Kingston Auto Accident Lawyer

After getting into a serious car accident in New York, you’re supposed to be focusing on your recovery so you can return to your everyday life. But you have so much on your plate — medical bills, car repairs, and taking the time to sort through the emotional toll this accident has taken. You may feel frustrated, angry, and saddened.

Car accident victims are managing so much in such a short time. For some, they can’t imagine thinking about the accident that has caused these issues or those at-fault. The victims aren’t in a physical, emotional, or mental state to seek compensation from the negligent parties.

The car accident attorneys at Shafran & Rock, PLLC, in Kingston, New York, understand the thoughts you’re dealing with because we’ve helped many people just like you. We have seen how a car accident can change someone’s life forever. Our team can provide legal counsel throughout your case and work to deliver the best results for you.

New York Fatal Motor Vehicle Crashes Statistics

New York is among the top-visited states in the country, and more than 8 million people reside here. It’s a popular hub for creatives and tourists. You don’t have to go far to find countless vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists out and about. There are even bigger crowds during holiday months, including December and January.

In New York, over 800 people are fatally killed each year from motor vehicle accidents, with July and August being the most tragic for victims. Unfortunately, since 2004, 16,824 people have been fatally killed in car accidents. Even worse, these numbers continue to rise. Many car accident victims will suffer from severe, life-threatening, or fatal injuries. With New York’s population continuing to grow, aggressive drivers will likely rise, which may increase the number of fatal accidents as well.

What Are Common Car Accident Causes?

Despite the United States having hundreds of road-related laws to prevent accidents, there are still thousands of accidents happening all over the country. Dozens of events can lead to car accidents, but many auto accident cases are the result of these specific causes:

• Distracted driving: Not paying attention to surroundings continues to be one of the most common reasons for car accidents. Mobile devices have led to more distracted drivers, but it’s not the only reason. People also eat behind the wheel, search through backpacks or purses, and even apply makeup while driving. Unfortunately, teens are the most likely to be a victim of distracted driving.
• Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol: Driving under the influence affects your senses. It inhibits coordination, even when the driver has only had a slight amount of alcohol. Drunk or high drivers aren’t the only ones at risk; they are a threat to any other driver or pedestrian near them.
• Speeding: Many fatal crashes are a byproduct of speeding or reckless driving. The impact from a driver who is going over the speed limit will be far more powerful than a car abiding by road laws. Statistically, males are more likely to speed or drive recklessly than other drivers.
• Driving while tired: You likely have heard that driving when tired can be as dangerous as driving while under the influence. Drivers tend to be the drowsiest when driving early in the morning or late at night, which is when it’s also hardest to see the road.
• Improper turning: Many drivers fail to follow proper intersection procedures. They turn when they shouldn’t, don’t stop at stop signs or red lights, and cut in front of other drivers. This behavior can be unpredictable and lead to accidents.
• Weather and road conditions: Rain, ice, hail, and snow can interfere with driving. Weather can impact visibility, cause slippery road conditions, or lead to other dangerous situations. The roads themselves can be ridden with potholes, construction debris, or have other issues that compromise the integrity of the street. When road conditions and bad weather combine, it can lead to serious or fatal injuries.

The Most Common Types of Injuries

Car accidents can cause severe or lifelong disabilities. In some cases, the injuries seem minor at first but can worsen over time. Regardless, all injuries require medical attention, and if you need to make frequent hospital visits, your expenses can add up quickly.

While a car accident can lead to injuries in any part of the body, some injuries are more common than others:

• Back, spine, and neck injuries
• Head injuries (such as concussions and traumatic brain injuries)
• Shoulder injuries
• Internal injuries (such as hemorrhaging and internal bleeding)
• Leg, knee, and ankle injuries
• Sprains, fractures, and bone breaks

These injuries can be one-off incidents or lead to further complications, such as chronic pain and lifelong treatment. Chronic pain sufferers will need to visit hospitals regularly and possibly undergo rehabilitation therapies.

You may also lose your job or be unable to work because of your injuries. If this happens, you’ll struggle to support yourself and your family. Having to worry about paying off your medical bills and possible property damage to your vehicle can become an all-consuming worry.

However, if you can prove the other party was at fault, they must cover your injury-related medical expenses. This includes not only the current bills, but also past bills and future bills related to your car accident injuries. You may also get compensation for the lost wages after being unable to work.

Types of Auto Accident Claims

Our Kingston car accident attorneys help clients with a wide range of cases. Some of the most common accidents include:

• Truck accidents
• Car accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Alcohol, drugs, and auto accidents
• Cell phone use and accidents
• Accidents with bikes
• Train accidents
• Bus accidents

Frequently asked questions about auto accidents

What should I do on the scene of a car accident?

Documentation is one of the best ways to determine liability in an car accident. When possible, you should document the scene of your accident by taking photos with a camera or phone, gathering contact information from witnesses, and making a statement to the police. Do not admit fault during your conversations.
Get contact, insurance, and vehicle information from the other driver. Also contact your own insurance company. Again, do not admit fault, simply tell them about the accident to allow them to send an adjuster to the scene for their own documentation purposes.

What is the first thing I should do following a car accident?

Following your accident the first thing you need to do is contact your doctor and have your injuries checked out. Brain injuries and certain neck injuries may not show immediate signs, but must be caught early to avoid serious problems. Get a copy of your doctor’s findings from this visit.
After seeing your doctor, contact Kingston car accident lawyer Charles N. Rock to schedule a free case evaluation.

If insurance offers me a settlement, should I take it?

You should never accept a settlement from insurance until you have discussed you case with your accident lawyer. Insurance companies are often quick to offer settlements in an attempt to prohibit you from seeking the compensation you deserve. Please bring any communications from insurance to your initial consultation with attorney Rock.

What if I am partially to blame for my car accident?

New York follows the rule of pure comparative negligence. This means that the actions of all involved parties are considered and compensation is awarded based on what percentage of the accident each party caused. However, determining liability is not your job, it is the job of your accident lawyer. Charles Rock will investigate your accident, establish where fault should lie, and fight to get you every penny you are due.

Choosing Right Lawyer

Choosing the right auto accident lawyer in New York can mean the difference between collecting fair compensation for the harm to you and your loved one or getting no compensation, or worse, being held responsible for the accident yourself. If you have suffered a serious injury in a car accident because of someone else’s negligence, our experienced Kingston auto accident attorney Charles N. Rock can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Background and Experience

When you are researching auto accident lawyers, the first thing you should look for is background and experience. Does the attorney have a strong record of success in handling cases similar to yours? Do they have a good reputation as a trial lawyer?

Auto accident claims can often be settled outside of court, but it is always best to choose an attorney that is prepared to take your case to trial if necessary. In order to avoid going to court, insurance companies tend to offer you a larger settlement if you have an attorney who is known as a solid trial lawyer. This can help your case receive the attention it deserves.
Newburgh attorney Charles Rock believes in the justice and effectiveness of a trial by jury. He is a member of

• The New York State Trial Lawyers Association
• The American Association for Justice
• American Trial Lawyer’s Association

and he is admitted to practice before all the courts of the State of New York, the Federal Courts in the Southern District, Eastern District and Northern District of New York and before the United States Court of Federal Claims.  He is a Diplomat of Trial Advocacy in the American Association for Justice and has been selected as a top 100 trial lawyers by the American Trial Lawyers Association.If your car accident claim needs to go to trial, Mr. Rock is fully prepared to fight aggressively for your rights as a personal injury victim.

Schedule a Free Consultation

The experienced car accident lawyers at Shafran & Rock, PLLC, in Kingston, New York, will work tirelessly to get you the compensation needed due to your pain and suffering. We offer a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your case and present options for pursuing those responsible. Although we cannot guarantee a specific outcome, we can promise hard work and relentless pursuit of compensation from a car accident.