Proving Your Case From Day One: How a Yonkers Car Accident Lawyer Can Take a Proactive Approach in Pursuit of the Compensation You Deserve

Car accidents are among the leading causes of serious injury and death in New York. For accidents caused by a negligent driver, victims can generally sue if the injury is “serious” as that term is defined by law or if the expenses exceed $50,000.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Yonkers, please contact the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell for a free case evaluation. This can be done in person, by phone, by video, or at the hospital for those that remain hospitalized.

Michael J. McConnell – Car Accident Lawyer Serving Yonkers

Michael J. McConnell is a no-nonsense personal injury attorney who understands the importance of winning a case from day one beginning with a thorough investigation. From his prior work as a criminal prosecutor with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, he learned how critical it is to start strong on any case by identifying witnesses and preserving key evidence.

Proving a car accident case is no different in that regard. There are essential things that need to be done immediately that can maximize the strength of the case, which in turn results in leverage. It is then the leverage that can be used to negotiate a favorable settlement. This is plain old common sense and is simply what it takes to get the job done.

It is also just as critical to make clear to the insurance company defending the negligent driver that you mean business and will not be playing games. Delay is often their game, so standing firm and showing them that there will be consequences for their nonsense is essential.

Taking an aggressive approach and fighting for a client after a car accident in Yonkers is important, but it is also necessary to be a calm and compassionate guide to a client. After all, the human being who has had their life upended and perhaps forever changed from the car accident needs an attorney they can lean on during this challenging time.

At the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell, the focus is on having a client-centered approach consistent with these three non-negotiable values:

  1. Consistent client contact throughout the case. This is done not just by being available to clients when they need their attorney, but also by scheduling regular meetings throughout the case to touch base and provide updates.
  2. Clear and direct legal guidance. Clients don’t want uncertainty and wishy-washy talk filled with legal jargon from their lawyer. They want clear guidance: what needs to be done and how to get there.
  3. Compassionate legal representation. Clients are real people who deserve empathy and compassion. The practice of law at its core and done properly is a human-to-human interaction between lawyer and client. We are in this together and the client must always be far more than a “case” or “file number.”

If you are interested in speaking with Yonkers car accident attorney Michael J. McConnell about your case, please contact the office for a free case evaluation by calling (914) 810-0510.

Common Types of Car Accidents in Yonkers

Crashes can occur a number of ways, but here are the ones most likely to result in lawsuits:

  • Rear-End Accident
  • Drunk Driving (DWI)
  • Pileups
  • Head-On Collision
  • Careless Driving
  • Distracting Driving
  • Texting and Driving
  • Wrong-Way Crash
  • T-Bone Collison
  • Failure to Yield
  • Running Red Light
  • Truck Accident
  • Bus Accident
  • Failure to Stop at Stop Sign

All of these accidents are capable of resulting in serious injury or death. Especially common nowadays are accidents involving distracting driving – typically by texting.

Drunk driving crashes are also very common throughout New York State, including Yonkers. They can result in both a criminal prosecution for DWI and a civil lawsuit for financial compensation.

“No-Fault” Insurance Doesn’t Mean You Can’t Sue After a Car Accident in Yonkers

New York is a “no-fault” state regarding car accidents. This only means that drivers must have car insurance that can pay up to a certain amount for an injury regardless of who is at fault.

The idea is that New York wants the injured person to be able to get basic things like medical bills and lost wages up to a certain limit covered immediately after an accident without having to successfully sue someone first, which can take many months or even several years.

What is important to know for car accident victims in Yonkers is that New York’s no-fault system doesn’t mean that you are unable to sue a negligent driver.

In New York you can sue a negligent driver after a car accident if:

  1. It causes serious injury as defined by the law; OR
  2. The expenses from the accident exceed $50,000.

If you were injured in a car accident in Yonkers, you are encouraged to contact the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell for a free consultation to determine if your injuries might allow you to sue the negligent driver.

Types of a Car Accident Injuries that a Yonkers Car Accident Lawyer Can Seek Compensation For

Car accidents in Yonkers that result in serious injuries as defined by New York law allow an injured motorist to sue the negligent driver.

Serious injuries include:

  • Broken bones
  • Permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function, or system
  • Permanent consequential limitation of use of body organ or member
  • Significant disfigurement
  • Significant limitation of use of a body function or system
  • Dismemberment
  • Loss of a fetus
  • Death
  • Medically determined injury preventing a person from performing substantially all of their regular daily activities for at least 90 days during the 180 days following the car accident

A number of injuries and conditions can fall within these broad categories mentioned above. The determination often involves a careful factual and legal analysis. A Yonkers car accident attorney can help you determine if your injury qualifies as a serious injury under the law.

Important First Steps After a Car Accident in Yonkers

There are some general things that someone should do if they are involved in a car crash in Yonkers.

First and foremost, they should check for injuries at the scene. After assessing any injuries, they can safely exit the vehicle if possible and remain at the accident scene in an area that is safe from the danger of other moving vehicles.

Second, it is important to call the police and exchange insurance information with the other driver. This will help get official documentation regarding the accident, which can make a big difference in getting fully compensated.

Third, taking photos at the accident scene can serve as important evidence in a car accident case. The more photos the better, but sometimes taking them can be difficult if you are injured. In general, if you are able to take pictures or even some video of the accident scene, it is recommended that you do so.

Fourth, obtain contact information for any witnesses at the scene. This can include any eyewitnesses who say they saw the actual accident or even just something relevant either before or after.

Fifth, you should not admit fault. There is no reason to do this, but it is a natural human tendency to be apologetic for things even when we are not actually at fault. The problem with saying sorry or admitting any kind of fault at the scene is that your statements could be used against you at some later point, which would be incredibly unfortunate if you really weren’t at fault but were just trying to be polite at the scene.

Sixth and perhaps most important is that you should seek immediate medical attention after a car accident in Yonkers. This is especially true if your injuries require emergency treatment such as a broken bone, but even if you are not sure about the extent of your injuries it is recommended that you get checked out.

There are many “hidden injuries” like concussions, internal bleeding, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that might not be visible or obvious to the person injured. The problem is that there could be serious complications if these “hidden injuries” are not treated quickly enough. A qualified medical professional might be able to identify them and help the car accident victim get the treatment they need to avoid further injury or serious complications.

Additionally, immediate medical treatment might also prevent the negligent driver’s insurance company from claiming at some later point that you are exaggerating your injuries or making them up. Insurance companies tend to hold it against injured people when they don’t seek medical care until days, weeks, or months after the injury. For this reason, having medical documentation from right after the accident can avoid this issue.  

Seventh, you should consider a free consultation with a Yonkers car accident lawyer as soon as practicable after the crash. There are certain things a lawyer can do immediately to properly investigate the accident, preserve key evidence, and otherwise set you up for a successful lawsuit.

Determining How Much a Car Accident Case is Worth in Yonkers

The potential settlement value of a car accident in Yonkers will depend on a number of factors. A qualified Yonkers car accident attorney can help you determine how much money you can get from a settlement.

Some of the things that could impact how much you get include:

  • Severity of the injury
  • Strength of the evidence showing the other driver was at fault
  • Amount of insurance available
  • Overall effect of the injury on your quality of life
  • Willingness of the client and the lawyer to take the case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement

There are countless other things that can play a role as well, which is why it is recommended to speak to an attorney as soon as possible after your accident so that you can get a full understanding of how much your car accident might be worth.

Contact the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell for a free consultation today if you were seriously injured in a car accident in Yonkers.