Car Accident Lawyers in New York City | ConsumerShield 2025

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in New York City, NY?

Most car accident lawyers in New York City charge a contingency fee for legal representation. This is a percentage of the total compensation the lawyer recovers for you. If they win or settle your case, they’ll deduct the fee from your payout. If they lose your case, you owe no legal fees.

How much does a lawyer cost to handle an accident claim in New York City? The New York City Bar reports that the “ordinary” contingency fee for personal injury lawyers is 33%.

However, the organization also notes that many attorneys use a tiered fee scale. It gives an example in which the lawyer charges 50% for the first $10,000, 33% for the next $40,000, and 20% for any amounts over $50,000.

As you interview prospective lawyers, ask about the fees they charge. Not all lawyers have the same fee structure, so make sure you understand what you’ll be paying before hiring one.

How to Hire a New York City, NY, Car Accident Attorney

The car accident lawyer you choose to handle your case can affect its outcome. Different attorneys possess different knowledge, experience, and skills. The right attorney for your case will be the one who fits your needs and works well with you.

To select a lawyer, start by gathering the names of some car accident attorneys. Ask friends, relatives, and co-workers who have been in auto accidents about the lawyers they used. You can also contact a lawyer referral service like ConsumerShield.

It’s also a good idea to schedule some free consultations to interview lawyers. During these meetings, ask questions like:

• Do you have experience with cases like mine?
• How much do you charge?
• What are my options under New York law?
• What outcome do you expect in my case?

Pick a lawyer who gives satisfactory answers and communicates them effectively. Communication skills are crucial, as your lawyer will need to advocate for you in court and negotiations with the at-fault party’s counsel.

Average Car Accident Settlement in New York City, NY

New York uses a no-fault insurance system. For minor car accidents, your settlement will be $50,000 or less because that’s the policy limit set by New York law.

If you suffer a serious injury, you can move outside the no-fault system and seek compensation for greater losses. Serious injuries are those involving:

• Death
• Dismemberment
• Significant disfigurement
• Bone fracture
• Loss of a fetus
• Permanent loss of function of an organ or body part
• Permanent disability of an organ, body part, body function, or system
• Non-permanent impairment lasting at least 90 of the 180 days after the crash

You can also seek additional compensation if you didn’t suffer a serious injury but incurred more than $50,000 in economic losses.

Because of the no-fault limit, the average car accident settlement for a fault-based claim will be more than $50,000. However, the exact amount to expect in your case will depend on your injuries. Your lawyer can provide a range of estimates after reviewing your case.

How Common Are Car Accidents Nationwide?

Nationwide crash data shows that reported car accidents steadily increased through 2019, peaking at over 6.7 million. In 2020, the total dropped sharply to 5.25 million due to reduced travel during the pandemic. Although crash numbers rose again in 2021, they remained just below pre-pandemic levels, averaging around 6 million per year through 2023, the most recent year with available data.

Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in New York

Most car accident cases in New York start with insurance claims under the victim’s no-fault policy. You can also file a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability policy if you have a serious injury or run out of no-fault benefits.

If the liability insurer denies the claim, your lawyer will file a lawsuit to continue pursuing just compensation. The lawsuit will include a description of the accident and why the blame falls on the other driver.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in NYC?

When it comes to the statute of limitations, car accidents in New York have a ticking clock of three years. This may seem like a long time, but it’s not.

Waiting too long not only puts you at risk of losing your chance of recovering compensation but also makes it more difficult to have valid evidence that can hold up to insurance company scrutiny. Eyewitnesses may no longer be available if you wait a year or two, and other types of evidence can degrade.

There may also be instances when the statute of limitations is much shorter, so consulting with an attorney rapidly after the crash can help you avoid losing your claim.

How Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Work in New York City?

You and your lawyer must prove the other driver was negligent in causing the crash. Negligence means the other driver breached their legal duty by failing to exercise reasonable care. The litigation will focus primarily on gathering and presenting evidence demonstrating the driver’s carelessness.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident in New York City

The first thing you must do after an accident is to call for emergency services to ensure everyone is safe. Do this even if you’re not sure you’re injured. Often, it can be difficult to tell if suffering a headache after car accident incidents comes from stress, tension or a concussion. A medical professional will be able to offer the help you need.

Car accident law throughout New York states that you must let law enforcement know that an accident occurred if it resulted in injuries or property damage over $1,000. Beyond that, it’s important to have a police report for your claim later, so make sure to contact law enforcement as soon as possible.

You should exchange information with the other driver and start gathering evidence from the site of the accident. You will need photos and witness statements when you file a claim. Make sure to take pictures of your injuries as they are at the scene, too.

You should call an attorney as quickly as you can after an accident. They can help you with filing the claim and communicating with your insurance.

Types of Car Accident Cases in New York City, NY

Car accident cases can be categorized in many ways, including the victim’s role — a pedestrian hit by a car will have different injuries and losses than a victim of a bike accident or auto collision

That said, the same legal principles apply to all traffic crashes. Specifically, a negligent driver will be liable if they cause serious injuries according to New York law.

Get a Referral for a Car Accident Lawyer in New York City From ConsumerShield

New York’s system for handling car accidents is far from intuitive. ConsumerShield can inform you about your legal position and help you find quality representation. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and an attorney referral.