An unexpected injury can create significant difficulties that affect every part of your life. If your injuries occurred due to someone else’s reckless or careless actions, you should not have to pay for the associated costs.
New York law allows the injured party to pursue damages from the party responsible for their injuries. The Long Island personal injury lawyers from Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC can help you pursue the compensation you deserve from the at-fault party and their insurance company.
Navigating a lawsuit while coping with the aftermath of an accident can be overwhelming. We are here to take the pressure off of you. Contact our personal injury law firm by phone or by filling out our online contact form or calling us.
A Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer Holds Negligent Parties Accountable
You may not be ready to file a personal injury claim just yet, or you may not be sure if it’s the right thing to do in your situation. However, if your injuries were caused by another party’s negligence or carelessness, you have the right to recover your compensation from the at-fault party in New York.
Filing a Long Island personal injury claim is a crucial step in holding negligent parties accountable for their actions and the harm they have caused. It serves several important purposes:
- Compensation for damages: A personal injury claim seeks to recover compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial damages suffered by the victim. This can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs.
- Accountability: By filing a claim, the negligent party is held responsible for their actions. This sends a clear message that negligent behavior is not acceptable and has consequences.
- Deterrence: When negligent parties are held accountable through personal injury claims, it can deter others from engaging in similar behavior in the future. This helps create a safer environment for everyone.
- Justice for the victim: Filing a claim allows the victim to seek justice and have their voice heard. It provides an opportunity to present evidence and argue their case, ultimately holding the negligent party liable for their actions.
- Encouraging safety measures: Personal injury claims can prompt individuals, businesses, and organizations to implement better safety measures and policies to prevent future accidents and injuries.
- Supporting rehabilitation: Compensation obtained through a personal injury claim can help cover the costs of medical treatment, therapy, and rehabilitation, allowing the victim to focus on their recovery without worrying about financial burdens.
- Protecting future victims: By holding negligent parties accountable, personal injury claims can help prevent future accidents and protect others from suffering similar harm.
If you did not cause the accident that resulted in your injuries, you should not be left struggling to recover while you cover the bills. In most cases, it is the at-fault party’s insurance company that will pay for your damages if your claim is successful
Damages You Can Recover in a Long Island Personal Injury Claim
Every Long Island personal injury claim is unique, so the damages you can seek vary based on your case’s details. Damages we could recover on your behalf include:
Your Medical Costs
Medical bills can pile up while you work to recover from your injuries. In addition to emergency medical care, doctor’s visits, and physical therapy, your medical expenses may extend to prosthetics, medical devices, and medication to treat your injuries. Catastrophic injuries that result in long-term or permanent disability may require in-home nursing care and domestic assistance, which you could also include in your claim.
Your Lost Wages
Your medical treatments may take time away from your regular workday. Hospitalization, surgical procedures, and physical therapy can all keep you from returning to your job as soon as you would like. Some severe injuries could prevent you from returning to your work altogether. Whether your injuries cost you work hours, career advancement, or your private business, you can recover those financial losses from the at-fault party.
Damage to Your Property
You could also recover financial compensation for the cost of property repair or replacement. For example, if you were in a car accident, you could seek compensation for car repairs. You should not have to foot the bill for someone else’s negligence. Let our attorneys help you seek fair compensation for your losses.
Your Pain and Suffering
In addition to the monetary losses you suffered due to the responsible party’s negligence, you could suffer from non-monetary losses. These intangible non-economic damages include the subjective effects of an injury, such as:
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment
- Diminished quality of life
Non-economic compensatory damages cover a wide range of experiences and are highly subjective. Trantolo & Trantolo’s Long Island personal injury attorneys can review your case and determine the potential compensation you could pursue.
How The Value of a Long Island Personal Injury Claim Is Determined
The value of a Long Island personal injury claim is determined by several key factors. Here’s a detailed explanation of how these factors impact the overall value of a claim:
- Severity of injuries: The severity and extent of the plaintiff’s injuries play a significant role in determining the value of their claim. More severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or permanent disabilities, typically result in higher compensation than minor injuries.
- Liability and fault: The clarity and strength of liability in the case can affect the claim’s value. If the defendant’s liability is clear and well-established, the claim may be worth more. However, if there are questions about shared fault or liability, the value may be reduced.
- Insurance coverage: The amount of insurance coverage available can influence the claim’s value. If the defendant has high insurance limits or substantial assets, the potential for a higher settlement or award increases.
- Precedent and comparable cases: Attorneys and insurance companies often refer to precedent and similar cases in the same jurisdiction to help determine a claim’s value. Past verdicts and settlements in cases with comparable injuries and circumstances can provide guidance on the potential value of a current claim.
- Strength of evidence: The quality and quantity of evidence supporting the plaintiff’s claim can impact its value. Strong evidence, such as clear medical documentation, expert testimony, and witness statements, can increase the claim’s worth.
- Venue and jurisdiction: The location where the case is filed and the specific laws and procedures of that jurisdiction can impact the claim’s value. Some areas may have a history of higher or lower awards for personal injury cases.
Determining the value of a Long Island personal injury claim is a complex process that requires the expertise of experienced personal injury attorneys. These attorneys can evaluate the specific facts of the case, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies to seek the maximum compensation for their clients.
Skilled Representation from Compassionate Personal Injury Lawyers on Long Island
The challenges associated with a personal injury affect every aspect of your life. You may suffer serious physical injuries that require months or years of rehabilitation. The resulting financial and physical difficulties can lead to psychological hardship, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression that further compromise your quality of life.
You do not have to face these difficulties on your own. Trantolo & Trantolo’s compassionate personal injury lawyers in Long Island are here to help you navigate the aftermath of a serious injury, so you can focus on recovering.
More Than 85 Years of Helping Injury Victims on Long Island
When you suffer a serious injury due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve quality legal support from skilled personal injury attorneys. After 85 years of service to injury victims in Long Island and Connecticut, our legal team has amassed extensive experience and resources. We can leverage that knowledge to pursue compensation for your injuries through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Passionate Advocacy on a Contingency Basis
We understand that financial challenges are inevitable following a serious personal injury. To help you on the road to financial recovery, we can take your case on a contingency fee basis. We do not ask for any money upfront, rather we retain a portion of the final settlement upon your case’s successful completion. If we do not win your case, you do not pay for our legal representation.
Billions Recovered in Successful Personal Injury Claims
When you work with Trantolo & Trantolo, you become part of our family. We provide compassionate support while aggressively representing your interests in insurance negotiations and at trial. Our case results show how successful this approach can be, with billions recovered on behalf of our personal injury clients.
Mistakes a Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You Avoid In Your Claim
A Long Island personal injury lawyer can help you avoid several common mistakes that can jeopardize your claim and reduce your chances of obtaining fair compensation for your injuries and damages. Some of the key mistakes your attorney can help you avoid include:
- Failing to seek medical attention: Not seeking prompt medical care after an accident can make it difficult to prove the extent and causation of your injuries. Your lawyer will advise you to get a thorough medical evaluation and follow your doctor’s treatment plan to protect your health and strengthen your claim.
- Providing a recorded statement to the insurance company: Insurance adjusters may pressure you to provide a recorded statement about the accident and your injuries. However, your statements could be used against you later. Your attorney will handle all communication with the insurance company to protect your rights.
- Accepting a low settlement offer: Insurance companies often make low initial settlement offers in the hopes that claimants will accept them without negotiation. Your lawyer will assess the true value of your claim and fight for a fair settlement that covers all your damages.
- Missing important deadlines: Personal injury claims in New York are subject to strict deadlines, known as statutes of limitations. Your attorney will ensure that your claim is filed within the appropriate timeframe to preserve your right to seek compensation.
- Failing to gather sufficient evidence: Strong evidence is crucial for building a successful personal injury claim. Your lawyer will thoroughly investigate your accident, gather evidence such as police reports, medical records, and witness statements, and consult with experts to strengthen your case.
- Posting about your accident on social media: Insurance companies may monitor your social media activity for posts that could undermine your claim. Your attorney will advise you to refrain from discussing your accident or injuries online.
- Signing documents without legal review: The insurance company may present you with various documents, such as medical authorization forms or settlement agreements. Your lawyer will review any documents before you sign them to ensure that your rights and interests are protected.
- Failing to account for future damages: Your settlement should not only cover your current expenses but also any anticipated future costs, such as ongoing medical treatment or lost earning capacity. Your attorney will work with experts to calculate the full extent of your damages.
By working with our experienced Long Island personal injury lawyers, you can avoid these common mistakes and put yourself in the best position to secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
Types of Long Island Personal Injury Claims We Handle
Trantolo & Trantolo’s Long Island personal injury lawyers have experience handling a wide variety of personal injury claims, including:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents are a common sight on Long Island’s busy roadways. Whether your accident involved a motorcycle, passenger car, or commercial truck, Trantolo & Trantolo’s car accident lawyers can help. Our dedicated personal injury team can help you seek compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, lost income, and more. Let our team help you pursue the negligent party liable for your motor vehicle accident.
Bicycle Accidents
Bicyclists have minimal protection from the force of a collision. As a result, bicycle accident victims are prone to serious and even catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injury, neck injury, and spinal damage. Trantolo & Trantolo bicycle accident attorneys can help you pursue justice and compensation following a bicycle crash.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents in New York can result in serious injuries because when you’re walking and you’re struck by a car, you won’t have the protection a vehicle offers. Long Island pedestrian accident lawyers can calculate your current and future damages to make sure you are compensated for any serious injuries you sustained while walking.
Construction Accidents
Construction accidents are common on Long Island and across the city. Trantolo & Trantolo’s construction accident attorneys can help you pursue workers’ compensation benefits for on-the-job construction injuries. We can also help you file a personal injury lawsuit for construction site injuries involving a third party.
Dog Bites
Dog bites can result in life-altering injuries and trauma, especially when the victim is a child. Per New York dog laws, owners must maintain control of their animals at all times. If they fail in this duty of care, they can be held responsible for the injuries caused by the dog. Speak with our dog bite attorneys on Long Island to learn more.
Product Liability
If you sustained injuries or fell ill due to a defective product, you could file a lawsuit against the manufacturer, distributor, or advertiser. Our mass torts attorneys in Long Island have extensive experience taking on giant companies and insurance carriers on behalf of our clients. Whether you were injured due to a defective car component or a dangerous drug, we can help.
Nursing Home Negligence
Nursing home employees must adhere to strict standards for patient care. When they are negligent in their duty of care and a patient suffers injuries or illness as a result, the nursing home can be held accountable. Our Long Island nursing home negligence attorneys can help you pursue justice and fair compensation for nursing home negligence or patient abuse.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Property owners and managers have a responsibility to maintain safe premises. This means ensuring that walkways, stairways, ramps, and other areas are free of hazards. If you tripped, slipped, or fell due to a hazard, you may have grounds to file a premises liability claim. A slip and fall accident lawyer from Trantolo & Trantolo can help.
Workers’ Compensation
When you suffer a work injury, you can file a workers’ compensation claim to recover medical costs and lost income. Our workers’ compensation attorneys can help you gather evidence and file an initial claim. If your benefits are reduced or denied, we can also assist you with the appeal process to help you secure the benefits you deserve for your workplace injury.
After an accident or injury due to another’s negligence, you may not know where to turn. If you have been hurt and need legal representation, reach out to our personal injury attorneys on Long Island. We can help you seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Who Your Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer Can Hold Liable For Your Damages
In a Long Island personal injury claim, several parties may be liable for your damages, depending on the specific circumstances of your case. Identifying all potentially liable parties is crucial for maximizing your compensation and ensuring that you have the resources necessary to recover from your injuries. Some of the parties who may be liable in your claim include:
- The at-fault individual: If another person’s negligence or wrongdoing directly caused your injuries, they may be held liable for your damages. Examples include a distracted driver who caused a car accident or a property owner who failed to fix a hazardous condition that led to your slip and fall.
- Employers: If you were injured by someone who was acting within the scope of their employment (such as a delivery driver or construction worker), their employer may be held vicariously liable for your damages under the doctrine of respondeat superior.
- Property owners: In premises liability cases, property owners may be liable if they failed to maintain a reasonably safe environment for visitors or failed to warn of known hazards. This can apply to accidents in stores, restaurants, apartment buildings, and other properties.
- Product manufacturers: If you were injured by a defective or dangerous product, the manufacturer, distributor, or seller of that product may be held liable under product liability laws. This can include defective auto parts, faulty appliances, or contaminated food items.
- Government entities: If your injuries were caused by the negligence of a government agency or employee (such as a city bus driver or a poorly maintained public sidewalk), you may be able to hold the government entity liable. However, claims against government entities are subject to special rules and shorter deadlines.
- Multiple parties: In some cases, multiple parties may share liability for your injuries. For example, in a multi-vehicle car accident, several drivers may be found at fault, or in a construction accident, the property owner, general contractor, and subcontractor may all bear some responsibility.
Your Long Island personal injury lawyer will thoroughly investigate your case to identify all potentially liable parties and develop a strategy for pursuing compensation from each of them. By holding all responsible parties accountable, your attorney can help you secure the full and fair compensation you need to rebuild your life after a serious injury.
How Shared Liability Affects Personal Injury Claims on Long Island
In New York, shared liability, also known as comparative negligence, can significantly affect personal injury claims. Under this legal principle, the amount of compensation a plaintiff can recover may be reduced if they are found to be partially at fault for the accident or their resulting injuries. Here’s how shared liability works in New York:
- Pure comparative negligence: New York follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means that a plaintiff can recover damages even if they are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident. However, their compensation will be reduced by their percentage of fault.
- Assigning fault: In a personal injury case, the jury or the court will determine the percentage of fault attributed to each party involved in the accident. This allocation of fault is based on the evidence presented and the specific circumstances of the case.
- Calculating damages: Once the percentages of fault have been assigned, the plaintiff’s compensation will be reduced accordingly. For example, if a plaintiff is awarded $100,000 in damages but is found to be 30% at fault, their compensation will be reduced by 30%, resulting in a final award of $70,000.
- Multiple defendants: In cases involving multiple defendants, each defendant will be assigned a percentage of fault. The plaintiff can recover damages from each defendant based on their respective percentage of fault.
- Impact on settlement negotiations: Shared liability can also affect settlement negotiations before a case goes to trial. Insurance companies and defendants may use the plaintiff’s potential shared fault as leverage to negotiate a lower settlement amount.
- Proving fault: To minimize the impact of shared liability on their claim, plaintiffs must present strong evidence to demonstrate the defendant’s negligence and minimize their own percentage of fault.
Shared liability can make personal injury cases more complex and can reduce the amount of compensation a plaintiff ultimately receives. It is essential for plaintiffs to work with experienced personal injury attorneys who can build a strong case, minimize the assignment of fault, and fight for the maximum compensation possible.
There Is a Time Limit to File a Long Island Personal Injury Claim
In New York, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years from the date of the injury. This means that you have three years from the date of the accident or injury to file a lawsuit in court. However, some deadlines are as short as one year in some cases. If you fail to file within this time frame, you may lose your right to seek compensation through the court system.
Remember, once the statute of limitations passes, you will generally lose your right to sue, no matter how strong your case is. While you have up to three years in many cases, it’s advisable to start the legal process as soon as possible. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories can fade, and building a strong case becomes more challenging with time.
How Our Long Island Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You
The award-winning personal injury attorneys at Trantolo & Trantolo have successfully handled complex personal injury cases since 1938.
When you sign a contract with Trantolo & Trantolo, you gain a team of legal professionals who will gladly handle every aspect of your case. Our legal team can:
Gather Evidence to Support Your Personal Injury Claim
We know that the quality of your evidence can directly affect your chances of a fair settlement. Our dedicated personal injury lawyers in Long Island leave no stone unturned when it comes to compiling evidence to prove your case. Evidence we could incorporate into your claim includes:
- Medical records
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Expert testimony
- Medical bills
- Pay stubs and financial statements
- Photos and videos of the accident scene
Determine the Liable Party
We thoroughly review all the evidence to establish the cause of your injuries and determine who is at fault. Based on this information, we can decide where to file an insurance claim or who to name in your personal injury lawsuit. We will then submit a demand letter or file a legal complaint to begin the claims process.
Respond to Calls and Emails
While you focus on recovering your health, our team can field calls from insurance adjusters and legal counsel for the responsible party. We can respond to messages, submit documentation, and begin negotiations to establish the monetary compensation you are owed.
Negotiate With Insurance Companies
Many personal injury claims involve an insurance company. For example, car accident claims often go through the at-fault driver’s insurance. A slip-and-fall accident claim may be referred to the property owner’s liability insurance. Part of our job as your legal representative is to find these companies, file a claim, and negotiate a fair settlement with them.
File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
While many personal injury claims settle out of court, a lawsuit can show the insurance company you are serious about seeking reasonable compensation. We can file a lawsuit within the New York statute of limitations and keep your case on track. If negotiations are not successful, our trial lawyers can represent your interests in the courtroom. Our team does not hesitate to pursue injury cases all the way to trial if that’s what it takes.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, contact Trantolo & Trantolo and Let Our Family, Help Your Family. We’ll handle the legal details while you focus on getting better.
Partner With a Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been injured in an accident, we can help. Our firm handles all types of personal injury claims, including car, motorcycle, and truck accidents, bicycle and pedestrian accidents, dog bites, premises liability, and more. If you lost someone you love, we can also represent you in a wrongful death claim.
No matter the type of injury you suffered, we want to fight for your legal rights. At Trantolo & Trantolo we aggressively advocate for our clients and their families who have been harmed by those who place profit over people. Call us 24/7 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.