Top New York City Car Accident Attorneys

Are You in Need of a New York City Car Accident Attorney?

The New York car accident attorneys at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP level the playing field against powerful insurers in NYC. While no amount of money can undo the trauma of a car crash, a successful car accident claim or lawsuit can significantly ease your financial burdens and compensate you for your pain and suffering.

Auto Accident Injury
4.9152 reviews

Recent Case Results

$8.3 Million New York State Record-Setting Verdict for Single Level Cervical Discectomy
$6.2 Million Intersection Accident
$5.5 Million New York Motor Vehicle Accident
$4.5 Million Two Passengers Injured in Rear-end Accident

You may need a car accident attorney if:

  • You suffered serious injuries like broken bones, head trauma, or spinal injuries
  • You missed time at work due to your injuries
  • You’re overwhelmed by medical bills, rehab costs, or transportation expenses
  • The insurance company is pressuring you to settle quickly
  • The other driver was uninsured or underinsured
  • You suspect the other driver was texting, intoxicated, or otherwise negligent
"The firm handled my case very professional from the start to finish. They updated me thru-out the case, held meetings with me, answered all my questions and concerns..."
- A.D. from Google

Why Choose Us Over Other Top New York City Car Accident Attorneys?

Here’s why injured drivers choose Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP:

  • Avvo Rated 10.0 Superb
  • Over $2 billion recovered for injured New Yorkers
  • More than 50 years representing car crash victims in NYC
  • Named among the Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report
  • A number of WRSMH attorneys belong to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • Recognized by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys™ as one of the Top 10 Law Firms in NYC for Client Satisfaction
  • Numerous WRSMH attorneys are listed by Super Lawyers based on peer reviews and independent research

Notable Car Accident Injury Cases

Serious Crash? Serious Representation Starts Here

When negligence causes serious injuries, you need attorneys who prepare every case as if it’s going before a jury.

Contact WRSMH at (212) 986-7353 and let our legal team fight for your future.

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car with front end damage

Do You Have a Legitimate Car Accident Case?

If your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence and you suffered physical or financial harm as a result, you may have a strong personal injury claim.

Common causes of car accident cases we handle include:

To bring a successful car accident claim, we must prove four essential elements:

  1. Duty of Care – The at-fault driver had a legal obligation to drive safely.
  2. Breach of Duty – They failed in that duty by driving negligently or unlawfully.
  3. Causation – That failure directly caused the accident.
  4. Damages – You suffered real harm—physical, financial, or emotional.
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What Damages Can I Recover After a New York City Car Accident?

Our tenacious attorneys can help you pursue both economic and non-economic damages from an at-fault insurance company. Economic damages will take into account all of the financial losses you have suffered as a result of your injury, from your medical bills to the wages you lost while out of work. In contrast, non-economic damages can involve all of your personal damages, from emotional trauma to physical pain.

With the right attorney, you can recover financial compensation for the following damages after a car accident:

  • Current medical bills (including ambulance and emergency room fees)
  • Future medical bills
  • Property damage and loss
  • Pain and suffering
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of career or earning capacity
  • Wrongful death damages if you lost a loved one

Damages will ultimately come down to the type of injury you have suffered and the available liability policies. Brain injuries, for example, can cause a range of both physical and psychological injuries, such as mood swings and PTSD. However, even a spinal cord injury, while it may not affect your brain, can lead to emotional issues as you contend with your disability. To ensure you receive every cent owed to you after a collision, you will need an attorney who can thoroughly review your case and collect all available evidence to support your claim.

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What Evidence Is Collected for a New York City Car Accident Claim?

The New York City auto accident attorneys at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP have handled many car accident claims in our decades of practicing law. To build a case that secures you the maximum financial settlement, we will have to prove that you were the victim in your accident and the other party was at fault. Here are the most common pieces of evidence we will use to successfully secure your settlement:

  • Witness testimony
  • Photos of the scene
  • Police reports
  • Insurance company reports
  • Medical bills
  • Video evidence
  • Accident reconstruction

While some pieces of evidence will come from the police report and immediate events following the accident, other aspects may require an expert witness. But we will want to start reviewing all evidence for your claim as you do have a deadline for when you can file.

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How a New York City Car Accident Attorney Can Help

Insurance agents are not on your side. In fact, their job is to reduce settlement offers, deny claims, and protect their company’s bottom line.

When you work with WRSMH, you get full-service legal representation from one of the most trusted injury firms in New York. That means you don’t have to worry about paperwork, court filings, or dealing with insurance adjusters.

Experienced. Relentless. Results-Driven. Call WRSMH Now

Don’t let insurance companies decide what your case is worth. Call (212) 986-7353 now for a free consultation.

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Types of Automobile Collisions That Cause Serious Injuries

Any motor vehicle crash can cause serious injuries to drivers and passengers. Pedestrians, bikers, and motorcyclists are also at risk of catastrophic trauma. Within New York City, the most serious and common types of accidents are:

  • Head-On Collisions: The force of two moving vehicles colliding head-on often produces a terrific impact, since both vehicles contribute to it. The sheer force of the collision can cause a wide range of injuries - head trauma, neck injuries, spinal cord injury, internal injuries, fractures, and torn ligaments in the lower extremities.
  • Side-Impact (T-Bone) Collisions: Due to the close proximity of a driver or passenger to the point of impact, broadside collisions often lead to catastrophic injuries. These can include serious damage to internal organs, shoulder injuries, spinal cord damage, and hip fractures.
  • Rollover Accidents: In rollovers, vehicle roofs may be crushed or collapse on the driver and passengers, leading to head trauma and traumatic brain injury. There may also be damage to the spine, which can lead to permanent paralysis, either quadriplegia or paraplegia. When seat belts fail to tighten in a rollover, the vehicle occupants may be severely shaken and jolted as the vehicle rolls, almost always leading to whiplash.
  • Rear-end Collisions: Most people will think of a simple fender-bender when they imagine a rear-end crash, but these accidents can occur at high speeds and involve multiple catastrophic injuries. Drivers and occupants can be thrown against the steering column or collide with vehicles in front of them, leading to multiple points of impact. While in most cases the oncoming driver is at fault, drivers in front of them could also be to blame if they came to a sudden stop or back-up on a busy street.
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What’s the Legal Process for a Car Accident Case?

At WRSMH, we guide our clients through every stage of the legal process.

Free Consultation

You meet with one of our attorneys to review your case and discuss your rights and legal options.

Investigation

We gather critical evidence such as police reports, eyewitness statements, surveillance footage, accident reconstruction, and vehicle data.

Filing a Claim

We notify the insurance companies of your claim and build a strong case on your behalf.

Negotiation

We calculate the full extent of your damages, including current and future losses. Then we negotiate with insurers to seek a fair settlement.

Litigation

If the other side refuses to offer reasonable compensation, we are always prepare to take your case to trial.

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Different Types of Car Accident Injuries

Vehicle accident injuries can be broken down into two categories: impact injuries and penetration injuries.

  • Impact Injuries are usually caused by a body part striking a surface inside a vehicle, such as a steering wheel, dashboard, windshield, or headrest. Impact injuries often result in broken and crushed bones, injured internal organs, and internal bleeding. Whiplash and head trauma are also impact injuries that can result in spinal cord damage, brain damage, and concussion. While seat belts and airbags can prevent many impact injuries, they can't prevent them all. Airbags work well in head-on and rear-end collisions, but in side-impact collisions, like T-bones, they aren't as effective.
  • Penetration Injuries are cuts, lacerations, and punctures suffered by a victim in a car crash. These sorts of penetration injuries can be caused by broken glass or sheared metal from a car's frame. They can also be caused by loose items in the vehicle that turn into airborne projectiles during a crash. Harmless things like pens, cell phones, coffee mugs, glass bottles, and aluminum cans can cause significant puncture injuries in the chaos and destruction of a crash.
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What Is the Statute of Limitations in New York?

In New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the crash. However, there are some important exceptions:

  • Wrongful death claims: Must be filed within two years of the victim’s passing
  • Claims against a government agency: You must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days, and then file your lawsuit within one year and 90 days

It’s important to act quickly. The sooner you contact a New York City personal injury attorney, the sooner we can gather time-sensitive evidence, speak with witnesses, and protect your right to full compensation.

Get a Free Consultation With One of NYC’s Leading Law Firms

We give your case the attention it deserves and will aggressively pursue the compensation you need. Call (212) 986-7353 to learn more today.

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Some of Our Car Accident Case Results

$8.326 Million Verdict - Personal Injuries Sustained as a Result of a Motor Vehicle Accident

A Suffolk County jury awarded an $8.3 million verdict to our client who, on October 2, 2014, was attempting to make a left turn onto the westbound service road of the Long Island Expressway when her vehicle was struck by a commercial van traveling in the opposite direction.

$6.2 Million Recovery for New York Intersection Accident

The firm was able to obtain a jury verdict in the amount of $6.2 million on behalf of our client, a 60-year-old Brooklyn woman involved in a motor vehicle accident. After a trial, the jury unanimously found the defendant 100% responsible for the accident.

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What Clients Are Saying About Us

A tremendous result for my father- Samantha Feliz (5-Star Google Review)

Attorney Steve Wagner achieved a tremendous result for my father. He had a car crash where his car was struck from behind. He sustained serious back injuries, requiring a major back surgery where they put metal in his back. Attorney Ashley Jacoby did a great job working on the case before Steve took the case to trial. To prepare for trial, Steve spent hours with my dad and entire family. He even came to the apartment multiple times. Steve selected a jury and then managed to get the entire defense thrown out! The defense had no choice but to settle right before opening statements for more than we had hoped for. Steve worked really, really hard to help us win. But maybe, more importantly, he’s really passionate, and it’s clear he cares deeply about our family and our future.

Refreshing honesty and a professional unmatched by any attorney- Gary G (5-Star Google Review)

I suffered multiple injuries when a truck driver failed to obey a traffic stop sign on a local road here in Staten Island, NY, almost two years ago, and proceeded to strike my prized Mustang GT in a head-on collision destroying the car and sending me to the hospital. Shortly after starting my recovery, I received what turned out to be a life-changing recommendation to the injury law firm of Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, here in NYC. My personal attorney, Konstantin Burshteyn, proceeded to represent me with both a refreshing honesty and a professional unmatched by any attorney I've come to know or work with during my life experiences! His candor and ability to present all the pertinent information to me in terms which were easy to understand was greatly appreciated. I would highly recommend not only the firm of Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, but Konstantin Burshteyn, in particular, to consider as your attorneys!

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Other Locations We Serve in New York

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Frequently Asked Questions About NYC Auto Accidents

Can I still file a claim if I was partially at fault for my accident?

Yes. New York is a comparative negligence state, meaning that the court will decide what degree of fault each party has for the accident and apply that percentage to the damages awarded.

Should I speak with the other driver's insurance company?

Not until you've consulted your own attorney. Even then, it’s better to let your own attorney communicate with the other party's insurer. Insurance adjusters may take a statement you've made, twist it around, and use it against you.

Should I accept the insurance company's offer?

Not until you've consulted your lawyer. Insurance companies will always try to lowball you and offer you a settlement that is far less than you deserve. An experienced auto accident attorney can help you determine how much you should ask for.

Do I really need a lawyer after a car accident in New York City?

Yes. If you’ve suffered serious injuries, missed time at work, or are facing long-term medical care, having a lawyer ensures your rights are protected. Insurance companies often try to settle for far less than you deserve. Our firm builds every case for trial, which means we’re always prepared to fight for full compensation.

How much does it cost to hire WRSMH for a car accident case?

There’s no upfront cost. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we win your case. Your consultation is free, and we cover all case-related expenses until there’s a resolution.

What types of compensation can I recover after a car accident?

Depending on your case, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, future treatment, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability, and more. We fight for the full value of your claim, not just what the insurance company offers.

Will my case go to trial?

Most cases settle out of court, but we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This preparation often leads to better settlement offers. If going to trial is necessary to protect your interests, our team is more than ready.

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Meet Our Attorneys

Phil Russotti

New York Attorney Registration Number: 1154855

Phil Russotti is a senior partner at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, and one of New York’s premier personal injury trial attorneys. With a deep commitment to justice and strategic trial preparation, he has secured numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements in cases involving medical malpractice, construction accidents, police shootings and construction injuries.

Clifford H. Shapiro

New York Attorney Registration Number: 2036911

Clifford H. Shapiro is a partner at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP. Since joining the firm in 1986, he has handled numerous cases involving motor vehicle collisions, construction accidents, and premises liability. Cliff is known for his aggressive negotiation strategies and commitment to achieving full compensation for his clients. He plays a key role in settlement coordination and pre-trial litigation.

Bryce Moses

New York Attorney Registration Number: 2673747

Bryce Moses is a partner at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, and a skilled trial attorney with a track record of winning high-value verdicts and settlements. Bryce brings sharp litigation instincts to complex personal injury cases, including construction accidents, premises liability, and vehicle collisions. He is known for his courtroom presence, strategic thinking, and client-focused approach.

Ken Halperin

New York Attorney Registration Number: 2549905

Kenneth J. Halperin is a partner at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP. He focuses on construction accidents, premises liability, and motor vehicle collisions, and has secured numerous multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts for his clients. He is a seasoned negotiator and litigator committed to protecting injured New Yorkers.

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Additional Information

Related Car Accident Pages