New York Car Accident Lawyer Serving Injury Victims Since 2016

Last updated on March 6, 2026

Many people will experience a car accident at some point in their lives. Fortunately, these are often minor and result in nothing more than negligible vehicle damage. However, not everyone is this lucky. Some auto accidents result in serious injuries that can sometimes take years to recover from. What makes these situations worse is when another party’s wrongful acts lead to such injuries. If you or a loved one has been harmed in such a situation, a car accident lawyer in New York may be able to help.

Since 2016, our personal injury attorney at Mirabella Injury Lawyers has proven their commitment to securing favorable client outcomes. We treat every person we represent like family – because we’ve seen what can happen when injury victims don’t have support. Without knowledgeable legal representation, people often find themselves receiving less financial compensation than what they’re entitled to. This can leave victims facing medical bills, lost wages and ongoing health care expenses on their own. Our New York car accident lawyer has over 18 years of experience and is ready to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Do You Have A Valid Personal Injury Case?

This is a complicated question. The answer will depend upon the unique circumstances of your claim. However, most of these cases are resolved through settlement negotiations rather than a personal injury lawsuit. That’s because an insurance company will typically try to avoid litigation that could cost it even more. Still, it’s necessary to show that the elements of a successful lawsuit exist. These elements rely upon establishing liability, which depends on proving the following:

Duty of care: This means they had a responsibility to avoid actions that could cause harm to others. This is often easy to establish in many car accidents, since all motorists have a responsibility to drive safely.
Violation of duty: For instance, a negligent driver could violate their duty of care by speeding or changing lanes unsafely. The driver’s negligence – or other wrongful acts – must be established in all personal injury lawsuits.
Harm causation: People violate duties of care every day. Anytime you see someone speeding, they’re violating their duty of care. However, this only leads to liability when harm results from their actions. For instance, a car collision that results in medical bills and significant pain and suffering would meet this threshold.

A seasoned car accident lawyer can help you prove these elements.

What Damages Are Car Accident Victims Entitled To?

If you’ve suffered car crash-related injuries, you may be entitled to a variety of damages. This is true whether you’re seeking reimbursement for medical expenses or filing a wrongful death lawsuit after losing a loved one. A Long Island car accident lawyer can help you better understand what compensation you may be eligible for, and it typically falls into one of three categories:

Economic damages: This could include property damage, lost income, medical bills, therapy costs, transportation costs, future medical bills and more.
Noneconomic damages: These losses are not monetary in nature. For example, pain and suffering stemming from severe injuries, or maybe you’ve lost enjoyment in life due to an inability to do the things you love.
Punitive damages: An insurance adjuster may be quick to make a settlement offer if they believe punitive damages are possible. Rather than reimbursing injury victims for losses, this form of compensation is meant to punish the negligent party for their actions.

Due to New York’s no-fault laws, however, the injuries suffered must have been severe enough to seek any financial recovery from the at-fault driver. Therefore, it’s important to work with a Long Island car accident lawyer to understand your options under the law.

Is There A Statute Of Limitations For New York Car Accidents?

If you have a valid Long Island car accident case, file your claim promptly. New York’s statute of limitations for car accident cases is three years. Missing this deadline can forfeit your right to sue liable parties and their insurance company. Without the threat of litigation, insurers have little incentive to offer fair settlements.

Some exceptions to this deadline exist, but they’re rare. Experienced car accident attorneys can review your case to determine if you qualify. However, acting quickly gives you leverage over insurance companies trying to avoid paying maximum compensation. If adjusters refuse fair payment, you preserve your right to seek compensation in court.

Under New York law, you can also file a claim with your own insurer, but that deadline is even shorter. An experienced car accident attorney can help you understand how to move forward and protect your rights.

What Are The Most Common Causes Of Long Island Car Crashes?

Most of the top causes of Long Island motor vehicle collisions involve driver errors. People engage in dangerous, negligent or illegal behavior while driving, which then causes a wreck. The leading reported causes of collisions include:

Distracted driving, including texting while driving
Drunk driving/DWI offenses
Drowsy driving
Speeding
Inexperienced drivers
Failure to yield
Failure to signal
Failure to comply with traffic signs or lights
Aggressive driving
Failure to adjust driving for weather conditions such as icy and snowy roads
Insufficient vehicle maintenance

Drivers who break the law or behave negligently are usually liable for the crashes they cause. The people affected by the crash can file claims against their liability insurance.

What If The Driver At Fault Does Not Have Insurance Or Has Minimal Coverage?

Uninsured drivers are a common hazard on Long Island roads. If the driver who caused the crash did not have the insurance required by law, you may be able to file a claim against your own policy. Your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage provides no-fault assistance for medical expenses and lost wages.

PIP coverage can also help you when the driver at fault only carries the liability coverage required by law. Mandatory minimum coverage often falls far short of medical expenses and lost wages after a serious Long Island crash. Other supplemental coverage, including uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, can also help you cover your losses. A claim against your own coverage when you are not at fault has minimal impact on your future premium costs.

You may also have the option of filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against the driver at fault for the wreck.

What Are The Most Important Steps After A Long Island Car Crash?

Knowing how to handle a crash is as important as trying to avoid one. After a collision, the steps you take can help you protect yourself legally and financially. You may need:

Call 911 or a nonemergency number to secure police assistance
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver
Gather information about witnesses
Take photographs or videos of the crash scene
Seek medical attention to diagnose and treat any injuries
Avoid apologizing, admitting fault or signing insurance documents without help

To protect yourself, you may need the guidance of an experienced Long Island car crash lawyer.

Work With A Car Accident Lawyer You Can Count On

Personal injury claims are often complicated. Even when liability seems clear, insurance companies and courts may see things differently. Combined with other common hurdles in auto accident cases, injury victims frequently get less than they deserve.

At Mirabella Injury Lawyers, we’re committed to representing your best interests. Our clients are more than just a number. We fight for fair compensation rather than rushing into quick settlements. Whether you suffered severe spinal cord injuries or other harm, our law firm provides dedicated representation to help you get the results you deserve.