car accident

Is Small Claims Court Right For Me?

Published on: June 3, 2025 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

6-3-25-small-claims-court-300x200 You should never have to pay out-of-pocket for an accident you know was not your fault.

However, obtaining the compensation you need after a personal injury accident is not always easy.

Even if you have great insurance, most policies still have a limit. This limit may not be sufficient to cover the cost of intensive medical treatment, physical rehabilitation, or reduced income from work. Taking another motorist to small claims court could be a relatively straightforward and risk-free way to recover additional damages from an at-fault driver or negligent landlord. Still, it may not be the best choice for somebody who has sustained a significant loss.

What To Do, And What To Avoid, After Being Injured In An Accident

Published on: April 29, 2025 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

4-29-25-do-do-not-300x129 If you’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t be left paying the costs out of your pocket. Under New York state law, accident victims often have a right to recover damages from the person or party who caused their injuries. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you could be entitled to significant compensation, both for your existing losses and your long-term needs.

However, the steps you take after being involved in an accident could impact your claim’s chances of success. Here’s what to do—and what to avoid—after being injured in a New York personal injury accident:

5 Steps To Take After An Accident

I Signed A Waiver. Will That Prevent Me From Filing A Lawsuit?

Published on: April 9, 2025 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

4-9-25-liability-waiver-300x200 Liability waivers differ in language and terms, but most serve a similar purpose: protecting at least one party from legal claims resulting from accidental injury. If you sign a waiver, you are, in effect, relinquishing your right to file a lawsuit or initiate other legal action.

Making Sense of Liability Waivers

Most liability waivers contain the following components:

New York’s Driver’s License Law

Published on: March 18, 2025 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

3-18-25-drivers-license-300x100 Every state in the country has licensing requirements.

In New York, these requirements are outlined in Title 5 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law. As a general rule, any person operating an automobile must be “duly licensed” if they:

• Operate a motor vehicle upon a public roadway; and

Local Statistics On Personal Injuries

Published on: February 25, 2025 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

New York State’s Safety Snapshot

Almost every state in the country has seen a rise in accident rates since 2020.

New York, unfortunately, is no exception to this worrying trend. Traffic-related injuries and fatalities have surged from one year to the next, with 2022 listed as the most dangerous year for road accidents in the last decade.

Can I Be Successfully Sued For Waving A Car In Front Of Me?

Published on: February 11, 2025 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

2-11-25-waving-car-on-300x200 Small acts of kindness can backfire.

Although it may seem unfair, gestures such as waving another motorist through an intersection can have serious, unexpected consequences.

Here’s what you need to know about waving accidents in New York:

A Brief Overview of Wrongful Death Claims

Published on: August 6, 2024 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

8-6-24-wrongful-death-300x200 Slip-and-fall accidents can have many different outcomes.

Suppose an accident survivor sustains serious injuries through no fault of their own. In that case, they are often entitled to file a claim for compensation that can be used to pay for medical debt, replace lost income from work, and mitigate mental anguish. These claims typically take either of the following forms:

A personal injury lawsuit; or

The Dangers Of Drowsy Driving

Published on: May 28, 2024 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

5-28-24-Drowsy-Driving-300x200 In many ways, the effects of driving while fatigued mirror the effects of driving under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. According to some studies, sleep-deprived motorists have slower reaction times than those who are drunk. Similar effects have been reported concerning “lateral control,” or the ability to stay within the boundaries of a single lane.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that drowsy driving, and drowsy drivers, are responsible for the following:

An estimated 91,000 police-reported collisions annually;

What To Do If You Are Injured In A Car Accident While Driving A Rental Car

Published on: May 21, 2024 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

5-21-24-Rental-Car-300x185 A rental car accident can spell an early and unfortunate end to a family holiday or business trip.

However, if you’ve been injured, a collision can have consequences far beyond the costs of lost bookings and cancellation fees. Although you might be able to obtain some relief from a rental car company’s insurance provider or your no-fault policy, obtaining anything resembling reasonable compensation isn’t always easy—even if the accident wasn’t your fault.

Here’s what you can do to protect your rights before filing a personal injury lawsuit:

What To Do If You Were Injured In A Car Accident While Riding In A Taxi Or Rideshare

Published on: May 14, 2024 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

5-14-24-Rideshare-300x200 Although many Uber and Lyft drivers go to great lengths to keep their passengers safe, accidents still happen – often leaving survivors in pain, and under unexpectedly heavy financial pressure.

After a serious accident, you should protect your right to recovery by taking the following steps:

Call 9-1-1