personal injury

How to Get Compensation For Wrongful Death After a Car Accident

Published on: April 9, 2024 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

4-9-24-Wrongful-Death-Lawsuit-300x200 Few fatal car accidents can be anticipated, but many have causes that can and should be attributed to somebody other than the victim. Wrongful death lawsuits give New York families an opportunity to both reclaim their financial independence and to ensure that a wrongdoer is held accountable for a loved one’s death.

Understanding Wrongful Death Claims

In New York, a wrongful death is defined as any death caused by a “wrongful act, neglect or default.”

How to Get Compensation for Emotional Distress After A Car Accident

Published on: April 2, 2024 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

4-2-24-Emotional-Distress-300x200 In New York, no-fault insurance coverage is limited in its ability to mitigate the serious impacts of long-term emotional distress. However, survivors with serious injuries retain the right to file a claim for compensation against the person or party who caused their accident.

Under most circumstances, a personal injury lawsuit provides an opportunity to obtain recompense for the following:

Economic Damages: Economic damages refer to verifiable financial losses. These could include your outstanding medical bills, lost income from work, and anticipated care needs.

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 Lost Wages After A Car Accident In Buffalo, New York

Published on: February 26, 2024 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

chain-reaction-2-scaled In the wake of a car accident, the physical injuries sustained are often accompanied by financial strain due to lost wages. Many victims find themselves unable to work, either temporarily or, in more severe cases, permanently. At the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. in Buffalo, New York, we recognize the distress this causes. We are committed to helping you navigate the path to securing compensation for your lost wages. Below are essential steps and considerations for recovering lost income after a car accident.

Understanding Your Rights Under New York’s No-Fault Insurance

Under New York’s no-fault insurance system, individuals involved in car accidents are entitled to certain benefits, regardless of who was at fault. These benefits include coverage for medical expenses and a portion of your lost earnings.

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.

The Dangers Of Reckless Driving

Published on: January 23, 2024 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

RECKLESS-DRIVING-scaled Each year, millions of victims suffer severe, life-altering injuries and tragic fatalities in accidents on the road. The roads in Western New York are dangerous enough without even considering reckless drivers. Reckless driving poses a substantial risk to the motorist, occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, and everyone else on the road. Unfortunately, many drivers engage in reckless driving despite knowing that these destructive behaviors considerably heighten their risk of causing a devasting accident.

What Is Reckless Driving?

In the 1990s, the term “reckless driving” emerged to describe dangerous behaviors behind the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines reckless driving as operating a vehicle in any way that can cause danger to others on the road.