Can You Sue After a Single-Vehicle Crash in Brooklyn?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more than half of all traffic fatalities are caused by single-vehicle collisions. If you were involved in one of these car accidents in Brooklyn, you may be thankful to be alive. But as the joy of survival fades, you might face numerous financial, physical, and psychological challenges. These may include medical bills, lost income, PTSD, and much more. How do you pursue compensation for these damages? Can you sue after a single-vehicle crash in Brooklyn?

New York’s No-Fault System Can Provide Compensation Regardless of Fault 

Even if you cannot identify someone else who contributed to your crash, you may still pursue compensation through New York’s no-fault insurance system. This system is mandatory for all passenger-vehicle drivers in the Empire State, and it allows you to file a no-fault claim without establishing negligence. In many other states, it is necessary to prove someone else contributed to your crash in order to recover compensation.

However, the no-fault system is somewhat limited in how much compensation it provides. Unlike a personal injury lawsuit, it does not provide any compensation for non-economic damages – things like emotional distress, disfigurement, and PTSD.  It also covers only a portion of your missed income, and policy limits may cause further financial shortfalls.

You May Still Be Able to Sue After a Single-Vehicle Crash 

Even if you crashed without actually coming into contact with another vehicle, a lawsuit could still be possible. The obvious example is a “near-miss” or “phantom vehicle” crash. For example, a drunk driver might have veered into your lane, causing you to swerve, exit the road, and impact a tree. Perhaps you were crossing the street when a distracted driver ran a stop sign, causing a second driver to swerve and strike you. Whatever the case may be, these negligent drivers become responsible for your injuries – even if they never actually came into contact with you.

Tracking down these phantom drivers may be challenging, but you are not alone in your pursuit of justice. Local authorities can use various strategies to find guilty parties, including crash scene analysis and reviewing nearby security/traffic cameras. An experienced auto accident lawyer may also help you gather evidence of another vehicle’s involvement. Once you find them, you can sue them directly.

 Key Takeaways 

• New York’s no-fault laws let you pursue compensation after single-vehicle accidents
• If you want to sue, you must prove negligence after a serious injury
• It may be possible to sue various parties even after single-vehicle accidents

Can a Brooklyn Accident Lawyer Help Me After a Single-Vehicle Crash? 

A Brooklyn accident lawyer may be able to help victims of single-vehicle crashes. Even though you might have crashed without impacting another vehicle, you may still be able to sue various negligent parties. Before you completely give up on the possibility of compensation, speak with Cohan Law, PLLC. Schedule your consultation today to get started with an action plan.

Sources: 

iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/state-by-state

recordonline.com/story/news/2024/12/11/brooklyn-man-killed-in-monroe-ny-crash/76922867007/