If a car crash on Long Island left you injured, you have rights under New York law, and a Long Island car accident lawyer can help protect those rights from the start. This includes the right to pursue payment for your injuries and other losses caused by a negligent driver. But there’s a difference between having those rights and actually getting a fair recovery.
You shouldn’t be worrying about paperwork, deadlines, and insurance adjusters. If you're wondering what to do next, we’re here to provide clear answers. Call William Mattar, P.C. for a free case review at (516) 444-4444.
Why Choose William Mattar Law Offices?
Decades of Focused Experience
William Mattar founded our firm in 1990 with a single mission: to help people hurt in motor vehicle accidents. For over 30 years, we’ve stayed true to that purpose, which is how a car accident lawyer can help by applying focused experience to the laws and procedures that shape your case. This focus gives us a deep, practical understanding of the laws and procedures that will shape your case.
Our Commitment to You
- Free Case Review: We’ll evaluate your case and explain your options with no cost and no strings attached.
- Our No-Fee Until We Win Promise: You will not owe us any attorneys' fees unless we secure a recovery for you.
- Direct & Personalized Attention: A dedicated legal team is assigned to your case, so you always have a direct line for your questions.
Our satellite office/intake location is conveniently located at 500 N Broadway, Suite 161-C, close to Downtown Jericho and within walking distance to Jericho Commons shopping mall.
First, Let's Talk About New York's "No-Fault" Insurance System
After a crash, you first turn to your own car insurance policy to cover your initial medical bills and lost wages, regardless of who was at fault, no matter the common causes of car accidents involved. This is done through your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Every driver in New York is required to carry at least $50,000 in PIP.
Can You Step Outside the No-Fault System? The "Serious Injury" Threshold
To pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for damages like pain and suffering, New York law says you must have a "serious injury." If your injury doesn't meet this legal definition, you are generally limited to your PIP benefits.
So, what counts as a "serious injury"? The state defines it as an injury resulting in one of the following:
- Death
- Dismemberment
- Significant disfigurement
- A fracture
- Loss of a fetus
- Permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function, or system
- A significant limitation of use of a body function or system
- A non-permanent injury that prevents you from performing your usual daily activities for at least 90 of the first 180 days after the accident.
Proving your injury meets this threshold is one of the most important parts of your case. It's also where insurance companies for the at-fault driver will push back the hardest. We know what evidence is needed, from medical records to expert testimony, to build a strong case that your injuries qualify.
How Much Is My Long Island Car Accident Case Worth?
The purpose of a car accident claim is to recover money that covers the costs the accident forced on you. Compensation falls into two main buckets.
Economic Damages: The Billable Costs
These are the straightforward financial losses you can track with receipts, bills, and pay stubs. Some of these economic damages may be covered by no-fault insurance.
- Medical Expenses: This covers everything from the ambulance ride and initial ER visit to future surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medication.
- Lost Wages: Payment for the work you missed while recovering.
- Future Lost Earning Capacity: If your injuries keep you from returning to your old job or working at the same level, you may recover money for this diminished earning ability.
- Other Expenses: This can include the cost of travel to doctor's appointments or hiring help for tasks you can no longer do at home.
Non-Economic Damages: The Human Cost
These damages are for the ways the accident has impacted your quality of life. They are harder to calculate but just as real.
- Pain and Suffering: This accounts for the physical pain and emotional distress your injuries have caused.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries stop you from participating in hobbies, sports, or activities you once loved, this provides compensation for that loss.
- Emotional Anguish: This can include the anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that develops after a crash.
What If I Was Partially At Fault?
New York uses a "pure comparative fault" rule. It’s a legal concept that just means your compensation is reduced by your percentage of blame for the accident.
For instance, if a jury decides you were 10% at fault for the collision, your final compensation award would be reduced by 10%. Insurance companies investigate thoroughly for any evidence to argue you were at fault.
Our role is to keep them accountable and ensure no amount of blame is unjustly put on you.
Where Do Car Accidents Happen Most on Long Island?
Long Island's unique blend of dense suburbs, winding parkways, and major highways creates numerous trouble spots for drivers, and many people ask, car accident can you claim injury, after crashes in these high-risk areas. Congestion from daily commutes and the seasonal flood of tourists only adds to the risk.
The Statistics Are Sobering
Nassau and Suffolk counties consistently report tens of thousands of crashes involving injuries each year. Suffolk County, in particular, has led New York State in traffic-related fatalities for more than a decade, according to some reports. On a typical day on Long Island, there are an average of 83 accidents that cause injury or death, according to other reports.
Common Accident Hotspots
- Major Highways and Parkways: The Long Island Expressway (I-495), Southern State Parkway, Northern State Parkway, and Sunrise Highway have seen high-speed collisions and severe crashes caused by heavy congestion.
- Busy Intersections: The crossing of Hempstead Turnpike and Merrick Avenue is frequently cited as one of the region’s most hazardous. Other potential hotspots include Jericho Turnpike and Route 110, Nicolls Road and Route 347, and Straight Path and Sunrise Highway.
- Commercial Corridors: Route 110 in Suffolk County is a major commercial artery known for its high traffic volume and large number of rear-end and side-impact collisions.
Seasonal and Weather Dangers
Summer traffic heading to the Hamptons and other East End spots increases the risk of accidents with out-of-town drivers who are unfamiliar with the roads, and knowing what car accident lawyers do can help when fault is disputed or multiple drivers are involved. Poor weather can make older roads like the Sagtikos Parkway especially treacherous due to its curves and design.
We Handle All Types of Long Island Car Accident Claims
What Kind of Accident Were You In?
- Rear-End Collisions: Frequently happen in heavy traffic on roads like the LIE or Sunrise Highway.
- T-Bone (Side-Impact) Accidents: Common at the countless intersections across Nassau and Suffolk counties.
- Head-On Collisions: Among the most severe types of crashes, sometimes caused by drunk or distracted drivers.
- Rideshare Accidents (Uber/Lyft): These claims bring up complicated insurance questions about which policy is responsible.
- Accidents with Commercial Trucks: These cases involve federal regulations and corporate defendants, making the claims process more demanding.
- Motorcycle Accidents: We understand the biases motorcyclists sometimes face and work to ensure the facts of the accident are presented clearly.
What Are Common Car Accident Injuries?
- Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: Damage to muscles and ligaments, especially in the neck and back, from a sudden, forceful back-and-forth movement.
- Broken Bones: Fractures that could require surgery and long-term rehabilitation.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Caused by a violent blow or jolt to the head, TBIs can range from a concussion to severe, life-altering brain damage.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: An injury to the spinal cord that disrupts signals between the brain and body, and may result in partial or total paralysis requiring lifelong care.
What is New York's Deadline to File a Lawsuit?
In New York, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit under CPLR § 214. Every case is unique and the deadline is often much shorter. While that might sound like a lot of time, there’s a more important deadline: the one for gathering evidence. With each passing week, witness memories fade, security video gets erased, and physical evidence from the scene disappears. That’s why it’s always best to act sooner rather than later.
Dealing with the Insurance Company After a Long Island Accident
You will soon have to deal with an insurance company—either your own or the other driver's, and the back-and-forth can affect how long a car accident settlement take. It's helpful to remember that insurance companies are businesses that have a responsibility to their shareholders, which means they must balance paying valid claims with remaining profitable.
This creates a natural conflict: your goal is to get the full amount needed for your recovery, while their goal is to resolve the claim for the lowest reasonable cost.
Here's What to Expect:
- Requests for a Recorded Statement: You are not obligated to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. They might use things you say, even innocent comments, to argue you were partially at fault or that your injuries are not as bad as you claim.
- Early Settlement Offers: An insurer might make a quick offer before you even know the full extent of your injuries. It can be tempting to accept when bills are piling up, but it could leave you with massive unpaid medical costs later if you need long-term care.
- Paperwork and Delays: The claim process is long, tedious, and filled with paperwork. It’s a methodical system that can easily frustrate anyone. This frustration can pressure people into accepting a lower offer just to be done with the whole thing.
Our job is to take over all communication with the insurance companies. We build your case, present the evidence of your injuries and losses, and make sure your claim gets the serious attention it requires.
What Can I Do From Home to Help My Case?
While we handle the legal work, there are several things you can do to strengthen your claim.
Follow Your Doctor's Treatment Plan.
Go to every medical appointment and physical therapy session. Following your doctor's orders creates a clear medical record that documents your injuries and your commitment to recovery.
Save All Your Paperwork.
Keep a dedicated folder for all medical bills, prescription receipts, and any other expenses related to the accident.
Stay Off Social Media.
Do not post anything about the accident, your injuries, or your physical activities online. Insurance companies will review your social media profiles, looking for anything they can use to argue that your injuries are less severe than you claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured?
Your own auto insurance policy likely includes "Supplementary Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist" (SUM) coverage. This is a specific type of coverage we can help you access to cover your losses when the at-fault driver has little or no insurance.
What if the police report says I was at fault?
A police report is an officer's initial assessment, but it is not the final word. We conduct our own independent investigation, gathering evidence that may show a different picture of what happened. Police officers can make mistakes, and their conclusions can be successfully challenged.
What if I was a passenger in the car?
As a passenger, you have a clear right to file a claim for your injuries. Depending on the circumstances, the claim could be against the driver of the car you were in, the other driver, or both. You don’t have to worry about the awkwardness of the situation, since we handle these sensitive matters professionally.
Do I really have to go to court?
The vast majority of car accident cases are settled out of court through negotiation. This thorough preparation puts you in the strongest possible negotiating position and shows the insurance company we are ready for a courtroom if they don't make a fair offer.
You Don't Have to Do This Alone
You have a job to do: focus on your health and your family. Safeguarding your rights and advocating for the compensation you need to rebuild your life should be our focus. We understand the system and its nuances because we work in it every single day.
The next step is a simple phone call. Contact William Mattar, P.C. for your free case review at (516) 444-4444.