Long Island Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys

A motor vehicle accident can result in serious injuries, significant financial strain, and complex legal questions. Medical bills, lost income, and ongoing treatment can quickly become overwhelming, and insurance companies often focus on protecting their own interests rather than fully covering your losses.

At The Odierno Law Firm, our Long Island motor vehicle accident attorneys have been representing people injured in car, truck, and motorcycle crashes throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties for nearly five decades. We help clients move beyond basic insurance benefits when appropriate and pursue the maximum compensation they are entitled to under New York law.

When Should You Get a Lawyer for a Motor Vehicle Accident on Long Island?

New York is a no-fault state for most motor vehicle accidents. This means that after a car or truck crash, your own Personal Injury Protection coverage (PIP) pays for certain medical expenses and a portion of lost wages regardless of who caused the accident.

However, PIP has limits. It does not compensate for pain and suffering, and it may not come close to covering the full cost of serious injuries. If your injuries meet New York’s serious injury threshold or your losses exceed available PIP benefits, you may be able to file a claim against the at-fault driver for additional damages.

Motorcyclists are not covered by PIP in New York. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, you generally must pursue a liability claim from the outset in order to recover medical costs, lost income, and other damages.

Even when a claim is possible, pursuing it on your own can be challenging. Insurance companies often dispute the seriousness of injuries, minimize your losses, or try to assign you partial fault to reduce their payout. An experienced motor vehicle accident attorney can guide you through the process, gather and present evidence, negotiate with insurers, and ensure your claim reflects the full scope of your injuries and financial losses.

How Our Long Island Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers Can Help

At The Odierno Law Firm, our Long Island personal injury attorneys combine decades of courtroom experience with a proven record of results. Since 1978, we have guided thousands of injured clients through the claims process and recovered more than $300 million on their behalf.

When you hire our legal team to handle your personal injury claim, we get to work immediately by:

• Conducting a detailed investigation of the crash, including reviewing police reports, securing photographs and video, and identifying witnesses
• Preserving and analyzing physical evidence, including vehicle damage and available electronic data
• Consulting with accident reconstruction specialists when liability is disputed
• Gathering comprehensive medical documentation to establish the extent and long-term impact of your injuries
• Working with medical and financial experts to evaluate future treatment needs and lost earning capacity
• Identifying all potentially liable parties, including drivers, employers, or vehicle owners
• Handling all communications with insurance companies to prevent misstatements or unfair tactics
• Negotiating aggressively for a full and fair settlement
• Preparing every case as though it may go to trial

We understand the local courts and the tactics commonly used by insurers in motor vehicle accident cases. Just as importantly, we understand that behind every claim is a person whose life has been disrupted. We take the time to listen, explain your options clearly, and keep you informed throughout the process.

Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront legal fees. We only recover a fee if we secure compensation for you.

Types of Motor Vehicle Accident Claims We Handle

Our attorneys represent clients injured in a wide range of motor vehicle crashes across Long Island, including:

• Car accidents
• Truck and commercial vehicle accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Rideshare and taxi accidents
• Multi-vehicle collisions
• Accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers
• Fatal motor vehicle accidents

Each type of case presents unique legal considerations. Truck collisions may involve corporate liability and regulatory violations. Motorcycle cases often require overcoming unfair assumptions about riders. Multi-vehicle crashes can involve complex fault allocation issues. We tailor our strategy to the specific facts of your case.

Proving Liability in a Motor Vehicle Accident Claim

To recover compensation outside of New York’s no-fault system, you must prove that another party’s negligence caused your injuries. Negligence generally means that a driver failed to act with reasonable care under the circumstances.

Common causes of motor vehicle accidents include distracted driving, speeding, failure to yield, unsafe lane changes, and driving under the influence. In truck accident cases, negligence may also involve improper maintenance, inadequate training, or violations of safety regulations.

Building a strong liability case often requires more than relying on a police report. Insurance companies conduct their own investigations and frequently attempt to reduce their exposure by disputing fault.

Our attorneys develop evidence-driven claims by gathering and analyzing:

• Police reports and traffic citations
• Photographs and video footage from the scene
• Witness statements
• Vehicle damage patterns
• Medical records linking the accident to your injuries
• Expert opinions when necessary

New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault for the accident. However, your total recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurers often try to assign a higher share of blame to injured victims in order to reduce payouts. Effective legal advocacy can be critical in challenging those arguments.

Types of Compensation We Can Help You Pursue After an Accident

A serious motor vehicle accident can result in substantial financial and personal losses. When your case qualifies outside the no-fault system or involves a motorcycle accident, you may be able to pursue both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages may include:

• Medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and future care
• Lost wages during your recovery
• Reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job
• Property damage and related costs

Non-economic damages may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• The impact of permanent limitations or disfigurement

In cases involving a fatal crash, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. This can include compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the loss of parental guidance or companionship.

Our attorneys evaluate your claim carefully to ensure that both immediate and long-term consequences are considered. We do not rely solely on current medical bills. We assess how the accident has affected your ability to work, care for your family, and live your life as you did before.

Long Island Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys: FAQs

What should I do immediately after a motor vehicle accident on Long Island?

Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if your symptoms seem minor. Document the scene if you can do so safely, exchange information with the other driver, and notify your insurance company. Consulting with an attorney early can help preserve important evidence.

How long do I have to file a motor vehicle accident claim?

In most personal injury cases in New York, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Note that certain cases, such as those involving government entities, may have shorter deadlines, so speaking with a lawyer promptly is key to preserving your right to file a claim.

How much does a motor vehicle accident lawyer cost?

Our firm handles these motor vehicle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay upfront legal fees, and we only receive payment if we recover compensation for you.

Can I still file a claim if I was partly at fault for the accident?

Yes. Under New York’s comparative negligence law, you may still recover damages even if you share some responsibility. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Long Island, NY Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney

If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident on Long Island, you deserve experienced legal guidance and a team prepared to fight for your interests. The attorneys at The Odierno Law Firm are ready to review your case and explain your options.

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and learn how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.