Perinton, NY Car Accident Attorneys

Your Legal Allies After a Car Crash in New York

Car accidents can be traumatic and overwhelming, especially in the immediate aftermath. If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Perinton, it’s crucial to take swift action to protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. This guide will provide you with essential steps to take immediately after an accident and outline how an car accident lawyer can assist you in navigating the legal process.

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What Should You Do Immediately After a Car Accident?

Immediately after a car accident in Perinton, you should first check your safety and the safety of others. Call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance if needed. While waiting for the Fairport Police Department or the Monroe County Sheriff’s to arrive you can gather important information, including the other driver’s contact details, insurance information, and the vehicle’s license plate number. 

Take photos of the scene, showing vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. New York Vehicle and Traffic Law requires drivers to report accidents involving injuries or substantial damage to the police. You’ll definitely want to file a police report, so take note of whether the Fairport Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department or the New York State Police arrive at the accident. Contacting an Perinton car accident lawyer at Horn Wright, LLP, will protect your rights after the crash.

How Can a Lawyer Help with a Perinton Car Accident Case?

A lawyer will help in a Perinton car accident case by directing you through the legal field to build your case and prove the other driver’s fault. New York law requires you to show the other driver was negligent, and that their negligence caused the car accident. Hiring a lawyer from Horn Wright, LLP, with local knowledge of Perinton roads, from Route 31F to Ayrault Road, that are prone to accidents will start your case off on the right foot.

A car accident lawyer will use things like police reports, witness statements, and medical records to build a personal injury case. Your car accident lawyer will also fight against the other driver’s insurance company to make sure you’re compensated for your pain and suffering, and damages. If the insurance company tries to play hardball, a car accident lawyer will file a lawsuit to bring them to court in Monroe County Supreme Court.

What Evidence Do You Need After a Car Accident?

You’ll need to gather evidence specific to your case to support any future claims. Start by taking photos of the scene of the accident. Most people are familiar with Fairport Village, Brooks Hill or Whitney Ridge, but photos of the scene showing the accident will give clarity to the accident. Photos showing the damage of your vehicle and the other driver’s vehicle, road conditions, and any bodily injuries you might have are all important to get quickly.

In the days after the car accident, request a copy of the police report from the Fairport Police Department. New York law requires police officers to file a report for car accidents involving injuries or significant damage. Collect the contact information of any witnesses and keep it in a secure place, as you might need it months or even years down the road. They may not be residents of Fairport or the Town of Perinton, so tracking them down later may be difficult. Keep all medical records and bills related to your treatments as they occur. Even though all your treatments may have been at the University of Rochester Medical Center, it’s a good idea to start saving these documents. 

How Can You Recover Your Medical Bills After a Perinton Car Accident?

The first thing you’ll do to recover your medical expenses is to file a No-Fault claim with your No-Fault insurance company. Your insurance company should provide you with an NF-2 Application for No-Fault Benefits, but you can also obtain the most recent form from the New York Department of Financial Services. You’ll receive No-Fault benefits from the insurance company of the vehicle that you were using and/or operating at the time of the crash. New York law requires every policy of insurance to carry a minimum of $50,000 in coverage.

After a No-Fault claim has been opened, submit all medical records and bills to your No-Fault insurance company. If your medical expenses exceed the amount of No-Fault coverage, or if your injuries meet the “serious injury” threshold in New York, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver in Monroe County Supreme Court.

What Are the Leading Causes of Car Accidents in Perinton?

The leading causes of car accidents in the Town of Perinton are distracted driving, speeding, and failure to yield at intersections. Intersections along Route 31F and Route 250, where traffic volumes can be high, see accidents caused by drivers not paying attention or failing to stop when they should. South Main Street and East Church Street also see high traffic as they connect neighborhoods.

Distracted driving, e.g., texting while driving, is a major contributor to collisions, especially on roads such as Turk Hill Road with its twists and turns. Speeding, particularly in areas with high pedestrian traffic, will also increase the chance of car accidents. If another was negligent and caused the accident you can pursue a personal injury case for your injuries and damages.

How Does Speeding Increase the Risk of Car Accidents?

Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to react to sudden changes, such as when another vehicle stops or a pedestrian is crossing the roadway. When a driver is traveling over the speed limit they have less control over their vehicle. This is magnified when driving on sharp curves or wet roads, such as Turk Hill Road. Speeding also extends the distance needed to stop a vehicle, leading to rear-end collisions. On roads like Mason Road or Jefferson Avenue, where residential neighborhoods and busy roads intersect, speeding is especially dangerous.

What Documents Should You Collect After a Car Accident?

After a car accident, you’ll want to collect several important documents that you’ll eventually need to support your personal injury case. The police report, which documents the details of the accident, photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and road conditions are all some of the first pieces of information to obtain. Oftentimes the Fairport Police Officer responding to the scene will take photos of the accident scene as well.

Gather the contact information and insurance details of the other driver involved. If you’re able to, request statements from any witnesses who saw the accident. Medical records and bills are also extremely important as they’ll prove the extent of your injuries and the medical expenses you’ve incurred. An experienced car accident lawyer at Horn Wright, LLP, can help make sure all the important information you need is preserved.

How Do You Collect Your Lost Wages After a Perinton, NY Car Accident?

If you’ve been in a car accident in Perinton, NY, the first step to obtaining your lost wages is to file a No-Fault claim with your No-Fault insurance company. It doesn’t matter if your car accident was in Greenbrair or Railroad Mills; if you’re in a car accident in New York you’re entitled to No-Fault benefits. New York No-Fault benefits cover your medical expenses and lost wages, up to a certain limit, regardless of who caused the accident. 

To obtain lost wages from the No-Fault insurance company you’ll need to provide documents to support your claim. You’ll want to send the insurance company, pay stubs, tax returns (if requested), a completed NF6 form from your employer, and a disability note from your treating medical provider. The NF-6 form will be completed by your employer, so if you work at Paychex, Inc., or Wegman’s you’ll need to immediately contact the Human Resources Department to begin having them fill out that form.

How Does Weather Impact Driving Conditions in Perinton?

Weather has a major impact on driving conditions in Perinton, especially during the winter months. Snow, ice, and rain make roads slippery, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Perinton has seen its fair share of crazy weather events, from the Lake Ontario flood of 2017 that caused flooding along areas near the Erie Canal, to the Blizzard of 1993 that dumped massive amounts of snow on Perinton’s roads for days.

Drivers are required by New York law to adjust their driving behavior based on weather conditions, including reducing speed and maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles. Failing to drive with caution in bad weather can be considered negligence in the eyes of the law. Roads like Route 250 and Aryault Road can become very hazardous during snowstorms or icy conditions. An experienced car accident lawyer at Horn Wright, LLP, can help determine whether your accident was caused by a driver that failed to take necessary precautions.

What Are the Time Limits for Filing a Perinton, NY Car Accident Claim?

New York provides three years from the date of the car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This statute of limitations applies to most car accident cases, but there are exceptions. If the accident involved a government vehicle, such as someone working for the Town of Perinton or the Village of Fairport, or occurred on public property, you’ll need to file a Notice of Claim within 90 days. Failing to meet these deadlines can result in you losing your right to pursue any compensation for your personal injuries. If you’ve been in a Fairport car accident,, you’ll need to act quickly to preserve evidence and meet any applicable deadlines.

How Does Distracted Driving Cause Car Accidents?

Distracted driving causes car accidents by taking the driver’s attention away from the road. Activities like texting, talking on the phone, adjusting the GPS, or eating while driving significantly increase the likelihood of a crash. 

New York Vehicle and Traffic Law prohibits the use of handheld electronic devices while driving. Distracted driving is a fairly common cause of car accidents in Perinton on busy roads like West Avenue or Whitney Road. When drivers take their eyes off the road, even for a few seconds, they can fail to notice sudden stops or changes in traffic near places like Perinton Square Mall.

What Types of Remedies Can You Pursue After a Car Accident?

If you’ve been in a car accident there are several different types of legal remedies you can pursue, ranging from reimbursement of your medical bills, lost wages, to compensation for pain and suffering. If another driver was at fault for your injuries, their automobile liability insurance will be responsible for paying for your damages. If your injuries meet New York’s “serious injury” threshold, you can file a personal injury lawsuit. That lawsuit can seek to recover future medical expenses, rehabilitation, or compensation for the long-term impact on your ability to work.

Navigating the Legal Process After a Auto Accident