Utica Car Accident Lawyer
A sudden car accident in Utica can result in suffering, financial strain, and frustration for victims and their families. On top of dealing with painful injuries and missed time at work, the complex insurance process in New York can be confusing for those without legal experience. But you don’t have to face it alone.
At Harding Mazzotti, LLP, our experienced team of Utica car accident lawyers can help you claim compensation for your medical bills and other losses while providing compassionate support that goes beyond the courtroom. If you were hurt in a Utica car crash, contact our team today for a free consultation. Our legal professionals can explain your rights and guide you through your legal options.
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On This Page
- Why Trust Harding Mazzotti for Your Utica Car Accident Case
- How the No-Fault Insurance Law Affects Your Utica Car Accident Claim
- What Your Utica Car Accident Case Is Worth
- Dealing With Insurance Companies After Your Utica Car Accident
- Why Experience Matters With Utica Car Accident Attorneys
- Common Causes of Car Accidents in Utica
- Let Us Handle Your Utica Car Accident Claim
Why Trust Harding Mazzotti for Your Utica Car Accident Case
When you’ve been in a car accident, who you hire matters. Our Utica car crash lawyers have assisted injured accident victims for over 30 years, offering aggressive legal advocacy that delivers when you need it most. Our commitment to our clients and our passion for justice are reflected in our case results, with over $1 billion recovered in settlements and verdicts.
Known as The Heavy Hitters®, we have more than 40 attorneys and 120 support staff working together to provide each client with an exceptional level of service that centers around their needs. When you work with our team, you can expect to be treated with respect and kindness as we handle every step of your case.
If you need legal help after a car crash, our attorneys are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to assist you. We offer free consultations to discuss your case, with no cost to get started.
How the No-Fault Insurance Law Affects Your Utica Car Accident Claim
New York is a no-fault state, meaning you must first file a claim under your own auto insurance policy to cover expenses—regardless of who caused the crash. Your personal injury protection, or PIP, coverage will pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket costs related to the accident up to the policy limit. New York requires vehicle owners to carry at least $50,000 in PIP coverage.
However, PIP coverage does not reimburse injury victims for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. You may qualify to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver if you meet the serious injury threshold. Bringing a lawsuit means you can recover compensation for non-economic losses that are not available with PIP coverage.
Serious Injury Threshold in New York
Under New York law, you may qualify to file a car accident lawsuit if your basic economic losses exceed their PIP coverage or you suffer a qualifying “serious injury,” such as the following:
- Dismemberment or amputation
- Significant disfigurement
- A bone fracture
- Loss of a fetus
- Permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function, or system
- Permanent limitation of the use of a body organ or member
- Significant limitation of the use of a body function or system
- A non-permanent injury or impairment that prevents the injured person from performing usual daily activities for at least 90 days during the 180 days following the injury
Insurance companies may try to dispute that your injuries meet the threshold and unfairly deny your claim. Our Utica car accident attorneys will fight for your right to compensation and demand the full value of your losses.
What Your Utica Car Accident Case Is Worth
If you qualify to take legal action and file a car accident lawsuit, you can seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover the monetary expenses and financial losses caused by the crash, including:
- Current medical bills
- Cost of future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings capacity
- Property damage
Non-economic damages compensate for the more intangible losses you experience as a result of the car accident, such as the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
How much your claim is worth will depend on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, whether you share responsibility for the crash, and insurance policy limits. If you meet the serious injury threshold, having strong evidence to support your claim can put you in the best position to negotiate a fair settlement.
New York Car Accident Settlements
Insurance companies try to minimize their payouts by offering lowball settlements for far less than your claim is actually worth. They may try to pressure you into accepting their initial offer or make it seem like you don’t have any other options. This is why it’s important to work with an experienced car accident lawyer.
Our attorneys at Harding Mazzotti, LLP, know the tactics insurance adjusters use to pay less than you deserve and are committed to protecting you from unfair treatment.
We also understand the financial struggles that a car accident can cause and do everything we can to ease that burden. Along with free consultations, our no-fee policy means you owe us nothing unless we win your case.
Dealing With Insurance Companies After Your Utica Car Accident
While insurance representatives may make it seem like they’re on your side, their job is to do everything possible to minimize, delay, or deny your claim. Before dealing with the insurance companies, consider seeking legal counsel.
Our skilled lawyers possess in-depth knowledge of insurance laws that may affect your claim and have the resources to take on large insurance companies in court when necessary.
Why Experience Matters With Utica Car Accident Attorneys
If you have been injured in a Utica traffic collision, a local car accident lawyer will be familiar with regional laws, insurers in the area, and the Utica court system—all of which can impact your case. This experience and knowledge can help with your claim by:
- Streamlining the claims process
- Knowing where and how to gather crucial evidence
- Establishing negotiation leverage with a strong local reputation
- Being prepared to take the case to court
Our team is committed to serving the Utica community with personalized attention and comprehensive legal representation. Our Utica clients benefit from the resources and reach of a large firm while still receiving the one-on-one focus of a smaller practice.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Utica
While there are many reasons why traffic accidents occur in Utica, negligence and driver errors are often involved. Common causes include the following:
- Distracted driving: Texting, talking on the phone, eating, or anything that takes a driver’s attention off the road can increase the risk of a crash.
- Speeding: Driving above the speed limit can make it more difficult to slow down and avoid road hazards in time to prevent an accident.
- Driving under the influence: Driving while intoxicated can slow a driver’s judgment or reaction times, leading to collisions.
- Traffic violations: Running red lights or failing to obey traffic rules puts everyone on the road at risk.
- Aggressive driving: Tailgating, improper lane changes, and blocking passing cars can create unsafe situations that lead to crashes.
Additionally, Utica experiences adverse weather conditions that make driving more hazardous. When drivers fail to consider these conditions, they are more likely to lose control of their vehicles.
Let Us Handle Your Utica Car Accident Claim
At Harding Mazzotti, LLP, we think big—big resources, big results, and big relief. We provide the legal advocacy you deserve when you need it most. If you are looking for a trusted Utica car accident lawyer to assist with your claim, our team is ready to help now.
Let us walk you through your next steps and explain how our attorneys can help you pursue the compensation you’re entitled to. To get answers to your legal questions or schedule your free consultation at one of our offices or appointment centers, call 844-446-1044 or contact us online today.
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