New York City Car Accident Lawyer (2024)

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If you’ve recently been injured in a car accident in New York, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact our New York City car accident attorneys at Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers at (212) 514-5007 for a free case review.

For more than 40 years, the legal team at Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers, has been advocating tirelessly on behalf of car accident victims just like you. We’re ready and willing to help you stand up to insurance companies and fight to maximize your recovery.Simply give our Wall Street law offices a quick call or connect with us online to get started.

New York City Car Accident Statistics

New York City is home to more than 8.4 million people. So, it’s no surprise to learn that NYC has some of the most congested roads in the nation – and the world.

Jam-packed roads can, and often do, lead to traffic accidents. And New York has its fair share of collisions. In fact, in 2023, NYC averaged more than 259 motor vehicle accidents every single day.

Here’s a breakdown of car accident statistics for New York City in 2023.

Total Collisions in New York City

NYPD crash data reveals that there were 94,657 car accidents in NYC in 2023. This was a decrease from 2022 – that year, 100,511 motor vehicle crashes were reported.

Brooklyn and Queens typically had the most collisions, while Staten Island saw the fewest.

The month of February had the fewest number of accidents (6,696), while crashes peaked in May (8,668).

Injury-Causing Collisions in New York City

Out of the 94,657 reported collisions in NYC, 53,095 resulted in an injury, as follows:

• 23,032 injured motorists
• 16,434 injured passengers
• 4,842 injured bicyclists
• 8,787 injured pedestrians

There was a 5.8% increase in the number of crash injury victims between 2022 and 2023.

Fatal Collisions in New York City

In 2023, there were a total of 235 fatal car accidents in NYC.

The breakdown of these deadly crashes is as follows:

• 89 motorists
• 38 passengers
• 22 bicyclists
• 86 pedestrians

While the number of auto accident injuries increased from 2022 to 2023, the number of fatalities decreased. In 2022, 259 people died in fatal collisions.

Which Roads and Intersections in NYC Are the Most Dangerous?

While car crashes happen throughout NYC, research suggests that there are parts of the city that tend to see more collisions than others.

Notably dangerous roads and intersections in the city include:

• Ludlow Street and Rivington Street (Manhattan)
• Tillary Street and Flatbush Avenue (Brooklyn)
• 2nd Avenue and East 59th Street (Manhattan)
• Bushwick Avenue and Jamaica Avenue and the Jackie Robinson Parkway (Queens)
• East 138th Street and Alexander Avenue (The Bronx)
• 6th Avenue & West 23rd Street (Manhattan)
• Jay Street & Tillary Street (Brooklyn)
• Atlantic Avenue & Bedford Avenue (Brooklyn)
• 3rd Avenue & East 14th Street (Manhattan)
• Chrystie Street & Delancey Street (Manhattan)
• St. Nicholas Avenue & W. 141st Street (Manhattan)
• Allen Street & East Houston (Manhattan)
• Graham Avenue & Grand Street (Brooklyn)
• Jay Street & Myrtle Avenue (Brooklyn)
• Roebling Street & South 4th Street (Brooklyn)
• 58th Street & Roosevelt Avenue (Queens)
• Castleton Avenue & Clove Road (Staten Island), and
• 37th Avenue and 101st Street (Queens).

Can you guarantee that you won’t get into a car accident by avoiding these intersections? No, but you might be able to reduce the chances of a collision by mapping out an alternate route.

Why Should I Hire a New York Car Accident Attorney at Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers After A Car Accident in NYC?

At Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers, our personal injury attorneys have more than 40 years of experience handling complex car accident matters. We’ve practiced in the heart of New York City for years. We know what you’re up against and we know what it takes to win. We’ve recovered millions on behalf of crash victims just like you. And, we’re ready to do whatever it takes to help you obtain a life-changing settlement or award.

When you enlist our New York City law firm for assistance, we will:

• Provide you with the support and guidance you need during this very overwhelming time
• Actually listen to what you have to say and use your side of the story as the foundation for our investigation
• Conduct an exhaustive examination into the circ*mstances leading up to and surrounding your car accident
• Gather and scrutinize relevant evidence – including police reports, photographs and video footage, medical records, and witness statements – as we work to determine causation, fault, and liability
• Take care of all communication with interested parties, including insurance providers
• Work to disprove or minimize the effect of any claims that you share responsibility for the crash, and
• Consult with accident experts and injury specialists throughout the process, particularly as we work to determine what your accident claim is worth.

We won’t let insurance companies bully you into accepting less money than your case is worth. Our NYC trial lawyers will be more than ready to take your case to a judge and jury, if necessary. Our reputation in the courtroom precedes itself. The last thing insurers will want is to go up against us in front of a jury, and that can be a huge asset to you from the start. With an NYC car accident lawyer in your corner, they’ll have to think twice before offering you anything less than a fair settlement.

What Causes Car Accidents in New York, NY?

Here’s a look at some of the most common causal factors of car accidents in the Big Apple:

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving occurs whenever a driver diverts their eyes from the road, takes their hands off of the wheel, or allows their mind to wander from the task at hand.

In New York City, distractions play a role in nearly one out of every three car accidents.

Following Too Closely

When roads are congested, it can be difficult for drivers to maintain a safe distance between vehicles. However, just because something is difficult doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Unfortunately, following too closely – or tailgating – causes a lot of car accidents in the city.

Failure to Yield

When you’re driving in New York City, you have to be aware of traffic patterns and traffic laws. If you’re not, or you simply ignore them, accidents can occur when two vehicles attempt to enter the same space at the same time.

Speeding

Speeding contributes to plenty of car accidents in NYC. When speeding accidents occur, the vehicle occupants can sustain catastrophic harm due to the impact force.

Drunk Driving

Drunk driving collisions are common in NYC. On an average day, there are roughly 7 or 8 drunk-driving accidents.

Passing Improperly

A lot of drivers throw caution to the wind when passing other vehicles. And, in turn, these drivers cause a lot of accidents. Passing improperly is a factor in roughly one out of every 10 collisions on New York roads.

Road Defects

Sometimes, the way roads are designed or their lack of maintenance contribute to collisions. Potholes, obscured signage, uneven terrain, and sharp curves all factor into crashes now and then.

Defective Vehicles and Equipment

Sometimes these accidents happen because the vehicles that are driven (or components thereof) are defective. Sometimes brakes fail. Sometimes airbags deploy without reason or warning. When that happens, it’s the manufacturer that might be on the hook for the damage.

Who Is Responsible For My Car Accident and Injuries?

Following a car accident in the city, you may be entitled to compensation. There are a few different mechanisms through which you can pursue the money you’re owed.

New York Has No-Fault Insurance Rules

Insurance is the first place you’ll have to look for compensation after an unexpected crash in New York City. And, because New York state has “no-fault” insurance rules, this means that you’ll have to turn to your own insurance provider first. This is true, regardless of whether or not you are responsible for causing the crash and your injuries.

Your provider won’t be eager to write you a check. They’ll probably work fairly hard to find a reason to deny your claim or minimize your payout. If you don’t stand up for yourself, these tactics can prevent you from getting all of the money you deserve.

Insurance companies know the claims process inside and out. They want to deal with you – not a skilled lawyer. So, it’s smart to bring a New York car accident lawyer into the equation as soon as you can. At Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers, we know the adversaries you’ll face. We’ve dealt with these scrupulous insurers for years. Give us a call, and we’ll do everything we can to make them play by the rules and pay you the money you deserve.

We’ll Work Hard to Identify All Liable Parties

If your injuries are severe, the costs of your accident might exceed what your insurance provider is willing to pay. If that happens, you might need to consider filing a lawsuit directly against the responsible party or parties.

In New York, you can potentially file an injury claim against anyone who contributed to your car accident and caused you to get hurt. This might include:

• Drivers of other passenger vehicles
• The driver of your car (if you were a passenger)
• Your own passenger (if you were driving)
• Truck drivers
• Trucking companies
• Motorcyclists
• Bicyclists
• Pedestrians
• Bus drivers
• Transit companies
• New York City Transit Authority and other government transit agencies
• Employers of negligent parties
• Manufacturers
• Mechanics
• Lyft and Uber drivers
• Taxi drivers
• Cab companies, or
• Government agencies.

That’s a long list of possible defendants in a personal injury claim. The only way to know who is responsible for your NYC crash is by ensuring that it’s subject to a thorough and detailed investigation. At Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers, our New York car accident attorneys take the time and invest the resources that are necessary to do just that.

New York operates under a modified comparative negligence system.

Simply:

• Anyone who contributes to an accident can be financially responsible for resulting damages, and
• You can recover money for crash-related injuries as long as you’re not entirely to blame.

Someone else just has to share some of the responsibility for the collision – even just one percent. When you play a role in an accident, your damages are reduced in direct proportion to degree of fault. So, if you’re allocated 30 percent of the blame, your damages are reduced by 30 percent.

Other parties and insurance companies will undoubtedly attempt to shift as much of the blame for the accident to you as they can. If you don’t fight back, those efforts will hurt your ability to get the money you deserve.

What Happens If the Other Driver Was Uninsured?

All cars on the road in New York are legally required to be insured. However, not all drivers have insurance. Others don’t have insurance that meets the state’s minimum requirements. If you’re involved in an accident with an insured driver, that can complicate things for you once you’ve exhausted the benefits under your own policy. If that happens, you might have a few different options.

First, you can collect additional benefits from your insurer if you’ve added uninsured motorist coverage (UM) to your policy. Insurers are required to offer this type of coverage, but you’re not required to purchase it. These benefits can cover the gap between what your primary policy pays and what the uninsured driver would have been responsible for.

Alternatively, you can file a lawsuit against the uninsured driver. However, keep in mind that you can only recover what the driver can pay, even if you win. If the driver didn’t have insurance, there’s a good chance that they might not have the resources to satisfy a judgment, even if you win.

Fortunately, the uninsured driver might not be the only one on the hook for your injuries. Our New York City car accident lawyers will carefully investigate the circ*mstances surrounding your accident to determine who else might have caused you to get hurt. We can pursue damages from all liable parties – especially those with deep pockets.

What Damages Are Available If I’m Injured in a Car Crash in NYC?

In New York City, compensation typically takes two forms – economic damages and non-economic damages. In select personal injury cases, punitive damages might also be on the table.

What Are Economic Damages?

Economic damages are awarded to compensate for the financial costs, losses, and expenses related to a car accident.

These typically include:

• Current medical expenses (including, but not limited to, transportation to the hospital, diagnostic tests, surgery, medication, and a hospital stay)
• Future medical bills (including follow-up care, medical devices, and medical equipment)
• Rehabilitation and therapy
• Nursing care
• The cost of replacing or repairing damaged property
• Reduced earning capacity
• Temporary and/or permanent disability, and
• Lost income and wages.

By recovering economic damages, you should be put back in the position you were in (financially speaking) before the accident.

What Are Non-Economic Damages?

Not all injuries and consequences of a car accident have a set financial value. You can experience unbearable physical pain and excruciating emotional suffering. You might face significant limitations in what you can do and how you can live your life. These consequences are no less serious than the ones that come with a receipt. That’s why non-economic damages are awarded.

Common examples of non-economic damages include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Depression, PTSD, and anxiety
• Disfigurement
• Scarring
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of quality of life, and
• Embarrassment.

New York does not have a cap on non-economic awards. However, valuation is often closely associated with the value of economic damages.

What Are Punitive Damages?

Punitive damages are awarded for one singular purpose – to punish the defendant for conduct that’s particularly reprehensible. However, these are reserved for situations when they’re really warranted. In order to secure a punitive award, a crash victim has the burden of proving that the defendant acted with a “high degree of moral turpitude” or “willful or wanton negligence.” Mere carelessness is not enough.

How Much is My Car Accident Case Worth?

Don’t underestimate just how much of an impact an unexpected crash can have on your wallet and your overall quality of life. You may be able to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. The best way to make sure you properly evaluate how much your case is worth is by hiring an experienced car accident lawyer. Here are some things to keep in mind when discussing valuation:

• How serious are your injuries? Do you require hospitalization or surgery?
• Will you need rehabilitation or physical therapy to make a full recovery?
• Will your injuries prevent you from going back to work?
• If so, for how long?
• How will your injury affect your ability to do your job and earn an income?
• How has the accident and your injury affected your day-to-day life?
• Do you require help to complete everyday tasks, such as eating, bathing, and getting dressed?
• Did your injury leave you paralyzed or significantly disfigured?
• How has the accident affected you emotionally or mentally?
• Do you struggle with depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues because of the crash?
• To what extent was your vehicle or property damaged in the collision?

Our law firm has been a mainstay in New York City for decades. During that time, we’ve invested a lot of time getting to know some of the best and most respected accident experts in the tri-state area. We turn to these professionals for help and guidance during the valuation phase. With their help, we can really dig into the details of your case and work to figure out what it’s worth.

We Handle All Car Accident Cases in New York City

At Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers, we represent clients who have been injured in:

• Frontal collisions
• Rear-end collisions
• Sideswipes
• T-Bone accidents
• Rollovers
• Highway crashes
• Interstate crashes
• Single-vehicle crashes
• Multiple Vehicle crashes
• Speeding accidents
• Intersection accidents
• Red and yellow light accidents
• Uber accidents
• Lyft accidents
• Truck accidents
• Accidents involving bicyclists and pedestrians,
• And more.

Don’t hesitate to contact our compassionate team to learn about your legal options after a car accident in New York City.

We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation For All of Your Car Accident Injuries

We handle cases where our clients, after being involved in a New York City car accident, suffered:

• Back, shoulder, and neck injury
• Whiplash
• Head injury, including concussion
• Traumatic brain injury
• Burns
• Chest injury
• Eye injury
• Degloving
• Amputation
• Spinal cord injury
• Crushing injury
• Soft tissue damage
• Fractures and broken bones
• Paralysis
• Catastrophic injury

Has someone you love died in a fatal collision in or around the city? You could be entitled to compensation for your loss. Our wrongful death attorneys can help you navigate this tough time. Just reach out to us by phone or online today to learn more.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in NYC?

The steps you take and the decisions you make after an accident are critically important for your health and for the strength and validity of any legal claims you might pursue. If you are involved in a car accident in New York City, there are several important things you need to do.

Here’s a breakdown of what you should (and should not) do after a collision in NYC.

• Remain at the Scene: You’re required by law to remain at the scene of a car accident that causes damage to property, injury, or death. Leaving the scene can result in criminal charges for hit and run and complicate your pursuit of compensation.
• Move Over and Away: Move to a safe location so that you are not injured if approaching vehicles are unable to stop and there’s another accident.
• Call the Police: An officer will be sent to the scene to conduct a short investigation and fill out an incident report. The details documented in the report might be critically important down the line. Failing to report your accident can put your ability to recover compensation in jeopardy.
• Seek Medical Attention: Make sure that you get to the hospital or doctor as soon as you can after an accident. If your injuries are critical, you don’t have to wait for the police to arrive. Prompt medical care is important for your health. The sooner your injuries are treated, the better.
• Don’t Admit Fault or Apologize: Accepting blame or making it seem like you are responsible will do nothing but cause trouble when you file an injury claim. Other parties and insurers will make every effort to use your apology as an admission of fault and, in turn, deny (or minimize) your request for compensation.
• Don’t Accept Early Settlement Offers: An insurance adjuster isn’t going to contact you shortly after an accident out of the goodness of their heart. Rather, they’re going to contact you to get you to (a) say something incriminating or (b) accept a settlement offer. If they get you to say something incriminating on the record, that can be used to deny a claim for benefits. If they get you to accept a lowball offer, they can pay you a fraction of what you deserve and walk away without worry.
• Direct All Communication to Your Lawyer: We’ll handle the phone calls, emails, and conversations. We’ll be aggressive in our pursuit of compensation and work to maximize your recovery.

Don’t hesitate to contact our New York City law firm for immediate assistance after a crash. The attorneys at Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C are here to help.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers, works on contingency. This means that you don’t have to worry about the cost of hiring our law firm unless we win your case. We front the costs associated with your case and assume all of the risk. We only get paid when we negotiate a settlement or secure a jury verdict on your behalf. Then, our attorneys simply recover a pre-agreed-upon percentage of your net award. It’s that simple.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in New York?

New York provides that the statute of limitations for negligence lawsuits is three years from the date of injury.

You might have more time to file a claim if you were a child at the time of the collision or if you didn’t discover your injury right away, despite reasonable efforts.

You might have less time to file a claim if you believe that a government employee or agency is to blame. Government claims are subject to accelerated timelines. In those situations, you’ll have a matter of weeks – not years – to act.

Have you or a family member recently been involved in a car accident in New York, NY? Contact Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers, for immediate legal assistance and advice. You may be able to pursue compensation for our medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. Our qualified New York City car accident lawyers can help you fight to secure a full and fair award.

We offer a free consultation. Contact our law office in NYC, call to schedule yours today. If you can’t come to us, we can arrange a time to visit you. Consultations can be arranged at the hospital, your home, or even your place of business. There’s a limited amount of time to act, so give us a call to get started today.

Highly Rated Auto Repair Shops In New York, NY

1. West Village Auto Repair
   743 Greenwich St,
   New York, NY 10014
2. Steve’s Auto Repair
   615 W 46th St
   New York, NY 10036
3. Ludlow Garage
   151 Attorney St
   New York, NY 10002
4. Midtown Center Auto Repair
   537 W 38th St
   New York, NY 10018

*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website. These were some of the highest-rated auto repair shops on Yelp.

New York City Car Accident Review

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Car Accident Infographic

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