You have just had an accident and much of your time is consumed by running from one doctor’s appointment to another. If you live in New York, you probably know that there is a no-fault insurance rule in the state. This means that when you have a car accident, each driver’s insurance company must pay for damages to their vehicle and medical bills regardless of whose caused the crash. The insurance company has a set amount of time to acknowledge your claim and let you know if they are going to honor that claim.
Other kinds of personal injury claims and lawsuits can be based on fault, and the time that it takes to settle them may vary. No matter what kind of accident you may have had, the first thing you should do is hire a personal injury law firm like The Law Offices of Daniel Kalish. The staff is well versed in every kind of accident law.
If you have been injured in any accident, remember to obtain a copy of the accident report, save any medical bills that are related to the collision and get documentation about the hours you have missed from work. You will also want to save any documentation of money you have spent on housecleaning or childcare that is accident related. When your attorney calls the insurance company on your behalf, they will be able to give the adjuster all the information they need to make you an offer. Being prepared will make the process much faster and easier.
Car Accidents
When a person files a claim with an insurance company, that company has 15 days to acknowledge the claim, 15 days to review the paperwork you have provided and 15 days to accept or reject your claim and make you an offer. If you accept the offer, they have 30 days to pay the claim. One thing that may make things take a bit longer is the negotiation process. Your attorney is likely to make a few phone calls back and forth with the insurance company to arrive at a settlement amount that is right for you.
Slip and Fall Accidents
When you have a slip in fall accident at a home or business, you may be entitled to collect damages if the home or business owner was negligent. If you have an accident at a business, make sure to notify the manager and fill out an accident report. They should provide you with their insurance information. It is a good idea to consult with an attorney before calling the insurance company.
It is considerably harder to determine how long a slip and fall accident will take to be settled. Sometimes the insurance company will make a reasonable offer after negotiating with an attorney, but you and your lawyer may decide to sue if you are not satisfied with that offer. A lawsuit can be very time consuming, so it is important to get all of the paperwork related to the accident into your attorney as soon as possible. There is a three-year statute of limitations on slip and fall lawsuits. In addition to making sure you have a copy of the accident report, documentation of your medical expenses and documentation of your hours missed at work, the law firm may do research into similar slip and fall cases that have happened at that particular business in order to establish negligence. Most slip and fall cases are settled out of court.
Work Related Injury
Work related personal injury cases may take a bit longer than other types of personal injury suits as they can be quite complex. Workers compensation insurance should pay for most injuries that have happened at work. However, worker’s comp claims are sometimes denied, as the insurance company may say that whatever caused the injury was not related to the performance of your job. The insurance company may also try to lowball you. A personal injury attorney can negotiate with the insurance company and help you decide whether a lawsuit is necessary.
Although it may take some time, you should always pursue compensation for an accident. If you have a car accident, you have paid into the insurance system for a long time and deserve to get your money’s worth. If you have been injured at a business, they need to pay for their negligence and take responsibility for the safety of their environment. With patience, planning and the right attorney, you can get the compensation you deserve.
