Atlantic Beach Personal Injury Lawyer
Thousands of families head to Atlantic Beach each summer for a day of fun in the sun. The beach, located in the Town of Hempstead, is only open to residents, which means it is much less crowded than other beaches on Long Island. However, even without large crowds, accidents can happen. If you were injured at Atlantic Beach due to another person’s negligence, you deserve compensation.
The Hempstead injury attorneys at Goldstein & Bashner have been helping Long Island residents with accident and injury cases for over 25 years. Let us help you.
Types of Accidents at Atlantic Beach
It is important to be aware of the most common types of accidents that occur at Atlantic Beach. This knowledge could help you identify the root cause of your accident, including who might be to blame for your injury.
Slip and Fall Accidents: Beaches, like any other public place, have slip or trip and fall risks everywhere. Whether you are walking on the boardwalk or sidewalk, if you slip and fall from a dangerous condition at Atlantic Beach, you might be entitled to compensation. Common examples of dangerous conditions that warrant contact with an Atlantic Beach injury lawyer include:
- Loose planks on boardwalk
- Uneven or cracked walkways or pavement
- Slippery substances on the ground
- Snow or ice accumulation on walkways
- Broken handrails or fences
The Town of Hempstead owns Atlantic Beach, which means it is responsible for keeping it safe for visitors. If you were injured in a slip or trip and fall accident at Atlantic Beach, you may be able to hold the Town of Hempstead liable.
However, it is important to note that you can only file a claim against the Town of Hempstead if you can prove it knew of the hazard and did nothing to fix it.
For example, if the Town of Hempstead knew of the loose planks on the boardwalk and did nothing to fix them, you could hold it liable for any injuries those loose planks cause.
Car Accidents: Even in less crowded areas, people still need to get to the beach. For many visitors, that means driving. If you were involved in a car accident with another driver, or if you were injured by a negligent driver while you were riding your bike or walking next to the road, you might be entitled to compensation.
Assault: Not all injuries at the beach are accidents. Sometimes visitors purposefully injure other visitors. You may be able to recover compensation if another beachgoer purposefully injures you.
Drownings or Near-Drownings: Unfortunately, drownings and near-drownings are all too common at a beach. If you or someone you love was the victim of a drowning or near-drowning, you may be able to hold the Town of Hempstead liable.
Our Atlantic Beach personal injury attorneys will work with accident experts to determine all liable parties. Once we have determined who is responsible for your accident and injuries, we will get to work establishing why that party is liable.
Filing An Injury Claim
Filing a claim against a government entity is very different than filing against an individual. Before you even begin your claim, you must prove that the Town of Hempstead knew of the hazard and that it did nothing to remedy the situation.
Once you prove it had prior knowledge, you must then file a Notice of Claim. You have 90 days to file this Notice.
After filing, you must wait 30 days to commence your claim.
Filing against the government can be very stressful; you may have to sit through a deposition and answer questions about how the accident occurred. This deposition could lead you to accidentally admitting fault for the accident or downplaying your injuries, both of which could be disastrous for your claim.
Our Atlantic Beach injury attorneys will ensure that you do not do anything to jeopardize your claim, such as admitting fault or filing outside of the time limit (one year and 90 days from the date of the accident).
Proving Liability
There are several pieces of evidence that you should collect after an accident at Atlantic Beach. This evidence can help you prove that the at-fault party failed to uphold its duty to you (i.e., failed to keep the property in a reasonably safe condition, failed to drive safely, etc.). After an accident, you should collect:
- Contact information from eyewitnesses who can explain how the accident happened
- Photographs from the scene of the accident, especially those showing any dangerous conditions
- Surveillance footage from nearby stores or traffic cameras
- Your medical paperwork detailing your injuries from the accident
You should collect this evidence as soon as possible after an accident. If you need to go to the hospital, ask a friend to stay behind and take pictures or speak to eyewitnesses on your behalf. The Atlantic Beach personal injury attorneys at Goldstein & Bashner can also assist you with collecting important pieces of evidence.
Types of Damages You Could Recover
If you are successful in your suit, you could recover compensation for your injuries either through an out-of-court settlement or an in-court award. Full and fair compensation will cover:
- Your current and future medical expenses, including doctor’s bills, the cost of surgery, physical therapy, and medications
- Lost wages or decreased earning capacity from having to take a different type of job
- Pain and suffering
Contacting An Atlantic Beach Injury Lawyer
Do not let an accident change your entire life. We know how difficult it can be to make ends meet after a serious accident. The person at fault for your accident should be the one to pay for the damage it caused, not you. Let the Atlantic Beach personal injury attorneys at Goldstein & Bashner help you get the compensation you deserve.
Remember, if you think the government might be responsible for your accident, you need to act quickly before you lose your right to file a claim.
