Queens Personal Injury Lawyer

Accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. Not only that, they are mostly preventable. When someone falls victim to an accident, injuries can occur whether they are minor or serious. Some accidents may even result in death. If you or your loved one has been injured in an accident, there may be legal options available.

That’s where an experienced Queens personal injury lawyer can be of assistance for you. They can be able to investigate the incident accordingly, gather the necessary evidence, and determine if a case is possible. From there, they can negotiate for a fair settlement or fight for you in court. Duffy & Duffy has represented numerous clients in Queens and the surrounding area in personal injury cases and have experience in handling them.

What Can A Personal Injury Lawyer Do For You?

A personal injury attorney for Queens and the surrounding towns represents individuals who have been harmed due to negligible causes such as someone else’s actions or failing to act on a possible hazard that led to an accident. For example, someone may be driving down one of the busy streets at a high rate of speed and t-boned someone while running a red light. This can be an example of a personal injury claim because that driver ignored stop lights and engaged in hazardous behavior, therefore placing them at fault.

As such, an injury lawyer with experience in these cases knows what steps to take before a claim is made. This includes the following:

• Evaluating the strength of your claim
• Investigate the incident and how the injury happened
• Determine who was at fault (including any possibilities of comparative negligence)
• Calculate damages
• Negotiate with insurers
• Represent you in settlement negotiations or in court

An attorney can be able to assist you in the stages of a possible claim. They will thoroughly follow the steps mentioned above and determine if your claim is strong enough to move forward. Once they are able to investigate and gather enough evidence to determine fault, they can negotiate for compensation that they believe is fair for you. If negotiations fail, the case can be heard in court. Most of the time, settlements are the result of a personal injury case but the likelihood of a trial is not always out of the question.

What Types of Incidents Warrant A Personal Injury Claim?

There are different types of incidents resulting in personal injury. A lawyer can handle such cases, if necessary. Not only that, there are certain personal injury laws designed to protect the legal rights of the victim. For example, if the accident was construction-related, laws like the Scaffolding Law could be reviewed to determine if a violation of the law had occurred before a legal claim moves forward. Nevertheless, here are some of the common personal injury cases where a lawyer may be useful:

• Motor vehicle accidents: This is one of the more frequent injury causes, especially in Queens and surrounding areas because of the constant high volume of traffic. Collisions can lead to serious injuries and even death (which could determine a wrongful death claim being filed by the survivors of the deceased).
• Slip and fall accidents: Slip and fall hazards exist in different forms. This can be wet floors, icy sidewalks, broken steps or stairs, or even debris and obstructions in pathways. Such injuries can lead to a premises liability claim against the property owner, manager, or business.
• Construction accidents: Queens, the rest of NYC, and Long Island have plenty of construction developments throughout the region. Nevertheless, construction injuries are possible while these projects are ongoing. Some of the most common incidents that can lead to injury include falls, unsafe work conditions, equipment malfunctions, falling debris and objects striking a worker, and more. New York has some of the strictest labor laws in the country that protects workers in this industry including the Scaffolding Law.
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents: As mentioned, Queens streets have a consistently high volume of traffic. Pedestrians and bicyclists alike are trying to navigate through potential hazards as they go from one place to another. However, they may suffer serious injuries if they are struck by vehicles.
• Medical malpractice: Yes, even medical malpractice is considered a form of personal injury. If a healthcare provider’s error resulted in harm, you may want to file a claim with a medical malpractice attorney in Queens that can assist you from the start.
• Wrongful death: An accident may lead to an injury so serious, it can cause death. As such, immediate family members can pursue a wrongful death claim. A death can occur due to some of the aforementioned incidents listed above.

Having a knowledgeable personal injury attorney near Queens can be a good option to have if you or a loved one has been involved in such incidents. They can guide you through the case and navigate through the complexities of a legal claim.

What Type Of Injuries Occur In Such Incidents?

Depending on the incident, the injuries that may result in an accident range from minor to serious. Some of the injuries may not be immediate and you may feel fine immediately after the incident. However, it is important to make sure you receive medical attention as soon as possible. The reason being is that internal injuries may exist and can lead to serious consequences if they go unaddressed.

What type of injuries are possible in accidents or incidents that result in harm? Here are some of the more common ones to know about:

• Broken bones
• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Internal injuries
• Lacerations and bruises
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Death

Some injuries may be minor to where quick recovery is possible. However, the most serious injuries may result in extended recovery time or even ongoing medical care for years, even the rest of your life. With a Queens attorney, they can assist you on personal injury claims including calculating damages from any lost wages due to missed work, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and others. From there, they can be able to determine compensation that is fair and enough to cover any expenses you may have due to medical care and other related needs.

What Is The Statute of Limitation For Personal Injury Claims in Queens?

Filing a claim is a race against the clock after an incident has occured. In the State of New York, the statute of limitations are different when it comes to personal injury and wrongful death claims. Here is some information on these time windows:

• Personal injuries carry a statute of limitations of three (3) years from the date of the incident.
• If the claim is against a government entity, you may need to file a Notice of Claim within 90 days.
• Medical malpractice has a statute of limitations of 2.5 years.
• Wrongful death claims need to be filed within two years from the date of death.

If these deadlines are missed, the claims process will be time-barred. For this reason, you may need to consult with a Queens injury attorney as soon as possible to ensure that your claim is handled accordingly.

Contact a Duffy & Duffy Queens Attorney If You Have Been Injured

If you have experienced a personal injury due to a recent incident, Duffy & Duffy may be able to assist you. It is important to know that your legal rights can be exercised. Our team of Queens personal injury lawyers may be able to determine if you have a strong enough claim via a consultation. For more information or if you wish to schedule a claim, call our office today.