A personal injury claim is a civil action that claims that a plaintiff has been “damaged” due to the negligent, reckless or intentional acts of another. In order to successfully prosecute the claim, sufficient evidence must be presented to support this allegation. There are many different types of claims that are handled by a Queens personal injury law firm, each with their own evidentiary requirements. This blog outlines the types of documentation needed for some common types of personal injury claims.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Queens pedestrian accident attorneys are well aware of the documentation requirements for pedestrian accidents where the driver leaves the scene. In order to make a claim, these accidents must be reported to the police within 48 hours. Failure to do so can cause the claim to be barred! For all types of motor vehicle accidents, calling the police from the scene and taking an ambulance to an emergency room immediately is the best way to prove both that the accident caused the injuries you’re claiming and that the injuries are serious. New York is a no-fault state, which means that you are entitled to $50,000 in first party benefits for medical treatment, lost earnings and related expenses, but can’t take the case to court unless you can prove that you have a serious permanent injury or 90 days of disability. That’s why top Queens personal injury law firms won’t take a case with less than three months of medical treatment.
Slip and Fall Accidents
The police are usually not called to the scene of a slip and fall accident, so the best Queens slip and fall lawyers recommend reporting the accident in writing to a manager at a commercial location, keeping a copy, and calling an ambulance to the scene. Unlike motor vehicle accidents, there is no dedicated coverage for a slip and fall accident in New York, so one needs to use their own health insurance to get care. Health insurance companies aren’t thrilled about paying for expensive tests, so Queens slip and falls lawyers recommend being assertive with caregivers because testing provides effective documentation for showing the severity of your injuries for a slip and fall accident case.
Queens Dog Bite Attorney
If you’re bitten by an aggressive dog, it’s important to take action quickly to document your case. Be sure to the contact information for the dog owner and the exact location of the accident. Take pictures of the dog, the owner, the scene and your injuries prior to getting medical treatment, unless your injuries are so severe that this isn’t possible. The best Queens dog bite attorneys recommend going directly to the emergency room as there are treatments that must be administered promptly after a dog bite.
Summing it Up
The best Queens personal injury law firms know how to maximize the value of cases by providing insurance companies and defense attorneys with persuasive documentation. Each case is different so it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible if you think you have a personal injury case so that evidence is not lost and deadlines are not blown.
