In general, you do not need a lawyer for a minor car accident in Queens as long as there are no injuries and the insurance company is cooperating. If you discover injuries later, you have extensive property damage or the insurer denies your claim, however, it can benefit you to hire an experienced local auto accident attorney for assistance and possible legal representation.
How Does a New York Car Insurance Claim Work After a Minor Accident?
New York is a no-fault car insurance state. This means that regardless of who causes a car accident, the drivers involved will seek compensation from their own car insurance providers. After a minor car accident – meaning one with minor property damage and no bodily injuries or deaths – a first-party car insurance claim is typically enough to pay for the victim’s losses.
Drivers in New York must carry at least $50,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to pay for their own costs. Many drivers also choose to carry property damage coverage to pay for their vehicle repairs. With the right types of insurance, a driver’s own policy can cover the damage caused by a minor crash without having to prove fault or hire an attorney.
When Can a Third-Party Claim Be Filed in Queens?
If you were injured at all in a car accident in Queens, it is worthwhile to arrange a free consultation with a local lawyer to discuss whether or not your injuries are serious enough to meet New York’s tort threshold. If so, you could have grounds to bring a claim against one or more other parties for causing your accident.
You may have a claim against any of the following parties:
- The other driver
- An employer
- A taxi company
- Uber or Lyft
- A vehicle owner
- A delivery company
- A vehicle part manufacturer
- A dram shop
- A property owner
- The government
To bring a claim against someone else for causing or contributing to your car accident in Queens, you must have suffered a serious injury, such as broken bones, organ damage, changes to a bodily function, permanent disability, dismemberment or disfigurement. The death of a loved one also qualifies.
Delayed Discovery of Injuries
Even a seemingly minor crash or “fender bender” in Queens could cause significant injuries. A low-speed rear-end collision, for example, may still inflict whiplash or back injuries. Minor accidents also have the potential to exacerbate pre-existing injuries and conditions.
In many cases, injury symptoms are not noticed by an accident victim right away. Adrenaline from the car accident can mask pain. When injuries are discovered later after a minor accident, it is important to contact an attorney for assistance with the claims process, as an insurance company may try to deny your claim.
How Can a Lawyer Help After a Minor Car Accident in Queens?
A minor car accident can sometimes lead to a more complicated claim than you originally thought – especially since insurance companies always look for reasons to deny and devalue settlements. When you contact a car accident lawyer in Queens, you get immediate access to important knowledge, experience and legal resources that can help you get the best possible results.
If injuries or a liability dispute arise, an attorney will be prepared to handle it with a personalized legal strategy. A personal injury lawyer in Queens can look into your case to help you understand your rights and give you an accurate estimate of how much your car accident claim is worth. Your lawyer can help you combat insurance company tactics to help improve your settlement value when it matters most.