Downtown Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyers
Downtown Brooklyn is the third largest central business district in New York City. The area is well-known for its famous business and residential buildings, including Brooklyn Borough Hall and the Theodore Roosevelt United States Courthouse.
With millions of residents and daily commuters, Downtown Brooklyn experiences some of the city’s worst traffic congestion and car accidents. Car accidents can have life-changing consequences, including serious injuries, costly medical bills, and lost wages. Our Downtown Brooklyn car accident lawyers at Rubenstein & Rynecki assist clients harmed by the negligence of others, fighting to secure the compensation they deserve for their injuries and losses.
What Are the Common Causes of Car Accidents?
In Downtown Brooklyn, car accidents occur for many reasons, the most common including:
- Distracted driving: One of the most common causes is distracted driving. Using a cell phone, onboard electronics, eating, interacting with passengers, and many other activities divert drivers’ attention from the road.
- Drunk driving: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol impairs brain function, reduces reaction time, distorts eyesight, and causes blackouts and sleepiness, making it one of the top causes of dangerous accidents.
- Drowsy driving: Sleep deprivation affects neurological functions like drugs and alcohol, and driving while sleep-deprived is just as dangerous as drunk driving.
- Reckless driving: Aggressive behaviors, such as disobeying traffic laws and signage, cutting off others, road rage, and lane jumping, dramatically increase the risk of accidents.
- Speeding: Another leading cause of accidents is speeding, which inhibits the ability to make sudden stops or avoid obstructions.
- Tailgating: Traveling too closely behind others reduces the stopping distance between cars and often causes rear-end collisions.
- Weather: Inclement weather, such as rain, snow, and ice, results in slippery road surfaces, reducing the ability to maintain traction.
What Are Common Car Accidents Injuries?
Injuries from car accidents can range widely and in severity, even in minor collisions. Some of the most common car accident injuries are:
- 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 Should I Do if I am in a Car Accident in Downtown Brooklyn?
Your personal injury claim can benefit significantly from your actions after the accident. If you are physically able to after a car accident, you should do the following:
- Call 911 to report the collision and injuries to the police.
- Take photos and videos of the scene, including car damage, injuries, obstructions, road and weather conditions, signage, and anything else that may have contributed to the accident.
- Ask witnesses for contact information and statements.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some internal injuries do not present symptoms until later and can be life-threatening if left untreated, and your claim will require an official doctor’s report documenting your injuries.
- Keep all documents related to the accident, such as medical bills, estimates, repairs, and communications related to the accident.
- Consult an experienced car accident lawyer.
- While at the scene, exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver, but minimize conversation. Do not argue or apologize, as statements you make at the scene can be used against you later.
What Types of Compensation Can I Seek for Injuries After a Car Accident?
Financial compensation for personal injury claims is determined through a combination of economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the actual costs related to your losses as a direct result of the accident and include:
- 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
Non-economic damages refer to losses with no stated financial value based on the pain and suffering your injuries have caused, such as:
- Amputations
- Chronic pain
- Cognitive impairment
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- PTSD
- Scarring
Pure Comparative Negligence in New York
New York’s pure comparative negligence rule applies to car accidents. Under the rule, each driver is assigned a percentage of fault in the accident. A plaintiff may be eligible for compensation, even if they contributed to causing the accident. Their percentage of fault will be deducted from the overall compensation award.
Is There a Deadline to File a Personal Injury Claim?
In New York, the statute of limitations to file personal injury claims is three years from the accident date or two years from the date of death.
How Can a Downtown Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Recuperation should be your top priority. Rubenstein & Rynecki can work on your behalf while you focus on your recovery. Our Downtown Brooklyn car accident lawyers can do the following:
- Investigate the accident scene.
- Review police reports.
- Interview witnesses.
- Establish your current and future medical care needs with your medical team.
- File all required documents.
- Hire experts, if needed.
- Negotiate a settlement with insurance companies.
- Represent you in court should the case go to trial.
At Rubenstein & Rynecki, our Downtown Brooklyn car accident lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning you do not pay unless we win.
Downtown Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyers at Rubenstein & Rynecki Help Injured Clients Seek Justice
When you are injured through someone else’s reckless actions, you may face expensive medical bills, lost income, and property damage. If you need legal help, speak with our Downtown Brooklyn car accident lawyers at Rubenstein & Rynecki. Call us at 718-522-1020 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Brooklyn, New York, we serve clients throughout New York City, including The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
