Frequently Asked Questions

New York gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, but no-fault insurance claims must be filed within just 30 days of the crash. Missing either deadline can permanently bar you from recovering compensation, so acting quickly after an accident is critical.

No-fault coverage pays your medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash, but it does not eliminate your right to sue. If your injuries meet New York's "serious injury" threshold — such as significant disfigurement, fracture, or permanent limitation — you can still pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for pain, suffering, and additional damages beyond what no-fault covers.

Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine, then report the accident to police and notify your insurance carrier within 30 days to protect your no-fault benefits. Consult a personal injury attorney before giving any recorded statements to an insurer, because early legal guidance helps preserve evidence and protects the full value of your claim.

Lawrence M. Gordon, Attorney at Law, focuses on personal injury cases in Bellmore and the surrounding Nassau County area, with deep familiarity with New York's no-fault system, serious-injury threshold, and filing deadlines that directly affect car accident claims. Choosing an attorney who understands these local rules and acts quickly on your behalf is the most important factor in protecting your recovery.

New York's Insurance Law defines serious injury to include fractures, significant disfigurement, permanent limitation of a body organ or member, and a medically determined injury that prevents you from performing daily activities for at least 90 of the 180 days following the accident. Meeting this threshold is what allows an injured person to step outside the no-fault system and sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering.

The value of a car accident claim depends on the severity of your injuries, your total medical expenses, lost income, and the degree of pain and suffering you have experienced. Cases that meet the serious-injury threshold in New York can also pursue compensation for long-term or permanent impacts on your quality of life, which can significantly increase the overall value.

You can file a no-fault claim on your own, but insurance companies have experienced adjusters working to minimize payouts, and New York's no-fault rules and serious-injury threshold involve legal nuances that are easy to mishandle without representation. An attorney familiar with Nassau County cases can identify damages you might overlook and protect your rights from the moment the claim begins.

Many car accident injury cases in New York settle within one to two years, though complex cases or those that go to trial can take longer. The timeline depends on factors like the severity of injuries, how quickly medical treatment concludes, and the willingness of the at-fault party's insurer to negotiate a fair settlement.

Yes, New York requires auto insurance policies to include uninsured motorist coverage, which can compensate you for injuries caused by a driver who has no insurance or insufficient coverage. An attorney can help you navigate both your own policy's uninsured and underinsured motorist provisions and any additional avenues for recovery.

Yes, you must file your no-fault claim with your own insurer within 30 days of the accident or you risk losing those benefits entirely. This deadline is strict and separate from the three-year statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit, so notifying your insurer promptly after any crash is essential.

A personal injury attorney can pursue economic damages such as medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life for injuries that meet New York's serious-injury threshold. In cases involving a particularly reckless driver, punitive damages may also be available.

A local attorney familiar with Nassau County courts, local judges, and the specific traffic patterns and insurance practices in the Bellmore area can provide focused, hands-on attention that large volume firms often cannot. Proximity also makes it easier to meet in person, gather local evidence quickly, and respond to your case with the urgency that tight New York deadlines demand.