New York Car Accident Lawyers

The experienced attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP, recognized as a leading car accident lawyer in New York, can help you and your family secure the compensation you need following an injury accident in New York. Automobile accidents in the city can lead to severe injuries and extensive medical bills. Allow our firm to review your case and explore your options to regain the stability lost because of your injuries.

Types of Auto Accidents in New York

Because of the numerous factors at play, vehicle crashes in New York can occur in many different ways. Car accidents occur frequently in the city, and traffic collisions or a motor vehicle accident are common outcomes of these incidents. The type of accident and subsequent damage usually depend on the positioning of the vehicles involved, the speeds at which they were traveling, and the particular conduct of the driver causing the collision. In our attorneys’ experience litigating New York accident cases, we have represented people injured in the following types of crashes, among others:

• Rear-end collisions: Rear-end collisions occur when one vehicle slams into the back of another, either because of inattention or following too closely.
• T-bone crashes: T-bone crashes occur when one driver runs a stop sign or red light, or when traffic lights malfunction, and crashes into a car traveling in another direction with the right-of-way.
• Side-swipe collisions: Side-swipe collisions usually happen when one driver loses control or swerves, turns, and collides with the side of another car.
• Rollover accidents: Rollover accidents involve higher speeds and more forceful impacts that send one or more vehicles into a rolling motion.
• Multi-car crashes: Multi-car crashes occur in a chain-reaction effect, where one car starts a series of crashes by forcefully slamming into another car or by blocking oncoming traffic after the initial collision.

Distracted driving, reckless driving and turning, and speeding accidents are leading causes of automobile accident and traffic collisions in New York. Our firm also handles hit and run accidents, which can be particularly challenging cases for victims seeking justice and compensation.

New York Auto Accident Injuries

According to recent data from the New York State Department of Health, the City of Manhattan and its surrounding county regularly see a large number of injury accidents. Every month in New York County (the county in which Manhattan is located), approximately three people die because of traffic-related crashes, 28 people are hospitalized, and 265 people are treated in an emergency department. Auto accident victims often require emergency care for their injuries, and many will require ongoing care, depending on the type and extent of their injuries. Seeking medical attention and obtaining prompt medical attention is crucial for car accident injuries and injuries sustained in a crash, as it ensures proper treatment and supports any future legal claims.

Parker Waichman LLP has advocated for people injured in the following ways because of Manhattan vehicle crashes:

• Bruises and abrasions
• Broken or dislocated bones/joints
• Burns
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Internal bleeding
• Emotional distress
• Death

What Compensation Can You Claim?

Each of these injuries affects victims in serious ways, including bodily harm, vehicle damage, and costly medical expenses. Injury victims may need to pursue an injury claim to obtain fair compensation for lost income, medical bills, and other damages resulting from the accident. Lost income due to time away from work adds to the financial burden.

All of the above types of accidents have the potential to result in serious injuries, some of which have lasting effects on the victims and their families. Property damage is also a common outcome, and liability often depends on driver negligence and identifying the at fault driver. Speed and force of impact play a significant role in the severity of injuries, frequently making the difference between walking away from the scene and spending a lifetime addressing injuries. Most car accidents are caused by negligence, and car accidents happen every day in New York due to a variety of preventable factors. Hire a New York car accident attorney to help you claim compensation.

New York’s No-Fault Law

In New York, if you are involved in a vehicle accident, you must submit a claim to your own insurance carrier for your economic losses. Under New York law, this process is governed by no-fault insurance, which requires drivers to seek compensation from their own insurer regardless of who caused the accident. Liability insurance is also mandated by New York law to cover damages to others in the event you are at fault. Regardless of whether you share zero blame for the accident and regardless of whether you were a driver or passenger, you are required under the No-Fault Law to work with your own insurance first. When you file a claim, your insurance company and car insurance companies process claims according to the insurance coverage requirements set by New York law, ensuring that policy limits and coverage types are properly applied.

Instead of arguing about fault in court and clogging the courts with countless car accident cases, this law is supposed to allow victims to take a more simplified approach and potentially see money faster. However, it is important to remember that it only applies to economic losses, like medical bills and lost wages. To recover for losses beyond that, like pain and suffering, accident victims may need to rely on bodily injury liability insurance and uninsured motorist insurance, which provide additional protection when the at-fault driver lacks sufficient coverage.

Common Injuries in New York

To recover for losses beyond that, like pain and suffering, you must meet what is referred to as the “serious injury threshold” within the law. Meeting this threshold requires identifying the at-fault party and understanding how New York law applies to your specific situation.

If you meet the serious injury threshold, you may seek damages in court. In such cases, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses through a personal injury lawsuit or litigation.

The serious injury threshold includes all of the following types of injuries:

• Bone breaks and fractures.
• Significant disfigurements.
• Loss of an unborn baby.
• Permanent limitation of the use of a body organ or body part.
• Significant limitation of the use of a body function or body system.
• Permanent limitation of a body part or body organ.
• Full or substantial disability for at least 90 days following the accident.
• Loss of life.

If you or a loved one was injured in one of these ways, you could be eligible to seek damages for your non-economic losses by filing a lawsuit in court against the driver who injured you. Looking at this list of injuries, though, it might not be readily ascertainable whether you meet the threshold and can file a lawsuit. This is where a skilled car accident lawyer in New York can help.

Why Should You Hire Us?

When you hire Parker Waichman LLP to represent you in your New York vehicle accident case, our car accident attorneys in New York will investigate your potential claims to the fullest extent and quickly provide you with your legal options. We can help you understand how and when to complete your obligations under the No-Fault Law and can determine whether you can seek non-economic damages in court. Contact Parker Waichman LLP today for a free, no-obligation consultation regarding your accident claim. Our seasoned New York lawyers are ready to help you discover the best actions for you and to ease the burdens placed on you and your family.

We have successfully litigated countless vehicle accident claims in New York, and we have seen a wide range of complex cases. Our car accident attorneys in New York have the well-developed knowledge that helps you handle the legal system to ensure a significant result. One specific and significant way your attorney can assist you is in understanding the New York no-fault law, how it applies to your accident claim, and what mistakes to avoid. If your crash occurred in one of the five boroughs, our New York City car accident attorneys offer focused representation tailored to the city’s unique traffic laws and legal process. Our firm also has extensive experience handling wrongful death cases resulting from car accidents.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP for Your Car Accident Injury Consultation

Statutes of limitations apply to all accident claims in New York, so do not delay in consulting with experienced counsel about your potential case. If you were or a loved one was injured in a car accident in New York, contact Parker Waichman LLP today for a free consultation by calling 800-968-7529. Our law firm can give you the compensation you deserve.