Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Car accidents are an unfortunate reality on Manhattan’s congested streets and throughout NYC. If you’ve been injured in an accident, our experienced attorneys at Shulman & Hill can help you get the compensation you deserve. As trusted New York City accident lawyers, we understand the challenges accident victims face and will guide you through every step of your legal journey. Contact our Manhattan office today to discuss your case.
Rely on the New York City Car Accident Lawyers at Shulman & Hill
Having skilled legal guidance is crucial when navigating the aftermath of a New York City car accident. Determining your legal options alone can feel daunting in the face of confusing no-fault insurance laws and court deadlines, especially when you are dealing with serious injuries. This is where our skilled NYC car accident attorneys at Shulman & Hill come in.
We’re a community-centered firm that takes pride in focusing on our clients and their unique needs. We strive to deliver exceptional client service and have a diverse staff that reflects our community, including numerous bilingual team members, to guide you through the legal process.
Our NYC injury attorneys have received several awards for their dedication and skill in representing our clients. Our partner, Alex Shulman, has been included on the list of New York Super Lawyers since 2017, an honor given to just five percent of attorneys in the state. Additionally, Shulman has been named by The National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers list—a highly selective association of top trial lawyers in the country.
Over the past decade, our team has fought for many residents across our communities in New York City and beyond. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, we can help.
Verdicts and Settlements
Our experienced New York City car accident lawyers at Shulman & Hill have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, including the following verdicts and settlements:
- $1.35 million for a client who suffered clavicle and cervical spine injuries from a head-on motor vehicle crash
- $1.1 million for an Uber driver rear-ended by another vehicle, causing injuries to his neck and shoulder
- $1 million for a client who suffered neck injuries in a motor vehicle collision
- $1 million for a client who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a T-bone motor vehicle accident
- $1 million for a client who suffered injuries to her right knee, neck, and back in an accident
- $650,000 for a taxi driver hit by a truck, resulting in injuries to his head, neck, back, and left shoulder
New York City Car Accident Statistics
Traffic injuries to pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and motor vehicle occupants are the leading cause of New York City’s injury-related morbidity and mortality rates.
The NYC Police Department’s December 2023 report demonstrated the shocking frequency of car accidents. According to the report, the city saw 8,027 motor vehicle collisions, 3,353 of which involved injuries or fatalities.
In these accidents, 4,549 people sustained injuries, while 19 were killed. These numbers included motorists, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists, with motorists and passengers experiencing the most injuries. Motorists and pedestrians experienced the highest fatalities.
Dangerous Intersections in New York City
While car accidents occur daily at various city points, some intersections involve more crack-ups than others. Based on the number of collisions, a few of the most dangerous intersections in New York City include:
- Boston Road & Bronx River Parkway, Bronx
- Buffalo Avenue & Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn
- Francis Lewis Boulevard & Grand Central Parkway, Queens
- East 96th Street & Madison Avenue, Manhattan
- Clove Road & Narrows Road North, Staten Island
Some streets also prove more dangerous than others. Neptune Avenue, Lennox Avenue, Broadway, and Eastern Parkway saw more accidents than others.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle
At Shulman & Hill, we handle a diverse range of car and truck accidents, including the following:
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Sideswipe accidents
- T-bone collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Single vehicle accidents
- Uber & Lyft accidents
- Taxi accidents
Available Compensation in New York City Car Accident Cases
Victims injured in a New York City car accident can pursue two primary types of compensation: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages cover the financial losses from your accident, including current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity.
Non-economic damages compensate for the non-monetary losses, such as pain and suffering, disfigurement, and emotional distress. PIP coverage doesn’t cover non-economic damages.
In rare cases, New York courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendant for their actions. However, these awards are rare because the victim must prove the defendant’s conduct was intentional, malicious, outrageous, or otherwise aggravated beyond negligence.
A knowledgeable NYC car accident lawyer can help you determine what types of damages apply to your case.
- How Much is My Case Worth?
The value of your New York City car accident case depends on factors specific to your situation, including the severity of your injuries, the likelihood of making a full recovery, and applicable insurance factors. For example, the more severe your injuries, the more you may recover in a personal injury lawsuit.
Ultimately, the amount of damages at stake depends on your case, so values vary. Your lawyer will use information specific to your case to determine its worth.
- How Shulman & Hill Can Help With Your Case
The prospect of traversing New York’s legal system, especially when dealing with a severe injury, can be daunting. Our talented New York City car accident attorneys at Shulman & Hill are here to help.
While you prioritize your recovery, we’ll guide you through the legal process:
- Consultation: Our services start with a free consultation where you’ll tell us your story and provide any evidence you have to support your claim. We’ll answer any questions and help you determine whether you have a viable claim to pursue compensation.
- Investigation: Next, we’ll conduct a thorough investigation to uncover evidence pertinent to your case, including dashcam footage, surveillance camera footage, police reports, witness statements, and expert testimonies.
- Establish liability: Using information from the investigation, we’ll establish who is liable for your accident. Establishing liability in a New York City car accident normally involves proving the legal elements of negligence: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. We’ll connect the dots in your case, showcasing the extent of your damages and how they resulted from the at-fault driver’s actions.
- Handle paperwork: Through the process, we’ll keep you informed of applicable deadlines and file appropriate documentation for you.
- Settlement negotiation: When the insurance company offers a settlement, we’ll negotiate the offer and help you determine whether you want to settle.
- Represent you in court: If you don’t receive a meaningful settlement amount, we’ll assertively advocate for you in court and fight for fair compensation.
- Who is Liable in a New York City Car Accident
New York is a no-fault state for car accidents, meaning victims must first file a claim with their own insurance company for compensation instead of the other driver’s insurer. This type of insurance is known as personal injury protection coverage, or PIP. Drivers must carry the following minimum coverages:
- $10,000 for property damage in single accidents
- $25,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for death for an individual involved in an accident
- $50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for death for two or more individuals in an accident
This rule applies regardless of who was at fault.
However, if you suffer severe injuries or your economic losses exceed $50,000, you may pursue a personal injury claim against an at-fault party and seek additional damages. For example, if your accident causes significant disfigurement or permanent limitations on the use of a body part, you might be eligible to pursue compensation from the other driver.
Because liability and pursuing compensation hinges on the factors specific to your injuries, it’s essential to talk to a skilled New York City car accident attorney for personalized guidance.
- What is the Statute of Limitations for New York Car Accidents?
If you’ve been injured in a New York City car accident, you have a limited time to act under the state’s statute of limitations, which sets the deadline for filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party. The statute of limitations for most car accidents in New York is three years.
Failure to file your claim within three years of the accident date will likely prevent you from being able to proceed with your case against the at-fault party, so acting promptly is essential.
