Millions of Dollars Recovered for Our Clients
Howard Beach is a neighborhood in the southwestern portion of the New York City borough of Queens. It is bordered to the north by the Belt Parkway and Conduit Avenue in Ozone Park, to the south by Jamaica Bay in Broad Channel, to the east by 102nd-104th Streets and to the west by 75th Street in East NY Brooklyn.
The Zip Code is 11414.
Howard Beach Car Accident Lawyers
The car accident lawyers at Michael J. Redenburg, Esq. PC understand the challenges of dealing with all types of motor vehicle accidents.
Our Attorneys Serve Howard Beach, Queens and All of NYC
Regardless of the specifics of your accident, it’s critical for you as a car accident victim to hire an experienced and aggressive car accident attorney to fight for your rights and make sure you receive maximum compensation under the law for any type of accident. Our law firm represents clients throughout Queens, including Howard Beach, Astoria and more.
We Can Help You Pursue Your Car Accident Claim
If you’ve been in a car accident, you probably have a number of questions spinning around in your head:
- Can I file a lawsuit against the person responsible?
- Is my insurance company obligated to pay for someone else’s negligence?
- The other driver’s insurance company has offered to settle my case. Should I accept the settlement offer?
- The at-fault driver was working when the accident occurred. Can the employer be held liable for my injuries?
- The at-fault driver’s insurer is blaming the accident on me and refusing to pay my claim. What should I do?
- The other driver was uninsured. Do I have any recourse?
First, the car accident lawyer at Michael J. Redenburg, Esq. PC will analyze the facts of your case. Our personal injury attorneys will answer your questions and conduct a thorough investigation to identify all parties potentially liable for your injuries and determine what your case is worth. We will advise you on the steps to take to make sure you receive the compensation and justice you deserve.
Car Accident FAQs
What Should I Do Immediately After an Auto Accident?
After you have been involved in a car accident you should immediately seek medical care, gather information, and contact local authorities.
Following an accident, the health of you or anyone in your vehicle is your top priority. If someone needs urgent medical attention, get to the emergency room immediately. Certain injuries, such as whiplash, may not be obvious right away, and shock and adrenaline keep you from feeling the full extent of your body’s injuries. Do not wait. Get medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident, even if you think you will be okay.
Will I Have to Go to Court if I File a Personal Injury Claim Caused by an Auto Accident?
Going to court for a personal injury claim caused by a car accident is rare and only necessary if the insurance company you are suing refuses to settle on reasonable terms. Most claims arising from car accidents never reach the courtroom; instead, most of these cases end when the parties reach a settlement agreement, conveniently resolving the issue out of court. An insurance company may refuse to make a satisfactory offer if they disagree with something you are claiming, such as the severity of your injuries or which party was at fault.
Though settlement is a convenient option, it’s often best to avoid accepting an insurance company’s first offer without consulting with a lawyer first. Insurance companies often hope to pay as little money as possible and may offer you a settlement soon after your accident. If you accept and sign settlement paperwork, you might unknowingly be settling for significantly less than your claim is worth. Seeking advice from an experienced personal injury attorney allows you to navigate the negotiation process confidently, increasing your odds of settling your claim for all it is worth.
How Long Do You Have to Report a Car Accident to Your Insurance Provider?
How long you have to report a car accident to your insurance provider depends on the terms of your insurance policy. In most instances, it is best to report a car accident to your insurance provider immediately after it happens, as this is what most companies require.
However, it is important to stay familiar with the specific requirements of your policy, as failure to comply with the relevant terms may allow your insurance provider to deny coverage on an otherwise legitimate claim. For example, your car insurance policy may include coverage for your medical bills following an accident (personal injury protection, a.k.a. PIP). Such policies often specify that the insurance provider is not required to pay these benefits if you do not promptly inform them of the car accident. Thus, reporting a car accident to your insurance provider within the time allowed by your policy is essential to maximizing your coverage.
Do You Have to Call the Police After a Minor Car Accident?
Whether you have to call the police after a minor car accident depends on your state. Some states require you to call the police after any accident, while others only require a call to 911 if the accident results in significant injuries or property damage.
Whatever your state’s rules, you always have the option of calling the police after a car accident, even if you aren’t required to do so. It is a good idea to call the police after any car accident. The officer who responds can make a police report, which is a record of what happened at the scene of the accident. This report can be very useful if you later need to prove what happened, such as when filing an insurance claim or taking part in a lawsuit.
Here’s a quick look at some of things we’ll do:
- Obtain your PIP benefits.
- Obtain compensation for any lost wages.
- Communicate with all involved insurance companies.
- Investigate your accident.
- Identify all liable parties.
- Make sure your medical bills are paid.
- Analyze long-term financial needs or medical care.
- Evaluate your injury claim.
All motor vehicle accidents are unique. That’s why our lawyers provide legal advice and action tailored to the specific facts of your car accident.
Our office provides free and confidential legal consultations. Because we handle cases on a contingency basis, you won’t be charged any legal fees unless we’re able to recover money for you.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit for my Car Accident?
The amount of time you have to file a lawsuit following a car accident depends on the specifics of the accident. A civil lawsuit is likely to involve personal injury. In New York, the time limit to file each type of claim—also known as the statute of limitations—is three years. That means you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
A car accident lawyer in NY will make sure you meet all applicable deadlines.
Who’s Liable for My Car Accident?
A car accident lawyer will also help you identify all liable parties. In addition to the driver of the other vehicle, a host of other parties could share liability for your motor vehicle accident, including:
At-fault drivers: This could include drivers other than those the police identify as being responsible for your accident. NY laws on comparative fault and contributory negligence allow recovery from any party who shares blame and even allows for partial recovery by a victim who is found partially at fault, or even criminal charged.
Employers: Individuals injured in a traffic accident while on the job are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. If you’re injured by an at-fault driver who is working at the time, you might have a potential claim against the driver’s employer.
Other drivers: An involved driver who isn’t blamed or cited by law enforcement can still be held financially responsible for a car accident. Obtaining statements or contact information from witnesses could be key to your case.
Municipalities: In cases of dangerous or defective roads, missing or inoperable streetlights or other roadway dangers, a driver might be able to file a claim against a government entity or municipality. While these entities can be held liable for negligence, or for the negligent or dangerous acts of employees, these cases are complicated and there are many exemptions as well as notice requirements, some as soon as 30 thirty days. An experienced Queens accident attorney in New York can help you navigate these complex cases.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Howard Beach Queens and Elsewhere
Car accidents can be caused by a variety of factors and situations. Here’s a list of some common causes of car accidents:
- Distracted driving is the leading cause of car accidents and includes activities such as texting or talking on a cellphone, eating, reading or grooming while behind the wheel.
- Speeding in excess of posted limits is the second most common cause of car accidents.
- Drunk Driving rates are on the decline, but the problem—and danger—remains real. Drunk driving is still the number one cause of roadway fatalities, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving
- Reckless driving occurs when a driver changes lane too quickly, drives aggressively, tailgates or otherwise operates a motor vehicle in a reckless manner.
- Poor weather conditions that lead to slippery road surfaces and poor visibility.
- Motor vehicle design defects.
- Driving the wrong way on a street.
- Failure to follow traffic lights and signage.
- Teenage drivers who lack driving experience.
- Older drivers who have poor eyesight or might be confused.
- Driving while under the influence of drugs, including marijuana and prescription medication.
- Potholes, as well as debris and other obstructions in the middle of a road.
- Tire blowouts, which can cause a driver to swerve unexpectedly.
- Animal crossings, especially deer.
- Construction zones, which can be confusing to drivers if improperly marked.
Types of Car Accident Injuries
Some common injuries that people suffer in car accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
- Back injuries, including spinal cord damage and herniated discs
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Paralysis
- Loss of limb
- Soft tissue injuries
- Fractures
- Burn injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Wrongful death
The type and severity of car accident injuries are affected by numerous factors such as seat belt use, airbag deployment, age of the accident victim, type of vehicles involved, collision speed and type of collision (head-on crash, rear-end crash, sideswipe or side crash).
Car accident injuries can appear to be minor in nature immediately after an accident. However, the true severity of an injury might not be discovered until weeks or even months later. A car accident lawyer in Howard Beach will help you properly evaluate the severity and impact of your injury and prevent you from prematurely settling your claim for less than you deserve.
Types of Car Accident Damages
- Medical expenses
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional suffering
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of consortium brought by a spouse or child
- Property damage
After conducting a thorough investigation of your accident, these are the damages that a car accident lawyer will negotiate on your behalf. By retaining a skilled car accident attorney, you’ll maximize the amount of damages that you recover.
What Steps Should a Car Accident Victim Take After an Accident?
After a car accident, follow these basic steps:
- Stop your vehicle.
- Contact law enforcement.
- Accept emergency medical treatment.
- Cooperate with police.
- Obtain contact information from the other drivers and any witnesses.
- Take photos and notes.
- Seek medical care, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Contact your insurance carrier to inform it of the crash.
- Keep records of insurance company contacts, police officer names, witness contacts and other pertinent information and stay organized.
Your next step is to speak with an experienced car accident attorney in NY. Don’t delay. An attorney will help you understand your rights under the law and review all options that you have.
In addition, your attorney can work with your insurance company and the insurance companies of any at-fault drivers on your behalf and make sure they treat you in a fair manner and in accordance with the terms of all insurance policies involved.
If an insurance company contacts you, refer the insurer to your personal injury attorney and refrain from making any other statement.
Your attorney will help identify all parties who might be liable and negotiate on your behalf for the maximum amount of compensation available.
Depending on your situation, there may be coverage under other insurance policies such as policies issued to people in your household. If the at-fault driver is not the owner of the vehicle, he may have insurance coverage that may apply to help compensate you for your injuries.
If you’re not sure if another party is liable for your car accident and your injuries, your attorney will help you make that determination.
Settlements for Car Accidents
Many car accidents are resolved before a lawsuit is filed by a settlement. That’s why it’s important that your car accident attorney is a proficient negotiator.
Some cases are settled before a lawsuit is filed. There are advantages to reaching a pre-trial settlement, including:
- Faster resolution of your claim
- Reduced attorney fees
- No trial
- No unpredictable decision by jurors
If the settlement you’re being offered isn’t fair, these advantages aren’t worth it. Your attorney can help you make that call.
When Should an Injured Party File a Personal Injury Lawsuit Against an At-Fault Motorist?
An experienced car accident attorney will help you decide whether you should proceed with a personal injury action against the at-fault driver.
If the driver is underinsured and does not have adequate coverage to compensate you for your car accident damages, a personal injury lawsuit is one tact to take to seek compensation and make yourself whole.
Keep in mind that a lack of insurance often means that a driver is unable to afford additional coverage and has little money or financial assets. In such a case, a personal injury lawsuit might not be your best course of action. Again, a skilled personal injury lawyer will help you make the decision that’s right for your situation.
Five Star Google Review
Literally one of the best in the business. Wouldn’t want anyone else to handle situations of the law if it isn’t Mr. Redenburg. I can say and been a witness of Mr. Redenburg’s work to the point where he basically schooled the judge about how a certain law works. The judge learned something new, literally the judge thanked Mr. Redenburg for teaching him something for the future.
Howard Beach Queens Car Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a Howard Beach Auto Accident due to someone else’s negligence, contact the Howard Beach Queens Car Accident Lawyer at Michael J. Redenburg, Esq. PC and get the wheels of justice spinning for you. Call 212-240-9465 now!