Mineola, Long Island Car Accident Lawyers

Nassau County firm seeks compensation for victims of auto accident injuries

The aftermath of a motor vehicle collision can be deeply disruptive, affecting victims and their families for years. At The Law Office of Frank J. Cassisi, P.C. in Mineola, our attorneys draw upon more than 50 years of combined experience to pursue payment for injured New York drivers, passengers and pedestrians. We work zealously to win you fair compensation for the harm you experience as a result of the crash. In litigation and settlement negotiations, we assert your right to recover damages for your medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering.

Why should I hire a personal injury lawyer after my Long Island car accident?

Even if you have a worthy legal claim, securing the compensation you deserve can be a challenge without a strong attorney by your side. Insurance companies often look to take advantage of victims who are already dealing with physical and financial challenges stemming from the accident. One method they use is to try to shift liability to victims such as yourself. Our firm can relieve your stress and increase the likelihood of a favorable result by handling the necessary legal tasks, retaining experts when necessary and countering the defenses raised by negligent drivers and their insurers.

Where do car accidents happen most often on Long Island?

Nassau and Suffolk counties have numerous crisscrossing busy roads, giving rise to car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian collisions. There were 41,862 motor vehicle-related accidents in Nassau during 2020, raking only behind Suffolk within the state. Dangerous Long Island intersections and roads noted by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign report include:

• Jericho Turnpike / State Route 25
• Old Country Road and Wantagh Parkway
• North County Road / State Route 25A
• Roslyn Road & Long Island Expressway South Service Road
• New York Avenue / State Route 110
• Hempstead Turnpike and Wantagh Parkway
• Round Swamp Road and Northern State Parkway
• Lakeview Road and Marcus Avenue and Northern State Parkway
• New Hyde Park Road and Northern State Parkway
• Montauk Highway
• Route 24 Hempstead Turnpike
• Route 27 Sunrise Highway, Montauk Point State Highway and County Road 39
• Merrick Road
• Route 27 Sunrise Highway
• Wicks Road

Whether you were hurt at one of these locations or somewhere else, we will work diligently to achieve justice for you through a verdict or settlement.

Major causes of vehicle collisions

Over the course of a year in Nassau County, about 10,000 people sustain auto accident injuries serious enough to require emergency-room treatment and about 1,000 are hospitalized. Crashes can be caused by all kinds of negligence, including:

• Distracted driving — Texting, eating and rummaging for a loose item are among the unsafe behaviors that can take a driver’s attention from the road.
• Impaired operation — Drugs or alcohol can inhibit a driver’s mental and physical capacities. A driver may be impaired at the time of the accident even if their blood alcohol content (BAC) does not exceed the legal limit.
• Speeding — Excessive speed makes it more difficult to avoid an accident and increases the potential severity of injuries. The faster a vehicle is moving at the time of an impact, the greater the destruction it can cause. Tire tracks, speed cameras and accident reconstruction experts may help prove that a driver was going too fast.
• Weather conditions — Driving when visibility is poor or on slick roads requires extra caution. A motorist who fails to account for bad weather conditions could become a danger to others.
• Mechanical failure — Whether due to a defective part or improper maintenance, an instance of mechanical failure in a vehicle can trigger a major crash.

Car accident injuries can range from minor scrapes and bruises to major, life-altering medical conditions and even death. A victim may be left with a traumatic brain injury, spinal damage, broken bones, burns, internal injuries, significant scarring or other lasting effects. Our firm works to assist these individuals in a full range of vehicle collision claims, including truck accident litigation, which often involves severe injuries and multiple defendants.

Fault and liability in auto accident litigation under New York law

Under New York’s no-fault system of insurance, a driver who is hurt in an auto accident must first seek compensation for necessary medical costs by filing a claim with their own auto insurance carrier. However, if you suffered a serious injury and incurred expenses that exceed the $50,000 personal injury protection (PIP) level, you have the right to pursue recovery directly from the at-fault driver. This is where it is critical to retain a proven injury attorney who can hold the motorist who caused your crash accountable.

Police reports, witness testimony and camera footage can help to paint a clear picture of how an accident occurred and who was responsible. In New York, a driver or another party is financially liable according to their percentage of fault. So if a driver is held to be 75 percent at-fault for your accident, they would be ordered to pay 75 percent of your accident-related damages.

Elements that must be proven in an auto accident negligence lawsuit

If an appropriate settlement cannot be reached, the following four elements must be proven to win damages at trial:

• The defendant driver owed you a duty of reasonable care
• They breached their duty by acting unreasonably
• Their unreasonable actions caused your injuries
• You suffered damages as a result

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in New York is three years, so it is best to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. As soon as you retain us as your counsel, we will begin a thorough investigation of your accident and start assembling the evidence needed to prove your claim.

Recovering damages after a car accident on Long Island

After successfully establishing another party’s fault and liability, you may be awarded various types of damages, such as payment for:

• Medical expenses — This may include reimbursement for hospital bills, cost of ambulance transportation, follow-up treatments, and other related medical care that exceeds the $50,000 provided by your PIP policy.

• Future medical costs — Some auto accidents can have lifelong effects and lead to lasting injuries. You may be eligible to receive compensation to cover expected future healthcare costs.
• Rehabilitation costs — Recovering from a car crash can take time and sometimes require extensive physical rehabilitation. Accordingly, these expenses are compensable in a personal injury claim.
• Additional lost wages not covered by your PIP policy — If you’re forced out of work due to your accident injuries, you can pursue reimbursement of your lost income from the at-fault driver once the PIP limit is exceeded.
• Future lost wages — With more serious injuries, you may be required to miss more work in the future. Your attorney can pursue compensation to cover your decreased ability to earn income in the years ahead.
• Other expenses — You could be awarded reimbursement for home modifications, such as wheelchair ramps or handrails. Travel expenses associated with doctor’s appointments are also recoverable.
• Non-economic damages — Some harm stemming from an auto accident cannot be quantified by a medical bill or missed paycheck. You can also collect payment for to address your pain and suffering and the effect that an accident-related disfigurement has on your ability to enjoy life.
• Punitive damages – In some extreme cases involving extreme negligence, malice, or outrageous behavior, a court may award punitive damages.

Regardless of the specific circumstances, we will investigate the facts thoroughly to find all potentially liable defendants. From there, our lawyers will make every legal effort to maximize your financial recovery.

Contact a skilled Long Island auto accident attorney for a free consultation

Located in Mineola, the Law Office of Frank J. Cassisi, P.C. represents auto accident victims from Long Island and New York City, as well as Rockland and Westchester counties. To schedule a free consultation, please call 516-294-5050 or contact us online.