Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer

Legally Reviewed by:

Sameer Chopra

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Sameer Chopra is a founding partner at our firm and a successful trial lawyer with 17 years of experience standing up to large corporations, government entities, and wealthy landlords on behalf of injured individuals. He is a true New Yorker and recognized as one of the Nation’s Top One Percent of attorneys by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

He was recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star from 2017-2019 and then became a Super Lawyer from 2020 to present. He was also recognized as the 2021 Attorney of the Year by Top 100 Lawyers and was selected by Top Attorneys in North America as a distinguished Exclusive Presidents Circle Attorney for his continued excellence within the legal community. Sameer has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts, including significant verdicts against the City of New York and/or their affiliated agencies, and independent insurance carriers.

Content Last Updated: October 14, 2024

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When injured in an accident, figuring out how to move forward can be confusing, frightening, and overwhelming. Luckily, you have many options—including hiring the best injury attorneys on Long Island. Our leading personal injury law firm is located in Garden City, NY and we are ready to fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve.

At Chopra & Nocerino, language is no barrier to our services. We have attorneys who speak Spanish, Creole, Mandarin Chinese, and Greek. Contact us online or call (855) NYC-HURT today for a free case evaluation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.

Para servir mejor a todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad, ofrecemos servicios en español.

Why Hire the Long Island Personal Injury Lawyers From Chopra & Nocerino?

We will go to bat for you against insurance companies, gathering evidence and fielding settlement negotiations so you don’t have to. We have decades of combined experience handling countless cases like yours, and we know exactly what we need to do to win. If the insurer wants to play tough, we’re not afraid to go to trial and deliver a legal knockout.

Our personal injury lawyers have deep roots on Long Island. Many of us live here and know the ins and outs of the local legal system:

Christine Duchatellier

Attorney Christine Duchatellier attended SUNY Stony Brook for her undergraduate studies.

Pavlo Pavlatos

Attorney Pavlo Pavlatos earned his law degree from the Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center.

Todd Arbesfeld

Attorney Todd Arbesfeld is a trustee at Five Towns College in Dix Hills.

Proven Personal Injury Case Results

Our Long Island personal injury lawyers have won hundreds of millions in high-value case results for our clients. Our unparalleled success in handling personal injury cases sets us apart from other firms:

$4.7 million settlement – We obtained this settlement right before trial. Scaffolding collapsed on our client, who worked in construction. He fell and sustained catastrophic neck and back injuries requiring spine surgery.
$3.65 million settlement – Our client was involved in a chain-reaction car accident and required fusion spine surgery.
$2.25 million settlement – We obtained this settlement during trial. Our 33-year-old client was a passenger in a vehicle hit by a commercial truck. Their injuries required 2-level disc replacement surgery.
$1.92 million settlement – Our client was 72 years old and rear-ended in Suffolk County. His pre-existing spine condition was aggravated by the accident. The case was settled during trial.
$1.44 million settlement – Our client was injured when his car was rear-ended by a commercial vehicle in Suffolk County.
$1.25 million settlement – Recovered for a 37-year-old pedestrian who was struck in a crosswalk in Nassau County. She suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and required an open-reduction internal fixation surgery on her left leg.

Types of Long Island Personal Injury Claims We Handle

Accidents Involving Vehicles

Fatal auto accidents in New York have skyrocketed since 2019, reaching a decade-long high in 2022. That year, roughly 20 percent of the state’s vehicle crashes took place on Long Island, resulting in more than 20,000 injuries and 228 fatalities. If you or a loved one is hurt in a crash, our Long Island personal injury attorneys will cut through the nonsense to get you the compensation you deserve. We handle all kinds of auto accident cases, including:

Accidents Involving Premises Liability

When property owners fail to protect lawful visitors from hazards, you could be the one who pays the price. If you’re hurt on Long Island because of a property owner’s carelessness, our premises liability lawyers can help you fight for compensation. Premises liability cases often involve:

Slip and falls
Roof collapses
Scaffolding collapses
Dog bites
Fires
Dangerous stairwells, elevators, and escalators
Poor security and surveillance

Other Types of Long Island Personal Injury Claims

Because the scenarios that can give rise to accidents are virtually unlimited, personal injury is a diverse practice area. Fortunately, our dedicated attorneys have the skills and resources to handle even the most complex cases. Other types of claims we have handled include:

Long Island Personal Injury FAQs

1. WHAT DOES THE MONEY FROM A PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENT COVER?

A personal injury settlement can compensate you for the monetary, physical, and emotional impact of your injury. Costs like medical bills, property damage, and lost wages are considered economic damages. Non-economic damages are more subjective and include emotional distress, pain, suffering, lowered quality of life, and other intangible harms commonly experienced by injury victims.

If the at-fault party engaged in particularly egregious misbehavior, you may also be able to recover punitive damages. Though awarded more rarely, these damages are intended to punish defendants and deter future misconduct.

2. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO HIRE A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER ON LONG ISLAND?

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay us nothing upfront. Instead, we’ll charge a pre-negotiated percentage of the compensation you receive through your case. You’ll know what to expect right from the beginning. Ultimately, you pay nothing unless we secure compensation on your behalf.

3. WHAT ARE THE MOST DANGEROUS ROADS ON LONG ISLAND?

Sadly, Long Island’s roadways are some of the deadliest in the state. According to CBS News, five of them alone have seen over 60 deaths in just five years. Pedestrians and bikers made up nearly half of the victims. These roads include:

Hempstead Turnpike (Route 24) running from eastern Queens through Nassau County.
Jericho Turnpike/Middle Country Road (Route 25) running along Long Island’s North Shore.
Route 25A, an alternate route to the Jericho Turnpike that runs closer to the shore.
Sunrise Highway (Route 27) stretching from Brooklyn to Long Island’s easternmost point along the South Shore.
Suffolk County Route 80 (Montauk Highway), an eastern stretch of Route 27.

4. WHAT COURTS ARE PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS NORMALLY HANDLED ON LONG ISLAND?

Here is a list of Nassau and Suffolk County courts where your personal injury claim will likely be heard if it goes to trial.

Supreme Court, Nassau County
100 Supreme Court Drive
Mineola, NY 11501
Phone: (516) 493-3400

Surrogate’s Court, Nassau County
262 Old Country Road
Mineola, NY 11501
Phone: (516) 493-3800

Supreme Court, Suffolk County
Locations:

1 Court Street
Riverhead, NY 11901
400 Carleton Ave.
Central Islip, NY 11722
210 Center Drive
Riverhead, NY 11901

Phone: (631) 740-3850

Suffolk County Surrogate’s Court
320 Center Drive
Riverhead, NY 11901
(631) 852-1745

Can I File a Personal Injury Claim on Long Island if I Was Partially at Fault?

Yes, you can still file a personal injury claim on Long Island if you were partially at fault. In New York, contributory negligence by the injured party does not bar them from recovering damages. However, your compensation will be reduced in relation to your degree of responsibility or fault.

What is the Process for Personal Injury Lawsuits on Long Island?

In addition to seeking compensation through an insurance claim, you can potentially file a lawsuit against the party responsible for your accident. Though a lawsuit will be more complicated and drawn out than an insurance claim, it can also result in a much larger award. Because of the risks involved, it’s even more important to have our experienced Long Island accident attorneys protecting your rights.

1. Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation

When you first meet with our Long Island accident attorneys for an initial consultation, bring all relevant documents or evidence you have to support your claim. Pulling together evidence like insurance policies, accident reports, medical records, and correspondence early on will help your lawyer fully understand your circumstances and get a head-start building a strong claim.

2. Statute of Limitations

The New York personal injury statute of limitations is normally three years after the date you were injured. However, the deadline is shorter for some types of claims, such as wrongful death claims (two years) and medical malpractice claims (two and a half years). There may also be potential exceptions that apply to your case.

No matter what the filing deadline is for your case, it will be dismissed if you file late. To avoid this, contact us as soon as possible. Doing so will also give us time to investigate and build the strongest claim possible on your behalf.

3. Discovery and Investigation

A thorough investigation is vital to building a strong case. The more evidence we gather, the fewer holes the defense can poke in your claim. We’ll compile medical records and other important documents, conduct depositions with key witnesses, and work with experts to support your claim. In the “discovery” process, we will demand all available evidence from the opposing party.

4. Settlement Negotiations

Most cases are settled before a drawn-out legal battle in court. However, settlement negotiations sometimes continue right up until the day of trial. Our Long Island personal injury lawyers can put together a robust claim to give you the strongest advantage possible at the bargaining table. We will negotiate aggressively to secure the highest possible settlement for you.

5. Trial Process

If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your case may need to go to trial. If this happens, you may have to appear in court and provide testimony. We will prepare you for the courtroom so you feel confident in handling the defense’s questions. A judge or jury will hear arguments from both sides and have the final say.

Stakes at trial are often high, and you could ultimately win a significant award. Again, you pay nothing unless we win your case.

6. Post-Trial: Appeals and Collecting Compensation

Even if you win your lawsuit, the defendant may appeal the verdict, which will extend the timeline of your case. However, if there’s no legal justification for changing the outcome, your victory will stand. Patience is key. You can count on us to power through the nonsense and work to collect the full and fair value of your damages.

Long Island-Specific Considerations in Personal Injury Cases

Local Laws and Regulations – Individuals with junior learner permits cannot drive between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Portions of the Long Island Expressway have High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes requiring at least three passengers per vehicle to legally drive on them.
Tourism and Seasonal Accidents – Even if you come to Long Island to visit its quaint communities, admire historic homes, or enjoy the oceanfront views, accidents can happen. If you are injured on vacation, we can help you navigate the legal obstacles faced by out-of-state visitors, including varying insurance laws.
Transportation Infrastructure – Long Island has a high population density and outdated, poorly designed, and often crumbling infrastructure. As a result, its roadways are heavily congested, leading to frequent crashes.

Consult Our Personal Injury Attorneys on Long Island

If you were injured in an accident on Long Island, don’t wait to secure high-quality legal representation. The top-tier attorneys at Chopra & Nocerino are real New Yorkers who stop at nothing to defend our clients and their right to compensation. Contact us online or call (855) NYC-HURT today for a free consultation.

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