If you have been seriously injured in a car accident in New York City, then you should read our free guide to New York accident cases,

Why Most Accident Victims Do Not Recover the Full Value of Their Claim - Including 10 Mistakes That Will Reduce the Value of  Your Claim

Before you speak to an attorney, and certainly before you speak with any insurance company adjuster read this free book. And the reasons for this are both simple and straightforward:

  1. While attorneys (hopefully) have many cases, chances are this is your one and only case. Therefore, it certainly behooves you to find out as much information as you can about accident cases, what important questions your attorney should be able to answer about your case, and what mistakes to avoid diminishing the value of your case.
  2. Don't be impressed by an attorney's offer of a free initial consultation for your accident case; in case you didn't know it, everyone offers a free initial consultation on accident cases. While we're on that topic, you should know that in nearly every case, it is highly unethical for an attorney to actively seek you out - also known as "soliciting" - to be his client. So, if someone you don't know tries to stick a lawyer on you while you're in the hospital trying to recover from the personal injuries you sustained in a New York auto accident, you should certainly think twice before hiring that lawyer.
  3. In many instances (and although most lawyers would probably never tell you this), you may not even need a lawyer to handle your case; in fact, in some cases you may be better off without one.

So, if you want to learn the 10 Mistakes That Will Reduce the Value of Your Accident Claim ... 

You can download a .pdf copy of this book by clicking here, or you can call our Long Island, New York office at 516-791-5700 to order a hard copy of the book.

Here are some of the basic rules governing car accident cases in New York:

  • New York is a comparative negligence state, which means that in order to succeed on a personal injury claim, a plaintiff is required to prove that the defendant - or defendants - were negligent, and therefore at least partially at fault for the auto accident that caused the plaintiff's injuries. Unlike many other jurisdictions in this country, just because a plaintiff is found partially at fault for the accident does not mean that the plaintiff cannot recover damages for his or her personal injuries; rather, the plaintiff's recovery will be reduced by his or her relative share of fault for the accident. Thus, for example, if the plaintiff and defendant are each held equally responsible for an auto accident, the plaintiff's ultimate recovery will be reduced by 1/2.

  • Auto accidents in New York are governed by No-Fault Insurance, which means that a plaintiff cannot recover damages for his or her personal injuries arising out of an auto accident unless they sustain a "serious injury," which, as a practical matter, means a medically determined injury that has prevented you from your usual physical activities for at least 3 months post-accident.

  • If you have been seriously injured, it is probably a waste of time trying to negotiate with the insurance companies.

We pledge to execute your case with thoroughness, speed, and sound ethical consideration. In that regard, our Cedarhurst, New York law office is set apart from other firms in our enthusiasm for innovation and our dedication to applying technology to our practice. By embracing new technologies and utilizing state-of-the-art strategies, we have been able to save traffic accident victims money, conserve resources, increase overall efficiency, and speed up many aspects of the legal process. Over the past few years, for example, we have transitioned to a largely paperless office and now file nearly all of our state actions electronically.

The Law Offices of Jonathan M. Cooper are located in Cedarhurst, New York, and serves the following areas: Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester and Staten Island.

It is difficult to know what to do in the wake of a traumatic accident – whether you were directly involved and injured in a car crash or as a pedestrian on the road or in the crosswalk. Even if you are not sure whether or not you have a case, you can call us (or fill out the form on this page) for a free and confidential consultation. At the Law Offices of Jonathan M. Cooper, our philosophy is that our clients should understand how the legal system will see their case in a straightforward and honest manner – even if the truth is that you do not have a viable case.

The Law Offices of Jonathan M. Cooper are located in Cedarhurst, New York, and serves the following areas: Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester and Staten Island.

Jonathan Cooper
Connect with me
Non-Compete, Trade Secret and School Negligence Lawyer