Staten Island Car Accident Lawyer

We’ve helped clients win tens of millions of dollars from the toughest adversaries in New York City. Now, we’re ready to stand up and fight for you, too. Contact our law offices, serving clients on Staten Island and surrounding areas, to get started with a free consultation. Our team is standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so call for help now.

Why It’s Important to Hire a Staten Island Personal Injury Lawyer After a Car Accident

Here’s why hiring a Staten Island personal injury lawyer is really one of the best decisions you can make after you’re involved in a collision:

• Statistically speaking, you’re simply more likely to win when you hire a lawyer.
• You’re also probably going to recover up to 3.5 times more than if you handle it by yourself.
• Insurance companies don’t want you to – because they want every possible advantage to themselves.
• You deserve time to rest and recover, and you can’t do that while also trying to navigate a legal action for damages.

In truth, your choice of attorney also matters. To get the best results you need to work with a law firm that has experience and resources. You need to work with a law firm that will listen to you and give your case the personalized time and attention it deserves. You deserve to work with a lawyer who’s demonstrated an ability to win cases like yours time and time again. When you choose The Platta Law Firm, you’ll benefit from:

• 130+ years of combined legal experience.
• Top-rated attorneys whose client satisfaction can’t be beat.
• A team that’s won $100 Million+ (and counting) in personal injury awards.
• Experienced litigators who aren’t afraid to take your case to trial, if necessary.
• Award-winning lawyers who’ve been recognized as SuperLawyers and honored by top legal organizations, like Lawyers of Distinction and VerdictSearch.

The time to begin your fight for maximum compensation begins now. Call The Platta Law Firm to learn more about how our personal injury attorneys on Staten Island can help. Your first case evaluation is free.

How Common Are Accidents on Staten Island, NY?

While Staten Island sees the least number of car accidents out of all the boroughs, collisions are still incredibly common. There are roughly a dozen car accidents on Staten Island every single day (based on 2021 car accident statistics). A compilation of NYPD crash data showed that there were a total of 4,466 auto accidents on Staten Island in 2021. That accounted for about 4 percent of all collisions city-wide. About one out of every three wrecks on Staten Island results in an injury or death. In 2021, there 1,555 car accidents caused:

• 1,906 injuries, and
• 46 deaths.

Based on preliminary statistics for the first couple of months in 2022, it seems like the borough might see more car accidents in the coming year. In February 2022, there were 338 reported car accidents on Staten Island. That would put the borough on track for more than 4,000 crashes in 2022. Historically, the months of January and February see far fewer collisions than warmer months in the city. So, if rates tick up at all, Staten Island will likely see more crashes in 2022 than it has seen in recent memory.

What Causes Most Staten Island Car Crashes?

Based on Staten Island car accident statistics for 2021, the most common causes of car crashes include:

Distracted Driving

Texting and driving and other types of driver distraction was a factor in 35 percent of all collisions, for a total of 1,026 accidents.

Tailgating

Following other vehicles too closely contributed to about 13 percent of reported accidents, for a total of 399 collisions.

Failure to Yield the Right of Way

Ignoring or not knowing local yield requirements contributed to about 11 percent of all auto accidents in the area, for a total of 314 collisions.

Speeding

Driving at unsafe speeds factored into about 6 percent of all wrecks, totaling 178 accidents. These aren’t the only reasons why car accidents happen on Staten Island. Other common factors include:

At The Platta Law Firm, we will carefully analyze your accident from every possible angle. We’ll assess the evidence and work closely with experts. Our goal will be to identify every possible cause of your crash. The more we know about why it happened, the better. Once causation is established we can move forward and seek damages from all liable parties.

How Much Money Can I Get After a Car Accident on Staten Island?

New York is a no-fault state when it comes to car accidents. After a crash, you’ll be required to file a claim against your own insurance policy if you want compensation. This is true regardless of who is at fault. So, the amount of money you can recover – at least in terms of insurance – depends on your coverage. You have to carry the state minimum but could have opted to buy more or add on additional protection (e.g., uninsured motorist coverage). Typically, your no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) will cover:

• Medical bills
• $25 per day or necessary and reasonable expenses
• 80 percent of your lost wages (max of $2,000 for three years)

What happens if your costs exceed your policy limits? You can file a lawsuit if your injuries are “serious” (as defined by New York state law). Victims with serious injuries have the right to file a lawsuit against those responsible for their accident. When you file a car accident lawsuit, the following economic and non-economic damages can be awarded:

So, what your case is worth depends on the way you’re going to recover compensation – insurance benefits, damages in a lawsuit, or both. It’ll also depend on things like:

• Your present and future costs.
• The extent and severity of your car crash injuries.
• How the trauma of your accident affects you psychologically.
• How your ability to work has been changed since the collision.
• Whether you share responsibility for the accident (or are being blamed by other parties).

According to a study by the National Safety Council, the severity of your injury is the most telling factor when it comes to valuation. The more serious an injury, the higher the related costs. In turn, the more those personal injury cases tend to be worth.

What Happens If I’m Blamed For a Crash in New York?

Don’t panic. You’re entitled to compensation from your own insurer regardless of fault. And, if you file a lawsuit, it’s important to know that New York has pure comparative negligence rules in place. Sharing fault won’t prevent you from recovering compensation, but it will limit how much money you can get. Your damages will be reduced based on your role.

If you’re assigned 20 percent liability, your financial award will be reduced by 20 percent. Other parties will try to blame you if they can. If they’re successful, your financial award will start to disappear. Don’t let that happen – especially if there’s no hard proof that you’re at fault. Trust The Platta Law Firm to stand up and defend you at every turn. We’ll work hard to limit these types of claims and protect your right to compensation.

We Handle All Types of Car Accident Cases on Staten Island, NY

No matter what kind of crash you were in, The Platta Law Firm has the experience and resources you need to win. Our car accident attorneys on Staten Island represent clients in all types of cases:

We also handle auto accident cases involving bicycles, pedestrians, motorcycles, e-scooters, large trucks, and other types of vehicles. Don’t hesitate to call our law office to learn more about our legal services today.

Don’t Underestimate the Seriousness of Your Car Accident Injuries

Even a minor can change your life forever. The cost of medical treatment can be quite expensive, and bills can add up fast. Your injury might prevent you from working temporarily or force you into early retirement. If you were hurt due to someone else’s negligence, they should be held accountable. The Platta Law Firm will fight to recover compensation for all of your crash-related injuries, including:

We’re also here to help if you’ve lost a family member in a fatal car accident on Staten Island. Contact our law offices, serving clients on Staten Island and surrounding areas, to learn more and schedule a free case evaluation now.

How Long Do I Have to Pursue Compensation After a Staten Island Car Accident?

If you’re going to file a lawsuit, you’ll have up to three years from the date of your accident to do so. The statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits is two years from the date of death. If you miss the deadline that applies to your case you’ll forfeit the right to recover much-needed compensation. The best way to protect yourself is by reaching out to a qualified car accident attorney near you on Staten Island immediately after your crash.

Set Up a Free Consultation With a Staten Island Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you’ve been hurt in a motor vehicle accident on Staten Island don’t hesitate to call The Platta Law Firm. Our Staten Island car accident lawyers are ready to help you secure the financial award you need and deserve. Put 130+ years of combined experience in your corner. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay absolutely nothing unless we win your case. There’s no risk in asking for our help, so call our compassionate team to get started with a free initial case evaluation now.