Long Island Car Accident Lawyers

Car Accident Lawyers Long Island Residents Trust

Every year on Long Island, thousands of individuals suffer from car accidents – some tragically losing their lives. Those who survive must cope with substantial physical injuries and the financial burden which follows these kinds of disasters. You should not have to bear this responsibility when you were a victim through no fault of your own!

At Rosenberg & Rodriguez, our team of highly experienced Long Island car accident lawyers boasts over 70 years of combined experience advocating for injury victims, recovering more than half a billion dollars in verdicts and settlements across New York. When you enlist us as your committed legal representation, we take complete control of the process so that you can focus on what matters most; getting better again. Reach out today and begin with a no-cost consultation with one of our esteemed personal injury attorneys.

Common Causes Of Car Accidents On Long Island

Most car crashes are attributed to human error, yet other elements can also figure into their occurrence. Below is a list of some of the more recurrent causes of auto accidents on Long Island:

  • Impaired driving – Driving while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, and even prescription medication can cause reflexes to be diminished, impairing judgment and ending in life-threatening decisions. It also increases a driver’s chance of nodding off at the wheel. As such, it is essential that those who have consumed any substance do not take to the roads for their safety as well as others.
  • Distracted driving – When drivers are distracted by their cellphones, text messages, snacks or drinks, personal grooming – anything that takes away their focus from the road ahead – they can miss when traffic has slowed or come to a halt entirely. This careless negligence can increase the risk of collision and place everyone on the roadway in danger.
  • Fatigued driving – According to the National Safety Council, driving after going without sleep for over 20 hours is just as bad as being under the influence. In fact, it’s equivalent to having a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent – which is considered legally drunk in New York.
  • Aggressive driving – Aggressive driving behaviors, such as speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, and blowing through red lights or stop signs, significantly increase the likelihood of an accident. 
  • Inclement weather and poor road conditions – Navigating hazardous road conditions can be treacherous; snow, sleet, fog, and rain reduce visibility while potholes or debris on the pavement increase the chances of a driver losing control. To stay safe in such situations, drivers must remember to slow down and remain alert.

Common Car Accident Injuries

The aftermath of a car accident can include anything from slight scratches to life-long treatments. Our team of accomplished Long Island car accident lawyers is well-versed in helping customers who have sustained one or more of the following injuries, secure an optimal outcome for their case.

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

Even if you think your injuries are minor, it is still wise to see a medical professional after a car accident. Symptoms can take time to manifest and prompt diagnosis can help ensure proper treatment. Make sure to keep records of all visits and bills as they may be factors in any legal action taken later on. When the dust settles, contact Rosenberg & Rodriguez right away. Our experienced Long Island car accident lawyers will fight hard for you and make sure that you receive full financial compensation for any damages or injuries suffered during the collision.

Navigating New York’s No-Fault Laws

Accidents on the roads of New York come with no-fault insurance laws, demanding all drivers possess PIP coverage. This includes both themselves and their vehicles to ensure everyone involved in a collision is able to gain benefits, even if they weren’t at fault – excluding certain exceptions from No-Fault protection.

If you suspect intoxication, theft, lack of insurance, or negligence were involved in your car accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to our seasoned auto-accident lawyers on Long Island. We can provide clarity on whether your situation is eligible for no-fault coverage. Contact us now and get the legal advice you need!

No-fault policies guarantee up to $50,000 in medical expenses and lost earnings as a result of an accident – unless you choose to opt for extra coverage. Submitting no-fault claims within the 30-day window post-accident is essential for acquiring full benefits. After this time passes, any reimbursement may be substantially reduced or even lost completely. Moreover, all medical bills and supporting evidence must also be provided to the insurer during this period – failure to do so will result in unmet costs.

Percentage of Fault Will Impact How Much You Recover

As a no-fault and comparative negligence state, New York allows you to seek recompense for injuries inflicted on you by another person or party. Even if the responsibility is not entirely theirs, as per CVP § 1411 of the Civil Practice Law & Rules, a part may be awarded that covers all damages incurred during an accident.

In particular, in scenarios where both individuals involved in the crash have contributed fault towards it, liability can only be claimed up to their measured degree of involvement. Our team will happily evaluate your issue and provide clarity regarding this law’s application to your case!

To determine the responsibility of each participant in the accident, a court may often have to step in. When it comes time to render monetary judgment, fault will be allocated amongst individual parties accordingly. The amount of reparation that an injured party qualifies for is dependent on their degree of culpability; let’s consider a hypothetical situation:

  • Imagine the court determines you were 20% at fault in a crash.
  • This would make the other driver 80% responsible for your damages.
  • You would likely receive 80% in compensation rather than 100%.

Our talented Long Island car accident attorneys are well aware of the importance of attaining adequate remuneration for your physical, financial, and emotional healing. The impressive success rate we’ve achieved through our dedicated team speaks volumes about how relentlessly we will fight to get you what you deserve; plus, what we have secured in settlements for many clients is solid proof. You need an injury claim that covers all medical expenses accrued, any income lost due to treatment or recovery time off work, and other related costs associated with your issue.

We strive relentlessly to combat any claims of negligence against you, and we will do everything in our power to help you secure the most compensation possible as an accident victim. Additionally, if there is evidence that suggests shared fault, we will work diligently to minimize its impact on your case and fight for additional damages.

Long Island Car Accident Statistics

Tragically, automobile collisions are a rampant issue in Long Island and across New York. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an astonishing 963 fatal crashes occurred within one year – resulting in 1,046 deaths. Even more heartbreakingly:

  • 32% were car occupants
  • 22% were pedestrians
  • 19% were motorcyclists
  • 16% were large truck occupants
  • 16% were pickup and SUV occupants

In a span of just one month, the New York City Police Department reported that 8,500 motor-vehicle collisions had taken place in the city – 4,651 people were injured and 22 lives ended abruptly.

Unfortunate events, such as car accidents, are drastically too high in Nassau County. According to the Department of Health’s statistics, motor vehicle incidents have been registered as the fourth top unintentional cause of death in this segment of Long Island. In fact, only five years ago there were greater than 11 thousand and 173 crashes in Nassau County alone! As an outcome:

  • 10,000 victims sustained injuries that required a trip to the emergency room
  • 998 victims were hospitalized, and
  • 75 people were killed in fatal crashes.

The numbers are alarming when you look at Nassau and Suffolk Counties combined – an average of 83 motor vehicle collisions leading to injury or death occur on Long Island every single day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Statute Of Limitations For A Car Accident Claim On Long Island?

Don’t let time slip away from you! According to New York law, private individuals who have been injured in an accident only have three years to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. Furthermore, if the person responsible for your incident works for or is appointed by the government then this period of time becomes even shorter.

You do not want to miss out on this critical deadline – that could lead to forfeiting any chance you may have had of claiming compensation through civil court proceedings. It’s important that you seek legal assistance from an expert attorney who can help keep track and adhere to such crucial timelines.

What Is Considered A “Serious Injury” Under New York No-Fault Insurance Law?

To qualify for compensation stemming from pain and suffering in a motor vehicle accident within New York, you must demonstrate that your injury is serious according to the state law. This necessitates proof of one of these personal injuries:

  • Death;
  • Dismemberment;
  • Significant disfigurement;
  • A fracture;
  • Loss of a fetus;
  • Permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function, or system;
  • Permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member;
  • A significant limitation of use of a body function or system; or,
  • A medically determined injury or impairment of a non-permanent nature which prevents the injured person from performing substantially all of the material acts which constitute such person’s usual and customary daily activities for not less than ninety days during the one hundred eighty days immediately following the occurrence of the injury

Where Do Most Car Accidents on Long Island Happen?

With its hazardous roads and unpredictable drivers, Nassau County and Suffolk County are notoriously unsafe for car travel. Even if you drive diligently, obey the law, and take all safety precautions possible, there’s no guarantee that you won’t encounter an accident on your journey. The reason? Because sadly enough one can not control how other individuals behave behind the wheel or ensure pedestrians will share public pathways with care.

Want to reduce the likelihood of getting into an accident while on Long Island? Analyzing crash data from Nassau and Suffolk Counties can help you identify which intersections and roads are more prone to accidents. The non-profit Tri-State Transportation Campaign dove deep into three years’ worth of this information, uncovering a list of the most hazardous stretches throughout both counties. Some of these high-risk spots include:

  • Jericho Turnpike / State Route 25
  • North County Rd / SR-25A
  • New York Avenue / SR-110
  • Route 24
  • Montauk Highway
  • Lakeview Rd & Marcus Ave. & Northern State Pkwy
  • New Hyde Park Rd & Northern State Pkwy
  • Roslyn Rd & LIE South Service Rd
  • Old Country Rd & Wantagh Pkwy
  • Hempstead Turnpike & Wantagh Pkwy
  • Round Swamp Rd & Northern State Pkwy, and
  • Connetquot Ave & Sunrise Hwy.

Contact Our Long Island Car Accident Lawyers Today

Are you feeling overwhelmed and lost after sustaining an injury in a car crash? Rosenberg & Rodriguez is here for you. We understand the pressure of balancing your career and family commitments with this difficult situation, so our team of trusted Long Island car accident lawyers can help get things back on track. Furthermore, we don’t receive payment until you do through fair compensation that reflects what’s owed to you as a result of the accident. Let us advocate for justice on your behalf, call us now at (718) 509-4960 now to learn more or schedule a risk-free consultation!