Were you injured in a car accident in Middletown, NY? If so, you need an experienced Middletown car accident lawyer to help you pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. Rolo Personal Injury Lawyers can help you take the right steps after a crash and pursue full compensation for your injuries. Call us at 845-383-7790 today to schedule a free consultation.
Our lawyers bring 40 years of combined experience to every case we handle. We’ve secured meaningful recoveries for clients throughout the Hudson Valley region and understand how to deal with complex insurance and liability issues. If you’re ready to take legal action, you can count on us to handle your claim.
Why Choose Rolo Personal Injury Lawyers for Help After a Car Accident in Middletown, NY?
After a serious car accident in New York, you need a law firm you can trust to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
At Rolo Law, PLLC, we have decades of combined experience helping accident victims throughout Middletown and across New York. Our lawyers treat our clients with respect, transparency, and genuine care, leading to significant settlements and court awards.
Car accident victims who represent themselves often get far less than they deserve. Having an experienced legal team on your side is critical for fighting back against the insurance company and ensuring that they don’t take advantage of you.
Derek Rolo, your Middletown personal injury attorney, is not afraid to take your case to trial if necessary to achieve a fair result. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Why Should I Hire a Middletown Car Accident Lawyer?
Hiring a car accident lawyer can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of your case.
Here are a few reasons why retaining an attorney is often the best decision:
- Insurance companies employ adjusters and lawyers whose job is to protect the company’s profits. You deserve an attorney who can level the playing field.
- Your attorney can handle the legal complexities of your case while you focus on your health and recovery.
- A lawyer can help prove liability, document your damages, and respond to any attempts to blame you for the crash.
- Your attorney will be able to calculate the full value of your claim and negotiate aggressively to secure a fair settlement.
Not every case will require an attorney, but it costs nothing to speak with us and find out whether you would benefit from legal representation. Your initial consultation is always free.
How Much Money Can I Get From a Car Accident Claim?
Every car accident claim is unique, and many factors can impact the value of your case. Some cases may be worth thousands of dollars, while others can result in six- or seven-figure settlements or verdicts.
When we evaluate your case, we will consider:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- The cost of your medical treatment, both current and future
- Whether you can return to work or will suffer reduced earning capacity
- Your out-of-pocket expenses related to the crash
- How your injuries have impacted your daily life and well-being
- The availability of insurance coverage
- Whether any third parties may share liability
Since New York is a “no-fault” auto insurance state, your options may be limited to your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. However, in some cases (such as if you’ve sustained a serious injury), you may be able to step outside the no-fault system and file a personal injury lawsuit.
What Types of Damages Are Available After a Car Accident in Middletown, NY?
Car accident victims may be entitled to several types of compensation, including economic and non-economic damages. In rare cases, punitive damages may also be awarded.
Economic damages cover your financial losses. These may include:
- Medical expenses, both past and future
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket costs
Non-economic damages compensate you for more personal and subjective losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of companionship
Punitive damages are not awarded often, but they may be available if the at-fault driver engaged in especially reckless or intentional misconduct, such as drunk driving or road rage. The goal of these damages is to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior in the future.
You can rest assured that we will calculate your damages and fight to recover the full extent of them.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Was Partially Responsible for My Accident in New York?
Yes. Under New York State’s pure comparative fault law, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially to blame for your car accident.
However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of your fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault and your total damages are $50,000, you could still recover $40,000.
It is very common for insurance companies to try to shift as much blame to victims as possible to reduce their payout. A skilled car accident attorney can help protect your rights and minimize any unfair accusations of fault.
How Long Do I Have To File a Car Accident Lawsuit in New York?
New York law imposes strict time limits for filing a personal injury lawsuit. In most cases, you will have three years from the date of the accident to file your lawsuit in court.
If you miss this statute of limitations, your claim will likely be dismissed, and you will lose your right to recover compensation. However, certain exceptions may apply, such as if your case involves a government entity.
It’s also important to start the insurance claims process well before this time limit to preserve evidence and protect your rights. Contacting a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your crash is the best way to safeguard your claim.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
One of the biggest concerns for injury victims is whether they can afford a lawyer. Fortunately, most personal injury attorneys, including ours at Rolo Law, PLLC, work on a contingency fee basis.
That means you do not pay anything upfront to hire us, and we will only collect attorney’s fees if we recover money for you through a settlement or court verdict. Typically, we will receive about 33% of the compensation we secure for you, but we’ll agree to terms at the beginning of your case so that you know what to expect.
This system ensures that high-quality legal representation is available to everyone, regardless of financial means. It also incentivizes us to fight for the highest possible recovery for you.
How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?
We can assist you by:
- Conducting a detailed investigation into your crash
- Collecting and preserving evidence to support your claim
- Determining all potential sources of liability
- Calculating the full value of your damages
- Working with respected experts when needed
- Managing all communications and paperwork
- Negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf
- Filing a lawsuit and representing you in court if necessary
Car accident claims almost always involve an insurance company, and unfortunately, these companies do not have your best interests in mind. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible or deny your claim entirely.
You do not have to deal with this process alone. We are a highly regarded personal injury law firm serving Middletown and the surrounding areas. Our attorneys have earned the trust of clients across New York by consistently fighting for the compensation they need and deserve.
If you hire us to represent you, our ultimate objective will be to maximize the value of your claim. Call us today to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Will My Auto Accident Case in New York Go To Trial?
Most car accident cases settle before going to trial. In fact, many claims do not even make it to court. However, some do require litigation to achieve a fair result.
You may need to take your case to trial if, for example:
- The insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable settlement
- Liability for the accident is disputed
- The extent of your damages is contested
- Punitive damages may be warranted
At Rolo Law, PLLC, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This approach strengthens your negotiating position and ensures we are ready to fight for you in court if necessary. Insurance companies know we will not hesitate to litigate, which often encourages them to offer a fair settlement.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in New York?
The steps you take after a car accident can significantly impact your health and your ability to recover compensation.
Here’s what to do:
- Move to a safe location if possible and check for injuries.
- Call 911 to report the accident and request emergency medical help if needed.
- Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver.
- Do not admit fault or make statements that could be used against you.
- Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, license plates, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Gather contact information for any witnesses.
- Seek medical attention promptly, even if you feel fine initially. Some injuries may not show symptoms right away.
- Notify your insurance company about the accident, but be cautious about giving a recorded statement without first consulting with a lawyer.
Finally, contact an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. The earlier you involve legal counsel, the better your chances of protecting your rights and building a strong case.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Middletown
Some of the types of cases we take include:
Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted driving, particularly texting behind the wheel, is a major cause of crashes in New York. Our Middletown distracted driving accident lawyers know how to prove that a distraction played a role in an accident and hold negligent drivers accountable.
DUI Accidents
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and dangerous. If you were hit by an impaired driver, our Middletown DUI accident lawyers can help you seek justice and pursue compensation.
Speeding Accidents
Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases crash severity. Our Middletown speeding accident lawyers have extensive experience handling speeding accident claims and can fight for the full value of your losses.
Intersection Accidents
Collisions at intersections often involve complex issues of fault. Whether your accident involved a red-light runner, failure to yield, or improper turn, our intersection accident attorneys can help you pursue your claim.
Parking Lot Accidents
Parking lot crashes can cause serious injuries, even at low speeds. If you were injured in a collision, contact our parking lot accident lawyers to discuss your legal options.
Other Types of Accidents
We also represent clients in a wide variety of other car accident cases, including:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end accidents
- Multi-vehicle pileups
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck accidents
If you or a loved one was hurt in a motor vehicle accident, contact Rolo Law, PLLC today. We are ready to help you take the next step.
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from relatively minor to life-altering. No matter the severity of your injuries, you deserve compensation if someone else’s negligence caused them.
Our Middletown personal injury lawyers help clients recover damages for all types of injuries, including:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Concussions
- Burns
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Amputations
- Nerve damage
- Eye injuries
- Facial injuries
- Road rash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Some injuries may not be readily apparent. For example, traumatic brain injuries and internal organ damage often present delayed symptoms, but can have life-altering consequences. That’s why it’s important to monitor your condition closely in the days and weeks following an accident. We’ll make sure that all your injuries are accounted for when pursuing your claim.
If you’ve suffered any injury in a car accident in Middletown, contact us today. We can help you seek full and fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and other losses.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?
Understanding the cause of your accident is an important part of building a strong legal claim. Most crashes happen because someone was careless or reckless behind the wheel.
Common causes of car accidents include:
- Distracted driving (texting, eating, talking on the phone)
- Speeding
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Fatigued driving
- Aggressive driving (tailgating, weaving in traffic)
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Unsafe lane changes
- Poor road conditions
- Defective vehicle parts
Our auto accident attorneys will work to determine exactly how your accident happened and who should be held responsible.
What Is Negligence, and How Do I Prove It?
Most car accident cases are based on the legal theory of negligence. Negligence is the failure to uphold a reasonable standard of care, resulting in someone else’s harm.
There are four elements that you must substantiate:
- There was a duty of care (e.g., drivers owe others on the road a duty to drive safely).
- The defendant breached their duty of care.
- Their breach caused your injuries.
- You suffered losses (e.g., physical injuries, property damage, and medical bills) as a result of their conduct.
To substantiate these elements, you will need credible evidence, such as:
- Dash camera footage
- Traffic camera footage
- Eyewitness testimony
- Accident reports
- Pictures and videos of the accident scene
- Medical records
- Vehicle repair estimates
We’ll look at all available evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.
Middletown Car Accident Statistics
Motor vehicle crashes are an ongoing problem in Orange County, where Middletown is located.
According to the New York State Comptroller’s Office, there were over 1,000 fatal crashes across the state in 2022 alone. While local statistics specific to Middletown are not always separately published, Orange County saw 39 fatalities in 2022, the third most amongst upstate counties.
Of course, these data only reflect fatal crashes, not those that result in injuries or property damage. Drivers and passengers face risks every time they get behind the wheel.
Call Our Experienced Middletown Car Accident Lawyers Today for Legal Help
Were you or a loved one injured in a car crash in New York? You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. The experienced legal team at Rolo Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help.
Our car accident attorneys in Middletown have 40 years of combined experience practicing law. We have achieved meaningful recoveries for countless clients and are ready to fight for you, too.
Let us handle your legal claim while you focus on healing. Contact our law firm today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Car Accident Infographic
