Queens Collisions With Animals Accidents Lawyer

Many drivers have experienced a dog, cat, rabbit, or even a deer dart in front of their cars. In some cases the driver is able to avoid the animal, while in other cases the driver hits the animal. Whether the collision involves a dog, cat, deer, or cow, a collision with an animal can lead to a substantial amount of damage to your vehicle and serious personal injury to you and your passengers. In addition, swerving to avoid an animal may lead to a collision with another vehicle or the driver may end up hitting a pedestrian. In either case, the result may be serious injury. While not every accident involving animals will result in liability to another person or entity, there are instances when others can be held accountable. Contact an experienced Queens collisions with animals accidents lawyer at Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss your case.

Animal car accidents can involve a wild animal or an animal that is a pet or livestock. The type of animal involved in the incident is a key factor in pinpointing liability.

• Collisions with deer and other wild animals. When a driver hits a deer or other wild animal, the driver and passengers may suffer serious injuries. If a driver swerves to avoid a deer or other wild animal, and ends up in a single vehicle crash, the result may be serious personal injury. In those two scenarios, there is typically no one to blame or file a claim against. Thus, the driver will have to rely on their own insurance to cover damages. However, an injured passenger may have a claim against the driver who hit the wild animal. Similarly, if when swerving to avoid an animal the driver collides with another vehicle, the occupants of the other vehicle may have a claim against the driver who swerved to avoid hitting the wild animal.
• Collisions with livestock and pets. Some animal collisions are caused when a dog, cat, horse or some other type of pet or livestock wanders onto a road. Because such animals are required to be restrained, the owner of such animal would face legal liability for losses suffered if a driver hits the animal or swerves to avoid the animal.

If you sustained serious injuries in an car accident involving an animal, contact an experienced Queens collisions with animals accidents lawyer. Victims injured in accidents involving animals suffer serious injuries and are often left in deep debt because of the substantial medical bills and the inability to work for an extended time period. However, holding the parties responsible for the accident will help alleviate financial stress caused by the accident. Through a personal injury lawsuit you may be able to recover damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, as well as pain and suffering. In special cases punitive damages may be available as well. Even if your accident involved a wild animal, it is important to take steps to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation available from insurance.

If your loved one died in the accident, the decedent's personal representative may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim on behalf of his or her estate.

Beware that New York law has a specific time limit for filing a claim in a personal injury case. If you do not file your claim within the time period, you will be forever barred from collecting damages even if your case has merit.

A personal injury lawsuit stemming from a car accident where an animal was involved can be complicated. Besides simply determining if the animal was a pet or wild animal, there are other factors that must be reviewed to ensure that your rights are protected. If you were injured in such an accident it is critical that you contact an attorney who not only has experience handing car accidents, but is also familiar with the medical issues victims of such accidents experience. Contact an experienced collisions with animals accidents attorney serving Queens at Stephen Bilkis & Associates at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your car accident. We serve clients in the following locations: Queens, Westchester County, Suffolk County, Staten Island, Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, and Nassau County.