We Fight Tirelessly For You
Long Island Car Accident Lawyer
Ensure Coverage for Your Full Recovery
No matter the severity, experiencing a car accident throughout Nassau County, New York, is a highly challenging time for anyone. Let the skilled Long Island car accident lawyer at the Law Office of Gregory A. Goodman, P.C. provide the legal counsel you need to receive the total and fair compensation you are entitled to.
Although car accidents can be devastating and life-altering—whether they involve motor vehicles, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, or pedestrians—our compassionate and knowledgeable Long Island car accident lawyer will help to relieve some of this stress by providing you with support, guidance, and legal expertise that you can rely on through this difficult time.
Schedule your free consultation with the Law Office of Gregory A. Goodman, P.C, and call (800) 242-3740 or contact us online.
Every Long Island personal injury lawyer at the Law Office of Gregory A. Goodman, P.C. has the experience and resources to establish a strong case proving that the negligent behavior of the opposing party resulted in their failure to exercise reasonable care, leading to the car accident and your suffering.
How Long After a Car Accident Can I Sue in NY?
In New York, you have three years from the date of the car accident to file a lawsuit. This time limit is known as the “statute of limitations.” The timeline begins running on the date the car accident occurred. However, there are some instances under which the statute of limitations may be much shorter.
Additional Information about Auto Accidents in New York
Is NY a No-fault State for Car Accidents?
Yes, New York is a no-fault state for car accidents. This law means insurance companies will generally reimburse insureds for damages regardless of who was responsible for the car accident.
How Does the No-Fault Law Work?
In order for there to be a recovery for pain and suffering pursuant to New York no-fault motor vehicle insurance law, the injury sustained has to qualify as a serious injury as defined by the no-fault law.
Who Pays for Car Accident in New York?
New York is a no-fault insurance state. This law means the insurance company of the person involved in a car accident will generally reimburse them for damages.
Our Long Island personal injury attorneys have the knowledge and experience to help you obtain the best recovery from insurance companies responsible for policy coverage of negligent drivers, as well as helping you recover money from your own UIM policy in the event you were injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
Can I Be Compensated for Truck Accidents?
An accident with a large truck is one of the most traumatic events a person can experience, especially at higher speeds. Let our experience dealing with insurance companies and investigators help you recover from your injuries in peace. Our Long Island personal injury attorneys can handle your truck accident case to ensure you obtain the fair compensation to which you are entitled.
Unfortunately, you can expect no pre-determined amount from a car accident in NY. The compensation for each car accident case varies greatly depending on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Additionally, the at-fault party's insurance coverage plays a significant role.
While New York has a mandatory $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, this only covers medical expenses and a small portion of lost wages. You'd need to pursue a claim against the at-fault party's insurance or file a lawsuit for more significant compensation.
Consulting a skilled New York car accident lawyer is crucial to accurately assess your situation and estimate your potential compensation. They can analyze the details of your auto accident, guide you through the legal process, and fight for the maximum amount you deserve.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), almost 5,000 pedestrians die in motor vehicle-related accidents each year, with over 78,000 of them sustaining serious injuries from being hit by a car or truck.
At the Law Office of Gregory A. Goodman, P.C., our Long Island personal injury attorneys work both compassionately and aggressively to hold negligent and dangerous drivers responsible for the damage they inflict upon pedestrians and their families. As your Long Island car accident attorney, we will fight for the compensation you deserve and are entitled to by the New York law.
Motorcycle Accidents
How Protective are Helmets in Motorcycle Accidents?
Although helmets can save lives, they offer little protection when a motorcycle collision occurs. Due to the riders’ vulnerability, the aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be far worse than that of an automobile. In fact, the federal government estimates that, per mile traveled in 2011, the number of deaths on motorcycles was over 30 times the number in cars.
Furthermore, motorcycle accidents have been on the rise since 2008, and in 2010, the Department of Motor Vehicles recorded 5,570 motorcycle accidents in New York with 185 people killed and 5,648 personal injuries.
At the Law Office of Gregory A. Goodman, P.C., our Long Island accident attorneys are here to protect you where your helmet can’t. Let our skilled and compassionate New York personal injury attorneys work to protect your legal rights. You do not have to suffer needlessly due to someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or carelessness.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If you have just been involved in an automobile accident—no matter how severe you think it is—there are several important things you keep in mind to preserve and protect your rights under the law.
Here are a few important steps and actions you should follow immediately following your accident:
- Seek immediate medical attention if injured. Be sure to document everything.
- Inform any and all healthcare providers of your injuries, complaints, medical history, and pain. Tell your doctors each and every area of pain, no matter how slight the pain is. Properly and honestly documenting your complaints can be the difference between successfully recovering on your case.
- Take photos of any and all injuries.
- Take photos of any vehicles involved in an accident.
- Take photos of your car—documentation is vital.
- Report to the police if they did not arrive.
- Get a copy of the police report.
- Review police report and make corrections with a police officer.
- Keep a detailed accounting of any expenses you have accrued as a result of your accident, including gas and mileage costs incurred from traveling to and from your doctor’s office for treatment related to injuries sustained from your automobile accident, lost time from work, unpaid bills, co-pays if applicable, etc.
- Immediately contact and report a claim to your insurance carrier A.S.A.P. (There are strict time requirements and documents you need to send to your insurance carrier. We can fully assist you with this process and handle most of these actions for you when retained)
- Complete and submit an application for a no-fault insurance claim (NF-2), which will enable you to receive medical treatment for the injuries you sustained in your automobile accident.
- Get an insurance claim number from your insurance carrier and the defendant’s carrier.
- Contact us immediately to discuss and preserve your rights. We will offer you a free consultation.
Along with what you should do, here are some important things not to do:
- Do not discuss or share any of the details of your accident or injuries with anyone except your attorneys.
- Do not post any details or photos regarding the details of your accident and injuries to Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media account. This information can be used against you and is often discoverable, which means you may have to share this information with the defendant should you pursue a lawsuit.
- Do not spare any details to your healthcare provider about the full extent of your injuries. Documenting the full details of your injuries and complaints can increase the chances of your success. Failure to document and failure to disclose honestly the details can result in decreasing your chances of recovery on your claim.
- Do not enter into an agreement with an insurance carrier without first consulting and retaining an experienced personal injury trial lawyer. Sometimes, when an insurance carrier knows they are liable, they may try to offer the victim money in an effort to save money. Their strategy is to get to you before you seek legal representation and before you know your legal rights.
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Property owners are expected to keep their premises safe. If you injured yourself in a slip and fall accident, you need to prove that the owner likely knew about the dangerous area, failed to repair it, and failed to warn people about the dangerous condition. Photo evidence is crucial, as well as proof of the owner’s awareness of the defect and their failure to repair it. It also helps to have a Long Island personal injury lawyer on your side who can help you establish a strong case for compensation for your injuries.
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The goal of no-fault insurance is to make sure all victims of an accident are cared for, regardless of who caused the accident. This means the insurance policy should cover medical costs and hospitalization fees, lost wages, and any funeral expenses incurred.
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No. Splitting fees with a management company is not a crime. In 2015, an insurance carrier tried to withhold payment of a provider’s medical fees by claiming that their management agency—which collected 6% of their total costs—was not medical staff. This was an attempt to argue that the healthcare provider was committing fraud, but the court ruled against the insurance carrier.
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Yes. If you want to be reimbursed for medical costs, you are required by law to appear. However, you do not have to appear alone. The Law Office of Gregory A. Goodman, P.C. can represent you during your EUO to help you avoid making any statements that would injure your ability to obtain full and fair compensation.
