New York Car Accident Lawyer Fighting for Maximum Compensation

Representing Car Accident Victims in all of New York

Injured in a crash? A trusted New York car accident lawyer can make all the difference. If you have been hurt in a car accident in New York, you already know how fast things can spiral. The medical bills don’t wait, the insurance company starts asking questions, and suddenly, your entire lifestyle has changed to the point where your future can feel uncertain. You deserve professional help from a car accident lawyer who can get you both compensation and clear guidance on the steps to take at each stage.

At Alex Yadgarov & Associates, we have 15+ years of combined experience helping people across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island recover financially after car accidents. To us, your case is not only about filing paperwork. We advocate for you and investigate as required so you can focus on your recovery with a stress free mindset.

You pay nothing unless we win. Let’s start off with a free initial consultation. It will cost you nothing to learn your rights, but it could cost you everything if you wait too long as there’s a statute of limitations. Reach out today to see if you stand a chance for justice and compensation.


What You Need to Know About New York Car Accidents

Car accident statistics in New York indicate that approximately 3.1% of New York drivers are involved in a crash every year. When you are driving in one of the busiest and most congested urban areas in the country, staying aware of how to reach out to a professional car accident lawyer who can provide immediate guidance in the case of an automobile accident is essential.

Out of all the NYC boroughs, Brooklyn and Queens usually report the largest number of car accidents. For example, statistics from 2022 indicate that 32,788 collisions occurred in Brooklyn alone in 2022. Brooklyn holds over 2.5 million residents, resulting in a large number of cars on the streets. Another reason for Brooklyn’s high accident rate is the fact that major roadways such as Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and Atlantic Avenue run through this borough, leading to high traffic volumes.

Car accidents in New York also involve pedestrians, cyclists, and multi-vehicle pileups. The most common car accident types in New York are rear-end collisions and left-turn crashes at intersections. Most of our clients claim compensation for car accident injuries such as the following:

  • Concussions and brain injuries
  • Back and spinal injuries
  • Broken bones and internal bleeding
  • Emotional trauma and PTSD
  • Missed work and lost income
  • Long-term rehabilitation needs

If you are someone who frequently drives in New York, staying aware of how car accidents happen in this area can help you to avoid them in the future. Based on what our clients have experienced, they required our accident lawyers’ support as a result of:

  • Distracted driving (texting, GPS use)
  • Speeding in congested areas
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Failure to yield to pedestrians
  • Aggressive driving, road rage
  • Driving under the influence

Sometimes, you may be partly responsible for the car accident. The New York law still allows you to pursue compensation under the pure comparative negligence law. This means if multiple parties share fault, you can recover damages by an amount that’s reduced by your percentage of fault with the support of a trusted New York car accident lawyer.


What is New York’s No-Fault Insurance System?

If you have been injured in a car accident in New York, one of your biggest concerns would be money. Having to pay unexpected medical bills while losing wages is stressful and does not help with healing. But not to worry, New York is a no-fault insurance state, which means your own insurance policy will cover certain damages, regardless of who caused the accident.

Important: The written notice of a no-fault claim must be submitted within 30 days of the car accident and any medical bills must be submitted within 45 days. Your lost wage claims should be submitted in a period of 90 days.

In addition, keep in mind that not all medical offices accept no-fault insurance. Before seeking medical care from a doctor, get your New York car accident lawyer to check if your medical visits will be covered by no-fault insurance.


Types of No-Fault Insurance Coverage in New York

New York’s no-fault insurance law includes two forms of coverage: PIP and MVAIC. The most common type of no-fault insurance in New York is personal injury protection (PIP). PIP is provided by your own auto insurance company to cover:

  • Up to $50,000 per person in medical expenses
  • 80% of lost wages, up to $2,000 per month for a period of 3 years
  • Valid out-of-pocket costs (e.g., transportation to medical appointments)
  • A $2,000 death benefit to survivors

However, PIP does not cover:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Property damage such as vehicle repairs
  • Injuries that exceed the $50,000 cap
  • Claims against negligent third parties

You should be aware of MVAIC (Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation) coverage if you are hit by an uninsured or unidentified (hit-and-run) driver. MVAIC is state-backed medical coverage for complicated car accident situations. Your car accident lawyer in New York will know whether you should pursue PIP or MVAIC insurance.


Denied No-Fault Insurance? What Happens Next?

Once your insurance company has received medical bills, insurance agents are highly likely to audit your claim for legitimacy and require you to attend an IME. An IME is the Independent Medical Examination conducted by a doctor representing the insurance company to verify your car accident injuries. If you fail to attend a scheduled IME, you may be denied reimbursement for treatment expenses.

Although New York’s no-fault insurance system was introduced to simplify the claims process in theory, in practice, the no-fault process has become frustrating due to insurers attempting to cut off benefits via IMEs. Car accident victims don’t have the time or the health to manage insurance red tape. Our clients have come to us with complaints on how claiming no-fault insurance is a challenge for them due to these reasons:

  • Claims being delayed or denied frequently by insurance companies
  • Having to deal with paperwork and deadlines
  • Struggles of reimbursing medical fees
  • Having to attend IMEs

Our car accident lawyers have worked with a large number of clients across all New York boroughs and can negotiate with your insurance company to avoid claim denial. Even if your no-fault insurance claim is denied, you still have options to challenge the denial and fight for your rightful compensation by:

Requesting arbitration

This process is less expensive and faster than filing a lawsuit. When you challenge a denied no-fault claim through arbitration with the American Arbitration Association (AAA), a neutral arbitrator will review the case without a jury or courtroom appearance.

Filing a lawsuit

If arbitration isn’t successful or appropriate for your situation, you may also file a civil lawsuit against the insurance company for breach of contract or bad faith denial. This route is more time-consuming but may be necessary if the insurer acted improperly. Our car accident lawyers will help you decide whether this is the best route to take.

Appealing within the insurance company

Sometimes, a simple internal appeal to the insurer with additional documentation or legal support can reverse the denial without needing formal arbitration or a lawsuit. However, you need to bring in an experienced New York car accident lawyer to your case from the beginning to get this done successfully.


Why Legal Guidance Matters for Claiming No-Fault Insurance

A skilled New York car accident lawyer can:

  • Review the denial letter and identify flaws
  • Help prepare a strong arbitration case
  • Handle appeals and legal filings on your behalf
  • Make sure you don’t miss critical deadlines


Don’t let a no-fault claim denial stop you. Let’s fight it together.

If your no-fault claim has been denied or delayed, don’t go up against the insurance company alone. Our experienced New York car accident lawyers know how to challenge unfair decisions and get you the benefits you’re entitled to.

Get a free consultation at 866-995-9035. Se habla español.

What if the Other Driver Was At Fault? Can You Still Sue?

While it’s true that New York is a no-fault state, you can sue the at-fault driver in certain situations. Yes, it’s more work, but we encourage our clients to sue if their injuries meet what the law calls a “serious injury threshold”. No-fault insurance limits your ability to file a personal injury lawsuit.

What qualifies as a “serious injury” in New York?

Under New York Insurance Law § 5102(d), a serious injury includes:

  • Significant disfigurement
  • Bone fractures
  • Permanent limitation of use of a body organ or member
  • Significant limitation of use of a body function or system
  • Loss of a fetus
  • Dismemberment
  • Death
  • An injury that prevents you from performing your usual daily activities for at least 90 of the first 180 days following the accident

If your injuries meet any of these criteria, you may be entitled to pursue a personal injury claim outside the no-fault system. Don’t make this decision on your own. A professional car accident lawyer at Alex Yadgarov & Associates can offer free advice at an initial consultation on whether you should file a personal injury lawsuit.

Suing the at-fault driver allows you to seek full compensation not just for medical expenses and lost wages, but also for:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Other long-term damages not covered by PIP


Evidence Needed to File a Personal Injury Claim for a New York Car Accident

If you are thinking of filing a personal injury claim, that means you are stepping outside the no-fault system to prove that the other driver was negligent. A skilled New York car accident attorney will gather strong evidence that supports your claim. You will be needing the following types of evidence from your car accident:

  • Police Report: Official crash reports contain details like citations, fault assessments, and officer observations that are useful for your case.
  • Eyewitness Testimony: Third-party accounts can validate your version of events and support a fault claim.
  • Photos and Video Footage: Images from the accident scene, skid marks, property damage, traffic light status, and surveillance camera footage can provide objective context.
  • Medical Records: These reports are needed to demonstrate the seriousness of your injuries and their connection to the car accident.
  • Expert Opinions: Accident reconstruction specialists and medical professionals provide testimony to clarify how the crash occurred or how injuries will affect your life.
  • Vehicle Damage Reports: Details of the damage can help determine the angle and force of the impact.

The sooner your car accident lawyer can begin investigating the accident, the better. Surveillance footage can be erased, road conditions change fast in New York, and witnesses’ memories fade. If you act fast, there’s a high chance of preserving important evidence for your case.


What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in New York

Figuring out what to do right after a car accident is not easy considering how chaotic and overwhelming it is. But how you react in those first few hours and the days to follow can impact your car accident case. Here’s a step-by-step guide that every driver in New York should know:

Call 911 immediately.

Your safety should be the first priority. If anyone is injured, you should be calling the police right away. When the police arrive, they will secure the scene and create an official accident report. This report is useful if you need to file a personal injury lawsuit in the future.

Document the scene.

If you are physically able and the accident scene is safe, you can start gathering evidence on your own. Take wide-angle and close-up photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks, license plates, and injuries. Before the vehicles are moved, try to capture their positions as well. You can also collect names and contact details of witnesses and note down what they have to say while their memory is fresh.

Seek medical attention.

Even if you feel fine, have a consultation with a medical professional. There are two main reasons to do this. Firstly, some injuries such as internal bleeding and soft tissue damage don’t show symptoms right away. Secondly, a doctor’s medical report is necessary documentation to support your personal injury claim.

Notify your insurance company.

New York is a no-fault state. So, you’ll start off with a no-insurance claim through your own insurer no matter who caused the crash. But be careful with what you say. Anything said can be used to minimize or even deny your benefits. It’s better to consult a trusted New York car accident lawyer before providing a recorded statement or accepting a settlement. Insurance agents negotiate to lowball your settlement as much as possible.

Contact a New York car accident lawyer.

The sooner you consult an experienced accident attorney, the sooner they can protect your rights. Evidence is time sensitive and filing no-fault insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits comes with strict deadlines. It's normal to feel doubtful about getting legal help since you can’t be sure as to whether you’ll benefit from it. But there’s no risk in reaching out. We offer a free initial consultation and only get paid when we win your case should you decide to let us help you get the compensation you deserve.


What Damages Can You Recover After a Car Accident in New York?

If someone else’s negligence caused your crash, a New York car accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for different types of damages via no-fault insurance as well as personal injury law. Here’s a breakdown of damages you may be entitled to:

Medical expenses

Your no-fault insurance can cover up to $50,000 in PIP. However, in serious injury cases, your medical costs can far exceed that. You may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Emergency room treatment
  • Surgeries and hospitalization
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation
  • Prescription medication
  • Future medical care related to your injuries

Lost wages and reduced earning capacity

If you missed work due to your injuries or can no longer perform your job as you once could, you can claim:

  • Lost wages for missed time
  • Loss of earning potential if your injuries are long-term or permanent
  • Loss of employment benefits or retirement contributions

Our car accident attorneys also work with vocational and economic experts to estimate the total impact on your future income.

Pain and suffering

This includes the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by your injuries. These damages are not easy to measure without the expertise of well trained car accident lawyers who are familiar with car accident injuries in New York. Examples of pain and suffering include:

  • Chronic pain
  • Permanent disfigurement or disability
  • Emotional trauma (e.g., PTSD, anxiety, depression)

Property damage

You can seek compensation for the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and other personal belongings damaged in the crash via a personal injury claim. Compensation can be sought for properties such as:

  • Phones
  • Laptops
  • Child car seats
  • Wheelchairs or assistive devices

Out-of-pocket expenses

Even small costs add up. You can seek reimbursement for:

  • Transportation to medical appointments
  • Prescription drugs
  • Medical equipment (crutches, braces, etc.)
  • Home or vehicle modifications for mobility

In rare cases where the reason behind the car accident is drunk driving or reckless speeding, you may also be awarded punitive damages. These damages punish the at-fault driver in order to prevent similar behavior in the future.

Calculating damages after a car accident is not just about adding up bills. Some damages are measurable while others aren’t. At Alex Yadgarov & Associates, our skilled New York car accident lawyers are capable of assessing your case accurately by evaluating how your injuries have affected your body, your mind, and your ability to earn. Our goal is to fight aggressively as needed to get you compensated fairly.


How Is Fault Determined in a New York Car Accident?

Even though New York follows a no-fault insurance system, fault still matters. How fault is determined is particularly important if you want to pursue compensation via a personal injury claim. Let’s understand how fault is assigned and how it affects your car accident case in New York:


Quick Recap on New York’s No-Fault Law

After a car crash in New York, your own insurance covers medical bills and lost wages, no matter who was at fault under Personal Injury Protection (PIP). But this coverage is limited. If your injuries are “serious” as per New York Insurance Law (§5102), you can step outside the no-fault system and sue the at-fault driver.


Comparative Negligence in New York

By now, you are familiar with how the no-fault insurance system works. Let’s say you are partially responsible for the accident and still want to file a personal injury claim to recover damages that aren’t covered by PIP. This is where the pure comparative negligence rule applies.

This means you can recover damages, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total $100,000, but you are found 20% at fault for the crash, you can still recover $80,000.

This system allows for more fairness, but it creates opportunities for insurance companies to blame you and reduce their payout. That’s why having a seasoned New York car accident lawyer negotiate with insurance agents for you is essential. Our accident attorneys push back against unfair blame-shifting tactics used by insurance companies.


Common Scenarios Where Fault Is Clear

Some accident cases in New York are extremely complicated due to the high traffic density in the area. Fortunately, if your car accident is straightforward, then determining fault is not too challenging. Examples of common scenarios where fault is clear in NY car accident cases include:

  • Rear-end collisions: The rear driver is almost always at fault.
  • Left-turn accidents: The turning driver is liable unless the other vehicle was speeding or ran a red light.
  • DUI crashes: Drunk drivers are usually negligent.

If you have been seriously injured in a car accident in New York, the insurance company is not on your side. They are looking to minimize how much they pay. Finding a skilled car accident lawyer who can prove fault is the first step toward full compensation.


How Much Does a New York Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

If you are recovering from a car crash, medical bills and lost wages are causing enough alarm as it is. Most accident victims hesitate to consult a car accident attorney in New York due to legal bills. The good news? Car accident lawyers in New York, including our team, usually work on a contingency fee basis. That means:


You don’t pay anything upfront. Our accident lawyers get paid only if we win your case.

A contingency fee is a percentage of the compensation you receive through a settlement or court award. In New York, this percentage is usually one-third (33.33%), although it can vary slightly depending on the case type or firm.

This one-third fee will cover the following legal services:

  • Case investigation and evidence gathering
  • Filing documents and court costs
  • Negotiating with insurance companies
  • Hiring expert witnesses when needed
  • Preparing for trial

At a reputable law firm like Alex Yadgarov & Associates, we maintain transparency on our fee structure. During your free consultation, we’ll explain:

  • What percentage applies to your case for contingency-based fees
  • Whether any litigation expenses would be deducted separately
  • How expenses are handled in your case doesn’t win compensation (you’ll owe us nothing in this case)

So you don’t need to lose money when hiring a powerful New York car accident lawyer. With contingency-based fees and no upfront costs, justice is accessible to anyone.


Ready to get the compensation you deserve? Let’s talk.

Speak directly with a trusted New York car accident lawyer today. We’ll review your case for free, explain your options, and you won’t owe us a cent unless we win.

Get a free consultation at 866-995-9035. Se habla español.

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