injury

How to Get Compensation For Pain And Suffering After A Car Accident

Published on: March 27, 2024 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

3-27-24-hourglass-300x200 Car accidents can have life-altering repercussions. For many survivors, the road to recovery is anything but straightforward. Even when physical injuries seem likely to heal, other wounds sometimes linger for far longer—making it difficult for victims to get a good night’s sleep, reclaim their self-esteem, or live a life unburdened by pain.

In New York, no-fault insurance policies ensure a baseline of medical benefits—benefits that can help drivers, and injured passengers, mitigate the costs of routine care. However, insurance settlements often fall short, with payments restricted by statute and subject to the terms of a motorist’s coverage. Companies are rarely, if ever, required to compensate survivors for pain and suffering.

A personal injury lawsuit, in contrast, provides an opportunity to recover a much wider range of economic and non-economic damages. Compensation for pain and suffering falls into the latter category, and typically consists of either, or both, of the following components:

What to Expect After a Car Accident

Published on: March 19, 2024 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

3-19-24-cartoon-accident Over 2,000,000 people are injured in motor vehicle accidents each year. Further, the average driver will file a claim with their insurance company for a car crash once just about every 18 years. With statistics such as these, everyone needs to know what they should expect if they are in a car accident.

Immediately following a collision, it is important to:

Relocate your vehicle to somewhere safe. If it is feasible, move your vehicle to the side, out of the way of other traffic, to avoid the risk of any additional injuries.

How to Prevent Car Accidents

Published on: March 12, 2024 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

3-12-24-Drive-Safely
In the United States, over 80% of adults operate a motor vehicle multiple times per week. For most, the daily commute to and from work and school happens inside of a motor vehicle. In 2021, the United States was home to 232,781,797 licensed drivers who are estimated to have driven a combined total of over three trillion miles.

It is further estimated, that licensed drivers in the United States will spend an average of 17,600 minutes driving every year. With all this time spent in the car, it is not surprising that 77% of U.S. drivers have been in at least one accident. While accidents cannot be completely stopped altogether, they may be prevented if people practice conscientious driving and observe all of the traffic rules and regulations.

Practices to Follow to Prevent Car Accidents:

How To Get Compensation For Medical Bills After A Car Accident In Buffalo, New York

Published on: February 20, 2024 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

Broken-Arm-scaled At the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., we recognize the anxiety and confusion that can follow a car accident. That’s why we’re here to guide you through the process of securing the compensation you deserve for your medical expenses. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of how to navigate the aftermath of a car accident with a specific focus on your medical bills.

Understanding New York’s No-Fault Insurance Law

New York adheres to a no-fault insurance framework for car accidents. This implies that irrespective of who was at fault in the accident, your auto insurance policy’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is responsible for covering your medical bills up to your policy’s limit. Here are key points to understand about this coverage:

What To Expect During A Car Accident Trial In Upstate, New York: A Guide For Plaintiffs

Published on: February 13, 2024 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

What-to-Expect-at-Trial-Blog-scaled Being involved in a car accident is stressful enough, but the prospect of a trial can feel overwhelming. Suppose you’re facing this situation in Upstate New York. In that case, understanding the process can ease your anxiety and empower you to make informed decisions. Our elite team of Buffalo, New York, car accident injury lawyers at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. represents countless car accident victims and wants to guide you through what to expect during a trial.

Before The Trial:

Discovery: This phase involves exchanging information and evidence between both parties. We’ll assist you in gathering crucial documents like accident reports, medical records, and witness statements. This stage is essential for building a strong case.

Top 5 Tips To Protect Yourself Following A Collision

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

Car accidents can happen to anyone, anytime, and the moments immediately following the incident can be critical for your health and legal rights. Our team of Buffalo, New York, car accident injury lawyers at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. put together an easy reference list of the top 5 tips to protect yourself after a car accident:

Ensure Safety and Call for Help: First and foremost, call 911 immediately. Even if there seem to be no visible injuries, dialing 911 is a wise first step.
Report the Accident: It’s crucial to report the accident to the police, especially if there are injuries or significant damage. The police report is a vital document that can serve as evidence in your case. When speaking to the police, provide a truthful recounting of what happened, but steer clear of acknowledging blame or making comments that might be construed as accepting responsibility.

Top 5 Mistakes To Steer Clear Of Following A Car Accident

Published on: January 30, 2024 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

After-A-Car-Accident-Blog-scaled After being involved in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence or recklessness, it is customary to be confused, anxious, and even angry. Very few crash victims ever anticipate being involved in devastating collisions or sustaining severe injuries. Consequently, most motorists are unsure about the appropriate actions to implement after their accidents. This commonly results in crash victims making critical mistakes. Although some oversights are relatively harmless, other mistakes could seriously prejudice your case and make recovering reasonable compensation difficult.

Your actions directly following your crash could profoundly impact the result of your prospective claim. In this guide, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s top rated car accident lawyers will educate you on the top 5 mistakes to steer clear of following a car accident. If you or a family member are in a car accident, it is crucial to avoid the following missteps:

Failing To Get Medical Attention: It’s essential to seek medical care, even for injuries that appear to be minor. After all the adrenaline from your accident decreases, you could notice more pain. Victims suffering from injuries like whiplash or internal bleeding may not even realize that they have been seriously injured. Even minor injuries can take a turn for the worse when left untreated.

What If I Am Injured In A Car Accident While Riding A Bicycle?

Published on: January 16, 2024 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

Bicyclist-in-traffic-scaled Even the smallest car outweighs the sturdiest of bicycles by a considerable margin. When cycling, the protection offered to riders is minimal, almost non-existent. Cyclists are alarmingly vulnerable to severe injuries in the event of a collision with a motor vehicle. From bone fractures and traumatic brain injuries to organ damage and even death, the impact is bound to be life-altering. The financial ramifications of a car accident as a bicyclist can be grave, as emergency medical treatments and hospitalization typically come at a steep price.

Crucial Steps For Victims Of Car Versus Bicycle Accidents

Suppose you were hit by a car while riding your bicycle. In that case, our battle-tested injury lawyers strongly recommend taking the following steps to safeguard your legal rights:

5 Typical Tactics Of Insurance Companies

Published on: December 12, 2023 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

Ins-Adjuster-Blog-scaled Suppose that you got into a car accident that was not your fault, and you sustained some unfortunate injuries. You are likely feeling highly stressed and overwhelmed. Filing an insurance claim is one of the most critical steps toward obtaining compensation for medical expenses, repair shop costs, missed work, and other damages.

You have probably heard horror stories about insurance adjusters. Some insurance companies are notorious for being difficult with their policyholders. Since New York is a no-fault state, regardless of who caused the collision, you must file a claim with your insurance company to recover compensation. Consequently, you should file an insurance claim as quickly as possible. Below are five tactics insurance companies may try to use against you:

Acting Concerned: Adjusters may call you, pretend they are checking up on you, and offer sympathy. Please do not be deceived into thinking that they care. The truth is that the average insurance company cares more about saving money than helping you. Insurance agents often act like your friends so that you will let your guard down. Once they earn your trust, the adjuster may start questioning you to trick you into saying something they can use against you.

The 5 Most Common Car Accident Injuries

Published on: December 5, 2023 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

top-5-car-accident-injury-blog-scaled According to statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in a recent year alone, approximately 2.74 million victims suffered severe crash-related injuries. Even minor collisions can have grave and lifelong consequences for victims. At the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., our veteran car accident attorneys understand the profound impact that crash-related injuries can have on victims and, ultimately, their loved ones. Being mindful of the most common car accident injuries can help you be prepared to take the proper steps after your crash.

Top 5 Crash-Related Injuries

Injuries resulting from car accidents tend to vary substantially from minor cuts and bruises to traumatic brain injuries and total paralysis. Some types of injuries are more prevalent than others. The majority of injuries caused by collisions are either impact or penetrating injuries. Impact injuries are generally caused when a victim’s body contacts part of the vehicle’s interior, such as your forehead hitting the steering wheel. On the other hand, penetrating injuries are usually caused by loose objects inside the car or shattering glass. In addition to the usual cuts and bruises, the 5 most common car accident injuries include: