Richmond Hill Personal Injury Lawyers
There are many situations where someone is injured due to the fault of another. A reckless driver runs a red light and causes a car accident. A surgeon makes a critical mistake during a procedure and leaves the patient in an even worse condition. Or a person breaks their hip after slipping and falling on a wet floor at the supermarket. Anytime that you are hurt and someone else is at fault, you have the right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other losses arising from your accident.
If you have been injured, contact an experienced Richmond Hill personal injury lawyer at Sullivan & Galleshaw for a free consultation. Our law firm and office have been helping accident victims in Richmond Hill, NY, for many years, and major news outlets in the area come to us for our input on legal matters happening in New York.
Navigating Personal Injury Challenges in Richmond Hill, NY
The prevalence of personal injuries in and around Richmond Hill, New York, highlights the crucial role of vigilant legal advocacy in navigating the challenges posed by this dynamic urban environment. Situated in the heart of Queens, Richmond Hill witnesses a range of activities, including heavy traffic, construction projects, and bustling commercial establishments, which contribute to an increased risk of accidents and personal injuries. From motor vehicle collisions on busy streets to slip-and-fall incidents in commercial spaces, individuals may find themselves vulnerable to harm.
Sullivan & Galleshaw LLP, a reputable law firm in Richmond Hill, specializes in personal injury cases, including those arising from construction accidents and car accidents. Our experienced lawyers understand the complexities of dealing with insurance claims and are dedicated to assisting victims in recovering fair compensation for their losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you’ve been injured, our law office is ready to provide expert legal guidance and advocate for your rights against insurance companies to ensure a just resolution.
Compassionate Legal Counsel in Richmond Hill, New York
Our experienced Richmond Hill personal injury lawyers can assist you in fighting for this compensation. At Sullivan & Galleshaw LLP, we have recovered millions of dollars for our clients in a wide range of personal injury matters. So if you need legal advice or representation, contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation. Let an experienced personal injury attorney help you get fair compensation to cover expenses that could include:
- Lost wages
- Serious injuries,
- Medical expenses
- Traumatic brain injury
Contact a personal injury lawyer at The Sullivan & Gallenshaw Law Firm, where we offer clients a free consultation and personal attention. We represent clients in and around Richmond Hill, NY, who have suffered serious injuries and are in need of not only medical treatment for their injuries but legal help recovering compensation from the responsible party.
Understanding Personal Injury Laws in Richmond Hill, NY
How Personal Injury Claims Work in New York
Personal injury or tort law is designed to help victims of negligence or wrongful acts seek monetary compensation, known as damages, from the wrongdoers. Since personal injury law is civil rather than criminal, a victim does not need to prove a defendant injured them intentionally. Instead, New York law only requires proof of negligence, which consists of the following elements:
- The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care under New York law.
- The defendant breached that duty through some act or omission.
- The defendant’s breach injured the plaintiff.
- The plaintiff suffered a measurable loss (damages) due to the injury caused by the defendant.
Another key difference between civil and criminal liability in New York is the burden of proof. In a criminal prosecution, a district attorney must prove a defendant’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt,” which is a high bar to clear. In a civil personal injury case, however, the plaintiff only has to prove each element of their case with a “preponderance of the evidence.” Put differently, an accident victim needs to only demonstrate that it was more likely than not that the defendant’s actions caused their injuries.
Personalized Legal Services in Richmond Hill, NY
At the same time, New York also applies a “pure comparative negligence” rule in personal injury cases. This rule enables a defendant to argue that the plaintiff was partly, or even completely, at fault for their own injuries. It is left to a judge or jury to then apportion the relative fault of all parties. While an accident victim can still recover some compensation even if they are found partly at fault, their total award of damages must be reduced to account for their share of the blame (if any).
Types of Claims Handled by Our Richmond Hill Personal Injury Law Firm
Our Richmond Hill personal injury attorney handles many kinds of claims, including the following:
- Motor vehicle accidents
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Construction accidents
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Motorcycle accidents
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Slip-and-fall accidents
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Bicycle accidents
Let us help you through the entire process and help you get maximum compensation for your pain and suffering. Click this link to view all of our practice areas.
Just about any accidental injury due to someone else’s negligence can give rise to a personal injury claim under New York law. Some of the more common types of injuries we assist clients with at Sullivan & Galleshaw LLP include:
Advocating for Victims of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Richmond Hill, NY
Anyone who has ever driven around Queens knows just how many reckless and dangerous drivers there are on the road. Even pedestrians and riders of other vehicles, such as bicycles and motorcycles, are often at risk of life-threatening injuries due to car accidents. Although New York has a “no-fault” auto insurance system, it is still possible for motor vehicle accident victims to file a personal injury lawsuit if they meet the state’s “serious injury” threshold.
Premises Liability and Personal Injury Laws in Richmond Hill, NY
Accidents that occur on someone else’s property may be the legal fault of the owner or operator of that premises. If you are injured in a slip-and-fall accident at a store, for example, and you can prove it was the result of the store’s failure to identify and correct a hazardous condition, the owner can owe you significant damages.
Seeking Justice for Medical Malpractice Victims in Richmond Hill, NY
We hold doctors, nurses, hospitals, and other healthcare professionals to high standards when it comes to treating patients. If a provider fails to meet those standards and the patient consequently suffers further harm, the provider can be held responsible for professional negligence, i.e., malpractice.
Compassionate Representation for Wrongful Death Cases in Richmond Hill, NY
Unfortunately, many people die as a result of injuries sustained in an accident or due to another negligent act. When this happens, the victim’s immediate family or estate can file a special type of personal injury claim known as a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible parties.
Handling Elder Abuse Cases in Nursing Homes in Richmond Hill, New York
In Richmond Hill, New York, our dedicated legal team at Sullivan & Galleshaw LLP is committed to advocating for the rights and well-being of the elderly, who may be victims of abuse in nursing homes. We understand the importance of providing a safe and compassionate environment for our seniors, and when that trust is violated, our experienced lawyers are ready to take action.
Cases of elder abuse in nursing homes can encompass various forms of mistreatment, including physical, emotional, or financial abuse, as well as neglect. We diligently investigate such cases, working to hold accountable those responsible for the harm inflicted upon vulnerable individuals. If you suspect that a loved one has suffered from elder abuse in a nursing home in Richmond Hill, reach out to us for a free consultation. Our law firm is here to offer support, guidance, and legal expertise to ensure justice is served and the rights of the elderly are protected.
Exploring Compensation Options in Richmond Hill Personal Injury Cases
Many injured victims ask themselves, What is the available compensation in a Richmond Hill, New York, personal injury case? Due to the legal system and the civil nature of a personal injury case, the goal is not to punish the defendant by sending them to jail. Rather, the objective is to compensate the plaintiff for their losses.
An award of compensatory damages under New York law may be broken down into two categories:
Economic Damages: Any loss that can be easily measured or quantified in dollar terms is considered economic damage. For most personal injury victims, their medical bills and lost income are their principal economic damages. But such damages can include any out-of-pocket expense arising from a defendant’s wrongdoing, such as the cost of replacing a vehicle damaged in an accident.
Non-Economic Damages: Losses such as pain and suffering, post-traumatic stress, and the inability to enjoy certain activities following an accident are all forms of non-economic damages, i.e., losses that cannot be precisely quantified. New York state and federal courts have broad discretion to award appropriate non-economic damages in a personal injury case. And unlike many states, New York law does not artificially cap non-economic damages, even in medical malpractice cases.
Your Trusted Richmond Hill Personal Injury Attorney
If you are contemplating filing a personal injury lawsuit following a serious car accident or similar event, it is important not to delay in taking action. New York law imposes strict deadlines to bring personal injury claims. And the sooner you initiate the process, the better position you will be in to seek a negotiated settlement and potentially avoid the need for a trial. Your first step should be to contact a skilled Richmond Hill personal injury attorney. Contact Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, today to schedule a free consultation. A skilled personal injury lawyer can make all the difference when it comes to securing maximum compensation for your injuries.