If you’ve been hurt in an accident, you have two choices: rely on an insurance company to give you a settlement or call a personal injury attorney to ensure you get the full and fair compensation you deserve. For more than 30 years, Reid B. Wissner Law Offices has fought tirelessly for victims of other people’s negligence.
If you’ve been injured in the Bronx, Brooklyn or Queens and need an experienced personal injury lawyer you can trust, please call 212-406-9288 to discuss your case for free. We handle cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means that you don’t owe any attorney fees unless your case is successful.
Personal Injury Areas of Practice
Unlike other law firms that handle a variety of cases regardless of their experience and knowledge, Reid Wissner deals strictly with personal injury cases. He has built a reputation for providing his clients with skilled, compassionate and aggressive legal representation and exceptional results.
He offers decades of experience in cases of:
- Premises liability – fall on stairs
- Trip, slip and fall accidents
- Construction accidents
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
What Are The Most Common Personal Injuries That Occur In Accidents?
Accidents can happen at any time and turn your life upside down. Injuries resulting from a trip, slip and fall or vehicle collision can range from all types of injuries. Common accident injuries include:
- Fractured and broken bones: Bones can break under excessive force. Casts and splints are usually used in the treatment of fractures to realign the bone. However, in some cases, fractures are complicated and require surgery and rehabilitation. Depending on the severity of your broken bone, you may be incapacitated and unable to work for weeks or months.
- Pinched nerves: Abrupt force and movement placed on your body during an auto accident can put excess pressure upon a nerve, pinching it. This can lead to disrupted nerve functionality and uncomfortable inflammation. Symptoms of a pinched nerve include muscle weakness, pain, twitching, numbness and tingling.
- Spinal cord and neck injuries: Injuries involving the neck and spinal cord can be devastating, and cause a loss of mobility and motor function. The spinal cord controls vital bodily functions, and any damage to the neck and spine, including whiplash, can result in lifelong hardship.
- Brain injuries: Head trauma is one of the most severe injuries anyone can suffer. Damage to the brain must be treated very carefully, and the repercussions can last for years or even a lifetime, impacting your quality of life and ability to work.
- Burn injuries: These types of injuries can result in extensive scarring, physical disability and chronic pain. First-degree burns usually heal without any adverse effects. However, second-degree, third-degree and fourth-degree burns are much more severe, with symptoms ranging from debilitating pain to permanent disfigurement.
Our Personal Injury Verdicts and Settlements
What is Supposed to be Done After an Accident?
If you have been in an accident of any kind, automobile, a fall, or another type of accident, your first priority is to look after your safety and then your well-being. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may have been taken to a local emergency room either by ambulance or personal transport. Any medical care that you receive should be documented, and you should ask for copies of all records.
If possible, it can be helpful to take pictures of the accident scene before leaving the site. This documents the conditions that may have contributed to the accident, such as an icy sidewalk or misplaced sign. If there were witnesses to your accident, it is advantageous to ask for their contact information. While it is polite to apologize, it is not necessary nor wise to claim any degree of fault after an accident.
Whether or not you have noticeable injuries, it's to your advantage to receive a full medical evaluation as soon after your accident as possible. Often, the trauma of the event can disguise non-visible injuries through heightened stress chemicals. You may have an injury that you cannot see. A medical examination can help give you peace of mind and also provide the care that is necessary to deal with the aches and pains that can occur after an accident.
Finally, contact us. If you have been in any type of accident, you may be entitled to damages. Our consultation is free and comes with zero obligation to move forward with a case.
I was Hit by a Car, but I Wasn't in a Crosswalk. Do I have a Claim?
You may still have a viable claim even if you were hit by a motorist when you weren't in a crosswalk. When a pedestrian is in a crosswalk, drivers have additional obligations to respect their right of way. That said, it is also an obligation for drivers to exercise due care wherever they are on the road.
Being in a crosswalk (or not) is one of several potential factors that may influence your case. Keep in mind that the laws around personal injuries are not black or white/they are nuanced. If you were hit by a vehicle, for example, but were not in a crosswalk, you may still be entitled to a percentage of damages.
What Do I Do if an Insurance Adjuster Calls Me?
Insurance adjusters work for companies that want to protect their assets. Therefore, it is important to have an attorney on your side. When you have an attorney, you can direct the insurance adjuster to them for information or questions. The same protocol should be used if the other person or people involved in the accident contact you; simply refer them to your attorney. The reason you want to do this is that an insurance adjuster who seems sympathetic to your case is looking for information that can eliminate or reduce the liability of the person they insure.
What if I Was Partly at Fault for the Accident?
New York follows the principle of pure comparative negligence. If you are found to be partially at fault for an accident, you may still be entitled to some percentage of damages. This is another reason it is advantageous to consult with a personal injury attorney after any kind of accident. Your attorney will carefully review all of the detailed information regarding the incident and calculate the percentage of damages you may be entitled to. Let's say you were texting when walking out of a store and slipped in spilled liquid that was not properly cleaned or identified. You were partially at fault for being distracted. However, there may also be fault on the part of the establishment, meaning that you are entitled to some compensation for injuries or other damages.
How Do I Know If I Need A Personal Injury Lawyer?
Following most accidents, insurance companies promptly begin working on a settlement offer. While your offer may look good at first, these settlements almost never cover all of the damages related to your recovery and future needs. Unfortunately, if you accept the insurance company’s first settlement offer, you waive your right to seek full and fair compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
When you hire an accident lawyer to handle your personal injury case, you are protecting your best interests and working toward compensation that covers both your economic and noneconomic damages. Reid Wissner has decades of experience pursuing maximum compensation for severe and incapacitating injuries. However, your injury does not need to be major in order to seek fair compensation.
Although many law firms turn away cases that don’t have the potential for million dollar settlements, Reid Wissner can help you if you have sustained any type of injury. Even seemingly small injuries can have a long-lasting impact on your health and ability to perform your job duties.
What Damages Can I Seek Compensation For In A Personal Injury Case?
The effects of an injury aren’t always immediately apparent. Some victims experience diminished cognitive and physical function long after an accident, and symptoms commonly worsen over time.
Because the aftermath of all types of injuries varies from person to person, it is crucial to meet personally with Reid Wissner to analyze the details of your situation and build a case that seeks the maximum compensation to which you are entitled. Depending on your unique situation, you may be able to recover damages such as:
- Past, current and future medical expenses
- Lost income and future wages
- Lifestyle accommodations for physical or mental disability
- Pain and suffering
- Detrimental effect on quality of life
Schedule Your Free Personal Injury Consultation Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident, Reid B. Wissner Law Offices understands what a difficult time this may be for you and your family. He will listen to the details of your case and determine the best approach for maximizing compensation in your personal injury claim.
For experienced advocacy and compassionate support in your time of need, please contact us today online or at 212-406-9288 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We proudly welcome clients from Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, New York.
