Whether you’re navigating the FDR Drive during rush hour or crossing an intersection in Brooklyn, the aftermath of a collision brings immediate challenges that can overwhelm even the most prepared individuals. In these moments, working with an experienced New York car accident lawyer from Seraj Law ensures you have someone to protect your rights and guide you through the complex recovery process.
Accident victims face mounting medical bills that arrive long before insurance companies respond to claims. Lost income compounds the financial pressure when injuries prevent you from working.
Meanwhile, insurance adjusters, who are trained to minimize payouts, contact you when you’re most vulnerable, pushing for quick settlements that rarely reflect the true value of your claim. A skilled NYC car accident attorney protects your rights, counters insurer tactics, and helps you pursue compensation you deserve.
From distracted drivers to crumbling infrastructure, multiple factors contribute to the city’s high crash rates. According to NYC’s Vision Zero data, more than 100,000 motor vehicle collisions occur annually, causing tens of thousands of injuries and hundreds of fatalities.
Understanding the most common causes helps explain why accidents are so frequent – and how attorneys use these patterns to strengthen claims.
At Seraj Law, we represent clients in every kind of motor vehicle accident case. Each type of crash presents its own legal and medical challenges, requiring tailored strategies to prove liability and secure fair compensation.
Common in stop-and-go traffic on roads like the Cross Bronx Expressway and Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, rear-end accidents may look simple but often involve disputed fault and detailed injury documentation.
Often occurring at intersections when drivers run red lights or fail to yield, side-impact crashes cause severe injuries due to the limited protection along vehicle sides. These cases frequently require extensive medical evidence and expert testimony.
Less common in NYC than in suburban areas, head-on crashes are among the most devastating. Wrong-way drivers on one-way streets or highway ramps create catastrophic injuries that demand aggressive representation.
Pileups complicate liability, with multiple drivers and insurers involved. Resolving these cases typically requires thorough investigation, accident reconstruction experts, and careful coordination of claims.
With walking and biking as major modes of transportation in NYC, pedestrians and cyclists are especially vulnerable. These cases require attorneys familiar with the special protections New York law provides to injured road users.
When crashes result in loss of life, wrongful death claims must be handled with both compassion and precision. These cases differ from typical injury claims, involving distinct legal standards and careful calculation of damages for grieving families.
Your actions immediately following an accident significantly impact your legal claim.
Understanding New York’s car accident laws is essential for anyone injured in a crash. From the no-fault system to strict filing deadlines, these rules determine how and when you can recover compensation.
New York requires Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which pays medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. Standard policies cover up to $50,000, but this is often insufficient for severe injuries requiring surgeries, long-term care, or disability accommodations.
To sue outside of no-fault, you must meet New York’s serious injury threshold. Qualifying injuries include:
For example, a herniated disc with documented spinal limitations may qualify, while minor soft tissue injuries that heal quickly usually do not.
Strict deadlines apply to accident claims:
Missing these deadlines can permanently bar recovery.
New York follows pure comparative negligence, meaning you can still recover damages even if you’re mostly at fault. However, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For instance, if you’re 30% at fault in a $100,000 case, your recovery would be $70,000.
Car accident victims in New York may qualify for several types of compensation depending on the severity of their injuries and the circumstances of the crash. These damages cover both financial losses and the personal impact of an accident, ensuring victims and their families receive justice and support.
These form the core of most claims. They include:
These address the human toll of an accident beyond financial loss:
Though rare, these apply in cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Examples include drunk drivers with prior convictions or commercial drivers who knowingly violate safety laws.
Punitive damages serve to punish reckless behavior and deter future misconduct.
When you’ve been injured in a car accident, the law firm you choose can make all the difference. Our team at Seraj Law combines deep knowledge of New York’s traffic laws, experience handling cases in NYC courts, and a dedication to pursuing fair compensation for our clients.
We don’t let insurance companies dictate the value of your case – we fight for what you truly deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you take the first step toward justice, recovery, and peace of mind.
While not legally required, representation significantly improves outcomes. Insurance companies employ teams of adjusters and attorneys to minimize payouts.
Statistics show that represented claimants receive substantially higher settlements than those negotiating alone. Additionally, attorneys handle complex paperwork, deadlines, and negotiations while you focus on recovery.
Timeline varies based on injury severity, liability disputes, and court schedules.
Simple cases with clear liability might settle within months. Complex cases involving severe injuries or disputed fault can take one to three years, especially if a trial becomes necessary.
Your attorney should provide realistic timeline estimates based on case specifics.
The contingency fee model makes quality legal representation accessible regardless of financial situation. Seraj Law advances all case costs and only collects fees if we secure compensation through a settlement or trial verdict.
This arrangement aligns attorney and client interests; we only succeed when you do. It contrasts sharply with hourly billing or flat fees, which rarely apply in personal injury cases and would place a financial burden on injured victims when they’re least able to afford it.