Car Accident FAQs | Car Accident Attorneys

Injury Lawyers Serving New York & New Jersey

Some say car accidents seem to happen in slow motion, but in the aftermath of a crash, things may seem to happen in a rush. If you are injured, you’ll likely face medical care, perhaps hospitalization, insurance questions, decisions about your car, missing work and other obligations and more.

If you’ve suffered an injury or any kind of loss in a car accident that was not your fault in New York or New Jersey, you have a right to compensation for your losses. You may hear from insurers rather quickly after a car accident, sometimes with offers of money to settle your claim. It’s not always in your best interests to move so fast.

The car accident lawyers of Ginarte Gonzalez Winograd L.L.P., have more than 150 years of combined experience with car accident claims in New York and New Jersey. Below are some answers about issues you’ll likely deal with after a car crash.

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For a free discussion of your particular case, call the Ginarte law firm now or fill out our online contact form.

Won’t my car insurance pay my bills after a car accident?

If, like most drivers, you carry only the minimum amount of car insurance required by law, then the answer is no, it won’t cover the full costs of a serious car accident.

I have heard that New York and New Jersey are no-fault states. What does that mean?

Under a “no-fault” car insurance policy, the policyholder does not need to show that the other driver was at fault in an accident to obtain a claim settlement. No-fault insurance is meant to make it easier for those who have been injured in car accidents to collect insurance settlements. But it’s not as simple as that.

What steps should I take after getting into a car accident to protect my rights to compensation?

There are several things you should do as soon as you can after a car accident to ensure any legal claim you may have is not damaged. Not taking these steps could cost you substantial money.

My teenage daughter was with her boyfriend when he wrecked the car, and she is now in the hospital. We do not want to hurt this young man with a lawsuit, but we have medical bills. What should we do?

It is important to understand that insurance pays the costs of a car accident in almost all cases. Though a driver is named in a lawsuit, the money usually does not come of the driver’s pocket. You should pursue a legal claim to cover your expenses, regardless of the at-fault driver’s age.

The other driver in my car accident was charged with drunk driving. Friends have told me that I should sue the bar where he was drinking. Can I do that?

You may be able to pursue what’s known as a “dram shop claim” under laws that hold businesses liable for serving customers who are already intoxicated or underage and who later cause car accidents. An attorney would have to investigate, but injured drivers can sometimes obtain additional compensation through these kinds of third-party claims.

If I think I have a legal claim after a car accident, do I have a deadline for taking action?

Yes, there are deadlines, called “statutes of limitations,” for filing personal injury and wrongful death lawsuitsin New York and New Jersey. You need to take action as soon as possible after your car accident to begin the work necessary to develop a lawsuit and meet the deadline for filing it.

I believe I have a valid legal claim in my car accident. How can I afford to hire an attorney to represent me?

You can afford to hire a car accident attorney from the Ginarte law firm because there is no cost to you to obtain our legal services. We work on a contingency-fee basis, which means our fees depend on our success in obtaining compensation for you. We don’t collect a fee until you receive a settlement or court award in your case.

1-888-GINARTE

Injury Lawyers Serving New York & New Jersey

Won’t my car insurance pay my bills after a car accident?

I have heard that New York and New Jersey are no-fault states. What does that mean?

What steps should I take after getting into a car accident to protect my rights to compensation?

My teenage daughter was with her boyfriend when he wrecked the car, and she is now in the hospital. We do not want to hurt this young man with a lawsuit, but we have medical bills. What should we do?

The other driver in my car accident was charged with drunk driving. Friends have told me that I should sue the bar where he was drinking. Can I do that?

If I think I have a legal claim after a car accident, do I have a deadline for taking action?

I believe I have a valid legal claim in my car accident. How can I afford to hire an attorney to represent me?

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