New City Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawyer New City, NY

If you’ve been injured in New City because someone else acted carelessly, you’re dealing with far more than physical pain. The medical bills start arriving before you’ve even finished treatment. Insurance adjusters call wanting statements. Your employer needs to know when you’ll be back. Meanwhile, you’re supposed to focus on recovering while the financial pressure mounts daily.

Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. is headquartered right here in New City. We’ve served Rockland County for over 50 years from this location, this is our home. Our New City, NY personal injury lawyer handles all types of accident and negligence cases, from car crashes near the Palisades Center to slip and falls at local businesses to complex medical malpractice claims at area hospitals. We offer free consultations and work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact our firm to discuss your situation.

Why Choose Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. for Personal Injury in New City, NY?

Your Neighbors for Over Five Decades

Barry S. Kantrowitz, founding attorney, Managing Attorney, and Partner, earned his J.D. from Boston University School of Law in 1985 and has practiced since 1986. He is admitted in New York, New Jersey, Florida, and before the United States Supreme Court. He carries an AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell rating, the highest recognition available for legal ability and ethical standards. Super Lawyers has repeatedly selected Barry in New York, and he is a member of The National Trial Lawyers, the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, and the New York State Bar Association.

In 2014, the Rockland County Legislature appointed Barry to fill a legislative vacancy representing portions of Clarkstown and Ramapo. That experience in local government gave him firsthand knowledge of how municipal operations affect residents, insight that proves valuable in personal injury cases involving government entities, road maintenance issues, and public property.

Trial Attorneys Who Deliver Results

Insurance companies pay attention to which lawyers actually go to trial. They track outcomes. They know who accepts lowball offers and who fights for full value. That reputation affects how adjusters negotiate from the very first conversation.

Kate Carballo is a Partner at our firm concentrating on personal injury and medical malpractice litigation. She earned certification as a Civil Trial Attorney from the Supreme Court of New Jersey, a credential held by only a small percentage of attorneys in that state. Kate has practiced for over 14 years and is recognized by Super Lawyers for 2024-2026, with previous Rising Star selections from 2017-2019 and 2021-2023. She is a member of the Bergen County Bar Association, New Jersey Association for Justice, and American Association for Justice.

Our firm has recovered over $500 million for clients in personal injury, class action, and civil litigation matters. Notable results include a $14 million personal injury settlement, a $9.2 million jury verdict in a construction site fatality (the highest of its kind in Rockland County at that time), a $1.1 million medical malpractice settlement, a $1 million car accident settlement, and numerous other six and seven-figure recoveries.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Words can’t even explain the work and dedication that everyone at KGG puts into their jobs. From the moment I walked into the office I was immediately welcomed and more importantly, heard. I would especially like to point out the exceptional work of Barry Kantrowitz. My family and I couldn’t be more appreciative. Highly recommend and I will be using KGG again!” — Kieton Nunes

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

No Fee Unless We Recover Compensation

We handle personal injury cases on contingency. You pay no attorney fees upfront. Our fee comes from a percentage of your settlement or verdict only if we win. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing for legal fees. This arrangement ensures that financial circumstances never prevent someone from getting the legal help they need.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in New City

Personal injury law encompasses situations where someone’s negligence causes harm to another person. Our attorneys handle all major categories of injury claims throughout New City and Rockland County.

• Car accidents. Route 304, Route 45, and local roads throughout New City see regular collisions. We handle rear-end crashes, intersection accidents, head-on collisions, and all other motor vehicle accident types. If you are unsure how fault is determined in New York, then you need to contact a lawyer for help.
• Truck accidents. Commercial vehicles traveling to businesses and distribution centers throughout Rockland County cause catastrophic crashes. We investigate trucking company negligence, driver fatigue, maintenance failures, and federal regulation violations.
• Motorcycle accidents. Riders face serious dangers from drivers who fail to watch for motorcycles. Injuries from motorcycle crashes tend to be severe. We fight insurance companies that attempt to shift blame onto riders.
• Slip and fall accidents. Property owners must maintain safe premises. When icy sidewalks, wet floors, broken stairs, poor lighting, or other hazardous conditions cause falls, the property owner may be liable for resulting injuries. We know how to prove slip and fall liability no matter how difficult the case.
• Construction accidents. New City and surrounding areas see ongoing development. Workers injured on construction sites often have third-party claims beyond workers’ compensation against property owners, general contractors, and equipment manufacturers.
• Medical malpractice. When healthcare providers at local medical facilities fail to meet the standard of care, patients suffer preventable harm. We handle surgical errors, misdiagnosis claims, medication mistakes, birth injuries, and nursing home neglect.
• Pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians struck by vehicles have no protection. Areas near the county courthouse, library, shopping centers, and schools see pedestrian traffic that intersects with vehicle routes.
• Wrongful death. When negligence causes fatal injuries, surviving family members can pursue compensation. Understanding who can bring a wrongful death lawsuit is the first step for grieving families. We handle these cases with compassion while fighting for accountability.
• Rideshare accidents. Uber and Lyft vehicles operate throughout Rockland County. These accidents involve layered insurance policies and complex liability questions requiring specialized knowledge.

New York Legal Requirements for Personal Injury

New York has specific laws governing personal injury claims. Understanding these rules is essential because they directly affect your ability to recover compensation.

Statute of Limitations

Under New York Civil Practice Law and Rules Section 214, you generally have three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Courts enforce this deadline strictly. Miss it and your case will be dismissed regardless of how clearly the other party was at fault. Learning about New York’s statute of limitations protects your rights.

Certain claims have shorter deadlines. Claims against municipalities, counties, or state agencies require a Notice of Claim filed within 90 days of the incident. This applies to accidents on government property, incidents involving government vehicles, and cases against public hospitals. Medical malpractice claims have a two-and-a-half-year statute of limitations under CPLR Section 214-a. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of death under EPTL Section 5-4.1.

Comparative Negligence

New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule under CPLR Section 1411. This means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your recovery is reduced proportionally by your percentage of fault.

If a jury awards $200,000 but finds you 30% responsible, you receive $140,000. Even if you were 80% at fault, you could still recover 20% of your damages. This differs from states that bar recovery once fault exceeds a certain threshold. Insurance companies routinely try to inflate your fault percentage to reduce their payout.

No-Fault Insurance for Auto Accidents

New York operates as a no-fault insurance state. Your own insurance pays medical expenses and lost wages up to policy limits regardless of who caused the crash. These benefits are called Personal Injury Protection (PIP).

However, the no-fault system limits your ability to sue for pain and suffering. You can only pursue those damages if you meet the “serious injury” threshold defined by Insurance Law Section 5102(d). Serious injury includes bone fractures, significant disfigurement, permanent limitation of a body organ or member, or a medically determined injury preventing you from performing substantially all usual daily activities for 90 days during the 180 days following the accident.

What Damages Are Recoverable in New City Personal Injury Cases?

Personal injury claims allow victims to seek compensation for all losses caused by someone else’s negligence. It is important to know how to calculate personal injury damages so that you don’t settle for less than your case is worth. Damages generally fall into three categories.

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover measurable financial losses. Medical expenses often constitute the largest portion, emergency room care, hospitalization, surgeries, physician visits, physical therapy, prescription medications, medical equipment, home healthcare, and future treatment you’ll require. For catastrophic injuries, lifetime medical costs can reach millions of dollars.

Lost wages are economic damages too. If injuries prevented you from working, you can recover that income loss including salary, hourly wages, bonuses, overtime, and benefits. If your injuries affect your future ability to work, whether through permanent disability, reduced capacity, or inability to perform your previous occupation, you can recover damages for diminished earning capacity.

Non-Economic Damages

Not every loss has a dollar figure attached. Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and loss of consortium. Some accident victims develop PTSD after their accidents and struggle for years. These damages are inherently subjective, but they often represent the largest portion of settlements and verdicts in serious injury cases.

New York does not impose caps on non-economic damages in most personal injury cases. The amount depends on injury severity, how injuries affect your daily life, and how effectively your attorney presents evidence of your suffering.

Punitive Damages

In rare cases involving especially egregious conduct, courts may award punitive damages. These aren’t meant to compensate you but rather to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior. Punitive damages might be available in cases involving drunk driving, intentional misconduct, or extreme recklessness demonstrating conscious disregard for others’ safety.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 40,000 people die annually in motor vehicle crashes nationwide. Many more suffer serious injuries. The National Safety Council estimates that the total cost of motor vehicle deaths, injuries, and property damage exceeds $450 billion annually.

What Steps Should I Take After a Personal Injury in New City?

The actions you take following an injury significantly affect your ability to recover fair compensation. Here’s what you should do.

1. Ensure your safety. If you can move without aggravating injuries, get to a safe location. In vehicle accidents, move out of traffic if possible and turn on hazard lights.
2. Call 911. Report the incident to Clarkstown Police and request medical assistance if needed. A police report is very important as it creates an official record documenting critical details while they’re fresh.
3. Seek immediate medical attention. Go to the emergency room or see a doctor right away, even if you feel okay initially. Some injuries don’t manifest symptoms immediately. Soft tissue injuries like whiplash can take days to develop. Traumatic brain injuries sometimes present delayed symptoms. Internal bleeding may not be apparent at the scene.
4. Document everything. Use your phone to photograph and video the accident scene, visible injuries, property damage, hazardous conditions, weather, lighting, and anything else relevant. Capture wide shots showing context and close-ups showing specific details.
5. Collect witness information. Get names, phone numbers, and addresses from anyone who saw what happened. Witnesses often leave scenes quickly. Their testimony becomes invaluable when liability is disputed.
6. Report to your insurance company. Notify your insurer as required by your policy. Provide basic factual information. Avoid recorded statements to any insurance company, yours or the other party’s, without consulting an attorney first.
7. Preserve all evidence. Keep damaged clothing, shoes, and personal items. Don’t wash anything. Save all medical records, bills, receipts, and correspondence related to your injuries. Don’t repair your vehicle or dispose of damaged property until it’s been thoroughly documented.
8. Keep a detailed journal. Document your daily symptoms, pain levels, sleep quality, emotional state, and how injuries affect your routine activities. Note every medical appointment, medication, and limitation on what you can do.
9. Stay off social media. Insurance companies search accident victims’ social media accounts looking for posts to use against them. A photo of you at a family gathering, even one where you’re clearly uncomfortable, can be twisted to suggest your injuries aren’t serious.
10. Contact a personal injury attorney. The sooner you have legal representation, the better protected your rights are. An attorney preserves critical evidence, handles insurance communications, investigates your case thoroughly, and prevents mistakes that could damage your claim.

Personal Injury Statistics in New City

New City is the county seat of Rockland County, housing the county courthouse, government offices, and numerous professional services. The hamlet sees concentrated traffic during business hours as people travel to handle legal matters, government filings, and appointments. This activity level increases accident opportunities compared to purely residential areas.

According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Rockland County experiences thousands of motor vehicle crashes annually, resulting in hundreds of injuries and multiple fatalities each year. New City sits within the Town of Clarkstown, the county’s largest municipality, meaning a significant portion of those crashes occur nearby.

Route 304 runs through New City connecting to Nanuet and other parts of the county. Route 45 provides another major corridor. Both roads carry daily traffic volumes that create collision opportunities, particularly at intersections and during rush hours.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tracks crash statistics showing that speeding contributes to roughly 29% of all traffic fatalities. Alcohol impairment factors into approximately 30% of fatal crashes. Distracted driving continues rising as a cause of accidents despite laws prohibiting phone use while driving.

The Governors Highway Safety Association monitors pedestrian fatalities, noting significant increases in recent years nationwide. Areas with pedestrian traffic near schools, shopping centers, and government buildings, like New City, see elevated pedestrian accident risks.

New City Personal Injury Lawyer FAQs

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?

We handle personal injury cases on contingency. You pay nothing upfront. Our fee comes as a percentage of your settlement or verdict only if we recover compensation for you. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing for attorney fees.

How long does a personal injury case typically take?

Timelines vary considerably. Straightforward cases with clear liability and moderate injuries might settle within several months. Complex cases involving disputed fault, severe injuries, or multiple defendants can take one to three years.

Will I have to go to court?

Most personal injury cases settle before trial. Insurance companies generally prefer settling to avoid unpredictable jury verdicts. However, we prepare every case thoroughly as if it’s going to trial because that preparation strengthens our negotiating position and ensures we’re ready if settlement talks fail.

What if the accident was partially my fault?

New York’s pure comparative negligence rule allows recovery even when you share fault. Your damages are reduced by your fault percentage. If you were 35% responsible, you can still recover 65% of your damages. Even at 90% fault, you could recover 10%.

Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance company?

We strongly recommend against it without attorney guidance. Insurance adjusters are trained to elicit statements that minimize your claim. Anything you say can be used against you later. Let your attorney handle insurance communications.

What if the at-fault party has no insurance or assets?

We explore all potential recovery sources. Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may apply in vehicle accidents. Umbrella policies, business insurance, homeowner’s policies, and other sources sometimes provide compensation even when the at-fault party appears judgment-proof.

How do you determine my case’s value?

Case value depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, impact on quality of life, and strength of liability evidence. Permanent injuries that affect earning capacity are worth more than temporary conditions with complete recovery.

Can I get my medical bills paid while my case is pending?

In auto accidents, New York’s PIP coverage pays medical expenses up to policy limits regardless of fault. Health insurance may cover treatment in other cases. Some medical providers agree to work on a lien basis, waiting for payment until your case resolves.

What happens if my injuries get worse over time?

Some injuries worsen progressively or reveal additional complications. We factor future medical needs into settlement calculations and work with medical professionals to project lifetime costs. Once you settle, you cannot seek additional compensation, so understanding your full prognosis before accepting any offer is critical.

Can I handle my own personal injury claim?

Technically, yes. But insurance companies treat unrepresented claimants differently than those with legal counsel. Studies consistently demonstrate that people with attorneys recover significantly more than those without, even after accounting for legal fees.

What happens at the initial consultation?

We discuss what happened, review available documentation, explain the legal process, and assess whether you have a viable claim. Consultations are free and confidential. There’s no obligation to hire us afterward.

How do I know if I have a valid personal injury case?

If you were injured because someone else failed to act with reasonable care, you likely have a case. Negligence requires proving the other party owed you a duty, breached that duty, and that breach caused your injuries.

What documents should I bring to meet with a lawyer?

Bring any accident or incident reports, medical records and bills, photographs of injuries and the scene, witness contact information, insurance policy documents, and correspondence with insurance companies. The more documentation you provide, the better we can evaluate your case.

What types of evidence help prove personal injury claims?

Useful evidence includes police or incident reports, medical records documenting injuries and treatment, photographs, witness statements, surveillance footage, cell phone records, expert testimony, and documentation of your losses and how injuries affect daily life.

Can I sue a government entity if their negligence caused my injury?

Yes, but special procedural requirements apply. Claims against municipalities, counties, or state agencies require filing a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the incident. Missing this deadline bars your claim entirely regardless of its merits.

Most Dangerous Locations for Personal Injury in New City

Certain areas in New City see more accidents and injuries than others due to traffic patterns, activity levels, and infrastructure characteristics.

Route 304 passes through New City carrying traffic between Nanuet and other parts of Rockland County. Commercial areas, professional offices, and government buildings along this corridor generate turning movements and congestion. Left-turn accidents at intersections occur regularly.

The area around the Rockland County Courthouse sees concentrated pedestrian and vehicle traffic during business hours. People walking between parking areas, government buildings, and nearby businesses share space with vehicles. Distracted drivers looking for parking create hazards for pedestrians.

Route 45 provides another major traffic corridor through New City. Speed transitions between commercial and residential sections contribute to accidents, particularly rear-end collisions when traffic slows unexpectedly.

Important Local Resources for New City Personal Injury

The following resources may be helpful if you’ve been injured in New City.

• Clarkstown Police Department – (845) 639-5800
• Rockland County Sheriff’s Office – (845) 638-5400
• New York State Police – Troop F – (845) 364-0200
• Montefiore Nyack Hospital – (845) 348-2000
• Good Samaritan Hospital – (845) 368-5000
• Westchester Medical Center – (914) 493-7000
• New York State DMV – (518) 486-9786
• Rockland County Clerk – (845) 638-5070

DISCLAIMER: Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. provides this list for informational purposes only. We do not endorse, recommend, or guarantee the services of any organization listed above.

Contact Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C.

If you or a family member was injured in New City, NY due to someone else’s negligence, our firm is ready to help. We’re located right here in New City and have been serving this community for over five decades. We offer free consultations to review your case and explain your legal options. You pay no fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

We respond promptly to inquiries and begin case investigations immediately. Evidence disappears quickly. Surveillance footage gets recorded over. Witnesses move away or forget important details. The sooner you contact a New City personal injury lawyer, the better positioned we are to build the strongest case for you.

Reach out today to discuss what happened. Let us help you move forward.