Car Accident Attorney in Manhattan, NY

Representing  Injured Drivers and Passengers Across NYC

Car Accident Attorney Michael Gunzburg

What Our Clients Say

Who Needs a Car Accident Lawyer in Manhattan?

You need a car accident lawyer if you were injured as a driver or passenger in a collision involving cars, taxis, rideshare vehicles, or delivery trucks. Maybe you were rear-ended at a red light on Fifth Avenue, sideswiped by a speeding cab in Chelsea, or hit by a distracted driver in the Upper East Side. Perhaps you suffered whiplash, broken bones, herniated discs, or traumatic brain injuries that require ongoing medical treatment. If another driver's negligence caused your accident, whether through texting while driving, running a red light, drunk driving, or aggressive lane changes, you have the right to seek compensation. We represent accident victims throughout Manhattan, including the Financial District, Upper West Side, Midtown, and surrounding areas.

Common Car Accident Situations We Handle

Rear-End Collisions

When a driver fails to maintain a safe following distance or doesn't pay attention to traffic ahead, they slam into the back of your vehicle, causing neck injuries, back injuries, and traumatic impact. Learn more about rear-end collision legal representation services.

Intersection Accidents (T-bone Accidents)

Drivers who run red lights, fail to yield the right of way, or make illegal turns create dangerous conditions at Manhattan's busy intersections, resulting in T-bone crashes and multi-vehicle pileups.

Distracted Driving Crashes

Texting, eating, using GPS, or talking on the phone takes a driver's attention off the road, leading to preventable accidents that cause serious injuries to innocent victims.

Drunk Driving Accidents

Impaired drivers who choose to get behind the wheel after drinking put everyone at risk, causing crashes that result in catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths.

Lane Change and Merging Accidents

Drivers who change lanes without checking blind spots, fail to signal, or merge aggressively into traffic cause sideswipe collisions and multi-car accidents.

Hit-and-Run Crashes

When a driver flees the scene after causing an accident, victims face additional challenges in identifying the at-fault party and recovering compensation.

Why Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer Matters

Insurance companies have one goal after your accident: paying you as little as possible. They'll use tactics designed to devalue your claim, questioning your injuries, blaming you for the crash, or pressuring you to settle before you understand your rights. Without experienced legal representation, you're fighting an uphill battle against adjusters and lawyers whose job is protecting their bottom line, not your recovery. We've seen what happens when accident victims try to handle claims on their own. They accept settlements that don't cover future medical needs. They give recorded statements that get used against them. They miss filing deadlines that destroy their right to compensation. When you hire Michael Gunzburg, P.C., you get 39+ years of trial experience on your side. We know how insurance companies operate because we've been beating them in court for decades. We've secured a $1.3 million jury verdict for a rear-end collision victim after the insurance company offered just $5,000. That's the difference experienced representation makes.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

Responsibility for your car accident may involve multiple parties depending on the circumstances. The at-fault driver is the most common defendant, but their employer may be liable if they were working at the time of the crash. Vehicle owners can be held responsible even if they weren't driving, especially if they negligently entrusted their car to an unfit driver. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft may share liability when their drivers cause accidents. In some cases, auto manufacturers can be sued for defective vehicle parts that contributed to the crash or worsened your injuries. Government entities may be liable for dangerous road conditions, broken traffic signals, or inadequate signage that played a role in your accident. We investigate every angle to identify all potentially responsible parties, which can increase the compensation available to you. Insurance companies often try to point fingers at everyone except their insured driver, but our job is holding the right parties accountable and making sure you get the full recovery you deserve.

What You May Be Entitled To Recover

You may recover both economic and non-economic damages depending on the severity of your injuries and how the accident has affected your life. Economic damages include all medical expenses from emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, prescription medications, and future medical care you'll need. You can recover lost wages for time you've already missed from work, plus lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit your ability to work. Property damage to your vehicle and any other out-of-pocket costs related to the accident are also recoverable. Non-economic damages address your pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent scarring or disfigurement. If your injuries meet New York's "serious injury" threshold, which includes fractures, significant disfigurement, permanent loss of a body function, or injuries preventing usual activities for at least 90 of the first 180 days after the crash, you can pursue full compensation including pain and suffering. In rare cases involving extreme recklessness like drunk driving, punitive damages may also be available. We've recovered settlements ranging from hundreds of thousands to over a million dollars for accident victims, and we'll fight to maximize your recovery.

Important Deadlines and Legal Rules

You have three years from the date of your car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York for crashes involving private defendants. However, if a New York City vehicle like an NYPD car, sanitation truck, or MTA bus was involved, you must file a Notice of Claim within just 90 days and file your lawsuit within one year and 90 days. Missing these deadlines means losing your right to compensation permanently. New York's no-fault insurance law requires you to file a no-fault application with your insurance company within 30 days of the accident to receive Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits covering up to $50,000 in medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. You must also file a Motor Vehicle Accident Report (Form MV-104) with the DMV within 10 days if anyone was injured or if property damage exceeds $1,000, or your license could be suspended. To bring a lawsuit for pain and suffering, your injuries must meet the "serious injury threshold" defined by New York law. Evidence disappears quickly after accidents, witnesses forget details, surveillance footage gets erased, and skid marks fade. The sooner you contact us, the better we can protect your rights and build your case.

What to Expect When You Work With Us

Step 1: Free Case Evaluation

We listen to your story, review the facts of your accident, and give you an honest assessment of your case at no cost. You'll understand your legal options and what compensation you may be entitled to recover.

Step 2: Immediate Investigation

We visit the crash scene, obtain police reports and witness statements, secure traffic camera footage, review medical records, and consult with accident reconstruction experts to build the strongest possible case.

Step 3: Insurance Claim Management

We handle all communication with insurance companies so you don't have to deal with adjusters trying to get you to say something that hurts your claim. We file all necessary paperwork and protect you from tactics designed to reduce your compensation.

Step 4: Medical Documentation and Expert Consultation

We work closely with your treating physicians to document every injury and treatment. When needed, we consult with medical experts who can explain to insurance companies or juries exactly how the accident affected your health and future.

Step 5: Aggressive Negotiation and Trial Preparation

We negotiate from a position of strength because we prepare every case for trial from day one. Insurance companies know we're ready to go to court if they won't offer fair compensation, which strengthens our negotiating position and leads to better settlements.

Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer

Maximum Compensation for Your Injuries

You'll recover money for all your damages, not just what the insurance company initially offers. We've secured millions in settlements and verdicts for accident victims by properly valuing cases and refusing to settle for less than our clients deserve. In one case, we obtained a $1.3 million jury verdict after the insurance company offered just $5,000 before trial.

Protection from Insurance Company Tactics

Insurance adjusters will try to minimize your injuries, blame you for the accident, or pressure you into quick settlements. We've been fighting these tactics for 39+ years. We know exactly what to say and what not to say, and we make sure you don't accidentally harm your own case.

No Upfront Costs or Legal Fees

We work on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We cover all case expenses during litigation, and our fee comes from your settlement or verdict. If we don't win, you don't owe us anything.

Proven Results & Client Experience

Michael Gunzburg, P.C. has secured multimillion-dollar results for car accident victims throughout Manhattan and New York City. We obtained a $1.3 million jury verdict for a 54-year-old woman injured in a rear-end collision after the insurance company offered just $5,000 before the jury deliberated. We've also secured a $1.0 million settlement for a passenger crushed by an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer, a $700,000 mediated settlement for a taxi driver with herniated discs, a $450,000 settlement for a passenger injured when her car was pinned by an 18-wheeler, and a $275,000 settlement for a math teacher who suffered wrist fractures requiring surgery.

Our firm brings 39+ years of trial experience to every case. Michael Gunzburg is both a personal injury attorney and a Certified Public Accountant, giving him unique expertise in calculating economic damages and lost earning capacity. He's a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association of Justice, and has successfully argued appeals to the Appellate Division and the New York Court of Appeals.

Clients consistently tell us they appreciate our accessibility and communication. We return phone calls within 24 hours, send regular email updates, and explain legal concepts in plain language so you're never left wondering what's happening with your case. Many clients continue working with us for nearly 20 years and refer their family members and friends, which speaks to the long-term relationships we build based on trust and results.

Common Questions About Car Accidents in Manhattan

How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in New York?

You have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against private defendants. If your accident involved a New York City vehicle like an NYPD car or city bus, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days and file your lawsuit within one year and 90 days. Time is critical because evidence disappears and witnesses' memories fade.

What is New York's no-fault insurance law?

New York is a no-fault state, which means your own auto insurance company must provide Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits covering up to $50,000 in medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident. You must file your no-fault application within 30 days of the crash. However, if your injuries meet the "serious injury" threshold, you can also sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering and additional damages beyond what no-fault covers.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?

Yes. New York follows "pure comparative negligence," which means you can recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you're not barred from recovery unless you were 100% at fault. Insurance companies will try to exaggerate your share of fault to reduce their payout, but we fight to minimize your fault percentage and maximize your recovery.

What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?

You may have a claim under your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage. If you don't have UM/UIM coverage or the other driver fled the scene, you may be able to recover compensation through the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC). You need to report the accident to police and your insurer promptly, and MVAIC claims have short deadlines.

How much is my car accident case worth?

Every case is different. The value depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, how long you were unable to work, whether you have permanent disabilities, the strength of the liability evidence, and the available insurance coverage. Minor injuries with full recovery might settle for tens of thousands of dollars, while serious injuries requiring surgery or causing permanent disability can be worth hundreds of thousands or millions. During your free consultation, we'll review your specific situation and give you an honest assessment.

What should I do immediately after a car accident in Manhattan?

Call 911 so police and EMS respond. Check for injuries and move to a safe location if possible. Exchange names, addresses, driver's licenses, and insurance information with the other driver. Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and visible injuries. Get contact information from witnesses. Don't admit fault or apologize at the scene. Seek medical attention even if you feel fine, as some injuries don't show symptoms immediately. Then call us at 212-725-8500 before speaking with any insurance company.

Will my case go to trial?

Most car accident cases settle before trial because insurance companies prefer negotiating rather than risking a jury verdict that could be even higher. However, we prepare every case as if it's going to trial, which strengthens our negotiating position. If the insurance company won't offer fair compensation, we're ready and willing to take your case to court. Michael Gunzburg has 39+ years of courtroom experience and has secured numerous jury verdicts for accident victims.

How long will my case take?

The timeline varies depending on the complexity of your case and the severity of your injuries. Simple cases with clear liability sometimes settle within a few months. More complex cases involving disputed fault, serious injuries requiring ongoing treatment, or multiple defendants can take one to two years or longer. We'll keep you informed throughout the process and won't settle your case until you've reached maximum medical improvement and we know the full extent of your damages.

Do I really need a lawyer for my car accident?

If you have significant injuries requiring medical treatment, disputed liability, questions about meeting the serious injury threshold, or lost income, an experienced attorney significantly increases your recovery. Studies show that accident victims represented by attorneys recover 2.4 to 3.5 times more compensation than those who handle claims alone. Insurance companies know this, which is why they try to settle quickly before you hire a lawyer. We work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win.

What damages can I recover in a car accident case?

You may recover economic damages including medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, future treatment), lost wages and lost earning capacity, property damage, and out-of-pocket costs. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent scarring or disfigurement. In rare cases involving extreme recklessness like drunk driving, punitive damages may also be available.

Areas We Serve

Michael Gunzburg, P.C. represents car accident victims throughout Manhattan and all of New York City. We handle cases in downtown Manhattan neighborhoods including SoHo and the Financial District, Midtown Manhattan including Chelsea and Midtown, and uptown Manhattan including the Upper East Side and Upper West Side. We also serve clients throughout Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Our office is conveniently located at 950 3rd Ave in Manhattan, and we're available to meet with clients throughout the New York City metropolitan area. Call 212-725-8500 to speak with an experienced Manhattan car accident attorney who understands the unique challenges of navigating NYC's busy streets and aggressive insurance companies.

Other Motor Vehicle Accident Services We Offer

At Michael Gunzburg, P.C., we handle all types of motor vehicle accident cases throughout Manhattan and New York City:

• Truck Accident Lawyer – Representing victims of commercial truck, 18-wheeler, and delivery truck accidents
• Pedestrian Accident Lawyer – Fighting for pedestrians struck by vehicles in crosswalks and intersections
• Bicycle Accident Lawyer – Protecting cyclists injured by negligent drivers
• Motorcycle Accident Lawyer – Securing compensation for motorcyclists injured in crashes
• Bus & Train Accident Lawyer – Taking on the MTA and other transit authorities for injured passengers