New York Injury & Accident Lawyers

Advocating for Accident Victims in New York City

Whether you have been involved in an accident on the streets of New York City or have suffered an injury due to a defective product, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. At Irwin Law, our New York City injury lawyers are dedicated to helping accident victims get the money they need to pay for medical treatment, replace lost wages, and more. We are here to help you get through the legal process and fight for the full, fair recovery you are owed. Backed by decades of experience, our legal team can help you navigate the legal process from start to finish.

Our firm is prepared to handle even the most complex personal injury matters. We have helped thousands of clients recover the compensation they were owed, including numerous high-profile cases. Our firm’s founding attorney, Jack D. Irwin, has also been featured in the media for his exceptional legal abilities, including on 60 Minutes.

For the compassionate, personalized legal representation you deserve, turn to the team at Irwin Law. We are here to help you get through this difficult time. Call us at (212) 203-4529 today to learn more about how we can help you.

What to Do After an Accident

After an accident occurs, it can be difficult to know what to do next. If you have been injured in any type of accident, there are a few key steps you can take to protect your rights.

Here are some things you can do:

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible
• Document your injuries and take photos of the accident scene
• Write down everything you can remember about the accident
• Obtain the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses
• Report the accident to your employer or the appropriate authority
• Do not admit fault or apologize
• Do not give a statement to the insurance company
• Avoid posting about the accident on social media
• Get in touch with an experienced personal injury lawyer

At Irwin Law, we can help you take the necessary steps to protect your rights and build an effective case. Our New York City personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping you recover the maximum compensation you are owed.

How Do I File a Personal Injury Claim in New York?

In New York, you have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit. The New York State Unified Court System requires that you file your lawsuit within three years of the date of the accident. If you fail to file your lawsuit within this time frame, you will likely lose your right to recover compensation.

If you are filing a personal injury lawsuit against a government entity in New York, the statute of limitations is generally much shorter. The New York City government, for example, requires that you file a notice of claim within just 90 days of the date of the accident.

It is generally a good idea to get in touch with a New York City personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident. At Irwin Law, we can help you understand the statute of limitations for your case and ensure that your lawsuit is filed within the appropriate time frame.

What Is the Average Settlement for a Personal Injury?

As with many other types of legal cases, there is no such thing as an “average” personal injury settlement. The amount of compensation you may be entitled to will vary depending on a number of different factors. These factors include the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical treatment, the amount of time you have missed from work, and whether or not you will be able to return to work in the future.

Other factors that may impact the value of your personal injury case include:

• The at-fault party’s insurance coverage
• Whether or not you were partially to blame for the accident
• The strength of your case
• The amount of evidence available to support your claim

At Irwin Law, our New York City personal injury attorneys can help you understand the value of your case and fight for the maximum compensation you are owed. We can help you account for all past, current, and future losses when calculating the value of your case.

What Is the Average Time to Settle a Personal Injury Case?

Like the value of a personal injury settlement, the time it takes to settle a personal injury case can vary. In some cases, a personal injury case may be settled within a matter of months. In other cases, it may take years to resolve a personal injury lawsuit.

The length of time it takes to settle a personal injury lawsuit will depend on a number of different factors, including the severity of your injuries, the complexity of your case, and whether or not the insurance company is willing to offer a fair settlement. At Irwin Law, our New York City personal injury lawyers are skilled negotiators. We can help you fight for a fair settlement offer and work to resolve your case as quickly as possible.

Can I Sue If I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?

Yes, you can still sue for damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This means that you can recover compensation even if you were 99% to blame for the accident. However, your total recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you suffered $100,000 in damages but were found 25% at fault for the accident, you would only be able to recover $75,000 in compensation.

Insurance companies are notorious for trying to shift blame onto the victim. They will use any evidence available to try to prove that you were at least partially at fault for the accident. This is one of the many reasons why it is important to have a skilled personal injury attorney on your side. At Irwin Law, we can help you build a strong case and fight for the full, fair recovery you are owed.

What Does Negligence Mean in Personal Injury Law?

Negligence is a legal concept that is used to determine fault in a personal injury case. In order to prove that another person was negligent, you must be able to show that:

• The at-fault party owed you a duty of care
• The at-fault party breached this duty of care
• This breach of care caused an accident
• You suffered damages as a result of the accident

Some examples of negligence include:

• A driver who fails to stop at a red light and causes a crash
• A doctor who prescribes the wrong medication and causes a patient to suffer a severe reaction
• A landlord who fails to fix a broken staircase and a tenant falls and is injured

At Irwin Law, we can help you determine if negligence played a role in your accident. Our New York City personal injury attorneys are prepared to put our extensive experience to work for you and fight for the full, fair recovery you are owed.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle

At Irwin Law, we have extensive experience handling all types of personal injury cases. We have helped thousands of clients recover the compensation they were owed, including in numerous high-profile cases. Our New York City personal injury attorneys are prepared to put our experience to work for you.

We represent clients in all types of personal injury matters, including:

• Car accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Construction accidents
• Catastrophic injuries
• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Dog bites
• Medical malpractice
• Product liability
• Premises liability
• Sexual abuse
• Lead paint poisoning

When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

It is in your best interest to hire a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. At Irwin Law, we can help you understand your rights and walk you through the legal process. We can also handle all negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf and ensure that your claim is filed within the appropriate time frame. Our New York City personal injury attorneys are prepared to put our extensive experience to work for you and fight for the full, fair recovery you are owed.

How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?

At Irwin Law, we understand that the cost of legal representation can be a concern for many accident victims. That is why we work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not owe us any legal fees unless we win your case. If we do not recover compensation for you, you do not pay. You have nothing to lose by reaching out to our New York City personal injury lawyers to learn more about your legal rights and options.

How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me?

At Irwin Law, we can help you with every step of the legal process, including:

• Conducting a thorough investigation of the accident
• Gathering all available evidence, including accident reports, eyewitness statements, and more
• Calculating the full value of your case
• Negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf
• Filing a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary
• Representing you in all court hearings and proceedings
• Fighting for the maximum compensation you are owed

Our New York City personal injury lawyers are skilled negotiators and litigators. We can help you understand the best course of action and work to resolve your case as quickly and favorably as possible. We are not afraid to take your case to trial, if necessary.

What Are the 3 Types of Damages?

In a personal injury case, there are three main types of damages that you may be entitled to recover: economic, non-economic, and punitive.

Economic damages are awarded to compensate you for your financial losses, including:

• Medical bills
• Rehabilitation
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Property damage

Non-economic damages are awarded to compensate you for your non-financial losses, including:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Punitive damages are awarded in rare cases where the at-fault party’s actions were especially egregious. The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the at-fault party and discourage similar behavior in the future.

In New York, there is no cap on economic or non-economic damages in a personal injury case. However, punitive damages are capped at $500,000 or five times the total value of the economic and non-economic damages you were awarded, whichever is greater.

What Is the Average Settlement for a Slip and Fall?

Like the average settlement for a personal injury, the average settlement for a slip and fall case can vary. The value of your slip and fall settlement will depend on a number of different factors, including the severity of your injuries and the amount of time you have missed from work.

It is important to note that slip and fall cases can be very difficult to win. In order to recover compensation, you must be able to prove that the owner of the property where the accident occurred was aware of the dangerous condition and failed to take appropriate action to fix it. At Irwin Law, our New York City slip and fall lawyers are prepared to put our extensive experience to work for you and fight for the full, fair recovery you are owed.

What Are the Top 5 Causes of Car Accidents?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the top five causes of car accidents in the United States are distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, reckless driving, and not wearing a seatbelt.

Here is a closer look at each of these causes:

• Distracted driving: Distracted driving is the leading cause of car accidents in the United States. In 2018, distracted driving claimed the lives of 2,841 people. When a person is texting and driving, their attention is taken off the road for an average of five seconds, which is long enough to travel the length of a football field at 55 miles per hour.
• Speeding: Speeding is also a leading cause of car accidents in the United States. In 2018, speeding claimed the lives of 9,378 people. Speeding is defined as driving in excess of the speed limit or driving too fast for the conditions.
• Drunk driving: Drunk driving is another leading cause of car accidents. In 2018, drunk driving claimed the lives of 10,511 people. In New York, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher.
• Reckless driving: Reckless driving is a broad term that can be used to describe a number of different driving behaviors, including tailgating, running red lights, and more. In 2018, reckless driving claimed the lives of 3,213 people.
• Not wearing a seatbelt: In 2018, 9,778 people were killed in car accidents because they were not wearing a seatbelt. In New York, all drivers and front-seat passengers must wear a seatbelt. Children under the age of 16 must wear a seatbelt regardless of where they are sitting.

At Irwin Law, we have extensive experience handling all types of car accident cases. We can help you understand your rights and fight for the full, fair recovery you are owed.

What Are the 3 Types of Product Defects?

In a product liability case, there are three main types of defects that can result in a manufacturer being held liable for damages: design defects, manufacturing defects, and marketing defects.

Here is a closer look at each of these types of defects:

• Design defects: A design defect is a flaw in the original design of the product. A product with a design defect is inherently dangerous and poses a risk of injury to the user. In some cases, a product with a design defect may be subject to a recall. However, a recall is not necessary for a successful design defect lawsuit.
• Manufacturing defects: A manufacturing defect is a flaw that occurs during the manufacturing process. Unlike a design defect, a manufacturing defect only affects a small number of products. A product with a manufacturing defect may not be subject to a recall.
• Marketing defects: A marketing defect is a flaw in the way a product is marketed to the public. A product with a marketing defect may not include appropriate warnings or instructions for use. A product with a marketing defect may be subject to a recall.

In New York, you may be able to pursue a product liability lawsuit even if you were not the one who purchased the product. You may also be able to pursue a product liability lawsuit even if you were not the one who was injured. At Irwin Law, we can help you understand your rights and fight for the full, fair recovery you are