Have you been hurt in a car crash in New York City? If so, you should immediately prioritize finding an experienced New York City car accident lawyer. You could be owed significant compensation if someone else's negligence caused your crash; however, getting the money you're entitled to is not always simple or straightforward. You will likely have to deal with aggressive insurance companies that are looking to protect their bottom line by denying, delaying, or underpaying your car accident injury claim.
You deserve experienced legal representation to level the playing field and help you pursue the compensation you deserve for medical treatment and lost wages. The Perecman Firm, will provide the legal advocacy to make a difference in your case. For over four decades, our attorneys have helped thousands of people rebuild their lives after devastating car crashes.
When you turn to us for help after an auto accident, you can expect to be represented by an attorney with a proven track record of success at the negotiating table and in the courtroom. The members of our firm have been recognized for the results they have obtained by some of the most prestigious groups and publications in the nation, including Super Lawyers®, Best Lawyers in America®, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum®.
You shouldn't have to bear the physical and financial consequences of a wreck you didn't cause. If you have been injured in a car wreck in New York City, reach out to a car crash attorney in NYC from The Perecman Firm, today. You'll get a free initial case evaluation to discuss your legal options for obtaining fair and just compensation for the injuries you suffered in a car accident.
NO FEES
UNLESS WE WIN YOUR CASE
Why Trust Us to Handle Your Car Accident Claim?
Why trust the New York City car accident attorneys at The Perecman Firm, to fight to secure a maximum financial recovery on your behalf? We believe that our firm stands out in NYC for several important reasons, including:
- A proven track record of success in accident injury cases, with more than half a billion dollars recovered in compensation for our clients.
- Successful results on groundbreaking cases, many of which have resulted in improved laws and protections for injured accident victims.
- Decades of trial experience and extensive resources, including highly respected experts in various fields.
- A trusted and respected reputation in the legal community, leading to many firms referring their toughest cases to our team
- A personal approach to our work on your case, where our clients are our top priority. Let us pursue financial compensation for you while you focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
Proven Results: Our Motor Vehicle Accident Settlements and Verdicts
Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., has recovered over half a billion dollars for clients across NYC and the State of New York and hundreds of millions in compensation for car accident victims. Some examples of our results include:
- $5.4 million jury verdict for a woman who sustained serious injuries when her vehicle was struck by another vehicle and a jackknifed truck
- $2.8 million settlement for a passenger in a van who suffered a back sprain when his car was struck by oncoming traffic
- $1.8 million recovery for a client injured after rear-ending another vehicle
- $1.5 million verdict for a woman injured by a commercial tractor-trailer
- $1.25 million settlement for a passenger who suffered spine injuries in a car accident
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in New York?
Under New York's statute of limitations, you have limited time to file a personal injury case against the party responsible for the crash and your injuries. Typically, a lawsuit must be filed within three years from the date of a car wreck if the owner of the vehicle or the driver were private individuals and/or companies. The timeframe is significantly shorter if the owner and/or operator are public authorities, municipalities, or the State.
A New York City car accident lawyer from The Perecman Firm, can review your case and help you understand how long you may have to file suit on your claim. Don't wait and file your accident claim after the limitations period has expired on your claim. If you do, the suit will likely end up being permanently dismissed, and you may lose your right to hold the at-fault party accountable in court.
Stay Alert at These Busy New York City Roads and Intersections
According to the New York City Police Department, traffic accidents happen around the city at all times and days; an alarming 300 crashes are estimated per day! When driving through the different boroughs, keep in mind the following intersections and roads. These streets are frequent sites of accidents in New York City:
- Atlantic Avenue (Brooklyn)
- The intersection of Willoughby Street and Lawrence Street (Brooklyn)
- The intersection of Kingston Avenue and Sterling Place (Brooklyn)
- The intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Tillary Street (Brooklyn)
- The intersection of 2nd Avenue and East 59th Street (Manhattan)
- The intersection of Rivington Street and Clinton Street (Manhattan)
- 8th Avenue (Manhattan)
Our experienced car accident attorneys have researched other dangerous locations throughout New York here.
DEMANDING MAXIMUM COMPENSATION FOR YOUR INJURIES
After an auto accident, you may be able to recover financial compensation for medical bills and other expenses and losses related to your car accident injuries. At Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., we demand full compensation that provides NYC car accident victims with the recovery they deserve for:
- Costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation of your crash-related injuries, including ER and hospital bills, medical bills for follow-up care from your primary care physician, surgeries, pain medications, or physical and occupational therapy
- Long-term care expenses if you suffer permanent disabilities due to your injuries, which may include home health services, wheelchairs, and other mobility aids, or renovations to your home to accommodate your disabilities
- Loss of wages or income if you miss work during your recovery from the accident
- Loss of earning capacity or employment and retirement benefits if you are permanently disabled and cannot return to the workforce after the incident
- Physical pain and emotional distress from the accident, your injuries, and your subsequent medical recovery
- Loss of enjoyment and quality of life because of disabilities or visible scarring/disfigurement that interferes with your daily activities
NYC Car Accident Statistics
The New York Police Department regularly releases NYC collision reports outlining the number of accidents occurring on city streets every month. In a single recent month, 7,191 accidents were reported citywide.
It should come as no surprise that distracted driving accounts for a significant number of motor vehicle crashes in New York City. Driver inattention or distraction factored into at least 2,028 reported accidents — or about 28 percent of the total. Unsafe speed, failure to yield, improper lane usage, and passing too closely are other prevalent factors in injury and fatal car collisions in NYC.
How Many Car Accidents Per Day in New York City?
The number of car accidents on a given day in New York City largely depends on social, economic, and political circumstances. In the middle of the COVID pandemic, New Yorkers were encouraged to remain home, meaning fewer cars on the streets and fewer accidents – though the accidents that did occur were likelier to be fatal.
As city streets return to normal, movements like the city’s Vision Zero initiative aim to reduce the number of serious accidents, in part by educating residents about the dangers of traffic accidents and how to protect themselves. These and other factors mean accident statistics vary from day to day, month to month, and year to year.
Recently, the New York Police Department recorded over 134,000 accidents for the year. That amounts to nearly 2,536 car accidents per week and a staggering 376 car accidents daily.
New York Boroughs with the Highest Crash Record
In 2023, Brooklyn was the borough with the highest traffic accidents in New York City. Here are the five boroughs in descending order of total accidents:
- Brooklyn
- Queens
- Manhattan
- Bronx
- Staten Island
For the first portion of 2024, the order was:
- Brooklyn
- Queens
- Bronx
- Manhattan
- Staten Island
Brooklyn and Queens — respectively, the most and second-most populous boroughs — usually lead New York City in total motor-vehicle accidents. Due to its relatively large geographic size and small population, Staten Island typically records the fewest accidents out of all New York City boroughs annually.
Injuries from Car Accidents in New York City
The New York Police Department indicates that in a single recent month, at least 1,530 motorists and 1,017 passengers suffered injuries from car crashes. Five motorists and three passengers lost their lives.
News reports indicate that New York City saw a 44% increase in traffic-related deaths in the first quarter of a recent year relative to the previous year. Queens and Manhattan, in particular, have seen sharp increases in fatal traffic crashes. Data also indicate that the very young and the elderly make up a significant portion of those killed in motor vehicle accidents in the city.
Statewide, data from the New York State Department of Health indicate that there are an average of over 12,000 hospitalizations annually due to traffic accident-related injuries.
Common Causes of Car Crashes in NYC
In a busy city like NYC, some of the most frequent causes of car crashes include:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Aggressive driving and road rage
- Reckless driving, including swerving through traffic or racing
- Turning or changing lanes without signaling or checking mirrors
- Failing to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic
- Running red lights or stop signs or disregarding other traffic controls
- Distracted driving, especially cell phone use while driving
- Drunk driving
- Drowsy or fatigued driving
- Nighttime driving
- Inexperienced drivers
- Unfamiliarity with local roads, including going the wrong way down one-way streets
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance
- Poor road conditions, including ice, debris, or potholes
Our Personal Injury Law Firm Tackles the Toughest Car Accident Injury Claims
At The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., our attorneys focus their practice on handling the most difficult car accident claims. In these cases, our clients have sustained catastrophic injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputation
- Herniated discs, spinal cord injury, and paralysis
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage and bleeding
- Facial injuries and scarring
- Loss of hearing or sight
- Loss of body parts or bodily functions
- Burns from vehicle fires
- Nerve damage
NO FEES
UNLESS WE WIN YOUR CASE
Common Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
Our legal team has the knowledge and resources necessary to handle car accident claims with a wide variety of legal and procedural complexities. Turn to us for experienced legal help with car accident cases involving:
- Trucks and commercial vehicles
- Uber/Lyft accidents
- Limousine and livery accidents
- Taxi accidents
- MTA and other public transit accidents
- NYPD and city vehicle accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Uninsured accidents
- Underinsured motorist claims
- Car fires due to wrecks or defective products
How Our New York City Car Accident Attorney Can Help You
The experienced New York City car accident lawyers of The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., can help you recover full, fair, and just compensation in your motor vehicle accident case. Ways we can help you by:
- Investigating the crash to secure evidence that we can use to build your car accident case
- Reviewing your rights with you and explaining what you can expect at every stage of the claims process
- Collaborating with accident reconstruction experts to review the evidence and persuasively explain what happened in the crash and who should be held responsible for your injuries and losses
- Identifying potentially liable parties and sources of compensation, including applicable insurance coverages and their policy limits
- Documenting your injuries, including bringing in medical or vocational experts to give their opinions about permanent disabilities you may have sustained
- Calculating your past, ongoing, and future losses and expenses to ensure we pursue maximum compensation on your behalf
- Filing insurance and legal claims with the at-fault parties and their insurers to begin settlement negotiations that can provide you with fair financial recovery as efficiently as possible
- Litigating your case if that becomes necessary to fully pursue your legal options for recovering the compensation you need and deserve
Get Answers to Your Car Accident Questions
What should I do if I am involved in an accident?
It’s always important to report your accident to the police, no matter how minor it may have been. You should also go to the hospital or a doctor right away as there are many injuries not immediately obvious due to shock and spasm. Make sure to write down the contact information and names of witnesses to the crash and get a copy of the other driver’s information form from the police officer at the scene. If possible and safe, take pictures of the damage to the vehicles and scene of the accident. You should also contact your insurance company to inform them of the collision.
Should I report the accident to my insurance company?
If you do not report the accident in a timely manner, the insurance company may deny payment of any claims you file subsequently. You must file an application for no-fault benefits with the appropriate insurance company within 30 days of the date of the accident. If you are a driver or passenger, this would be the insurance company of the vehicle you were in. If you are a pedestrian, this would be the insurance company of the vehicle that struck you.
When will the insurance company get back to me?
New York law requires insurance adjusters to acknowledge receipt of your claim within 15 business days. They must also start an investigation within 15 business days. Once they complete their investigation, they have 15 days to notify you of whether they are accepting or denying liability.
Do I have to let my insurer know about the accident if the accident was not my fault?
Yes, you need to inform your insurance company of the accident even if you weren’t at fault, especially for your claim for no-fault benefits which must be filed within 30 days of the date of the accident.
What kind of coverage is my insurer required to provide?
New York is a no-fault automobile accident state. That means your insurance company is required to pay for your medical expenses (up to a certain amount), depending on the policy you purchased. Certain limited lost wages may also be covered. If your accident and injuries were caused by someone else, you may also have grounds to bring a civil claim against the at-fault party to recover additional losses such as pain and suffering and full medical expenses and lost earnings.
Do I still have a case if I received a traffic citation stating I was the cause of the accident?
If the accident was not completely your fault, you can still recover damages from the other driver for the portion of the accident that was his or her fault. New York allows injured parties to bring claims against others even if they were partially at fault. Discuss your case with an attorney to learn more about your rights.
Will I be able to file a personal injury claim for my auto wreck?
That depends. Auto accident cases are fact specific and the unique circumstances surrounding your accident must be evaluated by a qualified attorney in order to assess the merits of any potential claim. Generally, victims injured by negligence have the right to bring claims against the party or parties they allege to be at fault. However, New York requires those seeking compensation for pain and suffering in an auto accident to prove they suffered a “serious injury” as defined in the Insurance Law in the State of New York. Our attorneys can review your case and discuss if you have grounds to bring legal action.
What is a considered a “serious injury” under New York No-Fault Insurance law?
In order to receive compensation for pain and suffering from a motor vehicle accident in New York, must prove that you suffered a serious injury under New York law, which must be one of the following personal injuries that result in:
- Death;
- Dismemberment;
- Significant disfigurement;
- A fracture;
- Loss of a fetus;
- Permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function or system;
- Permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member;
- Significant limitation of use of a body function or system; or,
- A medically determined injury or impairment of a non-permanent nature which prevents the injured person from performing substantially all of material acts which constitute such person’s usual and customary daily activities for not less than ninety days during the one hundred eighty days immediately following the occurrence of the injury or
An experienced and knowledgeable New York car accident lawyer will be able to explain whether you have a serious injury under New York law.
Who can I hold responsible for my car accident?
That also depends on the individual facts of your case. Generally, personal injury claims are brought against the individuals and/or entities whose negligence more likely than not caused your injuries. While an attorney can help identify potentially liable parties in your crash, here are some examples:
- A negligent driver who violated traffic laws or otherwise failed to safely operate their vehicle
- A commercial trucking company that hired unfit drivers or failed to comply with regulations
- Automakers or product manufacturers responsible for defective products
- Municipal entities responsible for collisions involving public transit
- Premises owners responsible for unsafe road or property conditions
- Drinking establishments that overserved intoxicated drivers (dram shop law)
- Municipal entities that caused your accident due to a negligently designed roadway
Contact Our New York City Car Accident Lawyers Today
Contact The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our New York City personal injury lawyers will be ready to discuss your crash and how we could help you seek the fair and just compensation you need and deserve.