New York Car Accident Attorney
You’ve been in a car accident in New York, and you are going to need help. You could be facing serious injuries that require extensive medical care, and you might not be able to work for days or weeks at a time as you recover. The emotional toll of a collision shouldn’t be underestimated either, as many people develop anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder following a motor vehicle accident in New York.
All of these are significant losses that can impact your finances, day-to-day activities, and overall quality of life. There are legal options you can pursue, however. With New York car accident lawyers assisting you, it could be possible to obtain the compensation you deserve for what you’ve suffered.
New York laws are complex when it comes to collisions, however, because of the state’s no-fault doctrine. To be able to receive fair compensation, you need assistance from an experienced auto accident law firm. That is what we offer at Jacoby & Myers. Learn how our experienced New York car accident lawyers can assist you through this difficult moment in your life.
Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers, LLP as Your New York Car Accident Lawyer?
Jacoby & Meyers, LLP has been handling cases in New York and New Jersey for fifty years. Our New York car accident lawyers have fought for tens of thousands of clients who have gone through similar experiences as you. Every case is different, but the fundamentals are all the same.
We are in the business of protecting our clients’ rights and getting them the compensation they deserve. We work with you throughout the process, handling the legal aspects of your case while you focus on healing and recovery. We fight for our clients and negotiate with the mega-insurance companies that view your situation with as much compassion as numbers on a ledger.
Our New York car accident lawyers begin each case with a free consultation to give you a chance to share your experience and find out whether you have a claim. We know the financial strain you’re under, so we will never ask for any upfront fees.
How Our Law Firm Processes Car Accident Cases in New York
If we feel that we can help you, we’ll start investigating how the auto accident occurred and gathering evidence to demonstrate who was responsible for the crash. This is essential if your injuries are severe enough that you are allowed to pursue a personal injury claim. Our team will calculate all of your losses, including the emotional toll that the accident has had on you, and once we have put together a strong case, we can begin negotiating with insurance companies for a settlement.
We have decades of experience dealing with New York insurers and understand all of the tactics they rely on to minimize auto accident claims. We can aggressively advocate for you to help you obtain fair compensation.
Because our New York car accident lawyers also have experience with litigation, we can represent you in court if it’s impossible to reach a fair settlement. Our comprehensive legal services can make this tough moment a bit easier. You will have the full support you deserve as you navigate the claims process.
Fighting for the Compensation You Deserve After a Motor Vehicle Accident in New York
Though it is difficult to assign a monetary value to your pain and suffering, assessing what you will need to put your life back together after a traumatic event such as a car accident is important. Lost wages, rehabilitation, pain management, and surgeries might be in store for your recovery, which is expensive.
An attorney can help assess present and future expenses and help you weigh your options in the settlement process. An insurance company will only offer the least amount possible to save money at your expense. You still have the rest of your life to deal with the aftermath of an event that changed your life.
Our car accident lawyers can give you a better idea of what you can expect, settlement-wise, when you come to your free initial consultation.
Factors that Impact Auto Accident Settlement Amounts
When beginning a personal injury claim after sustaining serious injuries in a car accident in New York, a few factors can affect your settlement amount.
The Severity of Your Injuries
One of these factors is the severity of the injuries and how long they will take to heal. A car accident injury that leaves you with chronic pain or permanent loss of a body function is worth significantly more because you will have to deal with the consequences of the crash for the rest of your life.
The amount of medical care you will need is another factor. Will you need to take medications for the rest of your life or have a nurse assisting you with daily tasks? In those scenarios, your compensation must address those future expenses.
The Strength of the Evidence You Have
Another factor in these cases is the amount of evidence you have that establishes liability. Our New York automotive accident attorneys will gather as much evidence as possible, including:
- Medical records
- Accident reports
- Traffic camera footage
- Witness statements
- Photos and videos
- Expert testimonies
If there is clear and substantial evidence that points to the defendant as being the party that caused your injuries, insurance companies are more likely to settle for a fair amount. If the evidence is weaker, they may try to make low offers or dispute the liability altogether.
Your Percentage of Fault for the Car Accident
Often, a factor that seriously impacts your settlement is whether you were partly responsible for the accident. New York functions under pure comparative negligence laws. These allow you to be up to 99% responsible for the crash and still recover losses; however, the amount you receive will be reduced by your degree of fault.
Additionally, whether you have a car accident lawyer by your side will also play a role in the settlement you receive. New York insurance companies will be more likely to continue negotiating if there’s a lawyer involved. Without representation, you may not even know how much your motor vehicle accident claim could be worth.
New York and NYC Car Accident Statistics
According to the State of New York, on average, vehicle-related accidents kill 1.6 of every 100,000 New Yorkers. In 2023, there were 1,114 deaths in the state as a result of car accidents. There are 4,458 visits to the ER in motorcycle-related accidents, with 141 deaths per year on average.
Passengers account for 292 deaths per year, with 6,207 hospitalizations and 106,612 ER visits due to car accidents. Here are some of the most common places car accidents occur in New York:
- Interstates 81 and 87
- Hempstead Turnpike, Long Island
- Upper Broadway, Manhattan
- Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island
- Taconic State Parkway
- Henry Hudson Parkway
- Neptune Avenue, Brooklyn
- Niagara Falls Boulevard
New York City has numerous intersections that often experience collisions. These include 2nd Avenue and East 59th Street, and Tillary Street and Flatbush Avenue.
Types of New York Car Accident Cases Our Law Firm Sees Most Often
People are injured in all sorts of motor vehicle accidents in New York, and our car accident lawyers have experience in nearly all of them.
Here are just a few different types of vehicle accidents in New York and why they are important and require special attention.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycles represent freedom to many riders and a practical way of getting around for others. Due to their size, speed, and lack of design to protect the rider from collisions, motorcyclists are often at the mercy of their protective gear, such as helmets or leather. The sheer physics involved in motorcycle accidents can result in major injuries and often death or permanent disabilities.
Truck Accidents
Trucks criss-cross the country every day, bringing goods we need from source to store and back again. Trucks carry incredible amounts of weight but suffer from a lack of mobility, and due to their size, can be a hazard due to blind spots and needing more time to brake. Oftentimes, the drivers are under a lot of strain due to deadlines and long hours on the road, and self-medicate with substances to keep them going, which can affect their ability to safely handle a big rig.
When trucks are involved in accidents, the injuries sustained by others are often catastrophic, if not fatal. Truck drivers and the companies that employ them are responsible for safely handling their machinery on the road to protect the safety of other motorists. More often than not, accidents result from cutting corners or illegal activity to maximize profits, at your expense.
Rear-End Collisions
One of the most common types of accidents in high-traffic areas, congested cities, and even interstates, rear-end collisions are very dangerous because the injuries sustained can be very serious. Being struck from behind by another vehicle leaves the occupants vulnerable to serious injuries such as whiplash, broken bones, cuts, and even burns if radiators or fuel tanks are ruptured.
Hit and Run Car Accidents
Hit-and-run accidents are especially frustrating since you are left with the damages and injuries and very little idea of who to hold accountable. An attorney can help investigate the accident, following clues and evidence recorded in CCTV footage, witness statements, and other investigative methods to find those who are responsible and hold them accountable.
Uninsured Motorists
Insurance in New York is compulsory, but that doesn’t always mean someone who hits you in a car accident complies with the law. An attorney can help you with alternative solutions to getting the compensation you need through litigation.
Drunk Drivers
Drivers under the influence of alcohol cause a huge number of car accidents every year. The damages they cause are often significant, and you will need all the help you can get to recover those losses.
Distracted Driving
Similar to drunk drivers, distracted drivers who are paying more attention to their personal electronic devices have reduced reaction times and often cause intense damage in accidents. Rear-end collisions are very common in distracted driving accidents. Offenders need to be held accountable for their negligence on the roads.
Fatigued Driving
Drivers who are exhausted behind the wheel can struggle with coordination and reflexes, making them more likely to lose control of the car and cause collisions.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions often occur on one-way streets, leading to serious injuries because both vehicles are traveling toward each other, doubling the force on impact.
The Most Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
Because of the force of the impact and how a collision affects the human body, car accidents can be severe. At best, injuries might be minor, with some cuts and bruises, but in a worst-case scenario, you might face permanent disability, cognitive impairment, loss of motor function, and even death. Here are some injuries that are common in car accidents:
- Lacerations and bruises
- Internal injuries
- Burns
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Loss of limb
- Damage to eyes or hearing loss
- Death
Not all injuries are visible, however. You can sustain psychological trauma after a collision. For example, you can develop depression or anxiety, which impacts your moods and thought processes.
Some people find that they struggle with phobias related to driving or vehicles in general. In the most serious cases, it’s possible to develop post-traumatic stress disorder that could require extensive therapy and will impact your quality of life.
What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident
A lot will go through your head after a car accident. Here are some things to remember if you are in an accident:
Seek Medical Attention
Your safety is a priority. Make sure you are in a safe location without leaving the accident scene. If possible, pull your vehicle out of traffic, render first aid if necessary, and call 911. Wait for First Responders and try to remain calm.
Get emergency services to assess you right at the scene, if possible, to ensure you have not sustained injuries that the shock or adrenaline of the accident is masking.
Ask for a Police Report
You will need a police report to begin a car accident claim, so make sure law enforcement gets to the scene of the accident and offers as much information as possible regarding what happened.
Do Not Admit Fault
You are likely experiencing many emotions and struggling with the adrenaline rush that follows an accident. However, watching what you say to the other party and law enforcement is essential.
You are in a fight or flight state after an accident, and you should never admit fault in an accident. Your sense of judgment is skewed, and you could be mistaken. Law enforcement officers and attorneys can determine who the at-fault driver is during their investigation.
Document Everything
Exchanging information with the other parties is only the beginning. Use your smartphone to help you document the accident. Pictures of the other driver’s insurance card are a reliable way to collect information. Take pictures of the scene of the accident, both vehicles, and even record witness statements or gather contact information if relevant.
Your attorney can use all the information you collect to investigate the accident and even present it in court if it goes before a jury trial. Keep a record of all medical bills, repair expenses, receipts, and other costs related to the accident. Your car accident lawyer can use this information to negotiate your settlement with the insurance company in your personal injury case to recover compensation.
Alert Your Insurer
It’s also important to let your insurer know as soon as possible that you were in an accident, though you should refrain from making a detailed statement until you speak with an experienced car accident lawyer in New York.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
The sooner you contact an attorney to handle your car accident case, the sooner you protect your rights. An attorney can advise on how to proceed, observe deadlines, and attend meetings so you can focus on bigger priorities such as your health and recovery.
Remember not to delay in getting assistance from an attorney. There are timelines that you must respect when it comes to car accident claims. New York has a statute of limitations of three years for car accidents. Although that might sound like a significant amount of time, it can go by quickly if you’re dealing with severe injuries.
By hiring an attorney as rapidly as possible, you can ensure your claim is protected without needing to handle all of the legalities yourself. If you miss the deadline, you will not be able to obtain compensation.
Dealing with the Insurance Company After a Car Accident
When negotiating with an insurance company, you need to remember that the cost of recovering losses will quickly exceed your Personal Injury Protection insurance (PIP) and even what you are allowed to claim for damages to your property. Insurance companies usually have their best interests in mind when negotiating settlements and, more often than not, will lowball you in settlements without an attorney.
Here are some of the losses an attorney will work hard to get you compensated for in your insurance claim.
Medical Bills
From the initial ride in the ambulance to the ER or even the ICU, your time in the hospital will quickly accumulate a lot of expenses. Surgeries, rehabilitation, and follow-up visits with your doctor can add up. Depending on the severity of your injuries, treatment and recovery can cost into the hundreds of thousands of dollars and beyond.
Lost Wages
When you are in the hospital, you will miss time from work, making it even harder to keep up with the medical expenses and repair costs already mounting. If your vehicle was a total loss, you might even find yourself without transportation for a while. Lost time at work means lost wages and possible unemployment. An attorney can fight for lost wages and even loss of future earnings if necessary.
Recovery
Rehabilitation is a long, painful, and expensive process. You might have to endure physical therapy to get your health back on track or regain somewhat normal motor function. With that may come pain management and mental treatment to deal with the aftermath of the trauma you have survived.
An insurance company might try to offer a quick settlement, which would not consider these expenses.
Permanent Disabilities
If you have lost a limb or eye or struggle with cognitive disabilities due to an accident, you are facing an uphill battle that demands proper compensation. Everything can change instantly, and due to no fault of your own, you are left with figuring out how to get on with the rest of your life. Even though there is no way to put a price tag on a life-changing tragedy, an attorney can work with you to help you put your life back together.
Wrongful Death
A motor vehicle can often result in wrongful death, leaving you with hospital bills and dealing with losing a friend or loved one. Many survivors of car accidents find added burdens with the loss of family members who were integral to providing for their livelihood. Children are left without parents, and parents are often left with the loss of their offspring, which they might never recover from emotionally.
You should never attempt to negotiate with insurance companies without having a New York car accident attorney by your side. Although they may appear friendly, insurers will do everything they can to minimize your claim.
A common tactic that you can expect is for the insurer to make a fast offer. They know that you’re struggling with bills and dealing with pain, which can tempt you to accept the offer. Having an attorney protects you from these tactics, since they will have your best interests in mind.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer at Jacoby & Meyers, LLP About Your Car Accident Claim
If you suffered a car accident injury, you need a car accident lawyer with the experience and know-how to fight for you. Jacoby & Meyers, LLP has over 50 years of experience representing New York and New Jersey-based clients just like you.
Jacoby & Meyers, LLP has a nationwide reputation for helping our clients and offering straightforward language, secure access to your case files 24/7, and a team of attorneys and paralegals who fight for our clients’ rights and get results. We will go up against mega-insurance companies, state and local governments, big corporations, and powerful private citizens.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation to discuss your financial recovery. Our staff provides a personal touch and works towards solutions to help our clients get the compensation they need while they focus on healing and recovery.
Client Testimonials
“If it were not for the integral legal team of experts at Jacoby & Meyers I would not be where I am today with my recovery. I highly recommend hiring Jacoby & Meyers should you ever find yourself injured in an accident, and an individual or company needs to be held accountable for their negligence.” -C.J.
★★★★★
Check out some of our other reviews.
Jacoby & Meyers, LLP
39 Broadway Suite 1910,
New York, NY 10006
(877) 565-2993