New York City Car Accident Lawyers
Hablamos Español
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Our law offices in Manhattan and White Plains can conduct consultations in both English and Spanish. While working on your car accident claim, our personal injury lawyers will make sure you understand your legal options and that we understand your concerns. We're proud to serve Spanish-speaking communities throughout New York City.
Injured and Need a Lawyer? Contact Our Accident Attorneys Now
Once you have called 9-1-1 and all parties are out of imminent danger, contact our Manhattan or White Plains, NY, offices at:
(212) 858-0503
Meet Our Car Accident Lawyers Serving New York City and Westchester County
All too often, insurance companies will contact you after an accident and lie to you. They will tell you that your injuries aren't serious and that you don't need a lawyer. Insurance companies do this to get car accident victims to settle quickly, and for far less than their injuries and losses are truly worth.
Michael H. Joseph, Clifford S. Nelson, and John V. Tait are NYC car accident lawyers who will help look out for your best interests. Rather than cave to insurance representatives, we will fight to ensure you get a fair settlement or favorable verdict based on what you and your loved ones have experienced.
Don't settle for a quick payout.
Our car accident attorneys don't get paid until you win.
Take Action Before Time Expires
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New York's statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years from the date of the accident. Failure to file a car accident case by that deadline means you cannot seek a lawsuit. Reach out to our New York City car accident lawyers without delay.
Need a Personal Injury Attorney? Call for a Free Consultation Today
Were you involved in a serious car accident? Are you worried that insurance adjusters will lowball coverage for medical bills and other losses from your automobile accident? With the Law Office of Michael H. Joseph, PLLC, you don't have to go it alone. Our New York City law firm has represented car accident victims for more than two decades. We have offices in Manhattan and White Plains in Westchester County.
Our skilled attorneys are affiliated with trusted legal organizations:
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association
- American Association for Justice
- New York County Lawyers Association
- Westchester County Bar Association
Ready to discuss your case with a legal professional? Request your consultation online. You can also reach our law firm by phone:
(212) 858-0503
Highly Rated Car Accident Attorneys With Offices in New York City and White Plains
Chris Wilmott
2022
I was treated professionally and extremely happy with the ability Michael had on getting me the money I was owed. He is smart and efficient! I would use him again in a heartbeat. If he takes your case, you will be lucky!
View on GoogleJennifer Altieri
2022
I found the Law Office of Michael H. Joseph, PLLC to be extremely professional. Mr. Joseph and his staff worked swiftly to settle my case with very successful results. Mr. Joseph also responds to texts quickly. I highly recommend this law firm to handle personal injury needs. Thank you for assisting me and my family.
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Serious Injuries from Auto Accidents
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- Broken bones
- Burn injuries
- Chest injuries
- Hearing loss
- Vision loss
- Lacerations
- Whiplash
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury
Types of Auto Accidents
No two car accidents are the same. Each has a different cause and outcome. The most common types of car accidents include:
Head-On Crash
Head-on collisions occur when drivers on opposite sides of the roadway collide. Given the speed at which many of these car accidents occur, they can lead to devastating injuries and even death.
Rear-End Collisions
Read-end collisions commonly occur when one driver is tailgating the other. If the motorist who rear-ends you is speeding, the force of the impact can leave you with whiplash and other serious injuries.
Rollovers
Rollovers are extremely violent car accidents that can seriously injure or kill other drivers, passengers, and bystanders. All types of vehicles can be involved in a rollover, but tall sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and trucks are more susceptible because of their high centers of gravity.
Side-Impact & T-Bone Collisions
Side-impact collisions are commonly caused by distracted drivers or drivers running red lights. These types of auto accidents can be very dangerous at almost any speed because one vehicle comes into close contact with the driver and passengers of the other vehicle. 
Single-Car Accidents
Single-vehicle accidents do not involve other motorists, yet they may be the result of negligence by a third party. This includes local municipalities in charge of maintaining the road and companies that design and manufacture cars and auto parts.
The cause of the accident will tell us who is at fault and is responsible for paying damages and will determine how we go about your case.
Distracted Driving
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recorded 3,142 deaths caused by distracted driving in 2020. Driver distraction can take many forms, from rubbernecking to personal grooming. Yet talking and texting on a mobile device is one of the most common causes of distraction-related NYC car accidents.
Since 2012, New York’s law against the use of cell phones behind the wheel is a primary traffic offense. This means a law enforcement officer may stop and ticket a driver for talking on a handheld device, texting, emailing, or viewing the web while driving. Although the ban includes an exception for emergency situations, ignorance of the law is not a defense.
Reckless and Negligent Driving
Speeding, road rage, and tailgating put other drivers and pedestrians at risk of serious injuries. Negligent driving and reckless behaviors are two common causes of running stop signs and red lights. Weaving and frequent lane changes can also contribute to sideswipe accidents.
Our New York City and Westchester County car accident attorneys fight hard to hold negligent and reckless drivers accountable for their actions. Our car accident lawyers can help you pursue compensation from your insurance company as well as the driver responsible for any accident-related losses.
Pedestrian Accidents
In the dense urban areas throughout New York City, NY, incidents of cars colliding with pedestrians occur far too frequently. Negligent drivers can cause catastrophic and often fatal injuries to people on foot. Our New York injury lawyers are prepared to fight for the rights of pedestrians who have suffered devastating losses due to the negligent actions of motorists. With our NYC pedestrian accident lawyers on your side, you can rest assured that your advocates are doing everything they can to collect the restitution to which you are entitled. Let our team handle the complexities of legal recourse while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
Discuss Your Motor Vehicle Accident With a Lawyer Contact Our Attorneys About Your Injury Claim
After an auto collision, accident victims need to focus their time and attention on recovery. Our injury lawyers can help. The Law Office of Michael H. Joseph works with car crash victims and their loved ones to hold the other driver accountable for their negligence. With free consultations and representation on a contingency basis, you won't pay our injury attorneys unless we secure a favorable settlement or achieve a successful verdict.
To request a no-obligation legal consultation, contact our law firm online. You can also reach our New York City car accident lawyers by phone:
(212) 858-0503
Clients Appreciate Our Attentive, Accessible Service
"I'm disabled and can't get around too well, but Michael made personal visits to me on several occasions to discuss my case. I really appreciated that."
Quinn W.
Poor Road Conditions
Poor road conditions are a less obvious cause of auto collisions since another motorist is not to blame. This is why you need a knowledgeable car accident lawyer to investigate the collision site.
Our car accident lawyers in Manhattan and White Plains, NY, work with crash reconstruction analysts to determine the cause or causes of a collision. If badly maintained or poorly designed roads are to blame, they can hold the city or town that maintains the roadway accountable.
Keep in mind that in these kinds of cases, you need to file an accident claim with the city or town responsible for maintaining the road within 90 days of the crash. Do not delay.
Design Flaws and Defective Auto Parts
Not all auto accidents are a result of driver error or dangerous road conditions. A poorly maintained, designed, or manufactured vehicle or defective auto parts can also lead to accidents. If auto defects such as faulty airbags, malfunctioning brakes, or unsound tires caused your accident, our attorneys can help.
Our car accident lawyers will work with accident reconstruction analysts to pinpoint the issue or issues that caused your crash. Our lawyers can then file a product liability or personal injury lawsuit against the company responsible for the design issues.
Many cases are settled with insurance companies before a car accident lawyer has had the chance to investigate the collision and determine the cause.
Our New York car accident lawyers have practiced personal injury law for decades, and have built a strong network of accident reconstruction analysts who can clearly illustrate what happened during the accident and who is responsible.
New York Is a No-Fault Insurance State
New York is a no-fault car insurance state. That means that regardless of who was at fault for an auto accident, your car insurance company will cover medical expenses, property damage, and other out-of-pocket costs up to your coverage limits.
Although New York is a no-fault state, there are circumstances under which you are able to file a personal injury suit directly against the responsible party:
- Injuries resulted in at least 90 days of full disability
- A bone fracture resulted from the accident
- Injuries caused permanent disability
What If You Were Partly Responsible for the Crash? Understanding Comparative Fault Laws
Sharing Fault
If you and the other driver each share some portion of fault in an auto accident, "comparative fault" rules will be followed. This means that each driver's percentage of fault will be calculated into the amount of damages that are awarded.
How Our Lawyers Can Help
Our New York City car accident lawyers will use all available evidence in order to demonstrate the other motorist's percentage of fault. Our goal will be to convince the court to award as much of the sought-after damages as possible.
Fatal Car Accidents
The National Safety Council estimates that more than 46,000 people were killed in car crashes in 2021. Fatal accident victims leave behind mourning families who deserve to be compensated for medical bills, funeral expenses, gaps in income, and other losses associated with the death of a loved one.
Dozens of 5-Star Reviews Helping New Yorkers with Their Injury Claims
Kathy H.
2021
I had a great experience with The Law Office of Michael H. Joseph. Mr. John Tait represented me with my car accident case. I would like to say thank you Mr. Tait for taking my case, being so professional, kind and responsive to all my phone calls and emails. My previous attorney wanted me to settle for a very low amount and did not want to fight for me. Mr. Tait you fought for me and got me a reasonable settlement amount for my injuries. I would definitely recommend you to family and friends! You love what you do and it shows through your passion and work ethic. Thanks again, for helping me!
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Eric Kleemann
2021
Michael Joseph is not only a knowledgable attorney, but a tactful one as well. In my time with him he was kind and easy to speak to, but was very shrewd in dealing with the defendants. There are not many attorneys who you can say are kind and have a good morale compass, but Michael Joseph definitely falls into that category. I hope to never need him again but if I ever do, it will be comforting to know that he will be in my corner to guide me through the formalities and tension of extended legal processes. These words are not enough, but thanks again Michael, you helped me through one of the hardest times in my life.
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Lyft and Uber Accidents:
Rideshare Collisions
Rideshare apps are a way of life in New York City, whether you're headed out for a night on the town or just getting groceries and running errands. The rise in popularity of Uber, Lyft, Via, Revel, and other apps has unfortunately led to more collisions in all five boroughs.
Determining liability in a rideshare accident can be complicated. Passengers in the rideshare and other motorists affected by a collision may wonder who should be held liable for the crash.
Our injury attorneys can look into your car accident case and parse the complicated New York laws involved in rideshare accidents. We can also answer questions you may have about the compensation you can seek for injuries, property damage, and non-economic losses.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents
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- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Driver fatigue
- Running red lights
- Failure to yield
- Failure to signal
- Poor vehicle maintenance
DoorDash and Uber Eats: Delivery Driver Accidents
Using DoorDash, Uber Eats, or other delivery services is common and convenient in New York City. While many people handling the deliveries tend to use bicycles, E-bikes, or scooters, there are delivery drivers who use a car or truck to fulfill large restaurant or grocery orders.
If you're struck by a delivery driver, it could lead to injuries and vehicle damage. Matters of liability in these kinds of collisions can be murky, which is why it's important to consult our NYC car accident lawyers. We can help you seek compensation whether you were involved in a catastrophic crash or a fender bender.
Involved in a Rideshare or Delivery Driver Accident? Contact Our NYC Car Accident Lawyers
If you were hit by an Uber, Lyft, or delivery driver in New York City, we encourage you to discuss your case with our lawyers. We can help you pursue a car accident lawsuit to recover compensation for any crash-related medical bills and property damage. We can also help address non-economic damages caused by the motor vehicle accident. Send our law firm a message today to request a free case review, or call:
(212) 858-0503
"We won big!" New York Injury Lawyers Who Fight for You
"Michael Joseph is the best personal injury attorney I could have chosen for my case. He fought hard for me. Michael is an extremely talented technician and an outstanding attorney. He is very skilled and smart. I was blessed to have chosen Michael Joseph as my personal injury attorney. He did an outstanding job and fought hard to get me the most money I deserved for my case. We won big!" Lawrence Nef
Car Accident FAQ
What are my legal options after a hit-and-run accident?
If you can identify and locate the vehicle that hit you, you can sue the driver for injuries, property damage, and other losses. It might be difficult finding the hit-and-run driver if there were no witnesses or video of the incident. You can discuss your case with our car accident lawyers to determine what options you may have following the hit-and-run collision. We may be able to help identify who hit you and pursue restitution.
Do I need to report my accident to the police?
New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law requires people to report an auto collision to the police if:
- The crash resulted in someone's injury or death
- The collision led to damage to a parked vehicle or other property
- The accident resulted in a domestic animal's injury or death
Contacting authorities in these situations will help account for any property damage at the scene and ensure that a police report of the incident is filed.
Which borough has the most car accidents?
Brooklyn and Queens tend to have the most auto accidents in New York City, respectively. The Bronx and Manhattan tend to report similar car crash numbers, while Staten Island has the fewest accidents reported in NYC on average.
Should I take the settlement offer or go to trial?
We don't generally recommend accepting the first settlement offer since insurance companies may be trying to lowball the accident victim or their surviving loved ones. By working with our New York car accident lawyers, we can help you receive more for your collision claim.
More Clients Share Their Positive Experiences New York Personal Injury Lawyers You Can Count On
Alex Mank
2022
Mr. Michael Joseph is the best lawyer in NY States. He is very professional, knowledgeable, tenacious! He is one of the best ! It was a big pleasure working with Mr. Joseph! My family recommend Law Office of Michael H. Joseph to anyone, who needs legal help! Thank you so much to Mr. Joseph for your work. Mankovetskiy family .
View on GoogleNatalie Loza
2021
Definitely the best personal injury lawyer around. They got me the best outcome for my case! I would definitely return to their office in the future. Very professional and responsive. They fight long and hard to get the best compensation possible for your case. Definitely will refer acquaintances here.
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