Car Accident Lawyers in New York

Find Accident and Injury Lawyers in New York

New York has some of the most specific injury laws in the country, including a no-fault auto insurance system that directly affects how and when you can file a claim after a car accident. Whether you were hurt in a truck collision, a workplace incident, or a fall on someone's property, the lawyer you choose should know New York's rules inside and out.

New York Injury Laws

The statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in New York is three years from the date of the accident. Wrongful death claims have a shorter deadline — two years from the date of death. Miss these filing windows and you lose your right to recover compensation entirely.

New York follows a pure comparative fault rule. You can recover damages even if you were 99% at fault, though your award gets reduced by your percentage of responsibility. There are no caps on compensatory damages in most injury cases.

For car accidents specifically, New York's no-fault system requires you to first seek compensation through your own insurance, regardless of who caused the crash. You can only step outside the no-fault system and sue the other driver if your injuries meet a "serious injury" threshold defined under New York Insurance Law § 5102(d).

When to Contact a Lawyer in New York

• You suffered a serious injury in a car or truck accident and your no-fault benefits don't cover your losses
• You were injured on the job and believe a third party — not just your employer — shares responsibility
• A property owner's negligence caused a slip and fall that left you with medical bills or lost wages
• A family member died due to someone else's negligence and you need to file a wrongful death claim within the two-year deadline

Frequently Asked Questions About New York Injury Claims

What qualifies as a "serious injury" under New York's no-fault law?

New York Insurance Law § 5102(d) lists specific categories, including bone fractures, significant disfigurement, permanent limitation of a body organ or member, and injuries that prevent you from performing daily activities for at least 90 of the 180 days following the accident. Your injury must fit one of these categories before you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

Can I file a workplace injury lawsuit in New York or am I limited to workers' compensation?

Workers' compensation is typically your only remedy against your employer. However, New York allows third-party claims — for example, if defective equipment or a negligent subcontractor caused your injury on a construction site. New York Labor Law §§ 200, 240, and 241 also impose specific safety obligations on property owners and general contractors, giving injured workers additional grounds to sue.