Queens Accident Attorney: 2025 Max Recovery
Navigating the Aftermath of a Queens Accident
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Queens, a Queens accident attorney can help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Here’s what you need to know:
- Act quickly – New York’s statute of limitations gives you three years to file a claim
- Don’t speak to insurance adjusters alone – They work to minimize your payout
- Most attorneys work on contingency – You pay nothing unless you win
- Queens sees nearly 28,000 car accidents annually – You’re not alone in this struggle
- Even partial fault doesn’t bar recovery – New York’s comparative negligence law protects you
A car accident in Queens can change your life in an instant, leaving you with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and the stress of dealing with insurance companies. The physical, financial, and emotional burden can feel overwhelming, especially when facing a complex legal system you never wanted to be a part of. You need an advocate who understands the unique challenges of accidents in Queens—from the congested intersections of Queens Boulevard to busy highways like the Long Island Expressway.
I’m Mark Segal. At Segal & Lax, our team has 75 years of combined experience as Queens accident attorneys. We have recovered millions of dollars for clients throughout New York City because we understand both the legal complexities and the personal toll that serious injuries take on victims and their families.
Understanding the Scope of Car Accidents in Queens
Queens is a vibrant, busy borough, and the sheer volume of traffic and dense urban environment contribute to thousands of accidents. The numbers tell a sobering story. Queens sees close to 28,000 car accidents per year, accounting for 25% to 30% of all accidents across New York City. Since January 2023 alone, Queens has experienced over 13,000 car accidents, injuring thousands of drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists, with over 100 fatalities.
The financial toll is also staggering, with annual hospitalization and emergency room costs for crash victims in Queens totaling over $100 million. These aren’t just numbers; they represent real families struggling with medical bills and lost income. This is why having a dedicated Queens accident attorney is so important.
Common Causes of Collisions
Most accidents are caused by negligence. In Queens, we repeatedly see the same dangerous behaviors leading to crashes.
- Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents. Texting, talking on the phone, or any other activity that takes a driver’s attention off the road can be devastating. New York has strict laws prohibiting cell phone use while driving, and you can find more info about distracted driving laws on the DMV website.
- Speeding and reckless driving increase the risk of severe accidents by reducing reaction time and increasing impact force.
- Drunk or impaired driving impairs judgment and slows reaction time, putting everyone on the road at risk.
- Poor road conditions and weather, such as potholes, inadequate lighting, rain, or snow, can also contribute to accidents.
- Failure to yield at intersections often results in T-bone collisions and pedestrian accidents. Other factors include unsafe lane changes, improper turns, driver fatigue, and running red lights.
Types of Accident Cases We Handle
As a Queens accident attorney firm, we handle a wide variety of collision cases, including rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, and T-bone accidents. We also represent victims in more specific situations:
- Pedestrians: If you were struck while walking, our Queens Pedestrian Accident Lawyer team can help.
- Cyclists: We represent injured riders as a Queens Bicycle Accident Lawyer firm.
- Motorcyclists: Our Queens Motorcycle Accident Lawyer team fights for the full compensation these serious injuries demand.
- Trucks: Our Queens Truck Accident Lawyer firm steers the complex regulations involved in large commercial truck collisions.
- Hit and Run: We help clients pursue compensation even when the at-fault driver flees the scene.
Injuries Sustained in Queens Crashes
Injuries from Queens accidents range from painful to permanently life-altering. Common injuries include whiplash, broken bones, and lacerations. More severe injuries can have lifelong consequences.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a serious concern, with a lifetime cost that can range from $85,000 to over $3 million. If you or a loved one suffered such an injury, our Queens Brain Injury Lawyer team understands the long-term challenges. Spinal cord injuries can lead to paralysis, and our Queens Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer team knows how to calculate the true long-term costs. Beyond physical harm, the emotional trauma of an accident, such as anxiety and PTSD, is a real and compensable injury. In the most tragic cases, our Queens Wrongful Death Lawyer firm provides compassionate guidance to families who have lost a loved one.
Critical Steps to Take Immediately After an Accident
The moments after a car accident are chaotic and stressful. What you do next can significantly impact your health and any future compensation claim. It’s crucial to have a plan, as insurance companies may try to use your confusion against you.
Your first priority is always safety. Check for injuries and call 911 immediately. Emergency responders will document the scene, and medical professionals can evaluate injuries that may not be immediately apparent, like concussions or internal bleeding. If possible, move your vehicle to a safe location, like the shoulder, and turn on your hazard lights to prevent further collisions.
Next, gather information. Exchange contact, license, and insurance details with the other driver. Keep the conversation brief and factual. Do not discuss fault or apologize, as even a simple “I’m sorry” can be used against you as an admission of guilt.
Document everything. Use your smartphone to take photos and videos of vehicle damage, car positions, skid marks, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. This evidence is invaluable. If there were witnesses, get their contact information. An independent account can strongly support your claim.
Ensure a police report is filed. This official document is a critical piece of evidence for insurance companies. Finally, seek a full medical evaluation right away, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask pain, and a delay in treatment can be used by insurers to argue your injuries aren’t serious or related to the crash. Your medical records create an essential link between the accident and your injuries.
Post-Accident Actions
Here is a quick checklist of what to do after an accident:
- Check for injuries and call 911 for medical and police response.
- Move to a safe location if possible to avoid further danger.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers.
- Take photos and videos of the scene, damage, and injuries.
- Get witness contact information.
- File a police report to create an official record.
- Seek immediate medical evaluation, even if you feel uninjured.
- Contact a Queens Personal Injury Lawyer before speaking with any insurance company.
That last step is vital. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Before giving any statements, contact us for a free consultation. Let a Queens accident attorney at Segal & Lax advise you on the best path forward to protect your rights.
Navigating New York’s Complex Accident Laws
Understanding your legal rights after a Queens accident can be confusing. New York’s laws have unique rules and strict deadlines that can make or break your case. As your Queens accident attorney, we guide you through these requirements and protect you from insurance company tactics.
How Fault is Determined in a Queens Car Accident
Determining who caused an accident requires a careful investigation. We use several sources of evidence to establish fault:
- Police Reports: While not a final determination of legal fault, these reports document observations from the scene and carry weight with insurers.
- Witness Statements: Unbiased accounts from third parties can provide crucial details about what happened.
- Traffic and Security Camera Footage: Video evidence can offer definitive proof of how the crash occurred.
- Vehicle Damage Analysis: The location and severity of damage help accident reconstruction professionals understand the sequence of events.
New York follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This is good news for victims, as it means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. Your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of blame. For example, if you are found 20% at fault, you can still recover 80% of your damages. You can find more info on NY traffic laws online. However, insurance companies will try to assign you as much fault as possible to reduce their payout, which is why having a skilled attorney is so important.
The Clock is Ticking: New York’s Statute of Limitations
One of the most critical parts of New York accident law is the statute of limitations—the deadline for filing a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to compensation forever.
For most personal injury cases in New York, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, as outlined in New York Civil Practice Law & Rules Section 214. While three years may seem like a long time, it passes quickly while you are recovering and dealing with life’s demands. Building a strong case also takes time.
There are important exceptions to this rule:
- Wrongful Death: The deadline is typically two years from the date of death.
- Government Liability: If a government entity is involved (e.g., a poorly maintained road), you usually have only 90 days to file a Notice of Claim.
- Minors: The three-year clock generally starts when the minor turns 18.
Acting quickly is essential to preserve evidence like witness memories and security footage. Insurance companies know these deadlines and may use delay tactics to run out the clock. Don’t let a deadline prevent you from getting the compensation you deserve. We track all deadlines to ensure your case is filed on time, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
How a Queens Accident Attorney Secures Your Rightful Compensation
After an accident, you should be focused on your recovery, not wrestling with insurance companies and complex legal procedures. As your Queens accident attorney, our job is to handle the legal heavy lifting for you. We work to calculate every dollar you are owed and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
What Types of Damages Can Be Recovered?
New York law allows you to recover compensation for all the ways an accident has impacted your life. These damages fall into two main categories.
Economic damages are the tangible, calculable financial losses from your accident. This includes:
- Medical Expenses: All costs from the ambulance ride and ER visit to future surgeries and ongoing physical therapy.
- Lost Wages: Income lost while you were unable to work.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: Compensation if your injuries limit your ability to earn in the future.
- Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle and other damaged property.
Non-economic damages compensate you for the non-financial losses that deeply affect your quality of life. This includes:
- Pain and Suffering: For the physical pain and emotional distress you have endured.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: For the activities and hobbies you can no longer participate in.
- Emotional Distress: For psychological impacts like anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
For those with life-altering injuries, our Queens Catastrophic Injury Lawyer team ensures these profound, long-term impacts are fully accounted for. In cases of extreme recklessness, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the wrongdoer.
Why You Need a Queens Accident Attorney for Your Claim
Insurance adjusters are trained to save their company money by minimizing your claim. Hiring an attorney levels the playing field. Here is how we help:
- Legal Consultation and Case Evaluation: We offer a free, no-pressure consultation to review your case and explain your options.
- Thorough Investigation: We gather police reports, camera footage, witness statements, and medical records to build a strong foundation for your claim.
- Handling Insurance Companies: We take over all communication with insurers, protecting you from their tactics and lowball settlement offers. They know that if they don’t offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to go to trial.
- Accurate Damage Valuation: We work with medical and vocational professionals to calculate the full, long-term financial impact of your injuries, ensuring no cost is overlooked.
- Protecting Your Rights: We steer New York’s complex laws, manage deadlines, and counter insurance company arguments to protect your right to fair compensation.
At Segal & Lax, we work on a contingency fee basis. Our “no win, no fee” promise means you pay us nothing unless we recover money for you. You can get quality legal representation without any upfront financial risk. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Queens Accident Claims
After an accident, it’s normal to have questions and feel confused. Here are answers to some of the most common concerns we hear from clients in Queens.
Should I speak to the other driver’s insurance company?
No, not without speaking to a Queens accident attorney first. The other driver’s insurance adjuster is not on your side. Their goal is to protect their company’s bottom line by paying you as little as possible. They are trained to ask questions designed to get you to minimize your injuries or admit partial fault.
Anything you say in a recorded statement can be used against you. They may also offer a quick, lowball settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries and costs. Let us handle all communications with insurance companies. We know their tactics and will protect your rights.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
This is a common worry, but in New York, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. Our state follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means your total compensation award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if a court awards you $100,000 but finds you 20% at fault, you would receive $80,000. An insurance company will try to assign you as much blame as possible to reduce their payout. Our job as your Queens accident attorney is to build a strong case to minimize your assigned fault and maximize your recovery. Don’t assume you have no case; let us evaluate the facts for free.
How much does it cost to hire an attorney?
We understand that you’re already facing financial stress from medical bills and lost income. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely nothing unless we win your case and recover compensation for you.
Our legal fees are paid as a percentage of your final settlement or award. There are no upfront costs or hourly bills. This “no win, no fee” promise ensures that everyone has access to quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. Hiring a Queens Personal Injury Lawyer shows the insurance company you are serious, which often leads to a much better settlement offer than you could get on your own. The real question is not whether you can afford to hire us, but whether you can afford not to.
Get the Advocacy You Deserve
A car accident in Queens can turn your world upside down. You don’t have to face the overwhelming journey of physical recovery, insurance negotiations, and legal challenges alone.
At Segal & Lax, we have over 75 years of combined experience helping people just like you recover from accidents throughout New York City. We’ve seen the stress victims face and know how to fight back against insurance companies that are more interested in profits than your well-being.
When you work with a Queens accident attorney from our firm, you get serious, personalized representation. We’ve recovered millions for our clients, giving them the resources to rebuild and the peace of mind they deserve.
Our “no win, no fee” contingency guarantee means you pay nothing unless we win. There is zero risk to you. We take on the financial risk because we believe in our clients and are committed to justice.
If you’ve been injured in a Queens accident, let us handle the legal battles while you focus on healing. Contact Us today for a free consultation. Let’s talk about how we can help you move forward.