Car Accident Lawyers in New York

Understanding Car Accidents

Hundreds of accidents occur every day in a large metropolis like New York. These accidents have different consequences, but their victims are united by the desire to quickly return to normal life and receive adequate compensation for the damage. The process of collecting compensation may not be simple and lengthy. Fortunately, professionals can effectively handle an accident case. These are New York car accident lawyers. They are fully committed to fighting for their client’s interests, allowing clients to recover from an accident with peace of mind.

What Do New York Car Accident Lawyers

New York car accident lawyers investigate accidents to determine the true cause and the share of fault of each party involved. They collect evidence and work with the police report, witness statements, and video materials from surveillance cameras. Accident reconstruction specialists and various medical experts are involved in the preparation of case materials. Lawyers assess the damage and prepare a claim.

Negotiations with the insurance company. Knowing all the tricks of insurance adjusters, lawyers can easily bypass them. This often allows the negotiations to be completed successfully and the client to receive the necessary compensation. There may be cases when, for some reason, it is not possible to resolve the case through negotiations and then it is sent to court.

In court, lawyers present the collected evidence and their version of what happened, with the reasons and those responsible. Show the extent of the client’s damages and try to convince the jury that the client’s claims are fair.

Therefore, having an experienced car accident lawyers in New York will help in cases where the insurance company offers too low compensation or injuries occur.

Qualities to Look for in New York Car Accident Lawyers

Experience
An important quality for any lawyer. It is not enough just to know local legislation. Lawyers in New York must be able to handle car accident cases: investigate an accident, negotiate with an insurance company, and represent the client’s interests in court. Each new case will add to the experience some skills, knowledge, and contacts of useful specialists. The accumulated experience will contribute to more effective management of subsequent cases.

Specialization
A personal injury lawyer’s specialization will be very helpful in car accident cases. Moving beyond the no-fault system requires proof of various injuries. This is where knowledge of personal injury law comes into play. It is compensation for injuries that will form the bulk of the claims.

Compassion
Clients turn to New York car accident lawyers not only to restore financial justice. Some people need to get a feeling of security, to understand that they are not alone in their struggle with the consequences of an accident. Experienced lawyers know how to listen, persuade, and provide moral support to their clients. In return, they receive positive feedback and “pluses for karma.”

How to Find Car Accident Lawyers in New York

Ask your friends, family, or co-workers to recommend car accident lawyers in New York they have used for help.

You can also get recommendations from other lawyers with whom you have worked. They will be able to recommend experienced car accident lawyers in New York.

Check out legal directories such as Avvo or SuperLawyers. Use search filters to find lawyers in your area.

Request information from the New York State Bar Association. They should have a database of licensed lawyers and be able to provide a list of suitable car accident lawyers in New York.

Local law firm websites can provide very useful information about their lawyers, their experience, and their accomplishments. Also, pay attention to customer reviews.

Attend an initial consultation, which most lawyers provide free of charge. At these consultations, you will be able to clarify questions about your case with lawyers and understand whether the lawyer is right for you.

Steps to Take After Car Accident

The consequences of an accident can vary, but in general, it is advisable to stick to a simple plan after an accident:

• if you are injured, seek medical help
• help other road accident participants get medical help
• move to a safe place to avoid getting into another accident
• call the police and wait for them to arrive at the scene of the accident
• notify your insurance company of the incident
• collect all possible information about the accident, such as photos of cars and road conditions
• exchange information with other participants in the accident
• save contact details of witnesses
• consult a car accident lawyer for advice.

Actions That Can Weaken Your Position After a Car Accident

Possible actions after a car accident may include harmful ones that should be avoided, such as:

Admitting guilt: is probably one of the most common erroneous actions. Report only the facts in conversations with the police, insurance company, and other participants in the accident.

Agreement for a quick settlement: Insurance companies work in their interests and often try to underestimate the level of compensation. Avoid a quick settlement without first consulting with a New York car accident lawyer.

Discussing your case on social networks: You should not discuss your case on social networks. All statements, ratings, or comments can be used against you.

Car Accident Compensations

In New York, you can claim compensation for economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damage usually includes all financial expenses that can be confirmed by checks or receipts:

• repair or replacement of damaged property
• current and future medical expenses
• rehabilitation costs
• lost wages
• decreased ability to earn money.

Non-economic damage is most often subjective:

• pain and suffering
• loss of consortium
• depression
• loss of pleasure from life.

Punitive damages are rarely awarded because they require proof of willful or wanton negligence by the at-fault party.

You Can Avoid a Car Accident Following Simple Recommendations

Follow the traffic rules: strictly follow traffic lights, and do not exceed the permitted speed limit.

Always be attentive: do not call or text, or eat or drink while driving.

Do not drive aggressively: keep a safe distance, all your maneuvers must be clear to other road users.

Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Call a taxi or use public transport.

Consider the weather conditions: increase the distance, reduce the speed, and turn on the fog lights.

Use only a car that is in good working order: undergo maintenance on time, and check the brakes and tires.

Data on Car Accidents in New York

According to the New York City Police Department, in the first five months of 2024, the following accidents occurred in New York:

Car Accidents that Most Often Occur in New York

According to information, from the New York City Police Department in New York from January to June 2024, the main causes of accidents were the following:

• disobey traffic control device
• speeding
• red light
• improper turn
• fail to yield the right of way to the pedestrian
• cell phone
• failure to signal
• bike lane
• unsafe lane change.

Common Car Accident Injuries

A huge variety of injuries can be sustained in an accident. They can be generalized into several categories:

Back and spine injuries: As a result of various types of collisions, overloads occur on the back and spine, leading to displaced discs, pinched nerves, and fractured discs. There are cases of disability.

Whiplash: A common injury to the neck’s soft tissues, it may not appear immediately and may have a long recovery period.

Limb injuries: These injuries are especially common in frontal collisions when parts of the engine compartment can damage the legs or cause excessive pressure on the arms or legs, which will be limited in movement by resting on the steering wheel or pedals. Dislocations, sprains, fractures, and even amputations are typical for such injuries.

Traumatic brain injuries: some of the most dangerous injuries. Can lead to serious consequences, including death. Hitting your head on objects in the car interior, such as the steering wheel, is enough.

Lacerations and burns: usually not critical, but sometimes there may be deep burns over a large area or deep cuts that reach blood vessels.

Features of the Legislation on Car Accidents in New York

New York has adopted a no-fault car insurance system. Your insurance should cover medical treatment and other damages. In New York, all drivers are required to have personal injury protection (PIP) as part of their auto insurance policy. PIP will be the primary source of compensation for medical expenses and lost wages following an accident, up to the policy limits. It is possible to go beyond the “no-fault” system, for this purpose the law defines “serious injuries”:

• death
• dismemberment
• significant disfigurement
• fracture
• fetal loss
• permanent loss of use of an organ, limb, function, or body system
• permanent indirect restriction of the use of an organ or system of the body
• a medical injury or impairment that limits normal daily activities.

New York uses a modified comparative negligence system. If a party is not entirely at fault for the incident, they may be entitled to compensation.

In New York, the deadline to apply for no-fault benefits is 30 days from the date of the accident. The statute of limitations for negligence claims is three years from the date of the accident.

Minimum insurance amounts in New York are:

• $25,000 for injuries to one person
• $50,000 for multiple injuries
• $50,000 for the death of one person
• $100,000 for multiple deaths
• $10,000 for property damage
• $50,000 in no-fault coverage per person
• $25,000 single injury and $50,000 multiple injury coverage for uninsured motorists.

New York Car Accident Lawyers FAQ