As usual, it's time for the weekly ten-minute session with Michael Brook, head of the Bureau of Accident and Road Traffic Investigation.
Michael: Hello, Alexander. Hello, dear listeners. I wish you all good health, and I urge everyone to stay calm, drive carefully, watch your step, and avoid accidents. If, God forbid, an accident does occur, I will connect you with a lawyer anytime, day or night. Just remember my phone number: 718 256 56 10. Always keep it with you, save it in your mobile under "Michael Brook" 718 256 56 10. If, God forbid, you can't find my number, just search "Michael Brook dot com" online, spelled B-R-O-O-K, and you'll find all my contact details. You can save this icon on your phone, and it will always be at hand.
Michael: A listener named Nikolai, a professional pianist, reached out. He was crossing the street when a passing car hit his elbow with its side mirror. As a result, he has a fractured elbow, underwent surgery, and now his fingers are numb, preventing him from playing. He asks what maximum compensation he can receive from the at-fault party in such a situation. Please respond.
Michael: In cases where a car hits a pedestrian or collides with another car, and the person is injured, the lawyer representing them must initially obtain the full insurance policy of the at-fault party. If, for example, the at-fault party's insurance is $100,000, you need to get all $100,000, not $99,000. If the at-fault party has the minimum insurance of $25,000 in New York or New Jersey, you must get all $25,000. You can't settle for $24,500. Only then will a judge allow the case to proceed, and further options may be available. If the injured party has their own car, even if they were a pedestrian, and it has higher insurance coverage, they can claim the difference between what the at-fault party's insurance paid and their own insurance. This is possible through a special procedure called arbitration, handled by a lawyer specializing in such cases. Additionally, if all funds are collected, you can seek additional sources like an umbrella insurance policy if the at-fault party has one. If not, you can seize their bank accounts or place a lien on their home, and so on. These are additional methods if the at-fault party has assets to claim. If not, the case essentially ends there. If they have nothing and live on benefits, it's impossible to collect anything unless they eventually work, and then you can garnish their wages. My lawyers thoroughly check and use all options to get the maximum possible amount. In your situation, it's crucial to obtain the full insurance policy of the at-fault party first. If not, you can't proceed. My lawyers are skilled in this and will never make mistakes, ensuring the full insurance policy is obtained, especially in severe injuries like yours and loss of professional ability. If something similar happens, call me as soon as possible at 718 256 56 10, and I'll connect you with a lawyer who can secure the maximum possible amount for you. Thank you.
Alexander: Yes, as always, convincing and thorough. Let's hear from Lev. Lev, your question.
Lev: Michael, I was going down the stairs in my building because the elevator was taking too long. The stairs weren't well-maintained and were dirty. I slipped on something and fell. I didn't break anything but severely injured my hands, face, and thigh. Can I get significant compensation, or is it pointless without a fracture?
Michael: There's a special law called the "Threshold Law," which applies only to car accidents. In car accidents, if the injury doesn't exceed a certain threshold, even if the person is not at fault, the insurance company can refuse payment. However, in public buildings, this law doesn't apply, so the insurance company must pay even for a bruise if it's their fault. If there's a percentage of fault by the landlord or building owner, the injury will be assessed, and you can receive a percentage of that assessment. It all depends on the case's profitability. If the injury is significant, my lawyers can secure a large sum for the damage to your health. Handling such cases is much more expensive than car accident cases. I work with large law firms that aren't afraid of these costs, which are much higher, sometimes tenfold, compared to car insurance cases. If you contact me with such a case, I'll find you a lawyer who will secure significant compensation. For example, a man fell on dirty stairs, severely injured himself, and had a fracture. My lawyer proved the stairs hadn't been cleaned for a long time, and the building management couldn't have been unaware of the dirt. My lawyer gathered witness statements and necessary evidence, proving the stairs hadn't been cleaned for at least a month. Additionally, the steps were worn, creating a slide-like effect. With this evidence, my lawyer proved the building management's 90% fault, securing $80,000 despite no fracture. If something similar happens, call me at 718 256 56 10 as soon as possible. Thank you on behalf of Lev.
Alexander: We have time to hear from Kristina. Kristina, please.
Kristina: I was hit by a car while on an electric scooter. I don't own a car and use the scooter for transportation. How will my treatment be paid for after this accident? I'm seriously injured, with back, hand, and leg pain, and I don't have medical insurance.
Michael: If your scooter's maximum speed is less than 20 mph, your treatment will be covered under the No-Fault law, and the car's insurance will pay for your treatment from a special fund up to $50,000. This fund is specifically for covering treatment for accident victims, and the lawyer will obtain the main part of the insurance called liability, which compensates for the damage to your health. This can range from a minimum of $25,000 to half a million or more, depending on the car's insurance coverage. If something similar happens, call me at 718 256 56 10 as soon as possible. For example, a young man was hit by a car while on an electric bike. We checked his bike's technical passport, which showed a maximum speed of 15 mph, so the insurance company treated him as a pedestrian. The at-fault party paid for his treatment. He had a serious leg fracture requiring surgery, and the insurance covered medical expenses around $50,000. Additionally, my lawyer secured half a million from the car's insurance because it was a large commercial vehicle. He fully obtained this amount and continues to litigate with the company owning the car for more compensation. Initially, he secured the full half-million insurance policy for the victim and now has permission from the judge to continue the case. If something similar happens, call me at 718 256 56 10 as soon as possible. Search my number online, and you'll find my website, save it as an icon, and download my business card. In case of an accident, injury, or fracture, Michael Brook, head of the Bureau of Accident and Road Traffic Investigation, will connect you with experienced lawyers to secure maximum compensation. 718 256 56 10.