Car Accident Litigation in Federal Court

A car accident of any kind can cause you and your family significant hardship. Not only may your vehicle be severely damaged but serious personal injury can occur that leads to expensive medical and rehabilitation bills and even lost wages from time missed at work. That’s why it’s important to contact an experienced car accident attorney to help you during this difficult time.

Experienced personal injury attorney Ira M. Maurer has been helping people who’ve suffered serious personal injury through no fault of their own for over 30 years. When it comes to motor vehicle accidents, it’s critical to have an experienced litigator on your side to hold the responsible party liable and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering.

What you may not know is that there are certain circumstances in which your car accident can be filed in federal court. There are two basic bases for federal jurisdiction. The first is by statute. If a law provides for an individual or entity to bring a case in federal court, we call that federal question jurisdiction, which permits filing the matter in federal court. The other basis for federal court jurisdiction is when the plaintiff (party bringing the lawsuit) is from one state and all of the defendants are from another state. This is called diversity jurisdiction.

For example, if you have a car accident involving an out-of-state driver, such as a tractor-trailer driver, it’s in your best interest to hire a lawyer who will carefully consider the pros and cons of filing your lawsuit in federal court.

Attorneys who primarily practice law in state court often shy away from the demanding procedures in federal court and will tell you a state court jury will provide a larger verdict. However, after 36 years of practicing law, it’s clear to Mr. Maurer that if you have a good case, you will be able to get a jury verdict that is appropriate from a federal court jury. 

There are some distinct advantages to filing your car accident claim in a federal court, these include:

• The judges in federal court tend to come from strong legal backgrounds either as Assistant U.S. Attorneys or partners in large law firms. They are also not subject to the local political process where state court judges must repeatedly run for re-election, as federal judges are appointed for life
• The pre-trial procedures benefit an experienced plaintiff’s attorney who knows how to make use of the federal court procedures to prevent pre-trial tactics by defendants that are intended to obstruct and delay the legal process (for insurance companies, justice delayed equals money saved)
• Federal trial dates are set months in advance of the trial, which permits the attorneys to be thoroughly prepared for trial including scheduling all witnesses, including expert witnesses, for their trial testimony
• Federal courts tend to be much nicer and more comfortable (being comfortable during a 1-2 week trial can help you get through what will likely be a stressful experience)

If you or someone you love has been the victim of serious injury or fatality due to a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Attorney Ira M. Maurer has the experience, passion, and dedication you need on your side. Please contact the Maurer Law Firm, PLLC today by filling out the form on this page or by calling us at 845-896-5295 to schedule your free consultation. We proudly serve those who live in and near Fishkill, Myers Corner, Beacon, Legrangeville and other nearby areas of the Hudson Valley, New York.