Best Personal Injury Lawyers in New York City

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the right personal injury lawyer in New York City?

Start by looking for attorneys who specialize in personal injury cases rather than general practitioners. Experience with cases similar to yours matters—a lawyer who regularly handles car accidents may not be the best fit for a medical malpractice claim.

Check their track record with the New York State Unified Court System's attorney search tool. Look for:

• Years practicing personal injury law in NYC
• Trial experience versus settlement-only approach
• Reviews from former clients on multiple platforms
• Disciplinary history through the NYS Attorney Grievance Committee

Schedule consultations with at least three attorneys. Most offer free initial meetings. Ask about their caseload, who will actually handle your file, and how they communicate with clients.

What does a personal injury lawyer cost in NYC?

Most NYC personal injury attorneys work on contingency fees, meaning you pay nothing upfront. They receive a percentage of your settlement or verdict—typically 33% if the case settles before trial and up to 40% if it goes to court.

Under New York Judiciary Law § 474-a, attorneys must provide a written retainer agreement explaining all fees. This document should detail:

• The exact percentage they'll take
• How expenses like court filing fees and expert witnesses are handled
• Whether costs are deducted before or after the attorney's percentage

You remain responsible for case expenses if you lose, though many firms advance these costs. Confirm this arrangement before signing anything.

What is the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York?

New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) § 214 sets a three-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims. This clock starts on the date of your injury.

However, several exceptions apply:

Shorter deadlines:

• Claims against NYC government entities require a Notice of Claim within 90 days under General Municipal Law § 50-e
• Medical malpractice claims have a 2.5-year deadline under CPLR § 214-a

Extended deadlines:

• Injuries to minors—the three-year period begins when they turn 18
• Discovery rule for latent injuries like toxic exposure

Missing these deadlines permanently bars your claim regardless of its strength. Contact an attorney immediately after any serious injury.

How does New York's comparative negligence law affect my case?

New York follows pure comparative negligence under CPLR § 1411. You can recover damages even if you were mostly at fault for the accident. Your compensation simply gets reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

For example, if a jury awards $100,000 but finds you 30% responsible, you receive $70,000. Even at 90% fault, you'd still collect 10% of the damages.

This system differs from many states that bar recovery if you're more than 50% responsible. Insurance companies in NYC regularly argue shared fault to reduce payouts. Your attorney must counter these arguments with evidence supporting your version of events.

What types of cases do NYC personal injury lawyers handle?

Personal injury law covers any situation where someone else's negligence causes you harm. NYC attorneys commonly handle:

Vehicle accidents - Car crashes, taxi and rideshare collisions, subway incidents, pedestrian knockdowns, bicycle accidents

Premises liability - Slip and falls in buildings, elevator malfunctions, inadequate security leading to assault, construction site hazards

Professional negligence - Medical malpractice at hospitals like Mount Sinai or NYU Langone, dental injuries, legal malpractice

Product liability - Defective consumer products, dangerous medications, malfunctioning equipment

Workplace injuries - Construction accidents (particularly common in Manhattan), repetitive stress injuries, occupational disease

Many NYC firms specialize in specific case types. A lawyer focusing on construction accidents understands OSHA regulations and Labor Law §§ 240-241 better than a general personal injury attorney.

How long does a personal injury case take in New York City?

Most NYC personal injury cases resolve in 12 to 24 months. Several factors influence this timeline.

Simpler cases with clear liability and moderate injuries often settle within a year. You'll reach maximum medical improvement, your attorney will calculate damages, and negotiations will begin with the insurance company.

Complex cases take longer. Medical malpractice claims require expert review and face a Certificate of Merit requirement under CPLR § 3012-a. Cases involving severe injuries need more time to understand long-term impacts. Multi-party accidents require coordination between several insurance companies.

If your case goes to trial, add another 6 to 18 months. The New York Supreme Court in Manhattan and Brooklyn have significant backlogs. Cases filed in Queens or the Bronx may move slightly faster.

What evidence should I gather after an accident in NYC?

Strong evidence dramatically improves your case outcome. Start collecting immediately if your injuries allow.

At the scene:

• Photos of the location, your injuries, and any hazards
• Contact information for witnesses
• NYPD accident report number (if applicable)
• Names of responding officers or EMS personnel

In the following days:

• Medical records from emergency rooms, urgent care, or your doctor
• Documentation of missed work and lost wages
• Receipts for accident-related expenses
• Photos showing injury progression

NYC has extensive surveillance. Your attorney can subpoena footage from traffic cameras, MTA buses, or nearby businesses. This evidence often contradicts what defendants claim happened.

Keep a daily journal noting pain levels, limitations, and emotional impacts. These notes become valuable when calculating non-economic damages months later.

What compensation can I receive in a NYC personal injury case?

New York law allows recovery for both economic and non-economic damages. There's no cap on personal injury awards in most cases.

Economic damages include:

• Medical bills (past and future treatment)
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Property damage
• Home modifications (if disabled)
• Cost of household help

Non-economic damages cover:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement or scarring

Calculating future damages requires expert testimony. Economists project lost earnings while medical experts estimate lifetime treatment costs.

In rare cases involving intentional or grossly negligent conduct, courts award punitive damages. These punish the defendant rather than compensate you. Most negligence cases don't qualify.

Should I accept the insurance company's first settlement offer?

Initial offers rarely reflect your case's true value. Insurance adjusters work for their company's profits, not your recovery.

First offers typically arrive before you finish medical treatment. Accepting means you can't seek additional compensation if your condition worsens or requires surgery. Once you sign a release, your claim closes permanently.

Common tactics adjusters use:

• Pressuring for a quick settlement before you hire counsel
• Disputing the necessity of medical treatment
• Blaming you for the accident
• Undervaluing pain and suffering

Your attorney negotiates from a position of knowledge. They understand what similar cases settle for in Manhattan versus Brooklyn courts. They recognize when an offer is reasonable and when filing suit makes sense.

Never give recorded statements to insurance companies without legal advice. Your words can be twisted to minimize your claim.

What questions should I ask during a free consultation?

Free consultations let you evaluate whether an attorney fits your needs. Come prepared with specific questions.

About your case:

• What's your initial assessment of my claim's strength?
• What challenges do you anticipate?
• What's the likely value range?

About their practice:

• How many cases like mine have you handled?
• Will you personally manage my case or pass it to associates?
• How often will we communicate, and through what method?

About logistics:

• What's your contingency fee percentage?
• How are case expenses handled if we lose?
• Do you have resources to take my case to trial if needed?

Pay attention to how they answer. Attorneys who guarantee specific outcomes or pressure immediate signing raise red flags. Good lawyers explain realistic scenarios while demonstrating genuine interest in your situation.