Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
A serious car crash can disrupt every part of your life. If you need help after being injured in a serious accident, our Peekskill car accident lawyers can help.
At Shulman & Hill, our attorneys bring more than 200 years of combined legal experience representing injured New Yorkers. Our lawyers handle a wide range of motor vehicle collision claims, including those involving rear-end crashes, distracted or impaired driving, uninsured motorist claims, and fatal accident cases.
If you were injured in a crash, our team can review your situation and explain the legal options available to you. Contact us today for a free case review with one of our Peekskill personal injury lawyers.
How Our Peekskill Car Accident Lawyers Handle Your Case
Every accident case begins with a careful review of the available information. During an initial consultation, our attorneys evaluate the police report, medical documentation, photographs, and other records related to the crash.
Our investigation may include:
- Visiting the accident location.
- Requesting surveillance footage from nearby businesses.
- Obtaining 911 and dispatch records.
- Reviewing vehicle damage and available electronic data.
If negotiations with insurance carriers do not produce a fair resolution, we are prepared to file a lawsuit and pursue the claim through litigation when necessary.
Types of Car Accidents We Handle
Motor vehicle crashes can happen in many ways. Each type of collision raises different questions about fault, vehicle damage, and injury severity.
Our Peekskill car accident lawyers represent people injured in accidents such as the following:
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone crashes
- Head-on collisions
- Sideswipe accidents
- Multi-vehicle pileups
- Pedestrian or bicycle crashes
- Commercial vehicle and rideshare collisions
- Hit-and-run accidents
People injured in these crashes often experience significant medical issues. Our attorneys regularly work with clients suffering from injuries such as concussions, fractures, spinal injuries, herniated discs, and severe soft-tissue damage.
When a crash results in a fatality, we also represent families pursuing wrongful death claims under New York law.
New York’s No-Fault Insurance Rules
New York operates under a No–Fault insurance system, also called Personal Injury Protection (PIP). This coverage pays for medical treatment and a portion of lost wages regardless of who caused the crash.
However, these benefits come with strict procedural requirements. Insurance carriers often review medical documentation carefully and may challenge certain treatments or wage claims.
Our attorneys can assist you with the documentation needed to support No-Fault claims, including medical records, physician reports, and employment verification.
The Serious Injury Requirement
In order to pursue compensation for pain and suffering, you must meet New York’s legal definition of a “serious injury.”
This threshold includes categories such as the following:
- Bone fractures
- Significant disfigurement
- Permanent loss of a body function or organ
- Permanent or significant limitation of use of a body part
- Disabilities preventing normal activity for at least 90 of the first 180 days after the crash
Medical records, imaging studies, and physician evaluations are important in establishing whether an injury meets this legal standard.
Proving Fault Under New York’s Comparative Negligence Rules
New York law allows you to recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for a crash. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility, but you are not automatically barred from bringing a claim.
In many cases, insurance companies attempt to shift blame onto the injured driver. They may argue that you were speeding, distracted, or failed to yield in order to reduce the amount they must pay. Our job is to push back against those tactics.
Our Peekskill car accident attorneys review evidence to determine how the collision actually occurred. When necessary, we also work with accident reconstruction professionals and review electronic vehicle data. This evidence allows us to present a clear account of the crash and hold the responsible driver accountable.
Damages Available After a Car Accident
Once an injury meets New York’s serious injury threshold, you may have the right to pursue compensation beyond No-Fault benefits. Our attorneys evaluate the full impact the crash has had on your health, your work, and your daily life before calculating the value of your claim.
Some losses are financial and easier to document. These are known as economic damages and may include:
- Medical bills, hospital treatment, and rehabilitation.
- Future medical care related to your injuries.
- Lost income from missed work.
- Reduced earning ability if your injuries affect your career.
- Home care or assistance during recovery.
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs.
Other damages reflect the personal toll an injury can take. These non–economic damages may include physical pain, emotional distress, and the ways your injuries interfere with your normal activities and quality of life.
If a crash results in a fatality, our car accident attorneys in Peekskill also represent families pursuing wrongful death claims. Under New York law, certain surviving family members may recover compensation for funeral expenses and the financial support their loved one would have provided.
Deadlines for Filing a Car Accident Claim in New York
New York law limits the amount of time available to file a lawsuit after a motor vehicle accident.
In most cases:
- Personal injury claims must be filed within three years of the crash.
- Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years of the date of death.
Certain cases involving government vehicles or public agencies may require notice of claim filings within a much shorter period. Because of these deadlines, speaking with a lawyer soon after an accident is often important.
Speak With a Car Accident Attorney in Peekskill Today
Our attorneys work with injured clients throughout New York and the Hudson Valley to help them understand their rights and pursue fair compensation.
Shulman & Hill has recovered over $1 billion for injured clients and continues to represent workers, drivers, and families across the region. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you.
If you were injured in a crash in Peekskill or anywhere in Westchester County, our lawyers are available to review your situation and explain the next steps. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.