Free Personal Injury Consultation in New York City, New York

New York City personal injury law operates under a pure comparative negligence system, meaning you can recover damages even if you're partially at fault. The statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is 3 years from the date of injury, with medical malpractice claims having a 2.5-year deadline. NYC is a no-fault insurance state for auto accidents, but serious injuries allow you to step outside the no-fault system and sue for pain and suffering.

Car, Motorcycle & Truck Accidents in New York City

Major highways and roadways in New York City include the FDR Drive, West Side Highway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE/I-278), Cross Bronx Expressway (I-95), Long Island Expressway (I-495), Major Deegan Expressway (I-87), and the Henry Hudson Parkway. These busy corridors see thousands of accidents annually, with truck accidents on I-95 and I-278 often resulting in catastrophic injuries. If you've been injured in a motor vehicle accident in New York City, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Our network attorneys have recovered millions for New York City accident victims.

Slip & Fall and Premises Liability

Property owners in New York City have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for visitors. Slip and fall accidents in grocery stores, restaurants, shopping malls, apartment buildings, and on sidewalks can result in serious injuries including broken bones, head trauma, and spinal damage. New York law requires proving the property owner created the hazardous condition, had actual knowledge of it, or the condition existed for such a length of time that it should have been discovered and corrected. Our network attorneys have successfully recovered compensation for clients injured on unsafe premises throughout New York City.

Workplace Injuries

New York workers injured on the job are generally covered by workers' compensation, which provides medical benefits and wage replacement regardless of fault. However, in cases involving third-party negligence – such as defective equipment, negligent subcontractors, or motor vehicle accidents – injured workers may pursue personal injury claims in addition to workers' comp benefits. Construction accidents are particularly common in New York City, with New York Labor Law 240 (the "Scaffold Law") providing strict liability protection for workers injured in falls from heights or struck by falling objects.

Medical Malpractice

Major hospitals and trauma centers in New York City include NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, NYU Langone Health, Bellevue Hospital Center, Lenox Hill Hospital, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Medical malpractice cases in New York City require proving that a healthcare provider deviated from accepted standards of care, resulting in injury or death. These cases involve surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication mistakes, birth injuries, and emergency room negligence. New York has specific procedural requirements including a Certificate of Merit that must be filed with the complaint.

Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

New York follows a "one bite rule" for dog bite cases, but owners can be held strictly liable for medical expenses if the dog has shown prior vicious propensity. Owners can also be held liable under negligence principles if they knew or should have known their dog was dangerous. Dog attacks can cause severe physical injuries, scarring, and emotional trauma, particularly in children. Homeowner's and renter's insurance policies often cover dog bite claims in New York City.

Wrongful Death Claims

When negligence results in a fatality in New York City, the personal representative of the deceased's estate can file wrongful death claims in New York to recover damages for funeral expenses, medical bills, lost earnings, and loss of parental guidance. Separate survival actions can recover damages the deceased could have claimed if they had lived, including pain and suffering before death.

Legal Process in New York City

Personal injury cases in New York City are filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York (the trial court) in the appropriate county: New York County (Manhattan), Kings County (Brooklyn), Queens County, Bronx County, or Richmond County (Staten Island). The Civil Court of the City of New York handles cases under $25,000. The legal process typically begins with a free consultation, followed by investigation, demand negotiations, and if necessary, filing a lawsuit. Most personal injury cases in New York City settle before trial, but our network attorneys are fully prepared to take cases to verdict when insurance companies refuse fair compensation.

2025 Accident Statistics

In 2025, New York City continues to see high rates of personal injury accidents, with over 200,000 motor vehicle crashes annually, thousands of slip and fall incidents in commercial properties, and significant construction accidents due to ongoing development. The city's dense population and heavy traffic contribute to elevated accident rates. These statistics underscore the importance of experienced legal representation for injury victims in New York City.

Average personal injury settlements in New York City range from $20,000 for minor soft tissue injuries to over $1 million for catastrophic cases involving permanent disability, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or wrongful death. Our network of New York City attorneys has recovered tens of millions in compensation for injured clients.