Table of Contents
- Accidents Caused By Malfunctioning
- Out-Of-Town Visitor Accidents
- Excessive Speeding And Unsafe Lane Changes
- Head-On Collisions
- Texting And Distracted Driving
- Access-A-Ride Accidents
- Rear-End Collisions
- Failure To Stop Or Yield Right Of Way
- Work-Related Car Accident
- School Bus Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Vehicles Out Of Control
- Injuries To Passengers
- NYC Transit Authority Bus Accidents
- Drunk Driving Accidents
- Delivery Trucks And Commercial Vehicles
- Drug-Related Motor Vehicle Accident
- Tour Bus Accidents
Car Accident Lawyer in NYC
Table of Contents
The bills often arrive before your body has had time to heal. Medical appointments stack up, work becomes harder or impossible, and an insurance adjuster may call before you know the full extent of your injuries. After a serious car accident in New York City, you may feel pressure to answer questions, sign forms, or accept an offer before you understand what your case is worth.
You do not have to handle that pressure alone. New York’s no-fault system can help with initial medical costs and a portion of lost wages, but it may not cover the full impact of a serious crash. Pain, long-term limitations, future care, and reduced earning ability often require a deeper legal review.
Cerchione Hurowitz Law Group LLP represents seriously injured New Yorkers across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island in motor vehicle accident cases. With a four-generation family legal lineage in New York City personal injury law, our firm understands how these claims move through New York courts, how insurers respond, and what needs to be done early to protect your case.
We offer free consultations and 24/7 intake support because the first days after a crash can shape the strength of your claim.
How to Choose a Car Accident Lawyer in New York City
Choosing a lawyer after a serious crash is an important decision. The firm you hire will affect how quickly evidence is preserved, how your damages are documented, how the insurer treats the claim, and whether the case is ready for trial if negotiation does not resolve it.
When you compare firms, look for:
- Direct experience with New York motor vehicle accident cases and the law firms and insurance carriers who handle them.
- Knowledge of New York’s no-fault rules and serious injury threshold.
- Resources to investigate complex crashes and document serious injuries.
- A contingency fee structure, meaning the fee depends on the recovery.
- Clear communication throughout the case.
- Readiness to litigate when the insurer refuses to offer a fair resolution.
Why Choose Cerchione Hurowitz Law Group LLP for Your NYC Car Accident Case
After a serious car accident, you need a law firm that acts quickly, communicates clearly, and prepares the case with the seriousness it deserves. The insurance company will begin reviewing the claim right away. Your legal team should be just as prepared.
A Four-Generation Legal Lineage in New York City
Cerchione Hurowitz Law Group LLP brings a four-generation family legal lineage in New York City personal injury law to every motor vehicle accident case we handle. That background gives our firm a deep understanding of how these claims move through local courts, where disputes often arise, and how insurers evaluate serious injury cases.
Serious Injury Case Resources
We represent injured New Yorkers in car accident cases involving fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, permanent limitations, and wrongful death. These cases often require more than basic claim handling. Our firm has the resources to investigate complex crashes, work with medical professionals, review available insurance coverage, and prepare for litigation when needed.
Clear Communication From Start to Finish
A serious crash can leave you with medical questions, financial pressure, and uncertainty about what the insurance company will do next. We believe you should know what is happening with your case, what steps come next, and what decisions need your input. Our team keeps communication direct, organized, and focused on helping you understand the process. We augment this with an automated text messaging system that keeps you advised whenever something important happens in your case.
Local Representation Across the Five Boroughs
Our office is located at 150 Broadway, New York, NY, and we serve injured people across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. We understand the traffic patterns, court systems, insurance issues, and practical challenges that shape New York City car accident claims.
Free Consultations and 24/7 Intake Support
Car accidents do not happen on a schedule, and legal questions often come up before or after normal business hours. Cerchione Hurowitz Law Group LLP offers free consultations and 24/7 intake support so you can reach out when you need guidance.
Client Testimonials
“I had an excellent experience working with Cerchione Hurowitz Law Group. From the very beginning, they were professional, knowledgeable, and responsive. They took the time to explain the process clearly and kept me informed every step of the way. I truly felt supported and confident that my case was in good hands. I highly recommend them to anyone in need of legal representation.” — Lauren M.
“Always a pleasure working with Arnie Baum. Not only a great attorney, but a compassionate listener who really cares about the people he represents and the situations they are stuck in. Thanks again.” — Scott J.
“I had an excellent experience with Cerchione Horowitz. They were able to resolve my accident quickly and with professionalism. Fernando Ramos was exceptional with helping me out. He was always available to answer any questions and always had a great attitude. I would recommend him and this firm for anyone looking for top notch representation!” — Frank C.
Meet Your NYC Car Accident Lawyers
What Happens to Your Body and Your Finances After a Car Crash in NYC
The impact of a car accident does not always show up at once. Pain that feels manageable at the scene may become more serious days or weeks later. A neck injury can turn into chronic pain. A concussion can affect memory, focus, sleep, and work. A back injury may start as stiffness and later become a diagnosed disc injury or nerve condition.
At the same time, the financial strain begins quickly. Emergency care, follow-up appointments, imaging, medication, physical therapy, missed work, and transportation costs can build up before you know how long recovery will take.
Common Injuries in New York City Car Accidents
Car accidents in NYC can cause injuries that affect your health, work, mobility, and independence, including:
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries that may cause lasting pain, stiffness, and limited movement.
- Fractures involving the arms, legs, ribs, wrists, hands, hips, or facial bones.
- Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions that affect memory, focus, mood, balance, or sleep.
- Spinal injuries, including herniated discs, nerve damage, and radiating pain.
- Internal injuries, including bleeding or organ trauma that may not cause immediate symptoms.
- Significant scarring or disfigurement from broken glass, burns, surgery, or impact trauma.
The Financial Toll When Someone Else Caused Your Crash
A serious crash can affect far more than your medical bills. You may lose income while you recover. You may need help at home. You may face future treatment, physical therapy, or changes to the type of work you can do.
New York law allows injured people to pursue economic damages for measurable financial losses and non-economic damages for harms such as pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life when the legal requirements are met. In motor vehicle cases, that usually means proving that the injury meets New York’s serious injury threshold under New York law.
New York’s No-Fault Insurance Law and When It Is Not Enough
After a car accident in New York, your first source of injury-related insurance coverage is usually your own auto policy, not the other vehicle owner’s insurance. New York requires drivers to carry $50,000 in personal injury protection, also called no-fault coverage.
No-fault benefits can cover certain medical expenses, a portion of lost earnings, and limited accident-related costs regardless of who caused the crash. That can help early in the process, but it does not fully address every loss.
No-fault insurance does not cover pain and suffering. It also may not cover the full financial impact of a serious injury, especially when someone needs surgery, long-term treatment, or extended time away from work.
To pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, your injury generally must meet the serious injury threshold under the New York Insurance Law. Qualifying injuries can include the following:
- 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.
- A medically determined injury or impairment that prevents the injured person from performing substantially all usual daily activities for at least 90 of the 180 days immediately after the crash.
Fractures, traumatic brain injuries, significant spinal injuries, serious scarring, and injuries that disrupt daily life for months may meet this threshold. Our attorneys can review your medical records, symptoms, treatment history, and daily limitations to assess whether your case may move beyond no-fault benefits.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in New York
The legal deadline depends on the type of claim and who caused the crash. In most New York personal injury cases, the injured person has three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
Three years may sound like a long time, but waiting can weaken a case. Surveillance footage may disappear. Witnesses may become harder to reach. Vehicles may be repaired or destroyed. Medical records from the early treatment period may become harder to connect clearly to the crash.
A shorter deadline may apply if a government vehicle, public agency, or public authority were involved. In many cases against a public corporation or government entity, New York law requires a Notice of Claim within 90 days after the claim arises. In addition, a lawsuit needs to be started within one year and 90 days after the date of the accident.
These deadlines can matter in crashes involving:
- City-owned vehicles.
- Sanitation trucks.
- Police vehicles.
- Fire department vehicles.
- MTA buses or other public transportation vehicles.
- Vehicles operated by public employees during work.
If a government vehicle may have played any role in the crash, contact an attorney as soon as possible. The deadline can move quickly, and missing one may affect your right to bring a claim.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident in New York City
The value of a car accident case depends on the facts. Injury severity, medical evidence, long-term effects, fault, available insurance, and future losses all matter.
New York also follows a comparative negligence rule. That means you may still recover compensation even if you share some fault for the crash, but your recovery can be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the financial losses tied to your injury, including:
- Emergency care, hospital treatment, surgery, imaging, medication, and follow-up care.
- Physical therapy, rehabilitation, and future medical treatment.
- Lost wages during recovery.
- Reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect the work you can do.
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs.
- Transportation, home care, medical equipment, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the human impact of a serious injury, including:
- Physical pain.
- Emotional distress.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement.
- Loss of mobility, independence, or daily function.
- The effect of the injury on family life, routines, and activities.
Insurance companies often focus on bills and records. A strong claim also shows how the injury changed the person’s life. That requires medical documentation, witness accounts, employment records, and a clear picture of what daily life looked like before and after the crash.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in New York City
The steps you take after a crash can affect your health and your claim. If you are physically able, take the following actions as soon as possible.
- Call 911 and remain at the scene. A police report creates an official record of the crash, the vehicles involved, and the conditions at the scene.
- Get medical care right away. Prompt treatment protects your health and creates a record connecting your injuries to the accident.
- Take photos and videos if you can. Document vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, debris, visible injuries, and the surrounding area.
- Collect witness information. Names, phone numbers, and email addresses can become valuable if fault is disputed later.
- Report the crash to your insurance company. Your own carrier may need prompt notice for no-fault benefits.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer before legal review. The other side may ask questions before you know the full extent of your injuries. Do not speak with insurance adjusters!
- Keep every record. Save medical bills, appointment summaries, prescriptions, wage records, repair estimates, insurance letters, and messages about the crash.
- Speak with an NYC car accident lawyer before accepting a settlement. Once you sign a release, you may lose the right to seek more compensation later.
How Our NYC Car Accident Lawyers Build Your Case
A car accident case is not built by paperwork alone. It requires investigation, documentation, strategy, and preparation from the beginning.
We Investigate the Crash
Our work often starts with the police report, witness statements, photographs, insurance information, and available surveillance footage. When the facts call for it, we may work with accident reconstruction professionals to explain how the crash happened and who should be held responsible.
We Document the Medical Impact
We review medical records carefully because New York’s serious injury threshold can determine whether you may pursue compensation beyond no-fault benefits. We look at diagnosis, treatment, symptoms, limitations, future care needs, and how the injury affects your daily life.
We Identify All Available Insurance Coverage
A serious crash may involve more than one source of recovery. Depending on the facts, coverage may come from the at-fault driver, an employer, a rideshare company, a commercial vehicle policy, your own policy, or another responsible party.
We Prepare for Negotiation or Litigation
We build each case with the evidence needed for settlement discussions and, when necessary, court. That preparation helps us respond to low offers, challenge disputed liability, and show the full effect of the injury.
How to Know If You Have a Car Accident Case in New York
You do not need to know whether your case meets every legal requirement before speaking with an attorney. Our free consultation for car accident victims is meant to answer that question. Our firm can review what happened, your injuries, your treatment, and the insurance issues involved.
The Basic Legal Elements
A car accident claim usually starts with four basic questions:
- Did another driver or party owe you a duty of reasonable care?
- Did that person or entity act carelessly or violate the law?
- Did that conduct cause the crash?
- Did the crash cause injuries and losses?
The Serious Injury Threshold
In New York motor vehicle cases, another question often matters: does the injury meet the serious injury threshold? If the answer is yes, you may be able to pursue compensation for pain and suffering in addition to economic losses.
Factors That May Support a Claim
Several facts may strengthen a New York car accident claim, including:
- Another driver ran a red light, followed too closely, failed to yield, drove distracted, sped, or drove impaired.
- Medical records connect your injuries to the crash.
- Your injuries required emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, or ongoing treatment.
- You missed work or cannot return to the same type of work.
- You suffered a fracture, traumatic brain injury, spinal injury, significant scarring, or long-term limitation.
- The claim falls within the applicable filing deadline.
Speak With an NYC Car Accident Lawyer Before You Respond to the Insurance Company
A serious car accident can leave you dealing with pain, missed work, medical bills, and pressure from an insurance company that does not represent you. Before you give a recorded statement or accept an offer, it helps to understand what your claim may involve and what steps can protect it.
Cerchione Hurowitz Law Group LLP represents injured New Yorkers in serious car accident cases across all five boroughs. Call us at 646-666-3030 or fill out our contact form to request your free consultation and learn what compensation may be available in your case.
- Accidents Caused By Malfunctioning
- Out-Of-Town Visitor Accidents
- Excessive Speeding And Unsafe Lane Changes
- Head-On Collisions
- Texting And Distracted Driving
- Access-A-Ride Accidents
- Rear-End Collisions
- Failure To Stop Or Yield Right Of Way
- Work-Related Car Accident
- School Bus Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Vehicles Out Of Control
- Injuries To Passengers
- NYC Transit Authority Bus Accidents
- Drunk Driving Accidents
- Delivery Trucks And Commercial Vehicles
- Drug-Related Motor Vehicle Accident
- Tour Bus Accidents
Written By Gregory T. Cerchione
Widely known throughout the legal community, Gregory T. Cerchione is a principal at Cerchione Hurowitz Law Group LLP, and one of the driving forces behind the firm’s growth and success. As an esteemed member of the New York legal community,