Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
A sudden collision can upend your life. After a crash on I‑287 or a neighborhood street, a car accident lawyer in White Plains can help you take the next step.
At Shulman & Hill, our White Plains personal injury lawyer helps drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists in White Plains and across Westchester County. Our team handles rear-end and intersection crashes, hit-and-runs, drunk driving cases, uninsured motorist claims, rideshare and commercial vehicle collisions, and wrongful death. New York, We Got You.
Why Choose Our White Plains Car Accident Attorneys
You deserve a firm that knows White Plains roads, courts, and insurers. We bring local knowledge of hotspots like the Cross-Westchester Expressway, Bronx River Parkway, and busy downtown corridors where crashes often occur. Our team has over 200 years of combined experience handling personal injury and workers’ compensation cases, including car accident claims and recovering compensation.
From day one, we gather records, speak with witnesses, and coordinate with medical providers so your claim has support. Our car accident lawyers in White Plains keep you updated with clear timelines and plain-language guidance, and we prepare every case as if it could go to trial.
How New York No-Fault Works for White Plains Crashes
New York’s no-fault system provides Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits regardless of who caused the crash. PIP pays for reasonable medical care, a portion of lost wages (up to set caps), and certain household help, typically up to $50,000 per person.
You must file a no-fault application within 30 days of the collision to access these benefits. If your injuries meet New York’s “serious injury” threshold, you may also pursue a third-party claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering and other losses not covered by PIP.
Meeting New York’s Serious Injury Threshold
To recover damages for pain and suffering after a motor vehicle accident in New York, an injured person must satisfy the state’s “serious injury” threshold under Insurance Law. This requirement is designed to limit recovery for non-economic losses to cases involving more significant harm, and it applies regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
The law outlines several categories that qualify as a serious injury. These include obvious and objectively verifiable conditions such as fractures, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, and loss of a fetus.
It also covers permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function, or system, as well as permanent consequential limitation or significant limitation of use of a body function or system. In these cases, medical evidence such as imaging studies, physician reports, and functional assessments is important to demonstrate the extent and impact of the injury.
Proving Fault After a Car Wreck
Even in a no-fault state, liability matters when you pursue damages beyond PIP. Our car accident lawyers in White Plains look at the crash report, photographs, dashcam or traffic camera footage, electronic data from vehicles, and testimony from witnesses and reconstruction professionals.
New York follows pure comparative negligence, which means your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault but not barred. Clear timelines, preservation letters to protect video, and prompt investigation help safeguard proof before it disappears.
Compensation Available in White Plains Car Accident Cases
In a third-party claim or lawsuit, you can pursue damages beyond PIP when the law allows. The value of your case depends on fault, the extent of your injuries, treatment, and how the crash affects your work and daily life. Our team can help you recover compensation for:
- Medical bills not covered by PIP and future treatment
- Lost income, reduced earning capacity, and job benefits
- Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
- Rehabilitation, therapy, and medical equipment
- Out-of-pocket expenses and household services
What to Do After a Crash
Call 911, get medical care, and follow your treatment plan. Report the collision to your insurer promptly and file your no-fault application within 30 days.
If you can, take photos, exchange information, and identify witnesses at the scene. Avoid recorded statements or broad medical authorizations for the other driver’s insurer until you speak with a White Plains car accident attorney.
Dealing With Insurers and Adjusters
Insurance adjusters handle claims every day, and early offers may not reflect the full impact of your injuries. Gaps in treatment, inconsistent statements, or social media posts can be used to undercut your case.
We handle communications, organize your records, and present evidence in a way that reflects the true scope of your losses. When negotiations stall, we discuss filing suit and the steps that follow in Westchester County courts.
Deadlines and Notice Requirements in New York
Most New York personal injury lawsuits must be filed within three years of the crash, and wrongful death actions generally within two years. No-fault applications are due within 30 days, and many treatment bills have shorter submission windows.
Claims against public entities often require a Notice of Claim within 90 days, which can apply to crashes involving municipal vehicles or dangerous road conditions. If the at-fault driver was uninsured or fled the scene, we assess remedies through UM coverage or the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) when available.
How We Build Your Case And What You Can Expect
We start with a free consultation to learn your story and map out priorities. Then we collect records, consult your doctors, and analyze liability and insurance coverage to chart a claim strategy.
Most cases begin with claims and negotiations; if needed, we file suit, conduct discovery, take depositions, and prepare for trial while pursuing fair resolution at each stage. Our fee is contingency-based, so you pay nothing up front, and we only get paid if we recover for you.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyer in White Plains
If you were hurt in a crash in White Plains, you do not have to deal with the legal process alone. Reach out to our team, tell us what happened, and let us explain your options and next steps. Contact us today to get a focused plan for your New York car accident case.