Car Accident Lawyer in Queens
Getting fair treatment from an insurance company after a Queens car accident is not always straightforward. Questions about fault, New York’s no-fault rules, available coverage, and the value of an injury claim can affect what happens next.
A Queens car accident lawyer at The Harrison Law Group will address those issues and protect your interests from the start. Our firm focuses entirely on personal injury law and has over 30 years of experience. We have recovered over $450 million for injured clients while continuing to give each person individual attention.
You will have direct access to your Queens personal injury lawyer, who takes the time to understand your injuries, concerns, and goals for the case. To discuss your next steps, contact our office today for a free consultation.
Our Car Accident Attorneys in Queens Take the Pressure Off Your Shoulders
Insurance paperwork and calls can add to your list of things to do when you are hurt. Our firm takes care of those issues and keeps you informed about your case.
The attorneys at The Harrison Law Group will look into the collision, work to obtain evidence, review insurance coverage, document your injuries and losses, and talk to the insurance company for you. We also identify the people or businesses that may be responsible and determine which sources of insurance may apply. We handle your claim from start to finish.
If an insurer will not work toward a fair resolution, we can prepare your claim for litigation and pursue the case in court when appropriate. Our car accident lawyer in Queens will explain the choices you face along the way without using fear or pressure to steer your decisions.
Determining Who Is Responsible for a Crash Can Be Complicated
Some collisions have a clear cause, making it easier to see who can be held responsible for it. Other crashes, however, involve several drivers, conflicting accounts, or questions about who had the right-of-way.
Several parties can share fault, but New York law now limits recovery when an injured person bears most of the responsibility for an auto accident. Under CPLR § 1411(b), an injured person generally cannot recover damages if they are more at fault for the crash than the other party or parties.
The law makes disputes over fault especially significant. We will examine the facts before an insurance company’s version of the crash becomes the only story being heard.
Proving Negligence in a Car Accident Case Starts With the Facts
A car accident claim generally requires evidence showing that another party acted negligently and caused the injuries at issue. That evidence will depend on where and how the crash happened.
Our car accident lawyer in Queens, N.Y., may use police reports, photographs, video footage, witness accounts, vehicle damage, medical records, and other available information to build a clear account of the collision. In a disputed case, details such as traffic signals, lane positions, visibility, speed, and the actions of each driver can matter.
The Harrison Law Group can also address claims that you caused or contributed to the collision. We prepare each case around its own evidence instead of relying on a standard approach.
New York No-Fault Insurance May Cover Some Early Losses
After a car accident, you generally must turn to the first applicable insurance policy for certain medical costs, lost earnings, and other covered expenses. These benefits are available through Personal Injury Protection (PIP), commonly called no-fault coverage.
Basic PIP coverage in New York generally provides up to $50,000 per person for covered economic losses. This may include reasonable and necessary medical expenses, part of your lost earnings, and certain other injury-related expenses. You can generally receive these benefits regardless of who caused the collision.
PIP does not cover pain and suffering. State law allows an injured person to pursue those damages against an at-fault party when the injury meets the state’s “serious injury” threshold. The Harrison Law Group will review your medical records and insurance coverage to determine which claims may be available beyond no-fault benefits.
Different Types of Car Accidents Bring Different Problems
The insurance issues after a crash often depend on the type of accident. An uninsured driver, a rideshare vehicle, or several vehicles involved in the same collision can each raise different questions about coverage and liability.
Insurance coverage can become one of the hardest parts of these cases to sort out. A Queens car accident lawyer from our team will review the policies and determine where a claim may be made.
We also handle cases involving serious injuries that meet New York’s requirements for pursuing non-economic losses outside the no-fault system.
Car Accident Injuries Can Affect Much More Than Your Health
The force of a collision can injure many parts of the body. A driver or passenger may suffer a concussion, broken bone, spinal injury, joint damage, or injuries to muscle and ligaments. Where the vehicle was struck, the speed of the vehicle, and the person’s position inside the car can all affect the injuries that result.
The damages available in an injury claim depend on how the accident has affected you. They may include medical costs, lost income, reduced earning ability, and pain and suffering. Future medical care and other ongoing losses may also be considered when supported by the facts of the case.
A car accident injury attorney at The Harrison Law Group will look at the full effect of the injury when determining the damages to pursue. This includes losses you have already experienced and those that may continue in the future.
Fatal Car Accidents Create Different Losses for Families
Losing a family member in a car accident brings losses that cannot be measured by bills or income alone. If you have lost someone in an accident, we are sorry for your loss. We will help you hold the liable party accountable if someone else’s negligence caused the accident.
New York law allows certain financial losses resulting from the death to be included in a wrongful death lawsuit. Depending on the circumstances, damages may include funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, and the value of services the person provided to the family.
Our Queens wrongful death lawyer can explain which damages may apply and handle the legal claim with care for what your family is going through.
Meeting New York’s Deadlines for Car Accident Lawsuits
New York generally gives an injured person three years to bring a personal injury lawsuit. NY CPLR § 214(5) lists a three-year limitations period for actions seeking damages for personal injuries.
A different deadline generally applies when a car accident results in death. Under NY EPT § 5-4.1, a wrongful death action generally must be started within two years after the person’s death.
Exceptions and shorter deadlines may apply in some cases, including claims involving government agencies or public authorities. For that reason, we will check the deadline based on the parties and facts involved and advise you accordingly.
You Do Not Have to Stay With a Lawyer Who Is Not Meeting Your Needs
People sometimes come to us after another attorney has already handled their case for weeks or months. You may feel that calls go unanswered, you do not know what is happening, or your lawyer does not understand what you want from the case.
If you are unhappy with your current attorney, The Harrison Law Group can review the situation and discuss taking over your case at no additional cost to you. We have successfully resolved difficult matters that other firms previously handled and later dropped.
As a local firm, we know the Queens community, local courts, and the concerns our neighbors bring to us. Spanish–speaking staff members are available, and clients can speak directly with our attorneys.
Talk to Our Queens Car Accident Lawyer About Your Case
The Harrison Law Group has served thousands of clients, yet our approach remains personal. We want you to know your lawyer, understand what is happening, and have a legal team that knows your story and your goals for recovery.
Our HOPE philosophy—Help One Person Every Day—guides how we work with people facing injuries and financial losses. No case is treated as too small to deserve attention.
Speak with our car accident lawyer in Queens to learn how we can help with your claim. There is no fee unless we recover money on your behalf. Call for a free consultation.