How does Personal Injury Law work?
When you are injured due to someone’s negligence in an auto accident, truck accident, fall on defective stairs, by a medical mistake, toxic contamination or by a defective drug or product, your remedy to recover damages is to make a claim within the civil justice system.
The rules followed in this system are based upon a combination of statutory law (laws passed by the legislature) and what is referred to as common law.
As compared to the criminal justice system, which is designed to punish and deter criminal conduct, the civil justice system is designed to compensate victims of negligence and to resolve other private...
What should you do?
Being involved in a serious motor vehicle accident is for most people one of the most traumatic experiences in their lives. Obviously, of first importance is taking care of any physical injuries you or your family members have suffered in the accident.
But once the initial injuries have been addressed, it is important to understand your rights, duties, and responsibilities under New York law. Failure to do so could result in the loss of benefits under your insurance policy that you have paid premiums for and are entitled to receive. This article explains the steps you need to take to protect yourself and your family.
1. At the Accident SceneRemain calm and assess the damage to your vehicle and whether anyone in your vehicle or other involved vehicles was injured. Do not move your car unless you are blocking traffic or are otherwise in a dangerous location. If you are in such a location and your car is operable, move it only to the nearest safe location or off to the side of the road. You do not want to be accused of leaving or attempting to leave the scene of an accident.
Once you have assessed the situation for damage and injuries, call an ambulance if one is needed and call the police to report the accident. When the police arrive, the officers will gather facts necessary to complete the accident report. While it is important...
