Westhampton Beach Personal Injury Lawyer

New York has plenty of beaches for locals and tourists alike to visit. The Village of Westhampton Beach in the Town of Southampton has two beaches: Rogers Beach and Lashley Beach. Located in Suffolk County, these two beaches are open to residents. Non-residents can visit if they purchase a permit.

Visiting Westhampton Beach is a great way to relax and spend some time outdoors with your friends and family. However, a simple trip to the beach can easily turn disastrous. If you were injured at Rogers or Lashley Beach, speak to a Westhampton Beach personal injury lawyer from Goldstein & Bashner to discuss your legal options. An experienced law firm can assist in building a strong claim on your behalf and advocating for you throughout the legal process.

Common Types of Accidents at Westhampton Beach

To begin your claim, you must first determine who was responsible for your accident. In many cases, that will depend on the type of accident. For example:

Slip and Fall Accidents

Like any public place, the property owners of Westhampton Beach have a responsibility to keep the property reasonably safe. This means the beach must be free of dangerous conditions. Slip and fall accidents at the beach result from:

  • Potholes and cracks in sidewalks and pavement
  • Ice and snow accumulation on walkways
  • Debris, such as trash, in walkways and on the beach
  • Slippery substances on the ground
  • Broken hands rails and fencing

Liability will depend on who controlled the area. For example, fixing a crack in the sidewalk could be the responsibility of the local government or the property owner.

Assault

Property owners of places open to the public also usually have a duty to provide adequate security. If you are assaulted, robbed, or threatened with violence while visiting Westhampton Beach, the property owners may be responsible for your damages.

Of course, you can hold your assaulter liable as well.

Car Accidents

Unfortunately, car accidents happen. But that does not mean that you should have to pay for your own injuries if someone else caused your accident. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be able to hold the other driver liable for your injuries.

Determining who caused the dangerous condition that led to your injury can be difficult. In fact, more than one person could be responsible. Moreover, if you file your claim against the incorrect party you could lose your right to compensation.

Our Westhampton Beach personal injury lawyers can help you determine who is liable for your injury, that way you do not spend time and money potentially pursuing the wrong defendant. And if the local government is your liable party, we can also show you the steps and help you navigate the process as it is very different than filing against an individual.

Proving Negligence

Once you know who is responsible for the accident, you will need to legally establish that he or she is to blame for your injuries and, as such, should pay for the damages.

New York negligence law allows for such recoveries if you can prove that the defendant was negligent. Essentially, if you can prove that the property owner at Westhampton Beach failed to keep his or her property free from dangerous conditions or that he or she failed to warn you about a hidden danger, you can win your case.

Before filing your claim, you will need to collect several pieces of evidence, including:

  • Testimony and contact information from eyewitness to the accident
  • Police reports and statements from any emergency responders
  • Photographs of the dangerous condition at Westhampton Beach
  • Medical reports detailing the injuries that you sustained
  • Surveillance footage from any nearby stores or traffic cameras

A Westhampton Beach personal injury lawyer will know what evidence each type of injury case requires and will use it to build and win your case.

Determining the Value of a Claim

Every injury case is unique, so it is impossible to know for certain how much your case is worth. However, there are some general guidelines that you can use to estimate your damages. In most cases, injured parties can expect to receive compensation for:

  • Current and past due medical expenses
  • Foreseeable costs of future medical expenses
  • The cost of prescription drugs and other medications
  • Lost wages
  • Compensation for decreased earning ability
  • Pain and suffering

Regardless of whether you settle your claim in negotiations, mediation, or if you win your lawsuit, you are entitled to full and fair compensation for your injuries. The Westhampton Beach accident attorneys at Goldstein & Bashner will fight to make sure the responsible party provides you with this compensation.

Learn the Benefits of Working with a Westhampton Beach Personal Injury Lawyer

Not every trip to the beach is fun. If you or a loved one was injured while visiting Westhampton Beach in New York, contact a Westhampton Beach personal injury attorney to find out if you might be entitled to compensation. We will listen to your story and provide you with our honest opinion of your case.

Remember, there is a short time period to file a claim, especially if you think that a government entity might be to blame for your accident.

©2024, Goldstein and Bashner All Rights Reserved | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | "Captree Sunset" Photo Credit: Unique Images/Martin Losco