Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents happen every day across New York and New Jersey, but when you’re involved in one, the experience becomes intensely personal and overwhelming. Within seconds, your normal routine transforms into a crisis involving potential injuries, property damage, insurance companies, and legal complexities you never anticipated. The aftermath often brings medical appointments, vehicle repairs, lost work time, and financial pressures that compound the physical and emotional trauma of the accident itself.

The legal landscape surrounding motor vehicle accidents involves intricate insurance laws, liability determinations, and compensation calculations that can significantly impact your financial recovery. At The Stein Law Group, we understand that successful motor vehicle accident cases require immediate action to preserve evidence, thorough investigation to establish fault, and strategic negotiation to secure fair compensation from insurance companies that prioritize their profits over your well-being.

Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents We Handle

Motor vehicle accidents encompass a broad range of collisions involving different types of vehicles, road conditions, and circumstances. Each type of accident presents unique legal challenges and requires specific knowledge of applicable laws and regulations. The severity of injuries and property damage can vary dramatically based on factors like vehicle size, speed, weather conditions, and safety equipment usage.

We represent clients injured in various motor vehicle accidents throughout New York and New Jersey:

Car accidents involving passenger vehicles and sedans
Truck accidents with commercial vehicles and tractor-trailers
Motorcycle accidents resulting in serious injuries
Pedestrian accidents involving vehicles striking walkers
Bicycle accidents where cyclists are hit by motor vehicles
Bus accidents involving public transit and private carriers
Rideshare accidents with Uber, Lyft, and similar services
Hit and run accidents where drivers flee the scene

Truck accidents often involve the most serious injuries due to the massive size and weight differences between commercial vehicles and passenger cars. These cases also present complex liability issues involving trucking companies, drivers, and potentially defective equipment manufacturers. Federal regulations governing commercial trucking add additional layers of legal analysis to these cases.

Motorcycle accidents frequently result in severe injuries because riders lack the protection of enclosed vehicles. These cases often involve bias against motorcyclists, requiring careful presentation of evidence to overcome stereotypes about reckless riding. We work to establish that driver negligence, not rider behavior, caused the accident.

Investigating Motor Vehicle Accidents

Effective motor vehicle accident cases begin with immediate and thorough investigation of the collision scene, vehicle damage, and circumstances leading to the accident. Evidence can disappear quickly as vehicles are repaired or destroyed, skid marks fade, and witnesses’ memories become less reliable. Early involvement of legal counsel helps preserve crucial evidence that may determine the outcome of your case.
We work with accident reconstruction professionals who can analyze physical evidence, vehicle damage patterns, and road conditions to determine how accidents occurred and who bears responsibility. These professionals use advanced technology to recreate accident scenarios and provide compelling testimony about speed, impact angles, and driver behavior leading to collisions.

Police reports provide important initial documentation of accidents, but they don’t always tell the complete story. Officers may not have witnessed the accident and sometimes reach conclusions based on incomplete information. We thoroughly review police reports while conducting independent investigations to ensure all relevant facts are uncovered and properly presented.

Dealing with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies become involved immediately after motor vehicle accidents, and their primary goal is minimizing payouts to accident victims. Adjusters often contact injured parties within hours of accidents, seeking recorded statements and quick settlements before victims understand the full extent of their injuries and damages.

Insurance companies employ various tactics to reduce their liability and payment obligations. They may argue that victims contributed to accidents through their own negligence, question the necessity of medical treatment, or claim that injuries existed before accidents occurred. We counter these strategies with thorough documentation and aggressive advocacy on your behalf.

New York operates under a no-fault insurance system that requires drivers to carry personal injury protection coverage. However, serious injuries allow victims to step outside the no-fault system and pursue claims against at-fault drivers for full compensation. Understanding these complex insurance laws requires legal guidance to ensure you receive maximum compensation.

Proving Fault and Negligence

Motor vehicle accident cases require establishing that other drivers acted negligently and that their negligence caused your injuries. Common forms of driver negligence include speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, aggressive driving, and violations of traffic laws. Each type of negligence requires different evidence and legal strategies to prove effectively.

Distracted driving has become increasingly common with widespread smartphone usage. We investigate phone records, witness testimony, and other evidence to demonstrate when drivers were texting, talking, or otherwise distracted at the time of accidents. These cases often involve strong evidence of negligent behavior that supports significant damage awards.

Impaired driving cases may involve alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription medications that affect driver ability. Blood alcohol test results, field sobriety tests, and officer observations provide important evidence in these cases. We also investigate whether establishments served alcohol to visibly intoxicated drivers who later caused accidents.

Multiple Party Liability

Many motor vehicle accidents involve multiple potentially liable parties beyond just the drivers involved in collisions. Vehicle manufacturers may bear responsibility when defective parts contribute to accidents or fail to protect occupants during crashes. Government entities may be liable when dangerous road conditions or inadequate signage contribute to accidents.

Commercial vehicle accidents often involve liability for trucking companies, cargo loaders, and maintenance providers in addition to drivers. We investigate all potential sources of liability to maximize compensation for your injuries and damages.

Calculating Motor Vehicle Accident Damages

Motor vehicle accident injuries can range from minor bumps and bruises to catastrophic injuries requiring lifetime medical care. The compensation you deserve depends on the severity of your injuries, their impact on your ability to work and enjoy life, and the negligence of the responsible parties.

Medical expenses form a significant component of motor vehicle accident damages. We work with your healthcare providers to understand your current treatment needs and consult with medical professionals about future care requirements. Some injuries require ongoing physical therapy, multiple surgeries, or specialized equipment that must be factored into damage calculations.

Lost wages and reduced earning capacity represent another major category of damages in motor vehicle accident cases. We analyze your employment history, career prospects, and the impact of your injuries on your ability to perform job duties. Some injuries permanently affect your capacity to earn income, requiring careful economic analysis to ensure fair compensation.

Pain and suffering damages address the physical discomfort and emotional impact of your injuries. These non-economic damages can be substantial in cases involving serious injuries or permanent disabilities. We present compelling evidence about how your injuries have affected your daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.

Contact The Stein Law Group for Motor Vehicle Accident Representation

Motor vehicle accidents require immediate legal attention to protect your rights and preserve crucial evidence that may determine your case outcome. At The Stein Law Group, our founder, Adam J. Stein, brings extensive experience handling complex motor vehicle accident cases throughout New York and New Jersey. His background at prominent law firms provides the litigation skills necessary to take on insurance companies and their teams of lawyers who work to minimize your compensation.

We understand that motor vehicle accidents create immediate financial pressures from medical bills, vehicle repairs, and lost income while you recover from your injuries. Our contingency fee arrangement means you pay no attorneys’ fees unless we successfully recover compensation for your case, allowing you to focus on healing while we handle the legal complexities. Contact The Stein Law Group today at (717) 384-2599 or through our contact form to schedule your free consultation and begin protecting your rights.