LONG ISLAND CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER

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Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer » Long Island Car Accident Lawyer

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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: November 29, 2024

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If you were hurt in a Long Island car crash, we understand your struggle. In many cases, victims are left dealing with painful injuries and expensive medical bills while not being able to work or support their families. You may be unsure what to do next or who to turn to for help when insurance companies ignore you or refuse to compensate you fairly.

At Chopra & Nocerino, our Long Island car accident lawyers are ready to help you fight for the compensation you need and deserve. However, you should act quickly to preserve evidence and avoid missing the deadline to take legal action. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with our skilled car crash attorneys.

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

Why Hire Chopra & Nocerino As Your Long Island Car Accident Lawyers?

The experienced auto accident lawyers at Chopra & Nocerino are dedicated to fighting for injury victims in Long Island and throughout New York. We treat our clients like family, providing individualized representation tailored to their specific needs and goals. We also have team members fluent in Spanish, Creole, Greek, and Mandarin Chinese, which better allows us to provide high-quality legal services to our diverse clientele.

As real New Yorkers, we are dedicated to serving our community and never back down from a legal fight. With decades of combined experience and a proven track record of successful settlements and verdicts, you can trust us to get the job done.

“Insurance companies are very acutely aware of when the person on the other end is handling the case for themselves as a non-lawyer, also known as a pro se litigant, versus having a law firm behind the person that’s injured. Insurance companies know that the pro se litigant is very unlikely . . . to take the case all the way to trial. That’s why they offer pennies on the dollar just to make the person who’s handling the case for themselves go away. And that’s why you should hire us to handle your claim rather than try and handle the case by yourself—and only get pennies on what you deserve.”

– Alex Nocerino, Founding Partner

Because we work on a contingency fee basis, there is no out-of-pocket cost to work with a skilled car accident attorney from our team. You only pay if we win your case. Contact us today to schedule your free case review.

Long Island Personal Injury Lawyers Awards & Honors

We have been recognized by many prestigious legal organizations and publications for our unwavering dedication to our clients and their cases. These awards and honors reflect our top-tier client service, glowing reputation, and unwavering dedication to excellence:

Forbes Advisor: Best Personal Injury Lawyer – New York
Super Lawyers – Alex Nocerino and Sameer Chopra
Super Lawyers Rising Stars – Christine Duchatellier and Pavlo Pavlatos
National Association of Distinguished Counsel, Top One Percent – Sameer Chopra

Testimonials

Our compassion and focus on our client’s experience set us apart from other New York personal injury firms. Here’s what some of our many satisfied clients have to say about working with our attorneys:

“The team’s expertise, professionalism, and dedication were instrumental in my case. Christine, my attorney, approached every step of the process with care and compassion, always available to answer my questions and provide unwavering support. If you're looking for a skilled attorney who genuinely cares about their clients, look no further than Chopra & Nocerino. Thank you all.”

“Alex was amazing during the whole process. He was always available and kept me in the loop the whole time. I highly recommend him!! Best in the business!!!”

“I’ve had an incredible experience working with Chopra & Nocerino. They are knowledgeable, attentive, and produced results that were way beyond my expectations. 10/10!”

Long Island Auto Accident Case Results

Our attorneys have represented countless car accident victims, standing up to unscrupulous insurance adjusters who shortchange injury victims by denying the full and fair value of their claims. Through fierce advocacy and a no-nonsense approach, we have secured numerous life-changing settlements and verdicts for our clients, including:

$1.92 million after a rear-end car accident in Suffolk County. Our 72-year-old client suffered aggravation of a pre-existing spine condition. Though the defendants alleged junction failure and tried to emphasize the pre-existing condition, the case was settled while still engaged in trial proceedings.
$1.47 million when a family vehicle was struck in an intersection by a fire truck that ran a red light. The truck driver claimed to have sirens and flashing lights activated at the time of the accident. They invoked an “emergency doctrine” defense. Despite a heavily contested legal battle, we secured a $1.475 million dollar result for our client.
$1.4 million after our client, age 27, was injured when his vehicle was rear-ended by a commercial vehicle in Suffolk County.
$1.25 million for a 23-year-old passenger in a taxi accident who required left shoulder and lumbar spinal surgery after an accident.
$1.25 million for a 37-year-old pedestrian who was struck in a crosswalk, resulting in a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and left leg open-reduction internal-fixation surgery.

What Compensation Can I Get in a Long Island Car Accident Claim?

Because New York is a no-fault insurance state, car accident victims must first file a personal injury protection (PIP) claim to recover compensation, regardless of who was at fault for the crash. This insurance covers basic economic damages up to the policy limit. New York law requires all drivers to carry at least $50,000 in PIP coverage per person in an accident.

However, car crash victims can pursue a fault-based auto liability claim or personal injury lawsuit if they suffer a “serious injury” or an economic loss exceeding $50,000. Unlike PIP, which only covers basic economic losses, a fault-based claim allows you to seek compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

Consult our skilled car wreck lawyers on Long Island to explore all routes toward compensation for your injuries and losses. We have what it takes to conduct a thorough, independent investigation of your accident and make sure you understand your full legal rights and options.

Economic Damages

Economic damages compensate for your financial losses after a car crash. Examples of economic losses you can claim after a Long Island car accident include:

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate for the more subjective, non-financial impact of the accident, such as:

“There’s three things that make up a really big case. One of them is liability—who’s responsible for the accident. Another one is damages, which are your injuries in a car accident case. And the third part of the equation to have a really big case is insurance coverage. If you have all three of those in your favor, you could have a very big case and expect to receive a lot of money.”

– Alex Nocerino, Founding Partner

Compensation for Families After Fatal Accidents

If you lost a loved one in a Long Island car crash, our wrongful death attorneys can help you seek justice and accountability for your family. The personal representative of the decedent’s estate may claim compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, your loved one’s suffering, and other damages. Compensation secured through a wrongful death lawsuit is distributed to surviving family members.

Common Injuries Our Long Island Car Accident Attorneys Handle

A car accident can result in devastating injuries for drivers and passengers, including:

These injuries often require surgery, long-term medical care, and extensive physical therapy. Many victims never fully recover, impacting their ability to work and enjoy life like before. Our attorneys will carefully review all available evidence and calculate the full value of your claim. You can count on us to leave no stone unturned and no money on the table.

What Are New York State’s Laws Regarding Auto Accidents?

Each state has its own car accident laws and claims processes. If you were injured in a New York car accident, it’s crucial to understand state-specific laws before taking legal action. Our attorneys can help.

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 Claim if I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?

Under the New York pure comparative negligence rule, you can still file a claim and recover damages if you are partially at fault for the crash. However, the amount you receive is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.

For example, suppose a driver who was speeding is found to be 20 percent at fault for their car accident and damages. If they file a car accident claim and suffer $1 million in damages, they would be eligible for $800,000 in compensation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Long Island Car Accident Injury Claim?

The New York personal injury statute of limitations normally gives car crash victims three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit seeking compensation. Though there are exceptions that can lengthen this timeline, if you miss the correct deadline, you will forfeit your right to recover damages. Contact our Long Island auto accident lawyers as soon as possible to protect your right to compensation.

What Does New York Consider a “Serious Injury”?

If your car accident injury meets the New York serious injury threshold, you can file a fault-based personal injury lawsuit or auto liability claim. By stepping outside of the no-fault system, you may recover both economic and non-economic damages that resulted from the car crash. Under New York law, a serious bodily injury includes:

Death
Dismemberment
Significant disfigurement
Bone fractures
Loss of a fetus
Permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function, or system
Permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member
Significant limitation of use of a body function or system

An injury that prevents you from performing regular daily activities for at least 90 days during the 180 days following the injury also counts. Our attorneys can thoroughly review your medical records to prove the full extent and severity of your injuries.

Can I Sue the State or Local Government for an Accident on Long Island?

Yes, you can sue the state or local governments for negligence, just as you could sue a private party. However, you must follow a strict process for your claim to be successful. Among other things, you need to file a Notice of Claim with the state or government agency within 90 days after your accident. Working with an experienced Long Island personal injury lawyer is the best way to improve your chances of success in a lawsuit against the government.

Contact a Long Island Auto Accident Attorney for a Free Case Review

After a Long Island car accident, you need a trusted car crash attorney to protect your rights from aggressive defendants and insurance adjusters eager to settle for less than you deserve. At Chopra & Nocerino, we are passionate about justice and powering through the nonsense to get results for our clients. Unlike other New York law firms that treat you like just another file number, you can count on us to take your case personally and treat you like family.

Don’t let insurance companies give you the runaround while your bills go unpaid and expenses pile up. Contact us online or call (855) NYC-HURT to schedule your free consultation with our skilled Long Island car accident lawyers. Para servir mejor a todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad, también ofrecemos servicios y consultas gratuitas en español.

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