After an accident, you may feel overwhelmed wondering how you’ll pay your medical bills and deal with lost income as you take time off from work to recover. If another party was liable for your accident, you can seek compensation through an insurance claim, lawsuit, or both.
Insurance Claim
An insurance claim is the most common and straightforward method of seeking payment after an accident. If the at-fault party had liability insurance at the time of the accident, you can file a claim with their insurance company.
In your insurance claim, you will need to provide information about the circumstances surrounding the accident and any steps you took afterward. Be very careful not to admit fault to the insurance company. Even saying “I’m sorry” or talking about how you weren’t paying attention can make you ineligible for compensation.
After submitting your claim, the insurance company will accept the claim, deny it outright, or request more information. If the insurer denies your claim, a slip and fall lawyer can help you fight that determination.
If the insurer offers you inadequate compensation, we can help you negotiate a higher offer. Insurance companies are in the business of making money, and it sometimes takes some legwork to increase your payout.
Lawsuit
You may decide to pursue legal action against the at-fault party if:
- They did not have liability insurance at the time of the accident.
- Their coverage limits were insufficient to cover your expenses.
Alternatively, if the insurance company refuses to negotiate, you may decide to file a lawsuit to obtain a larger settlement offer.
You can pursue a few types of damages in a slip-and-fall lawsuit. First, compensatory damages are economic and non-economic damages that directly compensate you for the accident. Economic damages may include:
- Lost wages
- Loss of ability to work
- Medical treatments
- Prescriptions
- Medical equipment
Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
Depending on the accident circumstances, you may be able to pursue punitive damages to punish the at-fault party. Punitive damages are rare, but our slip and fall lawyer in Westchester County, NY, can help you determine whether they make sense for your case.
At Sattler Law Group, P.C., we’ve helped numerous accident victims across New Rochelle, NY, and the surrounding areas seek compensation for their injuries and other damages.
Don’t risk missing New York’s statute of limitations for premises liability claims. Call Sattler Law Group, P.C., today at 914-239-4900 to speak with an attorney in New Rochelle, NY.