Common Personal Injury Questions
Click on a Personal Injury Law FAQ item below to learn more.
What types of compensation am I eligible to receive?
The Law Offices Of Elan Wurtzel pursue the maximum available financial compensation for past medical bills, costs of continued medical care, lost income, diminished earning capacity, disability, disfigurement, emotional anxiety, and pain and suffering damages.
How to file a personal injury lawsuit
To begin a lawsuit in New York, the plaintiff is required to prepare and file a Summons & Complaint. These documents inform the defendant that s/he is being sued and the details of the lawsuit. An index number is assigned to the case and all subsequent documents filed in the case bear this unique number for proper record-keeping. The filing of these documents kickstarts the lifecycle of a lawsuit. The Summons & Complaint must be served on the defendants by the law to have the necessary legal effect.
How long do you have to file a lawsuit?
Like many other civil actions, the clock of the statute of limitations (a law that limits the timeframe for commencing lawsuits on a particular matter) begins to run from the day you get an injury. Therefore, knowing how long you can wait to file a lawsuit is important. In New York, the personal injury lawsuit time frame is three years from the date of the injury.
Is there a deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit?
New York imposes a strict statute of limitations for filing your personal injury claim. Do not delay in seeking qualified representation. If you miss the deadline, you may permanently forfeit your right to recover the financial compensation you deserve.
How long does a personal injury case take?
It is important to note that each case is completely different, and the duration is determined by its complexities, the cooperation of the defense party(ies), and the route it takes. The lifespan of a personal injury lawsuit can take between 6 months to 5 years from the moment a lawyer is retained. It may take longer if the aggrieved party appeals the judgment. A case that ends in settlement may take between 6 months and 2 years. Every case is unique and your attorney would be able to give you an idea of the length of time it could take.
Do most personal injury cases settle at mediation? The stronger a personal injury claim is, the higher the probability of achieving settlement at mediation. Most personal injury cases that have higher chances of success at trial are often resolved at the mediation stage. It also depends on the willingness of the insurance company to settle.
Do personal injury cases settle after deposition? There is usually no given time for a case settlement. Depositions allow for the parties and the lawyers to gather more facts and evidence about the case and pinpoint areas of strengths and weaknesses. If the depositions reveal that the defense is weak, the insurance company would be more persuaded to settle after depositions.
Is it worth hiring a personal injury attorney?
There are so many complexities when pursuing a personal injury claim, whether dealing with a settlement offer or filing a lawsuit. Technical (e.g., expert witness, nature of injury) and legal complexities (e.g., laws, court rules, arguments) may make the terrain rugged and sometimes impossible for non-lawyers.
A personal injury lawyer would help you:
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- Navigate a personal injury claim
- Advise you on your rights
- Investigate the circumstances of the accident and preserve and develop evidence to prove your claim.
- File a lawsuit and represent you in court.
- Advocate for a fair settlement offer, and if one can’t be obtained, proceed to trial and have a jury resolve the case by verdict.
If you have suffered an injury due to another person’s negligence, you need a personal injury lawyer to help you with your claim.
How to find a personal injury lawyer: You can message us via our website or any of our social media handles. The Law Offices of Elan Wurtzel would assign a competent and experienced lawyer to your case.
Should I contact an attorney before accepting the offer from my insurance company?
Always seek the advice of a qualified lawyer before accepting the insurance company’s offer. Insurance companies often offer less than the full value of your claim. Once you sign a waiver, you give up the opportunity to pursue additional damages.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
To help The Law Offices Of Elan Wurtzel accurately assess your case, bring as many relevant documents as you have available — including photographs of the accident scene, doctors’ reports, lab results, mechanics’ quotes, income statements, and witnesses’ contact information.
Do you have to pay taxes on personal injury settlements?
Generally, recovery for pain and suffering claims in personal injury lawsuits and settlements is not taxable under federal law or New York law, whether the case proceeded to trial or you even got a verdict. This exclusion from payment of taxes is applicable if the compensation is for physical injury or illness arising from a personal injury claim. Recoveries for lost income/wages may be taxable as income. You should consult with your tax advisor/accountant about the taxability of any monies/awards you receive concerning a claim.
How are personal injury settlements paid out?
Personal injury settlements can be paid to the plaintiff as a lump sum or in installments. If it is to be paid out in installments, the arrangement is designed to be a structured settlement, and once the terms are agreed upon, they become binding and cannot be changed.
How much should you ask for in a personal injury settlement? Each case is unique and must be assessed on its merits. Some of the factors to consider when asking for a settlement are the extent of injury caused, loss of benefits due to that injury (e.g., wages, profits, etc.), medical bills, the judgment sum, etc. An experienced personal injury attorney would help you assess the claim’s strength and how much a reasonable settlement offer is.
What percentage do lawyers take for personal injury?
Lawyers in New York State receive a contingency fee of One-Third (33.33%) as attorney fees. This fee is only paid if there is a successful recovery on your behalf. If there is no recovery, there is no legal fee.
What if I cannot afford an attorney to file my personal injury lawsuit? Because the legal fee is a contingency, you can always hire an attorney for a personal injury claim. If, for any reason, the case is not successful, you are not responsible for the payment of legal fees.
What if I cannot afford an attorney to file my personal injury lawsuit?
The Law Offices of Elan Wurtzel will handle your case on contingency — meaning you do not pay our attorney’s fees until we recover damages through a trial verdict or settlement agreement.
How can I learn more about my rights?
To learn more about your rights after an injury, call New York personal injury lawyer Law Offices Of Elan Wurtzel at 516-822-7866 / toll-free at 800-972-8144 or contact us here on our website to schedule your free case review and consultation.
Who should I hire for my personal injury case?
Elan Wurtzel has been providing expert legal advice and representation to persons and families throughout New York State and Long Island– Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, NY, Brooklyn, NY, Bronx, NY, and the whole of New York City. He offers free legal consultation and compassionate contingency-fee-based representation for clients with personal injury claims. Elan is empathetic, sensitive, and a strong advocate for his clients.
A recent client posted a Google Review, saying, “Trust, honesty, and compassion are traits that not everyone has, but Elan has them all. I would recommend Elan to represent my family, friends, and anyone looking for a lawyer they can trust!”
Another client posted, “I knew right away when I had my first consultation with Elan that I was in good hands. Any questions or concerns were always a text or call away, and I never had to wait long for an answer. Look no further if you’re looking for the best and want representation you can trust.”
A client who suffered a tragic loss posted, “Elan has been an absolute pleasure to work with; he is caring, kind, and wants the best for his clients. He has made an awful experience a little easier to handle. No words can truly express how amazing he had been to my family and me.”
Check out these testimonials to confirm that Elan Wurtzel is the best personal injury lawyer in New York.
Elan Wurtzel
Personal Injury Attorney
527 Old Country Rd.
Plainview, New York 11803
Phone: (516) 822-7866
Fax: (516) 822-7889
Quality representation you need ... Respect, compassion, and attention you deserve.