New York City Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Trusted Representation for Injured Victims Across New York City
You were seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident in New York. You didn’t cause the wreck, but you’re left to pick up the pieces. Your medical bills are due, and you cannot work. Worst of all, the insurance company seems more concerned with protecting their bottom line than helping you recover.
At the Law Offices of Michael H. Joseph, PLLC, we have over 25 years of experience representing New Yorkers in serious traffic-related injury cases throughout New York City and Westchester County. Our motor vehicle accident lawyers know how to get your injury claim moving so you can recover.
Types of Motor Vehicle Cases We Handle
Our attorneys represent clients injured in a wide range of traffic-related accident cases throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Westchester County. These cases include car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian knockdowns, bicycle collisions, rideshare accidents, and commercial vehicle claims.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are one of the most common causes of serious injuries throughout New York City. Heavy traffic, distracted driving, speeding, unsafe lane changes, and failure to yield frequently contribute to collisions across the five boroughs. We represent drivers and passengers injured in rear-end crashes, intersection accidents, multi-vehicle collisions, and other serious wrecks.
Truck Accidents
Truck accident cases often involve serious injuries and complicated liability issues. Commercial trucks, delivery vehicles, construction vehicles, and tractor-trailers can cause severe damage in a collision. These cases may involve trucking companies, contractors, maintenance providers, and multiple insurance carriers. Preserving evidence quickly is critical.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists face a higher risk of severe injury because they lack the protection passenger vehicles provide. Drivers frequently fail to see motorcycles while turning, merging, or changing lanes. Even relatively low-speed motorcycle crashes can result in traumatic injuries that require extensive treatment and rehabilitation.
Car vs Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents are common throughout New York City intersections and crosswalks. Drivers who are distracted, speeding, or failing to yield can cause life-changing injuries to pedestrians. Insurance companies often attempt to shift blame onto the injured victim. Our firm works to investigate these accidents carefully and pursue full compensation under New York law.
Bicycle Accidents
Cyclists throughout New York City face constant risks from distracted drivers, rideshare vehicles, opening car doors, and congested traffic conditions. Bicycle accident claims often involve disputed liability and serious injuries. We represent injured cyclists seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and long-term physical limitations.
Rideshare and Taxi Accidents
Uber, Lyft, taxi, and commercial vehicle accidents often involve complicated insurance issues. Coverage may depend on whether the driver was actively working at the time of the collision. Our firm investigates commercial vehicle crashes and rideshare accident claims carefully to identify all available insurance coverage and responsible parties.
Bus Accidents
Bus accidents can involve public transit buses, school buses, charter buses, and private carriers. These cases often involve serious injuries and complicated liability issues, particularly when a government entity or municipal agency is involved. Strict filing deadlines may apply in claims against the City of New York or the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Electric Scooter Accidents
Electric scooter accidents have become increasingly common throughout New York City. Riders may be injured by distracted drivers, unsafe road conditions, defective scooter equipment, or negligent rideshare and delivery vehicle operators. These accidents can result in serious head injuries, fractures, and other significant physical trauma.
Motor Vehicle Accidents by the Numbers in New York City
- More than 90,000 motor vehicle collisions were reported in New York City in 2024.
- More than 40,000 crashes involved reported injuries.
- Thousands of collisions each year involve pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, buses, rideshare vehicles, and commercial trucks.
- Congested intersections, distracted driving, speeding, and failure to yield remain among the leading causes of serious traffic-related injuries throughout the five boroughs.
- Pedestrians and cyclists continue to face some of the highest risks of catastrophic injury in New York City traffic accidents.
According to New York City traffic data, serious motor vehicle accidents continue to affect drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other roadway users across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
How Insurance Companies Handle Motor Vehicle Accident Claims
Insurance adjusters begin investigating immediately after an accident. Their job is to protect the company’s financial interests. Insurers may attempt to minimize injuries, dispute medical treatment, question liability, or argue that a victim’s condition existed before the collision occurred.
In some cases, injured victims are pressured into giving recorded statements before they fully understand the extent of their injuries. In others, settlement offers are made early in the process before future medical treatment and long-term limitations become clear.
At the Law Office of Michael H. Joseph, PLLC, we prepare every case with the expectation that the insurance company will challenge the claim. That preparation includes:
- preserving evidence
- reviewing medical records
- investigating liability
- documenting the full impact of the accident
Strong preparation often places injured victims in a far better position during settlement negotiations and litigation.
Determining Liability After a Motor Vehicle Accident
Establishing liability is one of the most important parts of any motor vehicle accident case. Under New York law, injured victims generally must prove that another party acted negligently and that the negligence caused the accident and resulting injuries.
Depending on the circumstances, liability may involve:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Failure to yield
- Unsafe lane changes
- Drunk or impaired driving
- Driver fatigue
- Traffic violations
- Negligent vehicle maintenance
Some accidents involve multiple responsible parties. Commercial vehicle cases, for example, may involve employers, contractors, vehicle owners, or corporate insurers in addition to the driver involved in the crash.
Our firm investigates accidents carefully by reviewing police reports, photographs, witness statements, medical documentation, and other available evidence. In serious cases, we may also consult accident reconstruction experts and other professionals.
Compensation Available in a New York Motor Vehicle Accident Case
A serious motor vehicle accident can affect nearly every part of a person’s life. Medical treatment, physical limitations, lost income, and ongoing pain can create enormous financial and personal strain for injured victims and their families.
Depending on the circumstances of the case, compensation may include:
Medical Expenses
Injured victims may recover compensation for emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, rehabilitation, prescription medication, and future medical care related to the accident.
Lost Income and Reduced Earning Capacity
Serious injuries can prevent victims from returning to work temporarily, or permanently. Compensation may include lost wages, missed business income, and diminished future earning capacity when injuries affect long-term employment.
Pain and Suffering
New York law may allow injured victims to recover compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and the overall impact the injuries have had on daily life. Serious injuries often affect mobility, independence, relationships, and quality of life long after the accident itself.
Property Damage and Other Financial Losses
Motor vehicle accidents may also result in significant property damage and out-of-pocket expenses related to transportation, medical appointments, and other accident-related costs.
The value of a claim depends on the severity of the injuries, the available insurance coverage, the evidence supporting the claim, and the long-term impact the accident has had on the victim’s life.
What To Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident in New York
The steps you take after a serious motor vehicle accident can directly affect your injury claim. Insurance companies begin evaluating cases immediately after a collision. Preserving evidence and protecting your rights early on can make a significant difference.
Preserve Evidence
Photographs, video footage, medical records, repair estimates, and witness information may all become important evidence in your case. If possible, preserve documentation related to the accident and your injuries as early as possible.
Avoid Speaking With Insurance Adjusters Alone
Insurance adjusters may contact you shortly after the collision and request recorded statements or detailed information about your injuries. Statements made early in the process are often used later to dispute liability or minimize damages.
Continue Medical Treatment
Following through with recommended medical care is important for your recovery and your case. Gaps in treatment may be used to argue that your injuries are not as serious as claimed.
Speak With a Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Speaking with an attorney early in the process can help protect your rights, identify all available sources of compensation, and prevent mistakes that could reduce the value of your claim.
Why Injured Victims Choose the Law Office of Michael H. Joseph, PLLC
Choosing the right attorney after a serious motor vehicle accident matters. Insurance companies handle claims every day and often have teams working to reduce exposure in serious injury cases. Injured victims deserve experienced legal representation prepared to protect their interests.
For more than 25 years, attorney Michael H. Joseph has represented injured clients throughout New York City and Westchester County. Our firm provides direct attorney access, responsive communication, and thorough case preparation from the beginning of a claim through litigation if necessary.
Clients who work with our firm benefit from:
- Direct communication with an attorney
- Decades of personal injury litigation experience
- Thorough case investigation and preparation
- Representation in negotiations and litigation
- No upfront legal fees for injury cases
We understand the financial and emotional pressure serious accidents place on individuals and families. Our goal is to help clients pursue the compensation they need while guiding them through the legal process as efficiently and effectively as possible.
I searched “car accident lawyer” after going through an accident that changed my life completely! I’m so glad that I found him. I can’t thank him enough for everything he has done. If you’re looking for the best lawyer that handles car accidents, trust you will be in great hands. Thanks again for everything Michael.
Been with the Law Offices of Michael H. Joseph since 2012, and he is just great. So understanding, and an awesome guy in general. He is always providing me me with thoughtful and well reasoned advice, and overall was so communicative with me whether it was through email or by phone. Recommend Michael.
New York’s No-Fault Insurance System
New York operates under a no-fault insurance system. Your own insurance company provides Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits in most cases, regardless of who caused the crash.
No-fault benefits may cover:
- Medical treatment
- A portion of lost wages
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Certain out-of-pocket expenses
However, these benefits are limited. If your injuries are serious, you may pursue additional compensation beyond no-fault coverage.
Did You Know? New York’s Serious Injury Threshold May Be Easier to Meet Than You Think
Under New York law, injured victims cannot recover pain and suffering damages after every motor vehicle accident. To pursue compensation beyond no-fault benefits, the injuries must satisfy the state’s “serious injury” threshold under Insurance Law § 5102(d).
Qualifying injuries may include:
- fractures
- significant disfigurement
- permanent loss or limitation of a body organ or member
- significant limitation of a body function or system
An injured victim may also qualify if a medically determined injury prevents normal daily activities for at least 90 of the first 180 days following the accident.
Insurance companies frequently challenge whether injuries meet this threshold. Strong medical documentation is often critical in serious injury litigation.
Act Now to Protect Your Rights
New York law generally provides three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. In cases involving municipal vehicles or government entities, the deadline may be as short as one year and ninety days.
Delaying action can affect your ability to preserve evidence and build a strong claim. Witness memories fade, and physical evidence may be lost. Contacting a New York City auto accident attorney quickly can protect your case. Do not wait to take action. Delays can weaken your claim and limit your ability to recover full compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions About New York City Motor Vehicle Accident Claims
If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, you likely have questions about what comes next.
How is pain and suffering calculated in a New York accident case?
There is no fixed formula for determining pain and suffering damages in New York. The value depends on the severity of your injury, permanence of impairment, impact on daily life, and supporting medical evidence. Insurance companies analyze prior verdicts and settlements to guide offers, but strong documentation and persuasive advocacy often make a meaningful difference.
Do I have to pay upfront legal fees?
No. The Law Office of Michael H. Joseph, PLLC handles injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay legal fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. We also offer free consultations.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule. You may still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
How long will my case take?
The timeline varies depending on the severity of your injuries, clarity of liability, and whether litigation becomes necessary. Some cases resolve within months, while others require more time to secure full and fair compensation.
Call a New York City Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney Now
If you were injured in a crash, do not wait to get legal help. A New York City motor vehicle accident attorney at our firm can evaluate your case, explain your rights, and pursue the compensation you are entitled to receive. The insurance company has professionals working to protect its interests. You should have someone protecting yours.
Call the Law Office of Michael H. Joseph, PLLC at (212) 858-0503 for a free consultation. Let us help you move forward after your accident.