If you have been hurt in a car crash, then you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver with the help of our Melville car accident lawyers. With this type of claim, you can recover financial compensation for all of your losses. This may include money for property damage, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Based in Melville, The Odierno Law Firm fights for the rights of accident victims throughout Suffolk County. We offer free initial consultations and never charge a fee unless we recover money for you.
When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Melville
Car accident injury cases are handled differently in every state. New York operates under a no-fault system, which means that in minor accidents, victims are compensated by their personal injury protection insurance (PIP), regardless of who is at fault. However, PIP is generally limited to settlements under $50,000, which means that if your damages exceed this amount, you’ll likely need to pursue a personal injury case to make up the remaining balance.
The same goes if your injuries are categorized as “serious.” In short, serious injuries are legally defined in New York as any of the following:
- A fracture
- Significant disfigurement
- Permanent limitation of an organ or other body part
- Significant limitation of a body function or system
- Death or risk of death
- Inability to perform typical daily activities for at least 90 days out of the first 180 days after the accident
Sadly, even in cases where you may qualify for a settlement, many insurers try to stall or unfairly deny compensation, even when it’s deserved. Insurance companies operate like any other company in that their primary interest is to save their company money. If you feel that this is happening, it’s always a good idea to talk with a Melville car accident lawyer to discuss your rights.
How Our Melville Car Accident Lawyers Help You After an Accident
After a free consultation to review your case and answer your questions, our team takes a hands-on approach to help you recover. Here’s what we do:
- Investigate Your Accident: Gather evidence, review police reports, and interview witnesses to build a strong case.
- Communicate with You: Keep you updated on new developments and explain your options at every step.
- Negotiate with Insurers: Present your case clearly to insurance companies and fight for a settlement that reflects your actual damages.
- Prepare for Trial: If a fair settlement isn’t possible, we are ready to take your case to court and advocate aggressively for your rights.
- Maximize Compensation: Ensure you’re fairly compensated for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Why Choose The Odierno Law Firm for Your Case?
There are many personal injury law firms on Long Island, and we understand that the choice is not always easy. At The Odierno Law Firm, our team of Melville car accident lawyers brings over 150 years of combined legal experience and has recovered more than $200 million on behalf of injured clients. We pride ourselves on our ability to make the claims process as smooth and painless as possible through clear communication, effective negotiation skills, and an extensive network of resources across Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Types of Cases We Handle
For nearly five decades, our firm has handled a wide variety of car accident cases. Some of the most common types of accidents we see on Long Island include:
- Aggressive driving accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- Head-on collision accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Delivery vehicle accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
If someone else was responsible for your Melville car crash, we are here to help.
Why Us?
You Will Not Pay Us Unless We Win Your Case- Our Firm is Backed By Trial Success & Client Satisfaction
- We Will Review Your Personal Injury Claim For Free
- We Have Over 150 Years of Combined Legal Experience
You Will Not Pay Us Unless We Win Your CaseTypes of Compensation You May Be Able to Recover After a Car Accident in Melville
In any personal injury claim, the injury victim (plaintiff) may be entitled to three different kinds of compensation or damages. This may include:
- Economic damages, which pay for direct financial losses such as property damage, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, medical expenses, and future medical treatment.
- Non-economic damages, which pay for intangible losses like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring, disfigurement, and emotional distress.
- Punitive damages, which punish a wrongdoer for intentional or reckless conduct (and are therefore not available in negligence cases).
Our Melville car accident lawyers will ensure that every loss is taken into consideration, including not just your current medical and mental health needs, but also how you will be affected in the future. For example, if you will be permanently disabled and will need ongoing medical care plus therapy to deal with the trauma of the accident, we will include that as part of a claim for damages.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Melville?
In the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident, you may not know what you should say or do. These tips can help to keep you safe and to protect your rights:
- Get to safety. Go to the side of the road or the sidewalk, out of traffic. If you are hurt or the car accident is serious, you should consider calling 911.
- Even if you don’t call an ambulance, you should still seek medical treatment. This step is important to make sure that you get the proper diagnosis and treatment. It will also be important evidence of the connection between the crash and your injuries.
- While you are still at the accident scene, try to take photos and videos if you are able to do so. You should also gather information such as the name, license plate number, and insurance info from the other driver. If there are any witnesses, you can ask for their names and phone numbers as well.
- While talking to the other driver, witnesses, and/or any law enforcement officers, do not apologize or say that it was your fault. You should also not speak to the other driver’s insurance adjuster, give a statement, or sign any paperwork from the insurance company until you have had a chance to talk to a lawyer. Stick to the basic facts and allow your attorney to handle any more detailed communications.
- As soon as you are able to do so, reach out to our Melville car accident lawyers for a free consultation. We will help you understand your rights and your options for pursuing a claim.
Melville Car Accident Lawyers: FAQs
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Claim?
You generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a car accident claim. However, there may be exceptions to this deadline depending on the circumstances. For instance, accidents involving government entities have specific procedural requirements, while those involving injured minors may grant additional time to file. We recommend reaching out to our team as soon as possible to ensure you meet the requirements for your case.
How Much Does it Cost to Work With a Car Accident Attorney in Melville?
The Odierno Law Firm handles car accident cases using contingency fee agreements. This means that you will pay nothing up front to hire us. Any fee that you pay will be a percentage of your total recovery, whether it is through a negotiated settlement or a verdict at trial.
The Insurance Company Is Offering Me a Settlement. Should I Take It?
No. You shouldn’t give a statement, sign any documents, or agree to a settlement without first talking to a lawyer. If you agree to anything or sign paperwork, you may be giving up important rights. Even if the insurance adjuster promises you that they will take full responsibility for the accident, the chances of their settlement offer fully covering your losses are very small. It is far more likely to be a lowball settlement offer.
Will I Need to Go to Court to Resolve My Melville Car Accident Claim?
The vast majority of personal injury cases are resolved without the need to go to court. However, if the insurance company is unwilling to offer a fair settlement, it may be necessary for us to file a lawsuit and present your case to a judge or jury.
Do You Have a Car Accident Lawyer Near Me?
Yes. The Odierno Law Firm has several offices located throughout Long Island. Our Melville office is located at 145 Pinelawn Road, Suite 130, Melville, NY 11747. We look forward to meeting you for your free consultation.
Hurt in a Melville Car Crash? We’re Here for You.
No one expects to be hurt in an automobile accident. In the days and weeks after a crash, you may be confused about what to do and overwhelmed by dealing with things like taking time off from work and getting to doctor’s appointments. We can take on the burden of handling your case for you, dealing with the insurance company, and working hard to get you maximum compensation for your injuries.
The Odierno Law Firm only represents accident victims, never the insurance company, in personal injury claims. We have earned our reputation as fierce advocates for clients throughout Suffolk County. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation with our Melville car accident lawyers, fill out our online contact form.