Long Island Car Accident Lawyer

Car Accident Attorney

The streets of Long Island can be a dangerous place to be. There were 84,347 accidents in Nassau and Suffolk Counties in 2019 alone, leading to 175 deaths and 22,661 injuries.

When you are in a car accident and you get hurt, it can sometimes feel like you have nowhere to turn. Insurance companies are not on your side, and they will do anything they can to lower your car accident injury settlement value — or deny your claim altogether.

That’s where we at TonaLaw come in. We fight back against insurance companies to help you seek the maximum amount of compensation available. Our Long Island car accident lawyers help you calculate the full value of your damages related to medical care, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and other losses. Trust our attorneys to work closely with you on your case and help guide you to the options that best represent your financial, medical, and personal interests.

Give us a call today at 1-833-TONALAW or contact us online to talk with a car accident lawyer in Long Island for free about your rights and your options following your crash. You deserve a fighter on your side, and that’s why we promise to be there for you!

What Are My Rights to Compensation After a Long Island Collision?

Thanks to the state of New York’s fairly generous no-fault car accident insurance system, medical treatment for every type of injury is covered, with very few exceptions.

In addition, you may wish to file a traditional injury claim against the insurance policy of others involved in your accident in addition to filing a no-fault claim for your basic economic losses. If your injuries are serious, or your crash results in substantial losses, including personal pain and suffering, then you will only be fully compensated by filing both a third-party liability claim against the person or entity that caused your injuries, in addition to the no-fault claims under your own policy for lost wages, medical treatment and the like.

TonaLaw will review the details of your case and make you aware of your best options. Our goal is for our clients to feel confident, informed, and ready to take action to seek the resolution they need.

New York No-Fault Insurance(Coverage available to you under your own policy.)

The state of New York allows for No-Fault Insurance claims to be filed after any collision. No-Fault insurance is the informal name given to Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claims.  The only exceptions are if the driver was under the influence, intentionally caused their injuries, was committing a felony or was operating a vehicle that was stolen or otherwise not insured. Also, it is very important to note that no-fault policies do not cover motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, and other recreational vehicles.

A no-fault claim is filed with your own insurance provider, thereby making this a 1st party claim. Review the details of your personal injury protection (PIP) policy to see what benefits you may be eligible for.

Generally speaking, no-fault insurance covers:

• Up to $50,000 per person in total for medical treatments, lost wages, and other basic economic losses, subject to the below parameters.
• Regarding lost wages, No-Fault will typically pay 80% of lost earnings, up to $2,000 per month for up to three years unless additional coverage was purchased by you.
• Up to $25 a day for up to a year from the accident for related reasonable and necessary expenses
• $2,000 for the death of the policyholder or a covered individual (in addition to the $50k medical coverage)

Liability Insurance (Coverage available to you under the opposing party automobile insurance policy.)

New York law also requires all vehicle owners to carry the following levels of minimum liability coverage, which protects other parties, thereby making this a 3rd party benefit:

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $50,000 for death per person
• $10,000 for property damage per accident

Individuals can file a third-party claim against the insurance policy of an at-fault driver (or any at-fault parties) when their accident damages exceed the available coverage of their no-fault policy. They may also seek non-economic damages, such as for their pain and suffering when they have suffered a “serious injury”.

Another important factor to note is that a liability claim can pay for the remaining 20% of uncovered lost wages, depending on the language of the policy.

The above policy numbers are the minimum coverages available in NY under applicable laws and may go much higher.  We have seen policies as high as $1,000,000 or even higher.

Many individuals are not aware of their options for filing an injury claim in New York after their accident. Talk to experienced Long Island car accident attorneys to explore all of your options for seeking the maximum compensation possible.

What Damages Does My Car Accident Settlement Include?

Your car accident injury settlement will include compensation for all applicable damages covered by the policies in question.

The most common forms of damages are:

• Past Medical Care Costs
• Future Medical Treatment
• Past Pain and Suffering
• Future Pain and Suffering
• Past Lost wages
• Future Lost Wages
• Costs associated with your accident, such as transportation, medical supplies, needed care, etc.
• Funeral and burial costs

Filing a claim under a third-party liability policy allows you to recover additional compensation for your pain and suffering as well as for any damages not covered by no-fault insurance or that exceed the limits of your no-fault policy.

Our Long Island Car Accident Lawyers Fight for You and Your Loved Ones

At TonaLaw, our Long Island car accident attorneys will fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your personal injuries and uphold your legal rights. Call TonaLaw if you have suffered injuries from a car accident and are dealing with medical expenses, pain, and suffering, or loss of wages.

Our law firm can help you put the pieces back together after a car accident. We represent clients who have suffered a wide range of personal injuries resulting from car accidents of all kinds, including but not limited to:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Neck injuries, such as cervical vertebral fractures, cervical disc herniations and bulges, cervical radiculopathy, and cervical sprain strain
• Back injuries such as a sprain, strain, fracture, disc injury (bulging disc, herniated disc), thoracic spine injuries, lumbar radiculopathy, and lumbar spine injuries
• Psychological injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Soft tissue injuries, such as torn muscles, torn ligaments, or whiplash
• Broken legs and arms
• Chest and internal injuries

The TonaLaw Advantage

We are a client-first practice. Our attorneys and support staff utilize our extensive legal experience and litigation acumen to represent personal injury clients aggressively, always seeking all remedies available to our clients under the law.

TonaLaw is a no-fee law firm – We get paid when we win your case!

If you or a loved one are suffering from an injury sustained during a motor vehicle accident and due to the negligence of another, you have the legal right to seek compensation. Speak with a Long Island car accident lawyer today by calling (631) 780-5355 or toll-free at 1-833-TONALAW, or contact us online to receive your free case evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Long Island Car Accidents

We at TonaLaw want to provide you with the best information possible after your car accident, as well as information to potentially help you before one occurs. Click on any of the questions below for more information from our helpful resources, each of which has been reviewed by our experienced Long Island car accident lawyers.

Note that all of the information in our resources is generalized and may not apply to your specific situation. Call 1-833-TONALAW to schedule your free consultation where you will learn about your options and what you can do next.

What are the most common types of car accidents?

Some of the most common types of Long Island car accident scenarios include:

• Drunk driving accidents
• Distracted driving accidents
• Rear-end accidents
• Sideswipe collision
• Head-on collision
• Side impact (T-bone) accidents
• Parking lot collision
• Low-speed impacts

Click here to read more about common types of car accidents.

What do I do if I’ve been hit by a drunk driver?

Follow the standard procedure (report the accident, exchange information, gather photo evidence and witness testimony) but pay close attention to the driver’s actions, behaviors, and any other evidence of intoxication. Try to remember everything you can, and report it on the police collision report. Be extra cautious, as intoxicated individuals may try to hide being under the influence, or they may flee the scene once the accident is reported. Gathering information quickly and recording as much of it as you can is key to later identifying the driver who hit you and documenting their intoxication. Read more here.

What do I do after my car has been t-boned?

T-bone, or side impact accidents can cause severe injuries, so do not move if you have been badly hurt. If you can move, document the accident scene quickly, record the license plate numbers of anyone involved, call in to report the accident, request an ambulance for anyone hurt, and move the vehicles to a safe place before exchanging information. Avoid being in an intersection or in a busy roadway any longer than necessary. Click here to read more about t-bone accidents.

What do I do if my car was rear-ended?

If you are located on a highway, pull over, take photos of the damage, report the accident, and exchange information with the other driver(s). If the collision happened while you were stopped or moving at slow speeds, consider briefly exiting the vehicle and taking photos of the accident before moving the vehicle. Do not take rear-end collisions lightly. Always report them and seek immediate medical evaluation once the accident has been fully documented. Read more here.

How can I avoid a car accident in an intersection?

Practice defensive driving. Scan your surroundings. Assume others may not yield as they should, and only maneuver through the intersection if you have ample time and space to do so. Never run a red light or stop sign. Be sure to always make a full stop at or behind the white markers. Click here to learn more about avoiding car accidents at intersections.

What is a Head On Collision?

A head-on collision, which is also known as a frontal collision, occurs when two cars collide head-on. Typically, head-on collisions involve two cars traveling in opposing directions. Accidents often result from a vehicle veering across the median into oncoming traffic. Fatigue, distracted driving, and speeding are all common causes of head-on collisions. Click here to learn more about head on collisions.

What do I do after a Taxi / Car Service Accident?

Report the accident immediately, and request medical services for anyone injured. Get the full name and employee number of your driver. Record the cab number if you are in a taxi. File a claim through your own no-fault policy and against the driving service’s policy if you have excess damages. Speak to an attorney as soon as you can since many ride services will try to avoid covering such a claim. Never accept an offer of cash or service in-kind from the driver in lieu of reporting the accident and going through proper procedures. Read more here.

What do I do if I have been in an accident while I was a pedestrian?

If you are a pedestrian, move to a safe place if you are able. Try to take a picture of the driver, the vehicle, and the license plates in case the driver flees. Report the accident immediately, and then seek a full medical evaluation as soon as possible. The driver’s no-fault insurance policy must pay for your injuries, and you may be eligible to seek further compensation from their liability policy. Click here to read more.

What are the most common types of injuries from car accidents?

There are many possible injuries, including:

• Head injuries
• Back and neck injuries (whiplash)
• Spinal cord injury
• Broken bones
• Soft tissue damage
• Cuts, scrapes, abrasions, burns

Some injuries are difficult to detect, such as whiplash or a broken rib or collar bone. Always receive a full medical evaluation after your accident, even if you do not feel hurt. Click here to learn more about common type of injuries from car accidents.

What do I do if I have been injured in a car accident?

If your injury is serious or you think you are badly hurt, try not to move. If you can move, go to a safe location. Report the accident and wait for a police respondent to arrive. Request an ambulance if you think you may be seriously hurt. Regardless of how hurt you feel, seek a full medical evaluation as soon as possible, preferably within 12-24 hours after your accident. Read more here.

I was in a hit-and-run accident. What do I do next?

Call 911 to report the accident, and request an ambulance if you are injured. Write down a physical description of the driver and their vehicle as soon as possible. Identifying the actual driver is key, as finding just the vehicle means police may not know who to charge. If you are unable to locate the driver, you are still eligible for no-fault compensation and may be eligible for uninsured motorist coverage, victim’s compensation, or other forms of compensation. Click here to learn more about what to do after a hit and run accident.

How can New York weather cause an accident?

Poor visibility and bad road conditions can easily make an accident worse or cause an accident that otherwise wouldn’t have happened. The position of the sun, the type of road construction, the existence of fog, and other factors can all have an effect.

What is a single-car accident?

A single-car accident is an accident without a second driver or vehicle. Most commonly, such an accident occurs when the driver collides with a fixed object, such as a telephone pole, or they run off the road.

Why is distracted driving so dangerous? 

An accident can happen in the blink of an eye. A vehicle moving at just 30 mph travels 44 feet per second, meaning it can clear the length of a football field in less than 7 seconds. Conditions can change when our eyes leave the road. Distractions also make us less likely to recognize hazards. Always drive focused on the road ahead. Read more here.

What are the dangers of high speed car accidents?

The third leading cause of driving fatalities is speeding. In addition to being against the law, speeding puts you at risk for serious accidents and injuries on the roads. When a vehicle is driving at an exorbitant speed, it is more likely to lose control and crash into another vehicle. Read more here.

How are children physically affected by car accidents?

Children may be slightly less likely to sustain broken bones and soft tissue injuries than the average adult, but any injury can have a serious effect on their lifelong health. Head injuries, spinal cord injuries, compound fractures, and nerve damage can all lead to a lower quality of life into adulthood and beyond. Click here to read more.

How can I be a safe driver?

Always pay attention to the road, avoiding distractions. Check your blind spots before every maneuver. Obey the speed limit and all traffic laws. Never drive tired or under the influence. Never use your mobile device while driving, other than for hands-free calling. Practice defensive driving by anticipating mistakes others on the road might make, such as by failing to make a complete stop at a stop sign.

I was in an accident with multiple vehicles, what next?

Follow standard procedures, but be sure to get the name, contact information, and insurance policy number of every single driver and third party involved. All of you should be present to contribute to the police report once the accident has been called in. Seek prompt medical attention. Speak to an experienced Long Island multiple car accident lawyer to determine who may be at fault and what forms of compensation may be available.

I was injured in an accident on a school bus/ public transit. What are my next steps?

When filing a claim against a public agency or government contractor, time is of the essence. Seek a full medical evaluation immediately. Talk to a Long Island bus accident lawyer as soon as possible to explore your options for filing a claim. Failing to make a timely claim with all needed information can make it impossible to seek compensation, so act quickly.

What do I do if I was hit by a car in a parking lot?

Document the accident, and exchange information with the drivers. Call 911 if anyone is hurt to report the accident and request medical help. If no one is hurt, a police officer may not be willing to come to document the scene, so be sure to document the accident thoroughly and then file a report online. Notify your own insurer of a possible claim as well as the insurance company of the driver that hit you.

What does comparative negligence mean and how does it affect liability for an accident?

In New York, personal injury cases are evaluated according to the strict comparative negligence standard. This means that the court determines the amount of compensation that each party is entitled to depending on the percentage of fault that they bear. The amount of compensation that an individual can receive is then reduced proportionally by how much fault they had in causing or failing to prevent the accident.

What are common new driver mistakes that lead to car accidents?

Every year, teenagers across the country earn their driver’s licenses. Inexperienced drivers can face danger on the road, especially when they start driving for the first time. When compared to more experienced drivers, new drivers are more likely to make mistakes, leading to a higher accident rate. Accidents happen for a variety of reasons, but the most common causes for accidents are distracted driving, following too closely, speeding, and failing to check your blind spot.

What should I know about car insurance?

It is common for New York drivers to suffer from inclement weather and consistent traffic that increases their risk of car accidents. As a result, drivers should ensure their vehicles are adequately insured. The state of New York requires car insurance for drivers who wish to register their vehicles. When a driver is involved in a car accident, their insurance protects them from personal liability.

Common car accident scams you should be aware of.

Any situation in which money can be exchanged will undoubtedly be exploited by people looking to line their own pockets. In many cases, a person who is seriously injured in a car accident can file a lawsuit to recover compensation for their injuries. Some scammers will fake accidents to make other people appear liable for their sham injuries to get a quick buck.