Flatlands Car Accident Lawyers

One of Brooklyn’s many neighborhoods, Flatlands, New York was founded in 1636 as a farming community named for its flat, marshy terrain. Today, Flatlands is one of the safest neighborhoods in Brooklyn.

Heavily populated areas and city traffic congestion in areas such as Flatlands result in many car accidents annually. Car accident injuries can wreak havoc on your life and leave you with costly medical bills, lost income, property damage, and more. At Rubenstein & Rynecki, our Flatlands car accident lawyers fight for clients injured by someone else’s negligence.

What Are Common Injuries Caused by Car Accidents?

Car accidents can result in catastrophic, life-changing injuries, including minor collisions. Some of the most common injuries 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 Causes Car Accidents in Flatlands?

Car accidents can occur anywhere and for many reasons, including but not limited to the following:

Distracted driving: Distracted driving is a top cause of accidents in this country. Driving while using a cell phone, eating, interacting with onboard technology, playing with pets, and many other activities distract attention from driving.
Drunk driving: A leading cause of accidents, drunk or drugged driving inhibits brain function, reduces reaction times, blurs vision, reduces focus, and more.
Drowsy driving: Driving while sleep-deprived causes the same neurological impairments as drugs and alcohol and is just as dangerous.
Speeding: Driving over the speed limit is also one of the leading causes of fatal accidents and injury. Higher speeds reduce a driver’s ability to avoid obstacles or stop suddenly.
Aggressive driving: Behaviors such as lane jumping, cutting off other motorists, or disobeying traffic laws is considered aggressive and significantly increase the risk of accidents.
Weather: Inclement weather such as rain, snow, and ice makes roads slick, affecting the tires’ ability to maintain traction.
Tailgating: Traveling too close to other vehicles frequently causes rear-end accidents, particularly in heavy city traffic.

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

If you are physically able to after an accident, taking the following steps can help your personal injury claim:

Report the accident and injuries to the police.
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver, limit conversation with them, and do not argue or apologize. Such actions and statements can be used against you later.
Photograph or video the scene, including car damage, injuries, signage, road and weather conditions, the other driver’s license plate number, and other contributing factors.
Ask witnesses for contact information and statements.
Seek medical evaluation immediately. Some symptoms of internal injuries do not present until much later and can be life-threatening if left untreated. Also, the medical report is necessary for your claim.
Keep evidence of all medical bills and records, invoices, estimates, and communication related to the accident.
Consult an experienced car accident lawyer. A lawyer is skilled at negotiating with insurance companies and can provide legal guidance on pursuing a claim. Often, people are hesitant to hire lawyers out of concern over costs. However, most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis.

What Compensation Can I Seek for My Car Accident Injuries?

Compensation for personal injury claims have no set value and is based on individual circumstances and the extent of injuries. Compensation may include economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are finite expenses resulting from the accident, 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

Financial records do not quantify non-economic damages; instead, they are the pain and suffering you have endured, such as:

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

What Is New York’s Pure Comparative Negligence Rule?

In New York, personal injury claims are subject to the rule of pure comparative negligence, which assigns a percentage of fault to each driver. A plaintiff may be eligible to collect compensation, regardless of their fault. However, the percentage of fault will reduce the amount they can receive.

Does New York Have a Deadline for Filing a Personal Injury Claim?

The time limit in New York, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a car accident claim is three years from the date of the accident or two years from the date of death.

How Can Rubenstein & Rynecki Help Me With My Case?

Hiring a lawyer following a car accident is not required but is more beneficial than representing yourself with insurance companies or during a trial. Working with a Flatlands car accident lawyer at Rubenstein & Rynecki can provide peace of mind, allowing you to focus on your recovery. Our legal team can help you in the following ways:

Investigating the accident scene and police reports.
Filing all required documents.
Interviewing witnesses and obtaining statements.
Establishing your necessary current and future medical care with your medical team.
Hiring outside experts, if applicable.
Negotiating a settlement with insurance companies.
Representing you in court if necessary.