If you recently traveled to Niagara Falls and found yourself involved in a crash, you might be reluctant to get back behind the wheel. Richmond Vona understands that reluctance, particularly when you’re contending with accident-related bills. That’s why our car accident lawyers in Niagara Falls work hard to get you back on the road again.
We can advocate for your right to accident compensation before a civil judge. Our personal injury lawyers in Niagara Falls can make this process as painless as possible, all while fighting to hold a negligent party responsible for their roadway misconduct. Ready to learn more? You can contact our team for a free case evaluation today.
Criminal Cases Versus Civil Cases: Reacting to a Car Accident
Car accidents tend to stem from criminal roadway misconduct. Police officers who arrive on the scene of your accident may arrest or ticket the party who caused your crash. What does this mean for you?
You may, at some point, be called to testify as to the matter of the liable party’s negligence. You do not directly benefit from the criminal case the state can bring against a negligent driver, though. What’s more, you can’t initiate criminal proceedings against the offending party. Only the state can act in criminal court.
That said, if you do hear that a liable party gets arrested and taken to court, keep your ear to the ground. A criminal conviction can constitute proof of liability in civil court. In other words, you can take a liable party’s criminal conviction to a civil judge and use that conviction as proof of your right to post-accident compensation.
For a free legal consultation with a car accident lawyer serving Niagara Falls, call (716) 300-5885
When to File a Civil Claim Against a Negligent Driver
You do not have to take civil action against the party liable for your recent Niagara Falls car accident. Doing so, however, can win you compensation for your losses. You can then use that compensation to overcome your post-accident bills.
If you want to take legal action against the offending party, you need to do so within New York State’s personal injury statute of limitations. New York Civil Practice Law & Rules Section 214 gives you no more than three years to bring your losses to a judge’s attention.
Note that if you want to properly enact civil action against an offending party, you need to fulfill the state’s burden of proof. This means that you must bring forward reasonable evidence indicating that the named party:
- Owed you a duty of care
- Violated that duty
- Made you endure economic losses
You can bring together the data needed to make your case alongside Niagara Falls car accident attorneys with Richmond Vona.
Do You Need to Work With an Attorney to Bring a Car Accident Claim to Court?
New York civil courts do not require you to work with an attorney to see a personal injury claim through. That said, working with an attorney can make it easier for you to secure the post-accident compensation you need. Our team can take point on an investigation into your losses while you recover from car accident injuries or go back to work.
If you’re concerned about legal fees, Richmond Vona can alleviate those fears. Our car accident attorneys in Niagara Falls operate on contingency. We do not get paid for the civil representation we offer unless we win you a fair settlement. You can learn more about our contingency fee policies during a free case consultation with our staff.
Niagara Falls Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (716) 300-5885
How to Build a Car Accident Claim
To bring together your car accident claim, you need to:
Assign Car Wreck Liability
If you want to demand compensation for car accident losses, you need to know who you can blame for your accident. Your ability to assign blame for your losses depends on your ability to bring forward evidence of a particular party’s negligence. You must meet New York State’s burden of proof if you want your civil case to move forward.
Fortunately, you don’t have to return to your accident scene alone, if at all. Our experienced lawyers can go back to the scene for you. Our years of investigative experience can help us bring forward evidence like the following:
- Photos of the accident scene
- Photos of the damage done to your vehicle, property, and/or person
- Statements from accident witnesses
- Video footage from nearby cameras, storefronts, or passersby
- Statements from a police report speculating on accident liability
We can then analyze this evidence and compile it into a claim. You can count on our team to submit your claim to a judge well before your statute of limitations passes you by.
Explore Your Right to Car Crash Damages
You also have an obligation to calculate the possible value of your car accident claim before you bring it forward. To determine the possible value of your case, our team accounts for your:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage and essential repairs
- Property replacement or rental services
- Lost wages
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Lost opportunities to work in a previous field
Click to contact our Niagara Falls Personal Injury Lawyers today
Communicating With Insurance Providers After a Car Accident
You can also secure compensation for a Niagara Falls car accident by filing a claim with the liable party’s insurance provider. Be careful when you request compensation, though. Insurance providers often want to protect their bottom lines more than they want to protect their clients.
The insurance claims adjuster who comes out and assesses your losses may not fairly represent those losses to their supervisor. You can work with a Niagara Falls car accident attorney to determine the possible value of your case before you go to an insurance provider. Our team can then interface with that provider on your behalf.
You can also count on Richmond Vona to challenge a denied insurance claim on your behalf. If we think an insurance provider is working in bad faith, we can even take that provider to civil court.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
It’s Time for You to Get the Financial Support You Deserve
Car accidents threaten to leave you financially devastated. Fortunately, you don’t have to take on all of your post-accident bills alone.
Richmond Vona offers legal services to New York residents in need. You can turn to our team today for help filing a civil claim against the party responsible for your recent car accident. Our team can investigate the circumstances that led to your accident and advocate for your right to compensation in civil court.
Want to learn more? Contact Richmond Vona today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with our team.
Call or text (716) 300-5885 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
