Billions Recovered | 50+ Years of Experience | No Fee Unless You Win
New York City traffic moves through some of the most crowded streets in the country. Taxis weave through Midtown, delivery vans double-park along Brooklyn avenues, rideshare drivers circle the same blocks in Queens, and commuters fill the FDR Drive and BQE at nearly every hour of the day.
In this environment, it only takes one careless driver to cause a serious crash that leaves someone injured and dealing with painful injuries, medical bills, missed work, and pressure from insurance companies.
Rothenberg Law Firm’s New York City car accident lawyers can help protect your rights after a collision and pursue compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurer.
For more than 50 years, we have represented injured clients across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, recovering billions of dollars for injured New Yorkers and their families. When you are ready to talk, we are ready to listen. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Call us today for a free, no obligation consultation 1-866-771-4988
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident in NYC?
If you suffered injuries that required medical treatment, yes. New York's no-fault insurance system covers basic expenses, but it caps what you can recover and blocks lawsuits unless your injuries meet the "serious injury" threshold.
A car accident attorney can determine whether your case qualifies for additional compensation and handle the insurance companies while you focus on recovering.
Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and they are good at what they do. They may seem helpful, but their goal is to close your claim quickly and cheaply. Our team of experienced NYC car accident attorneys levels the playing field and fights for your full and fair compensation.
Why New York City Trusts the Rothenberg Law Firm After Car Accidents
Choosing a car accident lawyer is one of the most important decisions you will make after a car crash. Here is what sets our firm apart from others in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
Billions Recovered for Injured Clients
Over more than 50 years, we have recovered billions of dollars for accident victims. Our case results include multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in car accident, truck accident, and other motor vehicle cases throughout New York.
We Treat Clients Like Family
Roughly half of our New York City attorneys share the Rothenberg name. We built this firm on the belief that you fight hardest for the people you love. When we take your case, we fight for you as one of our own.
Every Case Prepared for Trial
We are not a settlement mill. Insurance companies know we will take cases to trial when they refuse to offer fair compensation. That reputation gives us leverage in every negotiation.
No Fee Unless We Win
You pay nothing up front and owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Learn more about our contingency fee structure.
Call us today for a free, no obligation consultation 1-866-771-4988
Car Accidents in New York City: The Numbers
New York City's streets are among the busiest and most congested in the nation. According to data from the NYPD and NYC Vision Zero data, one recent year saw 117,000 police-reported crashes resulting in about 48,000 injuries and approximately 205 deaths citywide.
These figures reflect the number of people injured in all motor vehicle crashes involving drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users throughout the year.
Traffic fatalities were distributed across all five boroughs:
- Brooklyn: 63 deaths
- Queens: 57 deaths
- Manhattan: 39 deaths
- Bronx: 33 deaths
- Staten Island: 13 deaths
While recent trends show progress in the city’s efforts to reduce the number of car accidents, the numbers remain unacceptably high.
These are not just statistics. Each number represents a person whose life changed in an instant on the FDR Drive, the BQE, Canal Street, Atlantic Avenue, or any of the thousands of intersections across the five boroughs. If you or someone you love were injured by a negligent driver, call our NYC car accident attorneys today to explore your legal options.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in NYC
Our attorneys have handled car accident claims involving every type of collision that occurs on New York City streets.
- Rear-end collisions caused by distracted or tailgating drivers
- Intersection crashes from red-light runners and failure to yield
- Sideswipe accidents during lane changes on highways and city streets
- Hit-and-run crashes where the at-fault driver fled the scene
- Wrong-way collisions caused by drivers unfamiliar with NYC streets
- Drunk driving accidents
- Rideshare accidents involving Uber, Lyft, and taxi vehicles
- Crashes involving uninsured or underinsured drivers
We also handle truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and bicycle accidents throughout New York City.
What Are the Top 10 Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in NYC?
Based on citywide crash data, reports by Transportation Alternatives, and other sources, these New York City locations see the highest frequencies of collisions, injuries, and fatalities:
- Queens Boulevard (Queens): Known for dangerous pedestrian crossings, nicknamed the "Boulevard of Death".
- Atlantic Avenue (Brooklyn): High-traffic artery with frequent pedestrian accidents.
- Bruckner Expressway (Bronx): Ranked among the most dangerous, with several accidents annually.
- Flatbush Avenue & Avenue H (Brooklyn): High concentration of injuries and fatalities.
- Northern Boulevard & 48th Street (Queens): Identified as a top dangerous intersection.
- Grand Concourse (Bronx): Major, complex boulevard prone to high-speed crashes.
- Canal Street (Manhattan): Extremely high traffic volume and complex, unpredictable congestion.
- Belt Parkway (Brooklyn/Queens): Characterized by narrow lanes and dangerous exits.
- Ocean Parkway & Church Avenue (Brooklyn): Risky intersection due to wide, complex, multi-lane crossings.
- Major Deegan Expressway & W Fordham Rd (Bronx): High crash rate due to speed differentials and complex, high-volume
Heavy traffic, complex intersections, and high speeds make these locations particularly hazardous. If you were injured in a crash at one of these roads or intersections, call for a free consultation with Rothenberg Law Firm’s car accident lawyers in New York City today.
New York's No-Fault Insurance Law and Your Rights
New York is a no-fault insurance state. After a car accident, you file a claim with your own insurance company for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, regardless of who caused the crash. PIP covers medical expenses, a portion of lost wages, and other out-of-pocket costs up to your policy limits (minimum $50,000).
However, no-fault benefits have significant limits. They do not cover pain and suffering. They do not cover property damage. And they cap recoverable lost wages.
To step outside the no-fault system and sue the at-fault driver for additional damages, your injuries must meet New York's "serious injury" threshold. This includes bone fractures, significant disfigurement, permanent limitation of use of a body organ or member, or injuries that prevent you from substantially performing all of your daily activities for at least 90 days.
Proving serious injury is where many cases fail. Insurance companies routinely dispute whether injuries qualify. The experienced NYC car accident lawyers with the Rothenberg Law Firm can document and present your injuries to show how they meet or exceed this threshold.
Common Injuries After a New York City Car Accident
Car crashes in New York City often cause serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment and long recovery periods. Even collisions that seem minor at first can leave victims dealing with lasting physical pain, mobility limitations, and financial stress.
Some of the most common injuries seen in New York City car accidents include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Head trauma from striking the steering wheel, dashboard, or window can cause concussions or more severe brain injuries that affect memory, concentration, and daily functioning.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in chronic pain, nerve damage, loss of mobility, or paralysis in severe cases.
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries: Rear-end collisions frequently cause sudden neck movement that strains muscles, ligaments, and discs in the cervical spine.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: Arms, legs, ribs, wrists, and hips are commonly fractured during high-impact crashes.
These injuries often require ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and time away from work. A New York City car accident lawyer can evaluate how your injuries affect your life and pursue compensation that reflects the full scope of your medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a NYC Car Accident?
If your injuries meet the serious injury threshold, you may recover compensation beyond your no-fault benefits. Some of the main types of damages often included in car accident compensation are:
- Medical expenses: Past and future costs for treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and medication
- Lost income: Wages lost during recovery and reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life
- Property damage: Repair or replacement of your vehicle
Every case is different. The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical care, how the accident affects your ability to work, the impact on your daily life, and many other factors.
Our NYC car accident attorneys evaluate all of these factors to fight for compensation that reflects the full scope of your injuries.
What if you are found to be partially to blame for the accident?
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means you may still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, though your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Insurance companies often try to shift blame to accident victims, and our attorneys push back against attempts to unfairly pin fault on our clients.
Who May Be Liable for Your NYC Car Accident?
Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties may share responsibility for your crash. These parties may include:
- The at-fault driver who caused the collision through negligent or reckless driving
- Employers of commercial drivers under the legal doctrine of vicarious liability
- Vehicle owners who permitted an unsafe driver to use their car
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers if a defect contributed to the crash
- Government entities responsible for dangerous road conditions or faulty traffic signals
- Bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and other venues that overserve customers alcohol
Identifying all liable parties increases the available insurance coverage and improves your chances of securing maximum compensation. Our New York City car accident lawyers investigate every potential source of recovery.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in New York?
New York's statute of limitations gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is two years from the date of death.
However, if your claim involves a government entity (such as a city bus or a crash caused by poorly maintained roads), you have only 90 days to file a notice of claim. Missing this deadline can bar your case from moving forward.
The practical deadline for building a claim is even shorter. Evidence from the accident scene vanishes quickly. Traffic footage and dashcam videos that show the accident are overwritten within days or weeks. Witnesses forget details.
Insurance companies build their defenses from day one. The sooner you take legal action, the stronger the evidence supporting your case will be.
Protecting Your Claim After a NYC Car Accident
If you have already received medical treatment or are currently undergoing care for your injuries, there are steps you can take to protect the value of your claim.
- Hire a car accident lawyer before speaking with any insurance company. Adjusters may use your own words against you to reduce your claim.
- Keep all medical appointments and follow your treatment plan. Gaps in treatment give insurers ammunition to argue your injuries are not serious.
- Document your recovery with a written or video journal. Record your pain levels, limitations, and how your injuries affect your daily life.
- Avoid social media posts about the accident or your activities. Insurance companies monitor social media for evidence to use against you.
Our dedicated NYC car accident attorneys will handle communications with insurance companies, gather evidence, and build your case while you focus on getting better.
Serving Car Accident Victims Across All Five Boroughs
The Rothenberg Law Firm represents car accident victims throughout New York City, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
We handle cases involving crashes on major roadways such as the FDR Drive, the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, the Cross Bronx Expressway, and the Staten Island Expressway, as well as accidents on local streets throughout all five boroughs.
Our NYC car accident lawyers file cases in the New York State Supreme Court and handle matters in all NYC civil courts. We know the local judges, the local procedures, and the local insurance defense attorneys. That local knowledge matters when your case goes to trial.
FAQs Our Clients Often Ask About NYC Car Accident Lawsuits
How much does a NYC car accident lawyer cost?
All of our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs and owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. The consultation is free, and there is no financial risk to getting legal advice about your case.
How long does a car accident case take in New York?
Timelines vary based on the severity of injuries, the clarity of liability, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Some cases resolve in months. Complex cases with disputed liability or severe injuries normally take longer. Your attorney will keep you informed throughout the process.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes. New York's pure comparative negligence rule allows you to recover compensation even if you share fault for the accident. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were 20% at fault, you recover 80% of your damages. Our attorneys fight to protect you and your claim from attempts to unfairly blame you for the accident.
What if the other driver was uninsured or fled the scene?
Your own auto insurance policy includes uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance or cannot be identified (as in a hit-and-run). Your attorney can help you file a UM claim and fight for fair compensation from your own insurer.
Should I accept the insurance company's settlement offer?
Not before consulting an attorney. Insurance companies often make quick offers designed to close claims before victims understand the full extent of their injuries. Once you accept a settlement, you give up your right to pursue additional compensation. An attorney can evaluate whether the offer reflects the true value of your claim.
What makes the Rothenberg Law Firm different from other NYC car accident lawyers?
We are a family firm with over 50 years of experience and billions recovered for our clients. We prepare every case for trial, which gives us leverage in negotiations. We are not a high-volume settlement mill. We take cases we believe in and fight for the people we represent. Learn more about our mission and values.
Legal Firepower for Your New York City Car Accident Claim
Fighting for a fair deal after being injured by a negligent driver is the last thing you need to deal with. At the Rothenberg Law Firm, our team of NYC personal injury lawyers can handle the insurance companies, protect your rights, and build a case that positions you for a full and fair outcome.
Our 50-plus years of experience, track record of successful settlement and verdicts, and drive to maximize results for our clients gives your case the legal leverage it needs to succeed.
Contact the Rothenberg Law Firm today for a free consultation. There’s no cost to get started, no obligation to you, and no fee unless you win.