into estimating the value of a car accident claim. The Albany, New York car accident lawyers at The Towne Law Firm, P.C, can help you seek compensation for:
- Medical Expenses
- Future Medical Care You Might Need Due to the Crash
- Lost Wages and Disability
- Work Retraining Required
- Nursing Care
- Rehabilitation Costs
- Other Losses
- Pain and Suffering
Determining the value of a personal injury claim can sometimes get complicated, especially if your accident qualifies as a “serious injury” accident. If you have questions about how a car accident lawyer can help you, reach out to the car accident attorneys in Albany, New York at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. We are here to help.
How Can I Find the Best Car Accident Lawyers in Albany, New York?
The “best car accident lawyer” is a highly subjective thing. It all depends on what you’re personally looking for in a car accident lawyer. Are you looking for a lawyer with years of experience or a lawyer with a proven track record of success in car accident claims? Some accident claims can be very specific and some attorneys have specific experience with these kinds of claims. Ultimately, the best car accident lawyer in Albany, New York will be the attorney with whom you feel the most comfortable given your goals. When it comes to the car accident claims process, you’ll need to share intimate details about your injuries and your life with your lawyer.
The Towne Law Firm, P.C. is a team of lawyers that works with clients facing a wide range of legal issues. James Towne has been ranked among the top 5% of attorneys according to Upstate New York Super Lawyer’s list. With a track record of success, our law firm works closely with clients to help them navigate the legal process. Contact our car accident lawyers in Albany, New York today to learn more.
How Can I Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Albany, New York?
The Albany car accident lawyers at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. are just a phone call away. We can be reached at 518-452-1800 or you can contact us through our convenient online form. We are here to help you. It’s free to reach out.
