Injuries due to negligence occur every day, leaving victims vulnerable and in need of immediate and substantial compensation, which our lawyers can help them obtain.
In the immediate aftermath of an accident, take photos, get medical treatment, and report the accident. Over the following days and weeks, have our lawyers preserve evidence, continue getting medical attention, and avoid any activity that could worsen the injury and complicate your case. In the months that follow, you can keep a daily log to document pain and suffering from your injury while our lawyers track damages and prepare to file your lawsuit within the 2-year statute of limitations.
For a free case assessment from our personal injury lawyers, call Basch, Keegan & Spada now at (845) 303-2748.
What to Do in the Immediate Aftermath of a Personal Injury
Your immediate response after sustaining a personal injury could have a major impact on the success of a future compensation claim.
Take Photos
In the immediate aftermath of a personal injury, take pictures of everything in the area. Pictures allow us to reconstruct the scene to determine fault, making them very important evidence. Use whatever device you can to take photos, whether that is your phone or an eyewitness’
Get Medical Treatment
Go to the hospital immediately if you are injured. Medical records can confirm the date and time you were injured, as well as the severity of your injury upon your arrival at the hospital. Get medically evaluated as soon as possible, as waiting could compromise your case.
Report the Accident
You should also report the accident as soon as it happens. Victims can call 911 for motor vehicle accidents and other incidents that result in any injuries. Law enforcement officers can offer aid and write reports for incidents that contain important information our attorneys need to know. You can also report accidents to a negligent property owner or another liable party.
What to Do in the Days and Weeks After a Personal Injury
In the days and weeks after an injury, see whether or not you have cause to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York.
Preserve Evidence
In the days following a personal injury, focus on preserving important evidence. Our attorneys can obtain surveillance footage before it has a chance to be deleted or overwritten with new footage.
Preserving evidence also entails identifying, contacting, and interviewing any eyewitnesses who can provide relevant information about the accident, the defendant’s negligence or recklessness, or the victim’s lack of negligence or contribution.
Continue Your Medical Treatment
Continue to receive the necessary medical care for an injury over the coming weeks. Delaying seeing specialists or missing important doctor appointments can be harmful for your case and leave large gaps in your medical record. Continue getting medical care to document your injuries and prove their severity.
Avoid Worsening the Injury
In the days and weeks after an accident, avoid any activity that could worsen your injury. Your doctor might advise you not to return to work at full or any capacity until you reach maximum medical improvement. In addition to not returning to work too early, do not engage in any physical activity that could lead to further injury, such as exercising, playing with your children, or walking your dog.
What to Do in the Months and Years After a Personal Injury?
Our attorneys can support you during the months after an accident, leading up to when you file your personal injury lawsuit.
Keep a Daily Log
Victims who keep daily logs for months or even years after suffering personal injuries can provide an accurate description of how injuries have affected their lives and well-being. You can log discomfort and pain, as well as emotional distress or changes to your quality of life.
Track Damages
As you incur damages over many months of being unable to work or needing medical treatment after an accident, our personal injury lawyers can track them. Tracking damages is necessary so we can assess your claim’s value and secure full compensation in a lawsuit.
File Your Lawsuit
Within 2 years of suffering an injury due to negligence in New York, plaintiffs must file personal injury lawsuits. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the accrual date, which is typically the date of injury. The accrual date could be later because of a defendant’s absence from the state or the victim’s delayed discovery of injury, effectively giving you longer than 2 years to sue.
FAQs About Suing for Personal Injury in New Windsor, NY
Who Can You Sue for a Personal Injury?
You can sue the party whose breach of duty of care caused your injuries, whether they are a car driver, property owner, or another party that owed you a duty of care and breached it.
How Do You Prove Economic Damages from a Personal Injury?
Prove economic damages from a personal injury using organized hospital and medical bills, income statements proving pre-injury wages, and other tangible evidence.
How Do You Prove Non-Economic Damages from a Personal Injury?
Logs and journals detailing your pain and suffering over time, testimony from mental health experts, and your own statements in court can help you prove why you deserve non-economic damages and how much you are entitled to recover.
When Can You Get Punitive Damages for a Personal Injury in New Windsor, NY?
You might be able to get punitive damages for injuries due to egregious misconduct or extreme recklessness if your case goes to court and you are awarded punitive damages at the end of a trial.
How Long Does it Take to Sue for a Personal Injury?
It might be months before you have a strong enough personal injury case to file, and months, possibly years, after filing for you to get compensation.
Reach Out to Our New Windsor, NY Personal Injury Lawyers Today
Call the personal injury lawyers of Basch, Keegan & Spada at (845) 303-2748 for a free case analysis.