Hudson Valley Car Accidents Attorney
In 2013, more than 300,000 motor vehicle crashes occurred in New York State, resulting in over 169,000 injuries and more than 1,000 deaths. Persons who have been injured in a crash or who lost a loved one are likely facing considerable financial expenses and emotional pain and suffering. New York State offers a number of different ways in which injury victims or their families may recover compensation for their injuries. However, because of New York’s confusing array of no-fault and fault-based liability insurance systems, it can be difficult to know how to go about pursuing a claim, and making the wrong choice can be disastrous to your chances for recovery. Luckily, Peter M. Cordovano, P.C. is here to help. Peter Cordovano is an experienced New York auto accident attorney practicing throughout the mid-Hudson Valley who can help you identify the appropriate source of payment and help you get the compensation you need and deserve for your injuries.
New York Car Accident Insurance Law
New York has a no-fault insurance system in place that can help you by paying a portion of your medical expenses, as well as some of your lost wages if the injury has caused you to miss work. In order to access this no-fault insurance, you must have a current policy in place and file an appropriate claim in a prompt and timely manner. You do not have to prove another driver was at fault or that you yourself were not negligent in order to recover, but you must file the right claim in the right place to secure your right to receive benefits.
If you suffered a serious injury in the car accident, your damages and expenses may be more than what your no-fault insurance pays for. If your injury meets New York’s definition of “serious” injury, then you may be able to sue the other driver for negligence and recover the full amount of your damages, including present and future medical expenses, present and future lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
To qualify as a “serious” injury under New York law, one of the following must have occurred:
- Death
- Dismemberment
- Significant disfigurement
- Fracture
- Loss of a fetus
- Permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function or system
- Permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member
- Significant limitation of use of a body function or system
- Medically determined injury or impairment of a non-permanent nature which prevents you from performing substantially all of the material acts which constitute your usual and customary daily activities for not less than 90 days during the 180 days immediately following the occurrence of the injury or impairment
These last three or four conditions rely significantly on the testimony of doctors as to whether a serious injury has occurred, and as you might expect, both sides in the case hire their own doctors who often have different opinions. As an attorney with years of experience handling injury cases as well as a strong background in science and medicine, Peter Cordovano is able to communicate with doctors, understand what they are saying and get that testimony across to the jury or insurance company in a persuasive and compelling manner.
Call an experienced Hudson Valley car accident attorney today
If you have been injured in a car accident in the Hudson Valley, don’t go it alone. Contact Peter M. Cordovano, P.C. for a free consultation about your best options for achieving the maximum compensation in your case. In Highland and surrounding areas, call 845-834-8234.
