If you’ve been injured in a car accident, having reliable legal support on your side can make a significant difference in your recovery. At Fellows Hymowitz Rice, we combine our rich local experience with dedicated legal advocacy to serve victims of Queens car accidents.
We guide our clients through every step of the legal process, from initial consultation to final resolution. Our goal is not just to win cases but to help our clients rebuild their lives after the trauma of a car accident.
The streets of Queens are constantly bustling with activity, from daily commuters and taxicabs to delivery vehicles and tourists. Unfortunately, this means that traffic accidents are all too common in the borough.
In July 2024 alone, Queens saw 2,028 motor vehicle collisions, resulting in 1,277 people injured or killed. Common locations for these incidents include:
Due to such a high propensity for car accidents in the borough, it’s vital to know the legal professional who will be in your corner if you get in a wreck.
Several factors can contribute to a car accident, ranging from human error to environmental conditions. Some of them include:
Car accidents can happen anywhere and for almost any reason. If your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, we can help you seek compensation for your losses.
Our Queens car accident attorneys have extensive experience handling a wide range of cases, including:
These are among the most common types of car accidents, often occurring in congested traffic or at stoplights. While often considered minor, rear-end collisions can result in serious injuries like whiplash.
Also known as side-impact collisions, these often occur at intersections when one vehicle fails to yield the right-of-way to another. They can be particularly dangerous due to the limited protection on the sides of a vehicle.
While less common, head-on collisions are often the most severe. They frequently result in serious injuries or fatalities.
These complex accidents often occur on highways or in poor weather conditions. They involve numerous vehicles and can result in multiple injury claims.
These occur when the sides of two vehicles brush up against each other. While the collision itself is typically minor, it can easily cause drivers to lose control, leading to a more serious accident.
More common with taller vehicles like SUVs, rollovers can result from sharp turns, collisions with other vehicles, or hitting a stationary object at high speed.
Queens' busy streets and its growing number of cyclists unfortunately create an environment prone to pedestrian and cyclist accidents, which often result in severe injuries.
When a driver flees the scene of an accident, it can complicate the process of seeking justice and compensation for injuries.
Single-vehicle accidents can result from a driver losing control due to road conditions, vehicle malfunctions, or other factors.
The rising popularity of services like Uber and Lyft has led to accidents that present unique legal challenges.
If you've been involved in any of these types of accidents, our Queens car accident lawyers can help you navigate the legal process and pursue fair compensation.
The aftermath of a car accident can be incredibly stressful and difficult. You don't have to deal with it alone — call our Queens auto accident lawyers for help today!
The moments following a car accident can be chaotic and overwhelming. However, what you do immediately after a crash can significantly impact your health and your ability to pursue legal action.
Here's a step-by-step guide on what to do after a car accident:
Taking these steps can help protect your legal rights and strengthen any potential claims for compensation.
The injuries you sustain in a car accident can range from minor bruises to life-altering conditions, each with its own impact on your life and livelihood:
These injuries can have significant implications for an individual's health, ability to work, and quality of life. Timely medical attention and proper documentation are crucial steps in addressing these injuries and building a strong foundation for a potential legal claim.
After a car accident, you have two primary avenues for seeking compensation: filing an insurance claim or pursuing a car accident lawsuit. Each path has its own process and potential outcomes:
Thanks to New York's no-fault insurance system, your first step is typically filing a claim with your own insurance company.
This process:
While this route can provide quick initial relief, it often falls short for those with serious injuries or significant losses.
To pursue a personal injury claim, your case must either exceed $50,000 in economic losses or meet New York's serious injury threshold, which includes:
For those with severe injuries, a car accident claim (lawsuit) offers several advantages:
While personal injury claims offer the potential for greater compensation, they’re also typically more complicated. Working with an experienced Queens car accident attorney can simplify the process and help maximize your chances of a favorable outcome.
Car accident victims may be eligible for various types of compensation, depending on the nature and severity of their injuries.
Our car accident attorneys can identify all potential damages you may be eligible for and help you pursue maximum compensation.
Time is a critical factor in car accident cases, and there are various deadlines you’ll need to keep in mind for your case. Missing these deadlines can result in you losing your right to seek compensation.
Here are key timeframes to be aware of:
Keep in mind that these are general deadlines, and certain circumstances can alter these timelines. For example, if the injured party is a minor, the statute of limitations may be extended.
It's also worth noting that just because you have a certain amount of time doesn't mean you should wait until the last minute to take action. The sooner you begin the process, the easier it often is to gather evidence and build a strong case.
Determining fault in a car accident can be difficult. Multiple parties may share responsibility, and understanding who might be liable is crucial for pursuing compensation.
Here are common at-fault parties in car accident cases:
Other drivers are the most common at-fault party in car accidents. Usually, this is due to negligent driver behavior such as distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, reckless driving, and otherwise violating traffic laws.
In some cases, the owner of a vehicle may be held liable even if they weren't driving. This is based on the legal principle of vicarious liability.
If a driver is on the job and negligently causes an accident, their employer might be held responsible under the doctrine of respondeat superior.
If a defect in the vehicle — such as issues with brakes, tires, steering systems, and other components — contributed to an accident, the manufacturer of the car could be held liable.
If poor road conditions, inadequate signage, or malfunctioning traffic signals contributed to the accident, a government agency might be held liable.
In some cases, a pedestrian or cyclist who violated traffic laws and caused an accident could be considered negligent and held at fault.
If a construction site created hazardous conditions that led to the accident, the construction company might share the fault.
Under dram shop laws, establishments that over-serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons might be held partially liable if their inebriated customers cause an accident.
Many accidents involve shared fault among several parties. Under New York’s pure comparative negligence rule, you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident that caused your injuries. However, your compensation would be reduced by your percentage of fault.
When you choose Fellows Hymowitz Rice for your Queens car accident case, you're not just hiring a law firm — you're gaining a dedicated team of advocates committed to your recovery.
Here's what sets us apart:
We have a history of successfully securing settlements and verdicts for our clients.
We believe in a client-first approach, where your interests and well-being matter the most.
We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you don't pay unless we secure compensation for you.
From gathering evidence to negotiating with insurers, we handle all aspects of your case, allowing you to focus on recovery.
While many cases settle out of court, we're fully prepared to take your case to trial if that’s what it takes to get you fair compensation.
As active members of the Queens community, we're not just your lawyers — we're your neighbors, committed to making our borough safer for everyone.
At Fellows Hymowitz Rice, we're your partners in recovery, committed to helping you seek justice and move forward with your life.
Widely regarded as one of the region’s most successful plaintiff’s attorneys, Rob Fellows is the firm’s managing partner.
Steve Hymowitz is experienced in serving people who need help, but who do not have the resources to fight the big insurance companies on their own.
Regarded as one of the most passionate trial attorneys to litigate complex high-exposure personal injury matters in the tri-state area, Matthew “Matt” Rice possesses an unequaled fire and drive to succeed for his clients.
Joanne concentrates her practice on negligence, personal injuries, construction accidents, and medical malpractice law.
Margaret is a seasoned negotiator, expert in civil dispute resolution, with extensive experience handling homicide cases.
Injured in a car accident in Queens? Don't let the stress and uncertainty weigh you down. Contact our experienced car accident lawyers for a free consultation and legal representation.
We're proud to serve the Queens community, but our legal services extend throughout New York City and New York State.
We handle car accident cases in:
Contact Fellows Hymowitz Rice today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our Queens car accident lawyers are ready to review your case, explain your rights, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
