Car Accident Attorneys in New York
Representing Car Accident Victims in all of New York
Our attorneys at Alex Yadgarov & Associates know how painful auto accident injuries can be. After you’ve gone through the stress of getting treated for your symptoms, you may also be wondering how to recover any lost items, or whether you may be entitled to compensation. This is why you need the best auto accident lawyers in New York. We are committed to relieving our clients’ stress through handling their cases and accommodating to their personal needs.
Call Alex Yadgarov & Associates for a free consultation at (718) 276-2800. Se habla español.
Reliable & Effective New York Car Accident Lawyers
Since 2009, Alex Yadgarov & Associates has made client care our priority when it comes to taking on car accident cases in New York. We offer our assistance in the language you feel most comfortable communicating in, whether it be English, Spanish, or Russian. We also do everything we can to help our clients receive compensation for their injuries.
If you have been the victim of an accident caused by a negligent driver, then our team of personal injury lawyers can help you navigate the complicated process of claiming compensation by:
- Conducting an unbiased investigation into the accident.
- Collecting sufficient evidence.
- Evaluate your injuries and losses in order to get you the right amount in compensation on your accident claim.
- Engage with local experts and specialists.
- Build a strong case to prove who was at fault for the accident.
- Negotiate with insurers so that you get the compensation you deserve.
- Filing a lawsuit for a personal injury claim if the insurance company refuses to pay.
Our auto accident attorneys in New York can help you get compensated for:
- Pain sustained from injuries
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Additional expenses such as rental cars and parking tickets
Injuries sustained from car accidents can be both physical and mental, and can include:
- Whiplash
- Head injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Broken bones
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Common causes of car accidents in New York
Auto accidents in New York are extremely common and can be caused by a number of reasons. Some of the more common causes of car accidents include:
- Drunk Driving - Drunk driving accidents are caused by drivers who are under the influence of either drugs or alcohol, and is a very common cause for auto accidents in New York.
- Distracted Driving - Many New York City car accidents are caused by drivers who are not paying attention to the road or their surroundings.
- Aggressive Driving - Speeding, tailgating, not yielding to traffic signals and ignoring road rules are the cause for many car crashes.
- Driver Fatigue - When drivers who are sleepy or fatigued get behind the wheel of a vehicle, this can be an extremely dangerous hazard for others. Those drivers who have not had any rest for over 24 hours should not operate a vehicle.
- Weather Conditions - Weather conditions play a major role in the increasing number of accidents, especially during winter and rainy months.
- Vehicle Failures - Vehicular malfunctions are another common cause of auto accidents in New York. In such instances, the manufacturer of the parts may be held liable for the accident.
- Hazardous Road Conditions - When road conditions are not up to the standard they are supposed to be in, it can cause extremely dangerous driving conditions. Serious accidents can be caused by untended potholes, debris on the road, or even non-visible signage.
Different Types of Car Accidents
There are many different types of car accidents in New York for which you will need a good personal injury attorney. These include:
- Head-On Collision - When two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide into each others’ front end.
- Rear-End Collision - When a vehicle crashes into another vehicle traveling in front of it.
- Side Impact Collision - When a vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle, such as at intersections.
- Broadside Collision - Also known as a T-Bone Collision, this type of accident occurs when a vehicle crashes perpendicularly into the side of another vehicle.
- Side-Swipe Accidents - When two vehicles that are driving parallelly crash into each other.
Who can be held liable when a car accident occurs?
A car accident could have devastating and often fatal results, and in the midst of all that is happening, you may be wondering who is responsible for your accident. This is where our team of personal injury attorneys can help you out. We will carry out a thorough investigation and gather the evidence that is needed to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve for the pain and suffering you have endured.
Whether it is locating witnesses or getting photographic or videographic evidence of the accident, we will always ensure that our clients’ interests are covered.
What is New York's "No Fault" Law?
When it comes to New York state car accident laws, drivers must remember that in most circumstances injuries incurred as a result of a car accident must first be paid for out of the injured driver's own insurance policy. While a lawsuit for property damage may be filed directly by an auto accident attorney in New York against the responsible party following an accident, in order for a personal injury suit to be filed against the responsible driver, the injured party must be able to prove that their injuries are serious.
What is Considered a "Serious" Injury in New York?
New York requires that in order for someone's injuries to qualify as "serious" and therefore allow for them to directly sue the responsible party, they must have experienced at least one of the following:
- Significant disfigurement
- Bone fractures
- Permanent limitation of use of a body organ or member
- Significant limitation of use of a body function or system
- Full disability for 90 days
What is meant by New York being a “Comparative Fault” State?
As a general rule, any claim following a car accident in New York is paid through the insurance company, and will vary according to your policy limits. However there can be instances where the cost of your losses or injuries may exceed your policy limits or your claim may be denied by the insurer.
In such instances New York State’s Comparative Fault rule comes into play. Under this rule, you may be able to claim compensation from anyone who is involved in the accident, which may include the driver of a vehicle, employer, pedestrian, manufacturer etc.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
In most cases, the statute of limitations on car accident lawsuits in New York is three years. In other words, you have until the third anniversary of your collision to take legal action against those responsible for your accident. If a loved one died as a result of the collision, you have only two years from the date of death to file a lawsuit. If you attempt to file a claim outside of this window, the court will likely refuse to hear your claim and you will be unable to recover compensation. It is important to note that these deadlines only apply to lawsuits; insurance claims typically must be filed within a few days of the collision to be eligible for coverage.
While this may seem like a long time, the reality is that investigating a car accident can sometimes take months on its own before you are ready to file a lawsuit. For this reason, it is crucial you get a car accident attorney in New York involved as soon as possible to give yourself enough time to build a strong case within the filing deadline.
What happens if you are blamed for the accident?
When an accident occurs and you are partially to blame for it, then the damages you can claim for can be reduced, and there have been many instances where the blame for an accident may be pinned on an innocent party.
This is another reason why you will need an experienced car accident attorney by your side. Our team will ensure that you are not wrongfully blamed for any part of the accident through our unbiased investigations. If you are at fault up to a certain degree, we will do our absolute best to minimize your part in the accident in order to get you the maximum possible compensation for your injuries.
If you’re unsure whether you qualify to receive compensation for your accident injuries, call us for a free consultation. We’ll travel to you so that you have one less thing to worry about. We proudly serve all of New York, including New York City & all other counties!
Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What to do following a car accident in New York
A: If you are ever involved in a car accident in New York, then here are some things you should do.
- Stay calm and assess the situation, and move away from the scene of the accident.
- Call 911 immediately and get in touch with the police and emergency services, and report the accident.
- If you are injured, seek medical attention right away.
- Exchange contact information with other drivers.
- If you are able to, take photographs of the scene of the accident and gather any other possible evidence.
- Notify your insurance company.
- Get in touch with a good personal injury attorney.
Following an accident such as this, it should be remembered that you should never at any given time, consent to any type of compensation offered by the other party or insurance company, and never sign any documents or contracts offered by another party to the accident. For your best interests, let an experienced car accident attorney in New York handle the negotiations for you.
Q: What if a car accident leads to death?
A: If you have been involved in a fatal accident by a negligent driver that caused the death of a loved one, according to law, you can file a wrongful death claim with the help of a reputed personal injury law firm. Our lawyers will help you navigate the complicated legal process of a wrongful death claim and help you get the justice that you and your family deserve.
Q: Will I have to go to court for my car accident case?
A: Possibly, but this is unlikely. The vast majority of car accident cases are resolved in the form of an out-of-court settlement negotiated between the involved parties and the insurance company. Generally speaking, your case will only go to trial (meaning you will have to appear in court) if there is a dispute over who is at fault for your accident, there is particularly complex case law that applies to your situation, or if the insurance company does not offer you a settlement amount that fully compensates you for your injuries.
Q: How much is my case worth?
A: Every car accident case is different, therefore it is impossible to put a dollar amount on your case without reviewing your situation in depth with a skilled auto accident attorney in New York. Generally speaking, your case's value will be influenced by factors such as the nature and severity of your injuries, the amount of available insurance coverage, and the strength of the evidence proving the other party's fault. Your New York car accident attorney can give you a rough estimate of the value of your case, but this does not guarantee a specific outcome.
Q: Do I still have a case if I was partially responsible for the crash?
A: Yes, you may still have a valid case even if you were partially at fault for your car accident. New York recognizes pure comparative negligence, meaning the court will determine each driver's percentage of fault and apply that percentage to any damages that are awarded. While some states place limits that restrict a plaintiff from recovering compensation if he or she is less negligent than the defendant, New York allows plaintiffs to recover compensation regardless of their share of fault. In other words, if you are found to be 90% at fault for causing an accident, you may still recover damages for the defendant's 10% of blame, though your recovery will be reduced by 90%.
Q: Do I really need a lawyer after a car accident?
A: If you were injured in the crash to the point where you had to miss work, school, or were otherwise prevented from engaging in your usual activities, it is in your best interests to hire an attorney. While there is no law requiring you to retain legal representation after a collision, the reality of the matter is that you are far more likely to recover the compensation you deserve if you have a skilled legal advocate by your side. An attorney can bring a number of benefits to your case, including thoroughly investigating the circumstances leading up to your car accident, gathering evidence, handling all communication and negotiations with interested parties (including insurance companies), and fiercely representing your interests at trial if necessary.
Q: How long will it take to resolve my case?
A: Every car accident case is different, therefore it is impossible to predict the specific timeline of your case. Car accident cases can vary in length from as little as a few months to as much as a few years depending on factors like the types of injuries involved, the extent of medical care required, the complexity of applicable case law, and whether or not the case goes to trial. Generally speaking, claims involving catastrophic or life-changing injuries such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage will take much longer to resolve than those involving comparatively minor injuries like whiplash.
Q: How much does a car accident lawyer cost?
A: The last thing you need after being injured in a car accident is to face hefty legal costs during your pursuit of justice. For this reason, most New York car accident lawyers, including the law office of Alex Yadgarov & Associates, accept cases on a contingency fee basis. In short, this means that your attorney will cover all upfront costs of taking on your case and will only be paid if they are successful in recovering a settlement or award on your behalf. This ensures your attorney's goals are aligned with yours and allows you to focus on your physical recovery with peace of mind as your case progresses.
Q: Should I accept the insurance company's settlement offer?
A: It is highly advised you do not accept any settlement offered by the insurance company until you have had a chance to consult with an attorney from our firm. Many insurance companies will offer a lowball settlement when you are most vulnerable in an attempt to quickly and cheaply resolve your claim. Our attorneys will be able to negotiate with the insurance company and pursue a settlement that fully compensates you for all past, present, and future losses related to your injuries.
Q: What happens if I am involved in an accident with or in a Rideshare vehicle?
A: Rideshare vehicles are those vehicles used by companies such as Lyft and Uber, and provide transportation services to their customers. When an accident occurs involving a Rideshare vehicle, it may be difficult to ascertain how a claim may be processed. The service provider company or the driver may be held liable for the accident, and you may be able to claim for medical expenses, pain and suffering etc. This is why you need an experienced auto accident lawyer in New York to handle your case and ensure that you get the maximum possible compensation for your losses.
Evidence is key in such cases, and it is important that you have the right documentation with you, such as a police report, medical records and witness statements. Such evidence will be important when making a claim under these circumstances and to ensure that you will receive compensation for your injuries and losses.
We Put You First
Because of the thought and dedication our lawyers put into each of our cases, we leave our clients feeling cared for – so much so, that we often receive return clients, as well as new clients who we’ve been referred to by former clients.
You don’t have to suffer from your injuries alone. Call Alex Yadgarov & Associates at (718) 276-2800 to receive assistance from our New York car accident lawyers.