Staten Island Personal Injury FAQ
If you or a loved one has been injured by the negligence of another, you immediately feel the impact on your health and finances. From hospital bills to follow-up medical care, to lost wages from the inability to work, you need an attorney with extensive experience in personal injury law.
Without the proper representation, you risk losing out on the compensation you deserve. In addition to your pain and suffering, the financial burden and stress a severe injury puts on your relationships can be life-altering. The team of professionals at Kuharski, Levitz & Giovinazzo, Esq. are here to represent you and answer your questions, like those below.
What types of personal injuries can a lawyer handle?
If you are injured because of someone else’s oversight in following standard safety practices, you may be questioning whether you have a valid case. This is where skilled legal representation is so important, we will thoroughly investigate your case and evaluate your rights for compensation.
There can be many causes attributed to experiencing a personal injury due to the irresponsibility of another. If you’ve been injured by the negligence of another, you may have a case. Below are just a few types of injuries you may have faced:
- Motor vehicle accidents involving trucks, motorcycles, or cars
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Wrongful death
- Dog bites
- Defective product claims
What damages are covered in a personal injury claim?
Your injuries can generate many types of damages, both economic and non-economic. Your economic damages should include compensation for all financial losses. That may include property damage, medical bills, and lost wages if you’re unable to work. Your non-economic damages should cover the intangible costs of an accident, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress.
What are punitive damages?
When another party is grossly negligent or actively tries to harm you, you may be eligible for damages beyond the typical economic and non-economic damages. Punitive damages are only awarded in certain cases and aren’t meant to cover any costs. They’re instead supposed to punish the party that injured you for the suffering they caused. Talk to your lawyer if you believe you may be eligible for these damages.
What if I’m partly at fault for the accident?
If you believe you may have been partly at fault for your injuries, the first step isn’t to admit fault. Admitting fault can hurt your claim, diminishing its value or even leaving you paying for the other party’s damages. If you believe you’re partly responsible, you instead may need to talk to a lawyer about defending your claim and getting the maximum compensation you’re due.
Who’s liable for my injuries?
After an injury, identifying the at-fault party is key, but the person who caused your injuries isn’t always the at-fault party. For example, you may have been injured by someone on the job, in which case your injuries may be the responsibility of their employer. Talk to your lawyer about your options if you’re struggling to identify the liable party.
How long do I have to file a claim?
When you’re hurt, you don’t have a long time to file a claim. The time starts at the moment of the accident and ends three years from the date of the injury, or when the injury would have reasonably been discovered. If you don’t seek compensation within this time period, you may lose your chance to be compensated.
How long will it take to settle my case?
There’s no single amount of time a lawsuit can take. In some cases, the at-fault party or insurance company may be willing to settle fairly in a matter of weeks, but this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, it can take months or even years.
No matter how long it takes, your lawyer is there for you. We’re prepared to stick with your case for as long as necessary to get you the compensation you’re due.
What if I can’t afford a lawyer?
Many people assume any type of lawyer charges for their services by the hour, but that’s not the case for a personal injury lawyer. Our attorneys set a contingency fee, which is a percentage of your settlement if you win. If your claim isn’t successful, you don’t pay anything for your case.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
Take the first step in obtaining compensation for your injuries by connecting with a lawyer experienced in personal injury law. Each state has its own specific laws that impact the details of how a complaint is handled, we have extensive knowledge of the laws of New York.
We are here to answer all of your personal injury questions. The legal professionals at Kuharski, Levitz & Giovinazzo, Esq. put your needs first. Our extensive experience in personal injury law puts us in a favorable position to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us today at 718-448-1600 or complete the online form below.