Auto Accident Attorneys in Brooklyn: Top 2025
Why Finding the Right Legal Help After a Brooklyn Crash Matters
After a crash, auto accident attorneys in brooklyn help victims steer New York’s complex no-fault insurance system, fight for fair compensation, and manage legal deadlines so you can focus on recovery. Brooklyn’s streets are notoriously dangerous, with 35,245 traffic accidents in 2020 alone, accounting for nearly 32% of all collisions in NYC. Intersections like Tillary Street and Flatbush Avenue are high-risk zones.
After an accident, you face medical bills, lost wages, and insurance companies aiming to minimize your claim. You have only three years to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York—and just 90 days if a city vehicle was involved. A single misstep can jeopardize your case.
When choosing a Brooklyn car accident lawyer, look for:
- Experience with NY’s No-Fault Law: Knowing when you can sue beyond basic insurance.
- A Proven Track Record: A history of significant settlements and verdicts.
- Contingency Fee Basis: You only pay if they win your case.
- Local Knowledge: Familiarity with Brooklyn’s dangerous roads.
- Resources: Access to accident reconstruction and medical professionals.
- Trial Readiness: Willingness to go to court for a fair outcome.
The right attorney investigates the crash, identifies all liable parties, consults with professionals, negotiates aggressively, and prepares for trial. They know how to prove a “serious injury” under New York law to maximize your recovery for both economic (medical bills, lost income) and non-economic (pain and suffering) damages.
I’m Mark Segal, and my firm, Segal & Lax, has 75 years of combined experience representing Brooklyn residents as trusted auto accident attorneys in brooklyn. We handle all types of traffic accidents across New York’s five boroughs.
The Brooklyn Car Accident Landscape: Why Are Our Streets So Dangerous?
Driving in Brooklyn often feels like organized chaos. The constant flow of traffic, pedestrians, cyclists, and double-parked trucks makes our borough a hotspot for collisions. The numbers are sobering: Brooklyn accounts for 31.7% of all traffic accidents in New York City, with 35,245 crashes in 2020 alone. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a daily reality for our community.
The combination of dense population, aggressive driving, and outdated road layouts creates a perfect storm for accidents. Most collisions are not accidents at all but are caused by driver negligence.
Most Common Causes of Collisions
Driver negligence is the root cause of most crashes. Common dangerous behaviors include:
- Distracted Driving: Texting, scrolling, or any activity that takes a driver’s eyes off the road is a leading cause of crashes. We’ve written about How Dangerous is Distracted Driving? because it’s such a critical issue.
- Drunk Driving: Impaired judgment and slow reaction times from alcohol or drugs lead to devastating accidents.
- Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit reduces control and increases impact severity.
- Running Red Lights and Stop Signs: A common and deadly habit at Brooklyn intersections.
- Tailgating: Following too closely leaves no room to react to sudden stops.
- Aggressive Driving: Road rage, unsafe lane changes, and cutting off other drivers create a hostile environment.
- Failure to Yield: Drivers who don’t yield to pedestrians and cyclists put vulnerable road users at extreme risk. We handle many Pedestrian Accidents and Bicycle Accidents as a result.
Brooklyn’s Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections
As an experienced auto accident attorney in Brooklyn, we see the same dangerous locations in our case files repeatedly.
- Tillary Street and Flatbush Avenue: One of the most dangerous intersections in the state, with 425 collisions over a five-year period due to traffic from multiple bridges and the BQE.
- Atlantic Avenue: Intersections with Pennsylvania Avenue, Conduit Boulevard, and Flatbush Avenue are high-crash zones.
- The Belt Parkway: Exits and entrance ramps, especially near Ocean Parkway, are frequent accident sites due to high speeds and merging traffic.
- Ocean Parkway, Eastern Parkway, and Linden Boulevard: These major arteries all have sections known for high crash rates due to heavy traffic and complex patterns.
This local knowledge helps us investigate crashes and build stronger cases for our clients. When negligence on these dangerous streets causes an injury, having auto accident attorneys in brooklyn who understand these hazards is a significant advantage.
Your First Steps After a Brooklyn Crash: A Checklist for Protecting Your Rights
The moments after a car accident are disorienting, but what you do next can significantly impact your ability to recover fair compensation. Insurance companies look for any misstep to use against you. Follow this checklist to protect your health and your legal rights.
Post-Accident Action Plan
- Check for Injuries and Call 911: Assess yourself and your passengers. Adrenaline can mask pain, so call for police and medical help if there’s any doubt. An official report is crucial evidence.
- Move to Safety: If possible, move your car out of traffic to prevent a second collision. If not, turn on your hazard lights and wait for help.
- Get a Police Report: Always involve the police, even for minor accidents. The Police Accident Report (MV-104) is a vital piece of evidence. Stick to the facts when speaking with officers.
- Exchange Information: Get the other driver’s name, contact info, driver’s license number, and insurance details. Provide yours, but keep the interaction brief.
- Document the Scene: Use your phone to take photos and videos of vehicle damage, the accident scene, street signs, skid marks, and any visible injuries. You can’t have too much evidence.
- Speak to Witnesses: Get the names and phone numbers of any bystanders who saw the crash. Their independent accounts are invaluable.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: This is critical. See a doctor, go to an urgent care clinic, or visit an ER right away, even if you feel fine. Many serious injuries have delayed symptoms, and a gap in treatment can hurt your claim. Be aware of potential Emergency Room Errors that can complicate your recovery.
- Do Not Admit Fault: Never apologize or say anything that could be interpreted as an admission of guilt. You don’t have all the facts yet. Let investigators determine fault.
- Report to Your Insurer (Facts Only): You must notify your insurance company, but only provide basic information. Do not give a recorded statement or downplay your injuries.
- Contact a Lawyer: Before speaking further with insurance companies, call experienced auto accident attorneys in brooklyn. We can handle all communications, start an immediate investigation, and prevent you from making costly mistakes.
Following these steps sets the stage for a successful claim. One wrong move can cost you the compensation you deserve. Protect yourself and contact us as soon as possible.
Navigating New York’s Complex Car Accident Laws
New York’s car accident and insurance laws are notoriously complex. Understanding the basics of the state’s “no-fault” system, the “serious injury” threshold, and critical deadlines is essential for protecting your rights after a Brooklyn crash. Our firm guides clients through every step of their Personal Injury claims.
Understanding New York’s “No-Fault” Insurance Law
New York is a “no-fault” state, meaning your own auto insurance policy initially covers your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages through Personal Injury Protection (PIP), regardless of who caused the accident. PIP provides immediate financial support for:
- Reasonable and necessary medical expenses.
- 80% of lost earnings (up to $2,000/month).
- Up to $25/day for other necessary expenses (like transportation to doctors).
However, the no-fault system does not prevent you from suing the at-fault driver if your injuries are severe enough.
The “Serious Injury” Threshold: When Can You Sue?
To step outside the no-fault system and file a lawsuit for damages like pain and suffering, your injury must meet New York’s “serious injury” threshold. This legal definition includes:
- Fractures
- Significant disfigurement
- Dismemberment or loss of a fetus
- Permanent loss of use of a body organ or function
- Significant limitation of use of a body function or system
- An injury that prevents you from performing your usual daily activities for at least 90 of the 180 days after the crash.
Proving a “serious injury” requires detailed medical documentation and testimony from physicians and other medical professionals. Insurance companies often dispute these claims, which is why having experienced auto accident attorneys in brooklyn is vital, especially in cases of Catastrophic Injury.
What if I Was Partially at Fault? New York’s Pure Comparative Negligence
Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover compensation. New York follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means your total compensation award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault for a $100,000 claim, you can still recover $80,000.
Critical Deadlines: The Statute of Limitations in Brooklyn
Missing a legal deadline can end your case before it starts. In New York, you generally have:
- Three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
- Two years from the date of death to file a Wrongful Death claim.
- Only 90 days to file a Notice of Claim if a government entity (like the city, MTA, or police) is involved. The lawsuit must then be filed within one year and 90 days.
Insurance companies know these deadlines and may use delay tactics. Contacting auto accident attorneys in brooklyn immediately ensures all deadlines are met.
Why You Need One of the Best Auto Accident Attorneys in Brooklyn
After a crash, you’re healing from injuries while dealing with medical bills and calls from insurance adjusters. This is when dedicated auto accident attorneys in brooklyn become essential. At Segal & Lax, we fight for injured Brooklyn residents on a “no win, no fee” contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. This levels the playing field against insurance companies whose goal is to pay you as little as possible. Learn more about our commitment at Why Hire Us.
An experienced attorney changes the dynamic. We know the tactics insurers use and are prepared to take your case to trial if they refuse to offer a fair settlement. This readiness is a powerful negotiating tool.
How Auto Accident Attorneys in Brooklyn Determine a Claim’s Value
“What is my case worth?” is a complex question. We determine a claim’s true value through a thorough investigation, not just by adding up current bills. Our process includes:
- Analyzing Medical Records: To understand the full extent of your injuries and future care needs.
- Calculating Lost Income: Verifying all lost wages, benefits, and diminished future earning capacity.
- Projecting Future Costs: Working with medical professionals to estimate the cost of future surgeries, therapy, and other care.
- Valuing Pain and Suffering: Assigning a fair value to the physical and emotional toll of the accident.
- Consulting Professionals: We work with medical, vocational rehabilitation, and economic professionals, as well as accident reconstruction professionals, to build a comprehensive and evidence-based valuation of your claim.
Benefits of Hiring a Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyer
Partnering with our firm allows you to focus on healing while we handle the legal fight. We provide:
- All Communication: We manage all calls and correspondence with insurance companies and opposing counsel.
- Protection from Lowball Offers: We evaluate all settlement offers and negotiate for the full value of your claim.
- Evidence Gathering: We carefully collect police reports, medical records, witness statements, and other crucial evidence.
- Deadline Management: We ensure every legal deadline is met, protecting your right to sue.
- Maximized Recovery: We pursue all avenues of compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing an experienced team is fighting for you allows you to focus on your recovery.
Maximizing Your Compensation: What Your Claim is Really Worth
You deserve compensation that reflects the total impact of a car accident—not just the immediate bills. This includes medical costs, lost income, property damage, and the physical and emotional pain you’ve endured. At Segal & Lax, we fight to maximize the value of your claim. See the outcomes we’ve achieved for others by reviewing our Results.
Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages
Your claim’s value is composed of two types of damages: economic (tangible costs) and non-economic (intangible losses).
| Economic Damages (Tangible Losses) | Non-Economic Damages (Intangible Losses) |
|---|---|
| Current & Future Medical Bills | Pain and Suffering |
| Lost Wages & Earning Capacity | Emotional Distress |
| Property Damage (Vehicle Repair/Replacement) | Loss of Enjoyment of Life |
| Rehabilitation Costs | Loss of Consortium |
| Out-of-Pocket Expenses | Disability and Disfigurement |
Experienced auto accident attorneys in brooklyn know how to build a case that proves and values both categories of damages.
Common Injuries and Their Impact on Your Claim
The type and severity of your injuries are a primary factor in your claim’s value.
- Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: Can cause chronic pain and limitations that insurance companies often try to downplay.
- Broken Bones: Can range from simple fractures to complex breaks requiring surgery and causing long-term issues like arthritis.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Catastrophic injuries that can cause paralysis and require a lifetime of expensive care.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Even mild concussions can have lasting cognitive and emotional effects, while severe TBIs are life-altering.
- Internal Injuries: Life-threatening conditions like organ damage or internal bleeding require emergency medical intervention.
- Psychological Trauma: PTSD, anxiety, and depression are real, compensable injuries that can persist long after physical wounds have healed.
Handling Complex Cases: Trucks, Commercial Vehicles, and Uninsured Drivers
Some accidents are more complex and require specific legal knowledge.
- Commercial Vehicle and Truck Accidents: These cases often involve more severe injuries and multiple liable parties, including the driver, the trucking company, and maintenance providers. We have the experience to take on these well-funded corporate defendants.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Claims: If the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your damages, we can help you file a claim against your own policy’s UM/UIM coverage.
- Hit-and-Run Accidents: We work to identify the fleeing driver using surveillance footage and witness accounts. Even if the driver isn’t found, you can often recover compensation through your UM/UIM policy.
These complex situations require skilled auto accident attorneys in brooklyn who know how to steer every challenge to secure your compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brooklyn Car Accident Claims
After a car accident, it’s normal to have questions. Here are answers to some of the most common concerns we hear from our clients in Brooklyn.
How long does it typically take to settle a car accident case in Brooklyn?
There is no single timeline. A straightforward case might settle in a few months, while a complex case could take a year or more, especially if a trial is necessary. The key factors influencing the timeline are the severity of your injuries and the complexity of determining fault. We never rush to settle for less than you deserve; our focus is on maximizing your compensation, which requires waiting until the full extent of your damages is known.
What should I do if the at-fault driver’s insurance company calls me?
Be very careful. The adjuster’s goal is to minimize your claim. Do not give a recorded statement, do not accept a quick settlement offer, and do not downplay your injuries. These early offers are almost always far below your claim’s true value. The best response is to politely decline to speak with them, tell them you are seeking legal representation, and refer them to our firm. Once we represent you, we handle all communication to protect your rights.
How much does it cost to hire auto accident attorneys in Brooklyn?
Hiring our firm costs you nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which is our “no win, no fee” promise. We only get paid if we successfully recover money for you, either through a settlement or a court verdict. Our fee is a pre-agreed percentage of the total recovery. This system allows everyone to afford high-quality legal representation without financial risk. Your initial consultation is always free, so you can understand your options with no obligation.
Don’t Face the Aftermath Alone: Secure the Representation You Deserve
The aftermath of a Brooklyn car accident is chaotic and stressful. You don’t have to steer injuries, medical bills, and aggressive insurance companies by yourself.
Time is critical. Evidence disappears, witness memories fade, and legal deadlines are strict—you have three years for most claims, but only 90 days to file a Notice of Claim against a city entity. The sooner you contact experienced auto accident attorneys in brooklyn, the better we can protect your rights.
At Segal & Lax, our team has over 75 years of combined experience fighting for injured people in Brooklyn and across NYC. We understand New York’s laws and know how to stand up to insurance companies to demand the compensation you are owed, whether from a car crash or a complex Truck Accidents.
Our commitment is our “no win, no fee” promise. You pay nothing unless we win your case. Your recovery is our priority. Let us handle the legal burden so you can focus on healing.
Contact us for a free consultation about your Brooklyn Car Accident.