Auto Accident Attorney

When you involved in a  car crash, your stress level goes up.  You are now required,  and without warning, to  endure a painful recovery, loss time from work, and  emotional anguish.  You now have questions on the medical bills that continue to pile up. You’ll likely need to pay for car repairs, rent a car, and fight with an insurance company for fair compensation. Your emotional distress from your ordeal is just one more thing to contend with in the aftermath of a car wreck.

We are here to take that stress off your shoulders.    

Types of Car Accident Cases Our Experienced Sioux Falls Attorneys Handle:

Rear-end accidents

If you were hit from behind, you almost certainly were not responsible for your accident. The other driver might have been distracted or simply not paying attention, but now you may be dealing with neck or head injuries or broken bones or strains.

Hit and run accidents

Hit and run car accidents in Poughkeepsie & New York can be very frustrating. Normally, you deal directly with the driver who caused your crash or that driver’s insurance company. However, when the driver flees the scene of your accident, knowing what to do afterward can be confusing.  Even if you do not have car insurance, there are ways to get a settlement for your hit-and-run accidents.  Ask us how.

Uninsured and underinsured drivers

All drivers in Poughkeepsie & New York must have insurance, but not every driver follows the state’s laws. Unfortunately, some drivers choose to drive a car without insurance. Other times, some drivers don’t have enough insurance. We will look into ways to get you additional insurance coverages through your own insurance or through others including family and people in your household.  People have underinsured coverages as low as $25,000 to as high as $500,000 and more.  You would be surprised at the low cost of the coverage.

Spousal Exclusion Coverage

When insurance agents sell insurance policies, by default they exclude coverage for a spouse.  That means if you get in a car accident with your husband or wife in the car, you are prevented from suing each other if he or she is responsible for the accident.  New York law requires the insurance companies and agents to explain that but they often leave it out.  It is a shame because the spousal coverage is usually a few dollars.  Get it.

T-bone collisions

T-bone is the phrase commonly used to describe a broadside collision or side-impact car accident. Typically, these car wrecks involve one vehicle’s front end slamming into the side of another vehicle. You might have been struck in an intersection by a driver who ignored a red light or stop sign or failed to yield.

What You Should Do After a Car Accident

Even if the other driver seems to be clearly reckless or negligent, don’t count on them admitting they did anything wrong. In fact, the other driver might even try to blame you. And once the insurance company and defense attorneys get involved, you might suddenly find yourself involved in a fierce legal battle for the compensation you deserve.

After a car accident, you need to:

Call the Police

In New York, drivers are required by law to report all motor vehicle accidents that result in an injury, death, or serious  damage. Also, if you call the police, the investigating officer will create an official Motor Vehicle Police Accident Report. This document can help you get fair compensation for your injuries and losses from the crash.

Take photographs

Photographs can be an important piece of evidence for any accident claim. Take photos that show exactly where the two cars collided, street signs, traffic signals, skid marks, and weather conditions.

Exchange information with the other driver

Get their name and contact information, driver’s license number, and insurance information. Remember to keep your comments to just the facts because what you say could be used against you to deny your accident claim.

Talk to any witnesses

Witness statements are important for any accident investigation. Be sure you get their name and contact information, in addition to their statement.

See a Doctor

Even if you feel OK and don’t believe you were injured, see a doctor promptly. Internal injuries and traumatic brain injuries, like concussions, can have delayed onset symptoms. If you don’t see a doctor promptly, the insurance company may also use that to deny compensation by questioning if you were really injured in your car crash.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Remember to keep your comments to just the facts. The insurance company should be on your side, but they’re a business looking out for their bottom line. Anything else you say about your car accident can be used to challenge your claim and could cost you the money you deserve. If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you, politely decline to answer their questions and direct

Reasons You Can Receive Compensation After a Car Accident

One of the first things our car accident attorneys will do when we accept your case is to determine the cause of the accident. Some reasons drivers can be held financially responsible include:

Distracted driving

What makes these cases so complicated is most drivers who engage in such reckless behavior often deny doing so. That’s why you need us on your side. We know what evidence to look for, and we can challenge the other driver’s claims. If necessary, we’re prepared to take your case to court. We put your best interests first.

Drunk driving

Everyone knows the dangers of driving drunk, but some drivers choose to ignore all these warnings and get behind the wheel of a car and drive while impaired. When these drivers cause an accident, they need to be held accountable for their actions. That’s where we come in.

Fatigued or asleep at the wheel

When drivers fall asleep at the wheel, it might seem unintentional—but tired drivers can choose to pull over and take a break. When they cause a car wreck, they need to be held accountable for their reckless, negligent behavior.

Tailgating

Tailgating might seem like a minor offense, but the reality is car accidents involving tailgaters can result in serious injuries to the head, neck, and back, including whiplash (sprained neck), concussion (brain injury) and spinal cord injuries.

Speeding

Speeding causes one of the most serious or fatal car accidents.  The interstate highway has speed limits of 65 MPH yet people drive dangerously past that including truck drivers.

Texting and Cell Phone Use

Texting while driving is against the law in New York. Yet, some drivers continue to text and drive. Some people believe they can safely do both things at the same time—even though study after study has shown that texting drivers simply aren’t aware of their surroundings and routinely cause serious accidents.

What You Should Do After a Car Accident

Even if the other driver seems to be clearly reckless or negligent, don’t count on them admitting they did anything wrong. In fact, the other driver might even try to blame you. And once the insurance company and defense attorneys get involved, you might suddenly find yourself involved in a fierce