Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyers

Trusted Car Accident Lawyers In Brooklyn, NY

Car accidents happen frequently in Brooklyn, and they range from deadly head-on collisions on the Belt Parkway to less severe T-bone crashes on East 16th Street. These auto accidents often result in injuries that can cause significant disability and a lifetime of pain and suffering for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. If you suffer an injury caused by a negligent driver, our Brooklyn car accident lawyers can help you get compensated so that you can begin to put your life back together again.

When insurance companies don’t give accident victims what they need to cover their medical bills and other expenses, it can be difficult to know where to turn. At Rosenberg & Rodriguez, we have a team of experienced personal injury attorneys who will fight for you and make sure you get the compensation you deserve. We understand how stressful and confusing this time can be, which is why we offer risk-free consultation and compassionate legal guidance every step of the way.

Common Causes of Brooklyn Car Accidents

Most car accidents in New York are caused by negligence or unsafe driving habits. Although there are various causes of auto accidents, there are a few that are much more common than others. If you were injured on the road as a result of someone else’s negligence, you could be eligible for financial compensation. After decades of work fighting for the injured people of New York, our experienced team of Brooklyn car accident lawyers has found that the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents include:

  • Distracted Driving kills more than 3,000 people in car accidents every year. Distracted driving includes taking your eyes, hands, or mind off driving. Even if this happens only for a moment, it can cause a severe car accident.
  • Speeding is statistically proven to leave car accident victims with more serious injuries.
  • Road Rage is reckless and endangers everyone on or near the road.
  • Tailgating is a common cause of rear-end accidents, especially in congested city streets like Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx.
  • Driving Under the Influence (DUI) drastically slows the reaction time of a motorist if they need to avoid an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian.
  • Road Defects, including potholes, debris, and construction zones all lead to hazardous roads and driving conditions, contributing to motor vehicle accidents and injuries.

If you’ve been injured in an auto accident in New York, you can count on Rosenberg & Rodriguez and our experienced team of car accident lawyers in Brooklyn. Contact our office today at (718) 509-4960 for a risk-free consultation.

Where Do Most Car Accidents In Brooklyn Occur?

According to a recent study conducted by the New York Department of Health, the data indicates that the following areas are the most dangerous intersections and stretches of roadway in Brooklyn, New York:

  • Avenue Z and Ocean Pkwy
  • Cropsey Ave and Hart Place
  • Neptune Ave and W 5 St
  • Avenue Y and E 14 St
  • E 16 St and Voorhies Ave
  • Kings Hwy and Ocean Pkwy
  • 17 Ave and Bay Ridge Pk

Common Injuries Caused By Auto Accidents In Brooklyn

The severity of car crash injuries can vary greatly, from small bruises to life-altering damage. If you were injured because of someone else’s carelessness, it’s critical to have a skilled Brooklyn car accident lawyer in your corner in order to be compensated fairly. Our veteran team of personal injury lawyers at Rosenberg & Rodriguez are ready and able to fight for the justice that you deserve. Some of the most common injuries caused by car accidents that we most frequently represent include the following:

  • Head Injuries
  • Broken Bones
  • Whiplash
  • Concussions
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Paralysis
  • Amputations
  • Neck Injuries
  • Back Injuries
  • Internal Bleeding
  • Organ Damage
  • Burns
  • Wrongful death
  • And more

It is crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible following a car accident in Brooklyn. Even if you feel okay afterward, injuries can sometimes not become apparent for days or even weeks after the accident. However, a medical professional can help diagnose and treat underlying injuries sooner than you may physically feel them. After visiting a medical professional, call our office and ask to speak with one of our Brooklyn car accident attorneys to learn more about how we can help.

Frequent Types Of Car Accidents In New York City

Different types of car accidents range in their level of severity and often involve a measure of luck. For example, one victim may walk away from what would be considered a “severe” car crash completely unharmed while another suffers a long-term disability caused by a rear-end accident at a red light. With that being said, some of the most common car accidents Brooklyn residents experience include:

Rear-End Accidents

Rear-end accidents generally speaking happen when the front of one car hits the back end of another. They most often occur at lower speeds in places where drivers have to stop and start a lot. Brooklyn city streets are prone to these types of collisions, especially at red lights and stop signs. One frequent cause of rear-end accidents in Brooklyn is people who drive recklessly, like texting while they’re behind the wheel. If you’ve been hurt in a rear-end accident, contact our Brooklyn car accident lawyer today.

Low-Speed Collisions

A low-speed collision is any crash that happens when vehicles are traveling slowly. These frequently take place in areas with a lot of traffic and pedestrians. If you spend time driving around Brooklyn, there is a very real possibility that you have been or will be involved in a low-speed collision.

Single-Vehicle Crashes

A single-vehicle accident is exactly what it sounds like – when an accident occurs with only one vehicle. For example, a car hits an inanimate object, such as a tree, building, or pole. Contrary to popular belief, there doesn’t need to be a second vehicle involved for there to be fault involved. If an accident occurs due to something that could and should have been avoided, then an at-fault party is at play. A common example is potholes, if a Brooklyn pothole causes a vehicle to lose control and injure the driver, the city of New York could be held accountable.

T-Bone Accidents

T-bone crashes, or side-impact collisions, happen when one driver smashes into the side of another car. This type of collision is often referred to as being particularly dangerous because it can sometimes prove fatal–even without other factors making the situation worse. The problem with t-bone crashes is that they usually result in the front end of one car hitting an area where someone is sitting in the second vehicle.

Head-On Collisions

One of the most dangerous types of car accidents is a head-on collision. In these crashes, all occupants can suffer serious and life-threatening injuries, including brain damage, spinal cord injuries, and disfigurement.

Available Damages To Car Accident Victims In Brooklyn, NY

According to New York state law, individuals who have been injured in a car accident are able to be compensated for both their economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are awarded to help pay for the financial costs and expenses related to an avoidable accident. By receiving an economic award, you should be able to cover all of your losses. If you want to be awarded economic damages, you must have evidence to back up your claims, such as invoices, receipts, pay stubs, and bills. Examples of economic damages include:

  • Medical bills, including the cost of an ambulance, hospitalization, surgery, and treatment
  • Medical devices and equipment
  • Rehabilitation and therapy
  • Lost wages and income
  • Disability, both temporary and permanent
  • Funeral and burial expenses, if an auto accident results in wrongful death

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are paid to make up for the aftermath of a car accident that cannot be expressed purely in numbers. Also known as “pain and suffering” consequences, they may include money to compensate for the following:

  • Disfigurement
  • Scarring
  • Chronic pain
  • Emotional distress
  • PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Because non-economic damages don’t have a set value, it’s essential to partner with a knowledgeable Brooklyn car accident lawyer who will fight for every penny you deserve. At Rosenberg & Rodriguez, we always utilize expert witnesses to help paint the clearest picture possible of how your injury has and will continue to affect your life. The more information we have about the emotional and physical pain you’ve endured, past and future medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of activities, etc., the better chance we’ll have to successfully recover maximum compensation for your injuries.

Filing a Car Accident Claim In Brooklyn

If you were injured in a car accident, our personal injury law firm can help. We know that this is a difficult and stressful time for you, which is why we will handle every aspect of your case while you focus on recovering from your injuries. The claims process can be exceedingly difficult and involves identifying the at-fault driver, calculating your medical expenses, providing documentation of lost income, and estimating the repairs or replacement value of your damaged vehicle. Fortunately, our team of car accident lawyers in Brooklyn is more than happy to assist you in putting together the necessary evidence for your claim. This can include the following:

  • Accident reports
  • Medical records
  • Medical bills
  • Repair estimates
  • Photos of the accident scene
  • Photos of both vehicles
  • Witness statements

Brooklyn Car Accident Statistics [Updated 2021]

Brooklyn consistently ranks in the top 25 cities for car accidents in the United States. Brooklyn has the most car crashes out of all boroughs in New York City, with 35,245 in 2020 — that’s 31.7% of NYC’s total car accidents. While many are minor fender-benders, roughly 20% result in an injury. In January 2021 alone, there were 2,415 car accidents in Brooklyn. Those traffic accidents resulted in:

  • 1,014 injuries, and
  • 4 deaths

Percentage Of Accidents By NYC Borough

In 2021, Brooklyn had the largest share of NYC’s traffic accidents. Below is the percentage breakdown highlighting where most auto accidents in New York City are happening.

  • Brooklyn: 30,292 (31.2%)
  • Queens: 29,491 (30.4%)
  • Bronx: 17,347 (17.9%)
  • Manhattan: 14,764 (15.2%)
  • Staten Island: 5,165 (5.3%)

Leading Causes Of Car Accidents In New York City

The most common causes of motor vehicle collisions in New York City, according to the NYPD’s accident statistics for a recent year, include:

  • Distracted Driving: 33,074 reported incidents, a factor in 29.8% of collisions
  • Improper Passing: 8,945 reported incidents, a factor in 8% of collisions
  • Following Too Closely: 9,082 reported incidents, a factor in 8.1% of collisions
  • Failure to Yield: 7,731 reported incidents, a factor in 6.9% of collisions
  • Speeding: 4,526 reported incidents, a factor in 4% of collisions
  • Drunk Driving: 1,763 reported incidents, a factor in 1.5% of collisions

In addition to the distractions previously mentioned, there are other causes of car accidents in New York City. If you have been involved in an accident, it’s crucial that you seek legal counsel right away from a car accident attorney Brooklyn residents trust. An attorney will investigate the details of your crash, collect expert opinions, assign liability and fault, and strive to get you the most money possible for your injuries.

Recent Car Accident Settlement Amounts

$815,000.00
Jury Verdict

Mini-School Bus Accident

$475,000.00
Settlement Before Trial

Rear-End Collision

$125,000.00
Settlement

Two-Car Accident

$120,000.00
Jury Verdict

Two-Car Intersection Accident

$100,000.00
Arbitration Award

Two-Car Accident

$72,500.00
Arbitration Award

Two-Car Accident

OVER $50 MILLION

OTHER SETTLEMENTS AND VERDICTS SINCE 2010

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Comparative Fault In New York?

There are three types of comparative fault systems that every state and jurisdiction follows in personal injury cases, with New York having the most lenient system.  New York uses a “comparative fault” system, which means that an accident victim located in Brooklyn, NY could still receive damages even if they were 99% responsible for the accident. Although, their reward will be much lower than usual because they carry partial blame.

For example, if a driver is hit by another drunk driver but was texting at the time of the crash as well, both parties will be found to share a proportionate amount of fault. A jury will then handle two questions related to this scenario. First, they will assign a monetary amount that represents the total damages done to the injured driver. Second, they ask and determine what percentage of the blame should be attributed to each party for causing the accident.

If the plaintiff, in this case, was awarded $100,000 in damages but the jury found that texting contributed 60% to the accident, under many state laws, the award would be reduced to $40,000 because plaintiffs are not allowed to receive compensation if they are more than 50% at fault.

How Long Do I Have To File A Car Accident Claim In New York?

New York state law is very strict when it comes to filing personal injury lawsuits. If you were injured in a car accident, you will have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Similarly, if someone close to you died in a Brooklyn car accident, you would have two years from the date of their death to take legal action.

However, the statute of limitations laws in New York differs in certain scenarios. For example, claims involving the government have an accelerated timetable while the statute of limitations for claims involving injured children or hit-and-run drivers is extended.

The key point to remember is this: if you miss the deadline for your case, you won’t be compensated. Furthermore, the later you take action, the lower the chance that you’ll be rewarded an amount that reflects your claim’s true value. So, contacting a Brooklyn auto accident lawyer as soon after being in an accident is vital for a successful personal injury claim.

Can I Still Get Money If I Share Fault For My Brooklyn Car Accident?

Yes, you can still be compensated if you share fault in an accident. Comparative fault allows people to receive compensation for an accident even if they share some of the blame. You may still be compensated as long you don’t hold all the blame. Although, your damages will decrease according to the percentage of responsibility you play in relation to the accident. If you’re 20% at fault, then 20% will be deducted from any potential compensation. New York law also states that you could owe 20% of damage repairs to anyone else involved in the crash.

After you’ve been in an accident, it’s common for other responsible parties and their insurance companies to attempt to shift the blame onto you. Protect yourself by working with a skilled Brooklyn car accident lawyer. With decades of experience representing injured victims, Rosenberg & Rodriguez understand how to take the necessary steps to nip those kinds of tactics in the bud. We’re aware that being held less responsible means more money for you–so be confident that we’ll do everything possible to negotiate on your behalf and show that you weren’t liable.

Contact Our Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyers Today

If you were recently injured in a car accident, it’s easy to feel lost. At Rosenberg & Rodriguez, we understand that your work and family obligations don’t simply vanish because you’re now hurt. Thankfully, our experienced Brooklyn car accident lawyers can help you get back on track. Remember, we don’t get paid unless you do. We dedicate our work to helping the injured people of Brooklyn and will fight to make sure you’re paid what you’re owed after a car accident. Contact our office today for a risk-free consultation at (718) 509-4960 and learn more about how we can help.