Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer

Have you been seriously injured in an accident caused by the recklessness of another? If so, contact a qualified personal injury lawyer on Long Island for help. 

When you’ve suffered a serious injury, you may be unsure of what your next steps should be. But when the accident wasn’t your fault, you should never be stuck covering the financial costs and struggling to cope with the physical and emotional damage of such an injury. Thankfully, you have the opportunity to take charge of your life and bring the liable party to justice.

At the Law Offices of Dennis Smith, PLLC, we are committed to advocating for the rights of injury victims across Long Island and the surrounding area. If we are able to take on your case, your experienced Long Island personal injury lawyer will do everything possible to secure maximum restitution for your suffering.

When to Call a Personal Injury Lawyer on Long Island

It is not uncommon for injury victims to be unsure whether they should reach out to a personal injury lawyer. Often, they simply don’t believe they have grounds for a lawsuit. 

Truth be told, the only requirements for a personal injury lawsuit are another party being liable for injuries or damages you sustained due to their actions. This can happen in a number of different ways, but some of the more common types of incidents and accidents seen in Long Island personal injury claims include:

• Car accidents
• Construction accidents
• Dog bites
• Wrongful deaths
• Work injuries
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Bus accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Sexual abuse
• Bicycle accidents
• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Medical malpractice 
• Nursing home abuse
• Birth injuries
• Premises liability accidents

These are just a few of the types of accidents that could warrant a personal injury lawsuit. If you’ve been injured or become ill in another way and someone else’s actions are the cause, you can contact our office to discuss your legal options. 

How a Long Island Injury Lawyer Could Help You

In addition to providing you with some clarity as to whether you have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit, a lawyer can help you with every aspect of your case. First, you will likely need your lawyer to investigate the accident. 

This serves two purposes. One, your lawyer will be able to figure out who is responsible for causing the accident. This individual or entity is the party that will be liable for compensating you for your injuries and damages. Two, during the investigation, your lawyer will be able to gather the evidence needed to support your case. This might include:

• Photographs
• Videos
• Witness statements
• Police reports
• Safety reports
• Expert testimony
• Medical documentation 

In the majority of personal injury cases, a claim will need to be filed with the appropriate insurance provider. Some insurance companies are known for taking advantage of injury victims. Paying out on claims costs them money, so it is in their best interests to justify reducing the amount they will need to pay out. 

There are multiple unsavory tactics sometimes used to accomplish this goal. The insurance adjuster may ask you to make a statement about the accident and then twist your words to make it seem as though you’ve admitted fault, for example. 

But your personal injury lawyer on Long Island will be able to handle the negotiations with the insurer on your behalf so you don’t have to worry about being taken advantage of in your time of need. 

Compensating Victims of Accidents and Incidents on Long Island

Injury victims have the right to full compensation after being harmed due to the negligent actions of another. This means that both economic and non-economic losses (financial and nonfinancial) should be included when your lawyer is figuring out what your claim is worth. 

Some of the most common types of economic damages injury victims seek in their claims include:

• Medical bills
• Medical equipment 
• Other healthcare costs
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity
• Unexpected childcare expenses
• Costs of household maintenance

Non-economic damages are often just as impactful, if not more so, for accident victims. They should also be considered as your lawyer calculates the value of your claim. Such losses might consist of:

• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Reputational damage
• Property damage
• Loss of companionship and love
• Pain and suffering 
• Emotional distress
• More

Many injury victims also wonder if they can be awarded punitive damages. While this is possible, it is rare, as punitive damages are only awarded by the courts as a way to punish a liable party for abhorrent or egregious actions. Most personal injury claims are genuinely accidental, and while the liable party should be held accountable for their negligence, they were often not intending to cause harm or hurt anyone. 

The previously mentioned losses are just a few of the various damages that could be included in your claim. Your personal injury lawyer on Long Island will closely examine both your current and expected future losses to ensure that you are able to maximize your injury settlement. 

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney on Long Island

If you are interested in learning more about how a reputable Long Island personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Dennis Smith, PLLC could help you with your New York claim, give us a call at 212-835-1699. You can also fill out the quick contact form included below when you are ready to get started on your case.