As usual, it's time for our weekly ten-minute conversation with Michael Brooke, head of the Accident Investigation Bureau and Road Traffic Incidents. Michael, hello.
Michael: Hello, Alexander. Hello, dear radio listeners. I traditionally wish everyone good health and a good mood. I wish you not to get into any trouble. However, if you do suffer an injury in one way or another, it is a very serious matter and definitely requires a lawyer. A lawyer should be able to file a lawsuit on time and get you a significant compensation, and that’s exactly the kind of lawyers I provide. So, if anything happens, write down my number: 718 256 56 10, 718 256 56 10. Carry it with you at all times, day and night, any day of the week. I will connect you with a lawyer for your specific situation.
Alexander: As usual, we've had many people call in, and a listener named Svetlana reached out. She works as a home attendant and drove her car on a Sunday to deliver some items for her client’s son. Along the way, she got into an accident. Svetlana wants to know what she should do and who will pay for her treatment. Obviously, she was injured. Could you please answer her?
Michael: It all depends on how serious Svetlana's injuries are. If she doesn't feel well and can't go to work, then besides the main lawyer who will take action against the car and driver she collided with, I will provide an additional lawyer to help her open a worker’s compensation (or work comp) insurance. This insurance will cover not only her medical treatment but also the time missed from work. This lawyer is completely free. They don’t take a percentage; they earn money from the insurance itself, separately from Svetlana.
This additional lawyer will organize everything, instruct her on the forms needed at work, and guide her on what to do. However, it's not mandatory. If she doesn’t want to apply for work comp and wishes to continue working as a home attendant, she also has that right. In that case, her car insurance will cover her treatment, and the lawyer will only take action against the insurance of the driver responsible for the accident. I'll give you an example: A man who was delivering goods on weekends came to me. He got into an accident and broke his leg, requiring surgery. The lawyer I provided for him also worked with a work comp lawyer. The city bus involved had massive insurance, and he received half a million dollars. Additionally, the work comp lawyer secured another special lump sum for him, amounting to $150,000. With such serious injuries, it is essential to open a work comp if a person is on the job.
Once again, I want to remind you of my phone number: 718 256 56 10, 718 256 56 10. Call at any time, day or night, any day of the week. If you can't find my phone number, just search for Michael Brooke on any internet browser, and you will find all my details.
Alexander: Thank you, Michael. Let’s hear from another listener, Larisa. What would you like to ask?
Larisa: Michael, I was sitting in a parked car, and another car hit me from the side, then left. I managed to photograph the number plate. My question is, is it necessary to file a police report?
Michael: In the case of an accident, especially if you feel pain in your neck, back, or waist, even unpleasant sensations, it’s important to file a police report within 24 hours of the accident. If you call 718-256 56 10, I will connect you with a lawyer who will help you do all that. If it turns out that the car that hit you doesn’t have insurance or has a fake number, without a police report, you can’t get compensation. If your health isn’t affected, and you just need car repairs, you don’t need a police report; I'll direct you to a repair shop, and they’ll handle the insurance claim. But if you have health issues related to the accident, ensuring a police report is crucial. For instance, another man contacted me about being hit from behind at an intersection, the car hit him, drove around, and fled. He managed to photograph the license plate. I advised him to stay put while we called an ambulance, and a police report was made at the hospital, helping secure $20,000 from the insurance.
It's important to have a police or ambulance report within 24 hours of the incident. Again, my phone is 718 256-56-10. Michael Brooke, call at any time, day or night, any day of the week.
Alexander: Thank you, Michael. We have time for one more call. This one's from Ivan. Ivan, go ahead.
Ivan: Michael, I'm disabled and use a medical mobility scooter. Yesterday, while on the sidewalk, a wheel got stuck in a pothole, causing me to fall and sustain multiple injuries. Can anyone be held responsible for this?
Michael: Your situation is akin to that of a pedestrian stepping into a pothole and getting injured. Whether you’re on a bike, on foot, or in a wheelchair, the blame lies with those responsible for fixing the pothole. A man in an electric wheelchair contacted me with a similar case, and it turned out that a nearby store was responsible for fixing the sidewalk area. My lawyer sued the store owner, securing $300,000 for him from the store's insurance.
I want to remind you of my phone number again: 718 256 56 10, Michael Brooke. Call any time, day or night, any day of the week. Always keep my number with you as a talisman that protects you from misfortunes. If a friend or acquaintance encounters an issue, you can call me, and I'll ensure they connect with a lawyer to provide immediate advice on necessary actions.
If you can't find my phone number, search for Michael Brooke as one word — michaelbrooke.com, where all my contact details are available; you can even send messages directly from the website.
So, one last time: 718 256 56 10, Michael Brooke, available any time, day or night, any day of the week, ready to help. Injuries or fractures, Michael Brooke, head of the Bureau of Accident Investigation and Road Traffic Incidents, will connect you with experienced lawyers to secure maximum compensation for you.
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