Garden City Car Accident Lawyer

Like any city in New York, the familiar routes you travel every day in and around Garden City can become the scene of a life-altering event when another driver is careless or negligent. If you’ve been injured in a crash, you are likely facing a flood of new challenges. You may be in severe pain, unable to work, and watching medical bills pile up. The stress of dealing with insurance companies on top of your physical recovery can feel like too much to bear.

At Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a serious car accident takes on you and your family. We are here to lift the legal burden from your shoulders so you can focus on what matters most: healing. A dedicated Garden City car accident lawyer from our firm is ready to stand by your side, fight for your rights, and pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve.

For a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case, please contact our team today.

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Why Choose Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP for Your Garden City Car Accident Claim

When you are choosing a law firm to represent you after a devastating accident, you need a team with a proven history of success, deep local knowledge, and the resources to see your case through to a just conclusion. At Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP, we have built our reputation on providing exactly that for our clients in Garden City and across Long Island.

Our firm is not a general practice that dabbles in personal injury law. It is our sole focus. This singular dedication has allowed us to hone our skills and build a formidable record of success over the decades. When you entrust your case to us, you are not just hiring a lawyer; you are gaining a team of experienced attorneys with over 100 years of combined legal knowledge, all working collaboratively for your benefit.

Here is what sets us apart:

• A Long Track Record of Local Success: We believe you deserve a law firm that has won cases in the same Nassau County courthouse where your case will be heard. Our deep roots in the Long Island legal community mean we understand the local courts, judges, and procedures, giving you a distinct advantage.
• Resources to Challenge Powerful Insurance Companies: Insurance carriers have vast legal teams and financial resources dedicated to minimizing or denying your claim. We level the playing field. Our firm has the financial strength to advance the high costs of litigation, from hiring top-tier accident reconstructionists and medical experts to utilizing cutting-edge trial technology.
• A Singular Focus on Personal Injury Law: Unlike other firms that spread their attention across many different legal areas, we dedicate 100% of our practice to helping injury victims. This focus has enabled us to hone our experience in building, negotiating, and, when necessary, litigating complex personal injury cases.

We are always prepared to take your case to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached. Our goal is to secure the best possible outcome for you, and our reputation for being trial-ready often encourages insurance companies to negotiate in good faith. Contact us today for a free consultation. Let our experience be your strength. 

Should I Accept the First Offer from the Insurance Company After a Car Accident?

After a crash, you will likely be contacted by an insurance adjuster from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. They may seem friendly and concerned, and they might make a quick settlement offer. It can be incredibly tempting to accept, especially when you are out of work and bills are mounting. However, it is crucial to understand that this first offer is almost never in your best interest.

Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their primary goal is to protect their bottom line, which means paying out as little as possible on claims. The adjuster’s job is to resolve your case quickly and for the lowest amount you are willing to accept.

The first offer is a calculated tactic. It is made before the full extent of your injuries and losses is known. It likely does not account for:

• Future Medical Expenses: Many serious injuries require ongoing treatment, physical therapy, future surgeries, or long-term medication.
• Future Lost Income: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit your earning capacity for years to come, this must be calculated and included.
• Full Pain and Suffering: The physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by the accident are significant damages that a quick offer fails to properly value.

Accepting that first offer means you waive your right to seek any further compensation for this accident, forever. If your condition worsens or you discover you need another surgery down the road, you will have no legal recourse. Before you speak to an adjuster, sign any documents, or accept any money, it is vital to speak with an experienced Garden City car accident attorney who can accurately assess the true value of your claim and protect you from settling for less than your claim is worth.

Laws that Impact Car Accidents in New York

Handling a car accident claim involves understanding several key New York laws. These rules can significantly impact how your case proceeds and the compensation you can recover. Our attorneys are highly knowledgeable in these statutes and will use them to your advantage.

New York’s No-Fault Insurance

New York is a “no-fault” insurance state. In simple terms, this means that after most car accidents, your own auto insurance policy is the primary source of coverage for your initial medical bills and a portion of your lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash. This coverage is known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP).

PIP benefits typically cover:

• Necessary and reasonable medical treatment and rehabilitation costs.
• Up to 80% of your lost earnings, capped at $2,000 per month for up to three years.
• Up to $25 per day for other reasonable and necessary expenses (like transportation to medical appointments).

However, no-fault insurance does not compensate you for pain and suffering or other non-economic losses. To step outside the no-fault system and file a lawsuit against the negligent driver for these damages, you must have sustained what the law defines as a “serious injury.” Under New York Insurance Law § 5102(d), a serious injury includes:

• Death
• Dismemberment
• Significant disfigurement
• A fracture
• Loss of a fetus
• Permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function, or system
• Permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member
• Significant limitation of use of a body function or system
• A medically determined injury or impairment that prevents you from performing substantially all of your usual daily activities for at least 90 days during the 180 days immediately following the accident.

Proving that your injury meets this threshold is one of the most critical aspects of your case. Our lawyers work closely with your doctors and medical experts to gather the necessary evidence to establish your right to seek full compensation, including for your pain and suffering.

New York’s Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations is a law that sets a strict deadline for filing a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to pursue compensation in court forever. It is essential to act quickly to protect your rights.

• General Personal Injury: For most car accident cases in New York, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
• Wrongful Death: If you have tragically lost a loved one in a car accident, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is two years from the date of their death.
• Claims Against a Municipality: The deadline is much shorter if your claim is against a government entity, such as the Town of Hempstead, the Village of Garden City, or Nassau County (for instance, if you were hit by a village-owned vehicle or your accident was caused by a dangerously maintained public road). In these cases, you must file a Notice of Claim within just 90 days of the accident.

While these deadlines may seem far away, building a strong case takes time. Evidence can disappear, and witnesses’ memories can fade. Contacting a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident is the best way to ensure all critical deadlines are met and your case is properly preserved.

New York’s Comparative Negligence Rule

In many accidents, the insurance company for the other driver may try to argue that you were partially to blame for the crash. In some states, being found even slightly at fault can prevent you from recovering any compensation. New York, however, follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule.

This rule is more favorable to accident victims. It means that you can still recover damages even if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident. Your total compensation award will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if a jury finds that you were 10% responsible for the accident (perhaps for speeding slightly), you would still be able to recover 90% of your damages.

Insurance companies often use accusations of shared fault to try to devalue your claim. Our attorneys are skilled at fighting back against these tactics. We will work to gather all evidence to show that the other party was entirely or primarily responsible for your injuries, maximizing the compensation you can receive.

Compensation Available in a Garden City, NY Car Accident Lawsuit

A successful car accident claim can provide compensation for the full range of your losses, which are categorized as economic and non-economic damages. Our goal is to account for every single way this accident has impacted your life and fight for a settlement or verdict that reflects that.

Economic Damages are your tangible, financial losses that can be calculated, such as:

• All past and future medical bills (hospital stays, surgeries, therapy, medication, etc.)
• Lost wages and income from being unable to work
• Diminished future earning capacity if your injuries are permanent
• The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle
• Out-of-pocket expenses, such as the cost of household help or modifications to your home

Non-Economic Damages are the intangible, personal losses that do not have a specific price tag but are just as real and devastating. These include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of consortium (the impact on your spousal relationship)

In the tragic event of a fatal accident, the victim’s family may also pursue a wrongful death claim to recover damages for funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, loss of guidance, and the value of the services the deceased provided to the family.

Garden City, New York Car Accident FAQs

After an accident, it is normal to have many questions. Here are answers to some common concerns we hear from our clients.

What if the driver who hit me was uninsured or fled the scene?

If you are hit by an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run driver, you may still be able to recover compensation. Your own auto insurance policy includes Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This is designed to protect you in exactly this situation. We can help you file a UM claim with your own insurer to recover the damages you are entitled to.

How much does it cost to hire Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP?

We handle all car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us absolutely no upfront costs or attorney’s fees. We only get paid if and when we successfully recover compensation for you through a settlement or jury verdict. Our fee is a percentage of the amount we win. If we do not win your case, you owe us no attorney’s fees. This allows everyone to afford top-quality legal representation.

My injuries seemed minor at first but have gotten much worse. Is it too late to pursue a claim?

No, it is likely not too late, but you should act quickly. This is a very common scenario. The adrenaline of a crash can mask pain, and some injuries, like whiplash or herniated discs, can take days or weeks to fully manifest. As long as you are within the three-year statute of limitations, you can still pursue a claim. It is crucial to continue your medical treatment and document how your condition has worsened. Contact us immediately to discuss your situation.

Contact Our Trusted Garden City Car Accident Lawyers Today

Car accidents are stressful enough; you shouldn’t have to take on the insurance company alone. The experienced legal team at Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP can guide you through every step of the legal process. We will handle the details of your claim so you can devote your energy to your recovery.

When you hire our firm, we get to work immediately to protect your rights and build the strongest possible case. We will:

• Conduct a complete investigation into your accident to establish fault.
• Gather all necessary evidence, including police reports, nearby surveillance footage, and witness statements.
• Handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance companies on your behalf.
• Work with leading medical and financial experts to calculate the full value of your damages.
• Fight tirelessly to secure the maximum compensation you need to rebuild your life.

Your future well-being is too important to leave to chance. Let us put our 100+ years of combined experience to work for you.Contact Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP today at (631) 451-7900 or through our online form for a free, confidential consultation. There is no fee unless we win your case. Se habla español.

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Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP

225 Franklin Ave #325-C, Garden City, NY 11530 (516) 973-3452