New York City Car Accident Lawyer
From medical expenses to pain and suffering, our New York City car accident lawyers see the consequences of traffic collisions every day. If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a car accident, Meirowitz & Wasserberg is here for you. We’ve been helping accident victims in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island get maximum compensation for over a decade. Call 212-897-1988 to explore your legal options with a free consultation.
Expertise
Samuel Meirowitz is “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and an accomplished personal injury lawyer, trial attorney and relentless advocate for his clients. Previously, he served the State of New York for four years as a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s office. Mr. Meirowitz is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida State Courts.
Content written by Samuel Meirowitz
Samuel Meirowitz is “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and an accomplished personal injury lawyer, trial attorney and relentless advocate for his clients. Previously, he served the State of New York for four years as a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s office. Mr. Meirowitz is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida State Courts.
Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
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"We’ve seen cases involving intoxicated drivers, tailgating, speeding, and failure to obey road signs."
Why NYC Drivers Choose Meirowitz & Wasserberg
You can count on us to fight for your best interests after a car accident. As a trusted New York City auto accident law firm, here’s what sets us apart:
- Our attorneys have secured over $500 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients.
- We handle all car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t pay us anything unless we recover compensation for you.
- Our attorneys have handled cases across all five boroughs — Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island — and in the Manhattan, Bronx and Brooklyn Supreme Courts.
- Our nationally recognized trial attorneys are prepared to fight for you if the insurance company does not treat you fairly. Attorney Samuel Meirowitz is a member of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers, and attorney Daniel Wasserberg was named one of the Top 100 Civil Litigators by The National Trial Lawyers.
- We have the resources to properly investigate and litigate even the most complex car accident cases.
- We understand how car insurance companies operate and will not settle your claim for less than it’s worth.
- Our mission is to give a voice to the voiceless. We take a people-first approach that prioritizes your well-being and justice, and our attorneys are committed to leveling the playing field between accident victims and large insurance companies.
Call 212-897-1988 today for a free and confidential case evaluation with our New York City car accident attorneys.
Recent Car Accident Settlements and Verdicts in New York
Our auto accident lawyers have won a number of six- and seven-figure awards for our valued clients. These are just a few of the many settlements and verdicts we’ve recovered recently:
- Attorney Jonathan Alvarez recovered $1,175,000 for a client in a three-car collision that resulted in a ruptured aorta and spinal paralysis.
- Attorney Joseph P. Donnelly recovered $600,000 for a client who suffered a neck injury and post-concussion syndrome as a result of a motor vehicle accident. The insurance company’s initial offer was $25,000. He also recovered $300,000 for a client who was rear-ended by a commercial vehicle and required shoulder surgery.
- Attorney Aaron Fine recovered $305,000 for a client who suffered a herniated disk and spinal stenosis after a collision with a rented passenger vehicle that ran a stop sign.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Clients in New York City and beyond have trusted us with their car accident cases. We earned their positive feedback through relentless advocacy and attention to detail:
"This law firm is top-notch. They are compassionate, patient, knowledgeable, and competent. They helped me navigate through the most difficult time of my life after being seriously injured in a car accident. They assisted me so much and really cared about my case. Jonathan Alvarez worked with me personally, and I can't thank him enough for everything he did for me. He won my case, and my settlement was sizeable. I highly recommend them!”
“Being referred to Meirowitz & Wasserberg was possibly the best thing that could have happened to me. I had recently gotten into a car accident and was going through such a headache trying to sort things out with my previous lawyer when my close friend recommended me here. They reacted promptly and efficiently, and I will definitely be returning.”
“The lawyers at Meirowitz and Wasserberg were extremely helpful after I was injured in a car accident in Manhattan. I was able to focus on recovering from a broken shoulder and strained neck instead of worrying about what to do next regarding the accident. The lawyers were extremely professional at all times, and I am thankful for their superb help.”
How Much Is a Car Accident Case Worth in New York City?
There is no single average for how much a car accident is worth in New York City, because the case value depends on the facts of your unique claim. Factors such as the severity of injury and available insurance coverage affect a case’s potential settlement value.
Key Factors That Determine an NYC Car Accident Case’s Worth
- Severity and permanence of injuries: Catastrophic or long-term injuries (for example, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures or permanent loss of function) tend to yield higher settlements. Soft‑tissue injuries that resolve in a few months may have lower settlements.
- Liability: New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule under CPLR section 1411. This rule reduces your compensation by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover some damages even if you were mostly responsible. For example, if a jury values your damages at $500,000 but finds you 20% at fault, your net recovery is reduced to $400,000.
- Available insurance coverage from all parties: In most NYC cases, the practical ceiling on your recovery is the total liability and supplemental coverage available from all at‑fault parties, plus any underinsured motorist coverage you have. New York requires minimum coverage of $10,000 for property damage, $25,000 for injury to one person and $50,000 for injury to two or more people.
- Medical expenses, past and future: Any necessary medical treatment related to the crash adds to the economic portion of your damages. This can include emergency care, hospitalizations, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, injections, assistive devices and long‑term rehabilitation.
- Lost wages and future earning capacity: If your injuries caused you to miss work, you can claim the wages, salary, overtime or self‑employment income you lost during your recovery. These claims must be supported by employer records, tax returns or similar proof. If your injuries reduce or eliminate your future earning capacity, this is also added to your damages.
- Pain, suffering and impact on daily life: Non‑economic damages compensate you for physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and the ways your injuries interfere with everyday activities and relationships.
In New York, insurance covers up to $50,000 of medical bills and lost wages because it’s a no-fault state. However, you only get to claim additional damages if you meet the “serious injury” threshold (such as fractures, significant disfigurement, a qualifying disability or death) under section 5102(d) of the state’s insurance law.
Our attorneys have recovered awards ranging from six to seven figures for car accident clients, including $1,175,000 for a client who suffered spinal paralysis and $305,000 for a client with a herniated disk. Contact us to find out if you qualify to file an NYC lawsuit for serious injuries.
What To Do After a Car Accident in New York City
If you have been involved in an NYC car accident, follow these steps to ensure your safety and maximize your case potential.
- Step 1 — Assess Your Condition:
After a crash, assess your condition first. If you feel well enough to move, check on the immediate area and the other drivers involved.
- Step 2 — Seek Medical Care:
If your injuries are severe, remain calm and stay put until emergency responders arrive. Even if you do not feel seriously injured, seeking medical care as soon as possible is important. Some injuries do not immediately manifest symptoms, because the adrenaline rush from the accident may dull the pain. If you wait too long to seek treatment, a jury may view this as an indication that your injuries were not as serious as you claim.
- Step 3 — Notify the Police:
You are required to notify the police of any accident that caused an injury or property damage. Do so as soon as you are able. Make sure to get a copy of the accident report.
- Step 4 — Take Photos for Evidence:
While you wait for the police to arrive, take photos of the accident scene, the damage to your vehicle, the positions of the vehicles and your injuries. Answer the police officer’s questions honestly and concisely, but do not make any statements that could be interpreted as admitting fault.
- Step 5 — Contact an NYC Car Accident Lawyer:
The other driver’s insurer has legal representation working against your claim from day one. Speaking with them before consulting an attorney is one of the most common and costly mistakes accident victims make. Meirowitz & Wasserberg offers free, 24/7 consultations.
NYC Car Accident Statistics: Manhattan, Brooklyn and Beyond
In 2025, the New York City Police Department recorded more than 83,656 vehicle crashes in NYC. Out of those accidents, there were 48,378 injuries and 201 fatalities.
Car accidents occur across all five boroughs, including Manhattan’s gridlocked avenues, Brooklyn’s busy arterials, the Bronx’s expressways, Queens’ intersections and Staten Island’s highways.
Particularly Dangerous NYC Intersections
- 2nd Avenue and East 59th Street
- 37th Avenue and 101st Street
- 58th Street and Roosevelt Avenue
- 6th Avenue and West 23rd Street
- Atlantic Avenue and Bedford Avenue
- Castleton Avenue and Clove Road
- East 138th Street and Alexander Avenue
- Flatbush Avenue and Tillary Street
- Graham Avenue and Grand Street
- Kingston Avenue and Sterling Place
- Ludlow Street and Rivington Street
- Rivington Street and Clinton Street
- Willoughby Street and Lawrence
City officials enacted NYC’s Vision Zero program in 2014 to reduce serious injuries and deaths in vehicle accidents through greater education and enforcement of traffic laws. Since Vision Zero’s implementation, traffic deaths have gone down by 31%. The number of traffic deaths in 2025 was the lowest on record.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in New York City
Driver error is the main cause of accidents in New York City. Drivers who don’t pay attention to the road, drive while intoxicated or break roadway rules are all likely to cause problems. With millions of licensed drivers in the New York City area, it’s no surprise that car accidents happen so often.
Driver Distraction
Distracted driving is a big problem in the U.S. New York law prohibits texting and driving and all other handheld cellphone use behind the wheel. Other types of distractions include eating and drinking, talking to passengers and personal grooming.
Drunk Driving
Every year, hundreds of people die or suffer serious injuries in accidents related to drunk driving in New York. Poor judgment, reduced reaction time and inability to control the vehicle often contribute to these collisions.
Reckless Driving
Ignoring roadway rules, failing to yield the right of way, passing too closely, speeding and running red lights increase the risk of causing car accidents.
Failure to Yield
Failure to yield is a big cause of car crashes, and it’s especially dangerous to pedestrians. In previous NYC DOT studies, 27% of crashes where pedestrians were seriously injured or killed involved failure to yield on the driver’s part.
Defective Auto Parts
Defective brakes, tires, steering columns, ignition devices and other parts can cause a driver to lose control of a vehicle and crash.
Dangerous Roadways
Uneven shoulders, construction zones, potholes, debris in the road, malfunctioning traffic lights and poorly designed intersections can all contribute to car crashes. In these cases, the city could be liable for injuries for negligently failing to maintain safe roads.
Traffic calming measures involve certain rules and regulations that the city has to adhere to when it comes to the road’s conditions. Sometimes, what occurs is that if there’s an accident involving another vehicle, there could be a possibility that you can also sue the city. This could happen if they’re not adhering to those traffic calming measures that are common.
New York Car Accident Laws and Insurance Rules
New York is a no-fault car insurance state and has specific statutes of limitations for filing a car accident claim. Auto insurance laws set minimum coverage requirements that drivers must carry. Drivers should be able to seek financial recovery from their insurers after collisions.
Car Accident Statute of Limitations in New York
Every state has strict deadlines for when all parties must file claims with the civil courts. You must file a claim before the statute of limitations for a car accident expires to preserve your right to receive compensation. With rare exceptions, missing your deadline means losing your right to file.
In New York, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is three years from the date of the car accident. The three-year rule also applies to claims involving only property damage. If the injured person is a minor, the statute of limitations is generally paused until they turn 18.
If your accident involved a New York City vehicle, a city employee or a dangerous roadway condition, a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the accident. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your claim.
If one needs to file a wrongful death claim after a car accident, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of death.
New York No-Fault Car Insurance Requirements
New York is a no-fault car insurance state. All drivers must carry minimum insurance coverage. Failing to maintain the minimum required vehicle insurance could result in legal fines, penalties and a loss of driving privileges.
Coverage Type | Minimum Amount |
Liability (bodily injury, one person) | $25,000 |
Liability (bodily injury, multiple people) | $50,000 |
Liability (death, one person) | $50,000 |
Liability (death, multiple people) | $100,000 |
Property damage liability | $10,000 |
No-fault (personal injury protection) | $50,000 per person |
Uninsured motorist (one person) | $25,000 |
Uninsured motorist (multiple people) | $50,000 |
No-fault insurance will typically pay for the policyholder’s medical bills, 80% of lost income (up to $2,000 per month), $25 per day for household help and $2,000 in death benefits. Uninsured motorist insurance will help if you get into a crash with someone who doesn’t have insurance or with a hit-and-run driver.
Compensation for NYC Car Accident Victims
A New York City car accident lawyer can fight for fair compensation after a disastrous car accident. What is fair will depend on the extent and costs of your injuries, as well as the impact they will have on your future. The types of compensation include:
- Medical coverage
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
An insurance claim alone may not cover the full extent of your damages. Under New York’s no-fault laws, you cannot file a civil claim against an at-fault party unless your accident resulted in catastrophic injuries or disfigurement. New York’s serious injury threshold under Insurance Law section 5102(d) defines the qualifying injuries that allow you to pursue a lawsuit beyond no-fault limits. These injuries may include significant disfigurement, fracture and permanent limitation of a body organ. An experienced lawyer can assess whether your injuries qualify, securing you the financial recovery you need to move on after a harmful accident.
Frequently Asked Questions About NYC Car Accident Lawyers
There’s typically no charge for a 24/7 consultation, and there’s no fee unless the firm wins. When the firm wins, they will take a percentage of what they recover as a fee.
You have three years to file for most personal injury cases under CPLR section 214. You have two years for wrongful death claims. But if the accident involved a city vehicle, a city employee or a dangerous city-owned roadway, a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days. Missing this deadline can permanently stop your claim, so be sure to contact an attorney right away for the specific deadline in your case.
There’s no universal average settlement. Case value depends on injury severity, liability, insurance coverage and lost income. Meirowitz & Wasserberg has recovered settlements ranging from $300,000 to over $1 million for seriously injured clients. A free consultation is the best way to get a case-specific assessment.
A lawyer isn’t required, but it’s highly recommended. Most insurance companies have legal teams working against the claimant from day one. An attorney can assess whether your injuries meet New York's serious injury threshold for a civil lawsuit above no-fault limits.
Yes. New York follows pure comparative negligence (CPLR Article 14-A), which means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault. Your recovery is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. Example: 30% at fault = 30% reduction in award.
(1) Assess your medical condition, (2) seek medical care, (3) notify police, (4) take photos and (5) contact an attorney before speaking with the other driver's insurer.
It varies. Many cases settle in 1-3 years, but complex litigation involving serious injuries or disputed liability may take longer. Attorneys at Meirowitz & Wasserberg work as efficiently as possible to secure a fair and just recovery.
Contact an NYC Car Accident Lawyer at Meirowitz & Wasserberg
If insurance is not fully covering your losses, it’s time to start thinking about a lawsuit. The New York City car accident lawyers at Meirowitz & Wasserberg, LLP, work diligently to help clients recover compensation. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation. Depending on the location, severity, and details of your accident, we can help you:
- File a claim against a negligent driver
- Handle your insurance claim concerns
- Bring a lawsuit against the City of New York if necessary
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Notable Results
$200,000
Personal injury settlement
$235,000
Slip and fall injury
$675,000
Product liability injury
$555,000
Premises liability injury
Practice Areas
- New York Personal Injury
- New York Car Accidents
- New York Truck Accidents
- New York Motorcycle Accidents
- New York Bicycle Accidents
- New York Pedestrian Accidents
- New York Construction Accidents
- New York Slip & Falls
- New York Wrongful Death
- New York Mesothelioma
- New York Train Accident
- New York Burn Injury
Nancy, New York (NY)
“After getting into a car accident one of my friends from Manhattan recommended me to Meirowitz & Wasserberg. Safe to say I was more than satisfied. Everyone went above and behind me and made the process quick and easy!!”
