Personal Injury Attorney Manhattan, NY
Fighting for Injured New Yorkers for Over 39 Years
Getting hurt in Manhattan changes everything. You may be facing mounting medical bills, time away from work, and an insurance company that is already looking for reasons to minimize what you receive. A personal injury attorney gives you someone in your corner who knows how to build the kind of case that gets real results, and who has the courtroom experience to back it up.
Michael Gunzburg, P.C. has represented injured New Yorkers for 39+ years from an office at 950 Third Avenue, steps from the courts and neighborhoods where these accidents happen every day. Attorney Michael Gunzburg is both a licensed attorney and a Certified Public Accountant, which means he calculates economic damages, lost earning capacity, and future care costs with a level of precision that most personal injury firms cannot offer. The firm has secured multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements across Manhattan, including a $2.3 million jury verdict in a slip and fall at JFK's AirTrain walkway and a $20 million structured settlement for a family whose child suffered a birth injury. There are no fees unless the firm wins your case. Call (212) 725-8500 for a free consultation.
What Our Clients Say
Who We Help With Personal Injury in Manhattan
Michael Gunzburg, P.C. helps clients who are dealing with injuries caused by someone else's negligence. That includes a Manhattan pedestrian struck at a Midtown crosswalk, a construction worker injured on a scaffold in Hudson Yards, a subway rider who fell on a wet MTA platform, a cyclist doored in the bike lane on the Upper West Side, a restaurant patron who slipped on an unmarked wet floor in SoHo, or a delivery worker hit by a car in the Financial District.
The firm also represents people dealing with serious injuries from car and truck accidents on the FDR Drive, West Side Highway, and city streets throughout all Manhattan neighborhoods, as well as victims of medical malpractice and premises liability incidents in residential buildings, retail stores, and commercial properties across the borough.
Personal Injury Services Manhattan
Michael Gunzburg, P.C. handles the full range of personal injury cases that arise in Manhattan. Below is an overview of the primary case types the firm handles for Manhattan clients.
Car Accident Attorney in Manhattan
Manhattan traffic is among the most congested in the country, and crashes on streets like Tenth Avenue, the FDR, and Park Avenue South cause serious injuries every day. The firm handles car accidents involving distracted drivers, red-light runners, rideshare vehicles, and commercial fleets. New York's no-fault insurance system has strict requirements, and meeting those deadlines while also preserving your right to sue for pain and suffering requires experienced legal handling from the start. Learn More >>
Truck Accident Attorney in Manhattan
Commercial truck accidents in Manhattan often involve catastrophic injuries because of the size and weight of the vehicles involved. These cases require investigation into driver logs, vehicle maintenance records, and carrier liability, which goes well beyond a standard car accident claim. Learn More >>
Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Manhattan
Pedestrian accidents are one of the most serious injury categories in Manhattan. Whether you were struck at a Midtown crosswalk, at a busy intersection in Harlem, or on a side street in the West Village, the injuries can be severe and the legal claims complex. New York's Vision Zero data consistently identifies Manhattan as one of the borough's highest-risk areas for pedestrian fatalities. Learn More >>
Bicycle Accident Attorney in Manhattan
Cyclists face daily hazards from car doors, turning vehicles, and commercial trucks that ignore protected bike lanes. The firm has recovered over $1 million for a bicyclist nearly crushed by an NYC Transit bus near the main branch of the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue. Whether you ride for work or as a commuter, you have the same legal rights as other road users. Learn More >>
Slip and Fall / Trip and Fall Attorney in Manhattan
Property owners in Manhattan, whether they own a Midtown office building, a SoHo restaurant, or a Greenwich Village apartment complex, have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions. The firm has secured a $2.3 million jury verdict in a slip and fall case and a seven-figure settlement in a trip and fall involving a defective step that violated the New York City Building Code. These cases require prompt evidence gathering and knowledge of city code standards. Learn More >>
Construction Accident Attorney in Manhattan
Manhattan has more active construction sites than any other borough. Workers injured in scaffold collapses, falls from heights, falling object incidents, or unsafe site conditions may have claims under Labor Law Sections 200, 240, and 241, which impose special duties on property owners and general contractors. These cases can be highly complex and require a lawyer who understands the full scope of New York's unique construction liability framework. Learn More >>
Mass Transit Accident Attorney in Manhattan
The MTA subway and bus system runs through every Manhattan neighborhood. Injuries caused by sudden stops, platform falls, door malfunctions, and bus accidents can lead to significant claims against the Transit Authority. However, claims against public entities require a 90-day Notice of Claim, a deadline that many injured riders miss entirely. Learn More >>
Wrongful Death Attorney in Manhattan
When a loved one is killed due to someone else's negligence, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim for funeral costs, lost financial support, and conscious pain and suffering. These cases require careful legal handling at one of the most difficult times in a family's life. Learn More >>
Premises Liability Attorney in Manhattan
Property owners throughout Manhattan, from luxury high-rises on the Upper East Side to commercial buildings in Chelsea and retail stores in Tribeca, are responsible when dangerous conditions lead to serious injuries. Premises liability claims cover a broad range of situations beyond slip and falls, including inadequate security, elevator malfunctions, and defective fixtures. Learn More >>
Why Choose Michael Gunzburg, P.C. for Personal Injury in Manhattan
Michael Gunzburg holds two credentials that most personal injury attorneys in New York do not: he is both a licensed personal injury trial attorney with 39+ years of NYC experience and a Certified Public Accountant. That dual background matters directly to the outcome of your case. When it comes to calculating lost earning capacity, future medical costs, and economic damages, the CPA training produces a level of precision that insurance companies cannot easily dispute.
The firm has argued appeals before the Appellate Division, First and Second Departments, and even the New York State Court of Appeals, the highest court in the state. Insurance defense attorneys know that record, and it affects how they approach settlement discussions. Michael Gunzburg has been a member of the Brooklyn Bar Association's referral panel since 1989, and he is admitted to practice in the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York in federal court.
Past clients describe recovering compensation that was five times higher than what other lawyers had proposed. The firm's results include a $20 million structured settlement for a birth injury case, a $2.3 million jury verdict in a Manhattan slip and fall, and a $1.5 million jury verdict in a Bronx bus accident. There are no upfront fees. The firm works on contingency, which means it gets paid only when you recover.
Why Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer Matters
Injured people who hire a personal injury attorney recover significantly more compensation than those who handle claims on their own. That gap exists because insurance companies are not on your side. Their goal is to resolve your claim as quickly and cheaply as possible, often before the full extent of your injuries is even known.
Without legal representation, you risk accepting a settlement that does not cover future medical costs, lost income, or long-term disability. You may miss filing deadlines, fail to serve required notices, or unknowingly give recorded statements that hurt your claim. In Manhattan, claims against the City of New York, the MTA, or other public entities require a 90-day Notice of Claim. Miss that window and you may lose your right to sue entirely.
Michael Gunzburg recovered $1,324,500 for a car accident victim after the insurance company offered just $5,000 before the jury deliberated. That outcome was not an accident. It was the result of 39+ years of trial preparation, evidence development, and an unwillingness to accept lowball offers when clients have legitimate claims.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Your Injuries
Multiple parties may be legally responsible for a personal injury in Manhattan, depending on how and where the accident occurred. In a car accident, liability may rest with the driver, the vehicle owner, a rideshare company, or a commercial fleet operator. In a construction accident, responsibility can extend to the general contractor, the property owner, a subcontractor, or an equipment supplier. In a premises liability case, the building owner, property manager, or tenant may all share responsibility.
Identifying every liable party is not always obvious at the scene. A thorough investigation, which includes reviewing maintenance records, surveillance footage, corporate filings, and contracts, is often required. The firm begins that process immediately after a new case is opened, because evidence disappears quickly in a city like Manhattan.
What You May Be Entitled to Recover
Personal injury victims in Manhattan may be entitled to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages include past and future medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, rehabilitation and home care costs, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disfigurement or disability.
In cases involving the death of a loved one, surviving family members may recover for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and the conscious pain and suffering experienced before death.
New York's comparative fault rule allows recovery even if you were partially at fault, though your award is reduced by your share of responsibility. The firm does not make guarantees about outcomes, but it does pursue every category of damages your case supports with full documentation and expert support where needed.
Important Deadlines and Legal Rules for Personal Injury Cases
The statute of limitations for most personal injury cases in New York is three years from the date of the accident. Missing that deadline typically means losing your right to file a lawsuit permanently.
However, several important exceptions create shorter deadlines that can catch Manhattan injury victims off guard:
- Claims against the City of New York or the MTA require a Notice of Claim filed within 90 days of the accident. A lawsuit must then be filed within one year and 90 days. This applies to accidents involving city buses, subway platforms, city-owned vehicles, and municipal property.
- Medical malpractice claims have a 30-month statute of limitations (2.5 years), with limited exceptions.
- Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death.
- No-fault insurance applications must typically be filed within 30 days of the accident or benefits can be denied.
Manhattan's dense urban environment means many accidents involve city-owned property, city contractors, or public transit, all of which trigger these shorter deadlines. If you are unsure which rules apply to your situation, the time to find out is now, not later.
What Happens When You Call Michael Gunzburg, P.C.
Step 1: You Speak Directly With the Attorney
When you call (212) 725-8500, you reach Michael Gunzburg's office directly. If he is in a deposition or in court, the firm's 24-hour callback policy means you will hear back the same day. You will not be passed off to a case manager or intake specialist for months.
Step 2: Your Free Consultation Covers the Full Picture
The consultation is not a brief screening call. Michael Gunzburg reviews the facts of your accident, explains how New York law applies to your situation, identifies every potential defendant and deadline, and gives you an honest assessment of your claim. You leave with real information, not a sales pitch.
Step 3: Evidence Is Secured Immediately
Once retained, the firm acts quickly to preserve evidence: surveillance footage, accident scene documentation, witness statements, and medical records. In Manhattan, surveillance systems are everywhere, but footage is routinely overwritten within days. Speed matters.
Step 4: Your Case Is Built Around the Full Value of Your Losses
Attorney Gunzburg's background as a CPA means economic damages, including future lost earnings and projected medical costs, are calculated with precision from the beginning. Expert witnesses are engaged early. Insurance companies see a case that has been fully prepared, which changes how they negotiate.
Step 5: You Stay Informed at Every Stage
Clients receive direct updates and can reach Michael Gunzburg personally throughout the process. Past clients have noted that he was reachable even during other trials, and that he treated each person like their case was the only one on his desk.
Key Takeaways
- Most personal injury claims in New York must be filed within three years, but claims against the City of New York and the MTA require a 90-day Notice of Claim.
- New York is a comparative fault state, meaning you may still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for your accident.
- Michael Gunzburg, P.C. is the only personal injury firm in Manhattan where the attorney holds both a trial lawyer credential and a CPA license, directly affecting how economic damages are calculated.
- The firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no fees unless compensation is recovered for you.
- Evidence, including surveillance footage and accident reports, can disappear quickly in Manhattan. Contacting an attorney immediately after an accident protects your ability to build a strong case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury in Manhattan
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Manhattan?
Most personal injury cases in New York have a three-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident. However, if your claim involves the City of New York, the MTA, or another government entity, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident, and a lawsuit must follow within one year and 90 days. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to recovery. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident to confirm which deadlines apply to your specific situation.
What if I was partially at fault for my accident in New York?
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means you can recover damages even if you were partly responsible for your own accident. Your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault, you recover 80% of your total damages. Insurance companies routinely try to inflate your share of fault to reduce their payout. An experienced attorney knows how to push back against those arguments with evidence.
How much does it cost to hire a Manhattan personal injury attorney?
Michael Gunzburg, P.C. handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront. Legal fees are only collected if and when the firm recovers compensation for you. That structure means anyone injured in Manhattan can access experienced legal representation regardless of their financial situation.
What is New York's "serious injury" threshold, and does it affect my car accident claim?
New York is a no-fault insurance state, which means your own insurance covers medical bills and lost wages up to policy limits regardless of fault. To pursue additional compensation for pain and suffering in a car accident lawsuit, your injuries must meet the "serious injury" threshold under New York Insurance Law Section 5102(d). This includes fractures, significant disfigurement, permanent limitation of a body organ or member, and other defined categories. An attorney can assess whether your injuries qualify.
What if the driver who hit me was driving an MTA bus or a city vehicle?
Claims against the MTA or the City of New York require a Notice of Claim filed within 90 days of the accident. This is an administrative filing that must happen before any lawsuit can proceed. Missing this deadline will likely result in the dismissal of your case. Michael Gunzburg, P.C. handles claims against public entities throughout Manhattan and is familiar with the MTA's litigation tactics and procedural requirements.
Do I need to go to court, or will my case settle?
Most personal injury cases settle before trial, but not all. The firm prepares every case as if it is going to trial from day one, because that preparation is what drives fair settlements. Insurance companies are more likely to offer reasonable compensation when they know the opposing attorney has the courtroom experience to back up the demand. Michael Gunzburg has taken cases all the way to the New York State Court of Appeals.
Can I still recover damages if I was injured on the subway platform or a city bus?
Yes. Falls on subway platforms, injuries from sudden bus movements, and accidents caused by MTA employee negligence can all form the basis of a personal injury claim. A $1.5 million jury verdict was obtained for a physician who was injured when a city bus driver suddenly accelerated without warning. Claims against the MTA require strict compliance with Notice of Claim deadlines.
What if the accident happened at a Manhattan construction site?
New York's Labor Laws, particularly Sections 240 and 241, provide strong protections for construction workers injured in Manhattan. These laws impose non-delegable duties on property owners and general contractors, meaning those parties can be held liable even if they were not directly responsible for the unsafe condition. These cases often produce significant recoveries because the legal framework favors injured workers.
What should I do immediately after being injured in Manhattan?
Seek medical care right away, even if you feel okay. Injuries like concussions and soft tissue damage often present symptoms hours or days after an accident. Call police and document the scene if you can. Do not give recorded statements to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Preserve all medical records, photos, and witness information. Then call Michael Gunzburg, P.C. at (212) 725-8500 as soon as possible so the firm can begin securing evidence.
How is the value of my case calculated?
The value of a personal injury case is based on economic losses, including medical bills, lost wages, future care costs, and reduced earning capacity, as well as non-economic losses like pain and suffering and loss of quality of life. Attorney Michael Gunzburg's background as a Certified Public Accountant means economic damages are calculated with a degree of precision that most personal injury attorneys cannot match. Every category of your loss is accounted for from the beginning of the case.
Areas We Serve
Michael Gunzburg, P.C. represents injury victims throughout all Manhattan neighborhoods, including Downtown Manhattan (the Financial District, Tribeca, SoHo, Greenwich Village, the West Village, Chinatown, and the Lower East Side), Midtown Manhattan (Times Square, Chelsea, Hudson Yards, Murray Hill, Kips Bay, and the area around Fifth Avenue and the Empire State Building), and Uptown Manhattan (the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Harlem, East Harlem, and Morningside Heights). The firm also serves clients injured at or near major Manhattan landmarks, transit hubs like Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal, and construction sites throughout the borough. The office at 950 Third Avenue is accessible by subway and car, and home or hospital visits are available when clients cannot travel.
Speak With a Personal Injury Attorney in Manhattan
Michael Gunzburg, P.C. offers a free consultation with no obligation and no upfront fees. You pay nothing unless the firm recovers compensation for you. If your injury involved the City of New York, the MTA, or a city contractor, the 90-day Notice of Claim deadline may already be running. Do not wait.
Call (212) 725-8500 to speak with a Manhattan personal injury attorney today.
The consultation is free, the process is straightforward, and the firm has 39+ years of results to back it up. One call is all it takes to find out where you stand.
Other Personal Injury Services We Offer
- Car Accident Attorney in NYC
- Pedestrian Accident Attorney in NYC
- Bicycle Accident Attorney in NYC
- Truck Accident Attorney in NYC
- Slip and Fall Accident Attorney in NYC
- Construction Accident Attorney in NYC
- Mass Transit Accident Attorney in NYC
- Wrongful Death Attorney in NYC
- Premises Liability Attorney in NYC
