Car Accidents

Motor Vehicle Collision Attorneys for Long Island Residents

If you have been hurt in a car crash, you have the right to try to hold any responsible party accountable. The motor vehicle collision lawyers at Duffy & Duffy represent individuals on Long Island and throughout New York in a full range of accident cases. We work tirelessly to help our clients and their families seek the financial assistance that they need to cope with their injuries. Our attorneys have a strong track record that gives accident victims the peace of mind that comes with knowing that we are fighting for them.

Seeking Compensation Through a Negligence Claim

Whether it is a multi-car pileup on the Long Island Expressway, a side swipe in downtown Brooklyn, or a rear-end accident on the Throgs Neck Bridge, most car crashes in New York involve some type of negligence. This is the legal principle behind many types of personal injury claims and the main source of legal recovery for people hurt through no fault of their own.

In order to prove negligence, a person injured in a car accident must first show that the person or entity being sued owed him or her a “duty of care” and that the defendant breached this duty. The standard of care for a driver is usually that of the ordinary person behind the wheel, who can be expected to exercise a reasonable amount of precautions and refrain from dangerous activities. Some ways in which this duty may be breached include drinking and driving, speeding, failing to signal turns and lane changes, or texting behind the wheel.

Next, the victim must show that the breach of the duty caused the crash and that he or she sustained actual damages as a result. That means investigating the accident to show precisely how the defendant’s actions caused it and providing medical evidence detailing the injuries. It may also entail recreating the crash to make clear to a judge or jury that the defendant was at fault. Forms of compensation available for a successful claimant may include reimbursement for missed wages, medical bills, property damage, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

New York operates under a comparative negligence system, which can become relevant when both the defendant and the victim are partly responsible for an accident. For example, there might be a situation in which a speeding car collides with a truck that fails to completely stop before turning right at a red light. In such a case, the car driver might be able to recover damages for his or her injuries that are reduced according to his or her degree of fault.

Consult an Experienced Long Island Lawyer After a Car Crash

At Duffy & Duffy, we can offer you seasoned representation in any claim arising from a car crash throughout Long Island or the surrounding area. Our attorneys are well versed in the intricate legal issues that may arise in these cases, and we have helped a number of victims obtain damages for their injuries. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car accident, you can contact us through our online form or by calling (516) 394-4200 to discuss your case. We proudly serve injured individuals in Nassau, King, and Suffolk Counties as well as the Bronx and Queens.