ROCHESTER CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS
For over 25 years, Rochesterians have turned to Parisi and Bellavia Law when they are seriously injured in a car accident and need experienced local injury attorneys with a track record of success to fight for them. Call us at (585) 888-8000 or submit our online form today for a free consultation.
ROCHESTER CAR ACCIDENT LAW FIRM - PARISI & BELLAVIA
When you’re injured in Rochester, it’s important to hire Rochester-based car accident lawyers. As members of the Rochester community, we know these roads, because we drive them every day. We know Rochester’s court system, because we try cases here. We know Rochester juries, because we are Rochesterians. Attorney Tim Bellavia grew up in Gates and is a McQuaid Jesuit graduate. Attorney Samantha Parisi attended Brighton Central Schools, and Attorney Al Parisi raised his family in Rochester for over 25 years.
The difference between us and the billboard lawyers you see on tv, is that we’re from Rochester and when you call us you get us – Attorney Al Parisi, his daughter, Attorney Samantha Parisi, or Attorney Tim Bellavia. Let our family fight for yours.
WHAT TO DO AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT?
If you’ve suffered a car accident in Rochester, NY, we suggest that you follow the acronym A.C.T.S.M.A.R.T.
Assess Injuries. First, it’s most important that you assess whether you have any injuries. If you, a loved one, or a pedestrian may be injured, it’s imperative that you call 9-1-1 immediately and wait safely for medical assistance.
Contact the Police for a Police Report. It’s important that you contact the police and obtain a police report. This is true even in the instance when you are in an accident and the parties agree to handle the issue amicable. Make sure that the police arrive at the scene and the report accurately describes how the accident happened. This is an important piece of evidence in car accident cases and helps avoid this situation that someone involved in the accident fails to accurately remember how the accident occurred.
Take Pictures and Videos of the Scene and any Visible Injuries. If you are able to, take pictures and videos of the scene of the accident and any visible injuries to your person. Take pictures of the damage to your car and other cars involved in the accident as that may provide evidence as to the severity of the accident. Also take pictures of the scene of the accident, noting the name of any intersections and how the cars are situated on the road.
Swap Insurance Information with the Other Drivers. Exchange insurance information with the other drivers. Understanding how much insurance is available to cover damages and potential injuries are important pieces of information to have on hand for a car accident lawyer to evaluate your case.
Make an Accurate Report. While the police report is an important evidentiary component, police reports are often not made readily available immediately following an accident. Therefore, it’s important when you are in a car accident, if you can, that you create an accurate record including pictures/videos of the accident scene, the names and phone numbers of those involved, insurance information, and the names and phone numbers of any witnesses to the accident.
Avoid Speculation. When you’re injured in a car accident, the largest hurdle to recovery may be your own insurance company, especially in the case of an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured motorist. Therefore, it’s important that you do not speculate about the extent of your injuries until you’ve been evaluated by a medical professional. Your “I’m ok” during the immediate shock after a car accident may come back to haunt you.
Reach Out to Us. At Parisi and Bellavia, we’ve represented thousands of car accident victims in our over 25 years of practice right here in Rochester, New York. Call us at (585) 888-8000 today.
Talk to Your Attorney. Once you are accepted as a client of the firm, we’re in your corner 100% and we are here for you to answer any questions about your case and the process. Our differentiator is that when you call us, you get us: Attorney Al Parisi, Attorney Samantha Parisi, and Attorney Tim Bellavia.
PARISI & BELLAVIA: ROCHESTER CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS
WHAT FACTORS AFFECT HOW MUCH I MAY RECOVER IN A CAR ACCIDENT CASE?
There are many factors that affect how much you may recover in your car accident case. As experienced car accident attorneys it is our job to evaluate the factors and guide you through the process to fight for the best recovery possible. Common factors that affect the value of a case include:
- Fault (Liability). Is it certain who caused the accident? Is it clear that any injuries sustained are as a result of the car accident? The stronger the evidence that (1) the car accident was caused by the defendant (i.e., a police report or witness statement) and (2) that the injuries sustained were a result of the accident (i.e., medical records), the higher the potential value of your case. You can strengthen your case by following the A.C.T.S.M.A.R.T. steps we’ve outlined above.
- Severity of Injuries. Did you suffer a traumatic brain injury, a broken bone, or injure your neck or back in a way that may require surgery? Generally, the more severe the injury, the higher the potential value of your case.
- Damages. Damages in personal injury lawsuits take different forms. Generally, monetary compensation is categorized as “compensatory” damage which have the goal of putting the injured individual back into the situation that they were in before they suffered the accident. Of course, money cannot replace health, but the purpose is to allow the injured party to be taken care so they can attempt to enjoy life to the same degree as before the injury occurred. Individuals who are seriously injured in a car accident due to another’s negligence may recover for lost earnings, lost future earnings, existing and future medical expenses, and pain and suffering. It is the plaintiff’s burden or obligation to prove these damages.
LOCAL RESULTS*
COMMON CAUSES OF CAR ACCIDENTS IN ROCHESTER
Each car accident has its unique set of facts. Each year the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research of New York State in connection with the Governors Highway Safety Commission publishes the top causes of car accidents in Rochester, New York. With our over 25 years of practice, we’ve seen it all.
Failure to Yield. One of the primary causes of car accidents in New York State occurs when a driver fails to yield the right of way. This typically entails a driver that is unaware of the rules of the road. The New York State traffic code outlines when drivers must yield the right of way. Accidents occur when drivers fail to yield the right of way in cases including failure to yield to a vehicle that’s already in an intersection, failure to yield to oncoming traffic when turning left, failing to yield entering a stop or yield intersection, failure to yield when entering a road or highway, and more.
Distracted Driving. Whether it’s texting and driving, talking on the phone and driving, eating and driving, or any combination of thereof, it’s no secret that there are more distracted drivers on the road than ever. An experienced car accident law firm like Parisi and Bellavia spends the time and resources to investigate car accidents involving distracted driving.
Rear End Car Accidents. New York State drivers are prohibited under the New York State traffic code from following another car too closely or tailgating than is reasonable and prudent and will likely be ticketed for “Following Too Closely” if a rear end collision occurs resulting in a car accident. Even if the car in front stops quickly or “stops short” a driver following a vehicle is supposed to drive with care and leave enough space to stop.
Improper Passing / Lane Merging. Drivers that pass in the wrong lane or pass when they’re not permitted to risk serious injury to themselves and others. We have seen head-on collisions from aggressive drivers trying to pass into oncoming traffic. Such cases of clear liability are disastrous for all those involved.
Disregarding of Traffic Control Device (i.e., running a red light). You’ve seen it before. The driver completely blowing through a red light. The driver who accelerates when the light is yellow. The driver that rolls through the stop sign not thinking that anyone is around. It’s always unfortunate to witness on the road, but it’s even more unfortunate when we see the consequences of serious injury that often occur from drivers who take the law and their own priorities over the safety of other drivers.
COMMON CAUSES OF CAR ACCIDENTS IN ROCHESTER
Proving who was at fault in a car accident is only one part of the equation in attempting to recover for a serious injury in New York State. Plaintiffs bringing a claim must also show that they were seriously injured in a car accident. The key word here is serious. Under New York State Insurance Law Section 5102(d) a plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit arising out of the use or operation of a motor vehicle must prove that they suffered a serious injury. A minor injury isn’t enough. A “serious injury” is defined as an injury resulting in one of the following:
(1) Death
(2) Dismemberment
(3) Serious Disfigurement
(4) Fracture
(5) Loss of a Fetus
(6) Permanent Loss of Use of a Body Organ, Member, Function, or System
(7) Permanent Consequential Limitation of a Body Organ or Member
(8) Significant Limitation of Use of a Body Function or System
(9) Medically Determined injury or impairment of a non-permanent nature which prevents the injured person from performing substantially all of the material acts which constitute such person’s usual and customary daily activities for not less than 90 days during the 180 days immediately following the occurrence of the injury or impairment.
Some of these categories are straightforward while others have been defined by caselaw. Contacting an experienced car accident lawyer in Rochester like Parisi and Bellavia is necessary because we know how Rochester courts have interpreted and understand these various categories of serious injury.
COMMON INJURIES IN ROCHESTER CAR ACCIDENT CASES
Injuries suffered as a result of a car accident run the spectrum, however, there are certain serious injuries that we’ve seen time and again as a result of serious car accidents. The injuries may be caused by the impact from the other vehicle or from your body coming in contact with the inside of the car. Here are a few common injuries that we see time and time again.
Traumatic Brain Injury. The Mayo Clinic defines a traumatic brain injury as an injury “resulting from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body”. Brain injuries can significantly change one’s physical and mental capacities both in the short and long term making many everyday tasks that used to be considered rudimentary difficult.
Whiplash Injury and Neck Injuries. The Mayo Clinic defines a whiplash injury as a “neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip.” Whiplash injuries are commonly associated with rear-end collisions which force the head and neck to snap back and forth.
Disk Bulge and Back Injuries. Disks in your spinal cords act to protect your spine. Often when sudden impact occurs as the result of a car accident spinal disks may bulge causing serious pain and limitations in mobility including nerve damage.
CONTACT ROCHESTER CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS TODAY FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION – (585) 888-8000
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Rochester, NY contact Parisi and Bellavia, Rochester’s trusted car accident lawyers today. Our difference is that when you call us you get us and we’ve recovered millions in car accident settlements and trials for individuals injured here in Rochester. Let our family fight for yours.
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