His clients call Michael Lamonsoff “The Bull” because he never stops fighting for them. Thanks to “The Bull” and his team of top-rated litigators, the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff, PLLC., is consistently rated as one of the top personal injury law firms in New York City.
Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of injury and death nationwide, and in the state of New York. The Insurance Information Institute (III) reports that 36,560 people lost their lives and 1,889,000 were injured in U.S. traffic crashes in the most recent years for which statistics are available. According to the State of New York, on average, nearly 1,100 people die from motor-vehicle traffic-related injuries statewide every year.
If you or your loved one has been hurt in a traffic crash caused by someone else’s negligence, it is critical that you speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Call the award-winning attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamansoff PLLC in New York, New York. With more than $500 million recovered for our clients, you can be sure that we will fight tirelessly to get you the financial compensation and peace of mind that you deserve.
What defines an automobile accident?
An automobile accident is any traffic crash involving a motor vehicle. In heavily populated areas, such as New York, New York, there are many automobile accidents involving motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. It is not uncommon to be involved in a motor vehicle accident even if you are not riding in one.
You could be riding a bicycle, walking down the road, or riding on the back of a motorcycle and somehow get injured in an accident involving an automobile. There have even been accidents involving pedestrians standing in line in a coffee shop when a driver did not hit the brakes fast enough. Multiple contributing factors can make many different types of motor vehicle accidents possible.
$16,000,000 Verdict Awarded to a Victim of Sexual Abuse
$11,750,000 Awarded to a Victim of Wrongful Conviction
$9,157,000 Settlement in a Train Derailment Case
$9,000,000 Awarded to a Victim of Municipal Assault
$6,500,000 Settlement in a Construction Accident Case
$5,500,000 Verdict Awarded in a Construction Accident Case
$4,750,000 Awarded to an Injured Construction Worker
$4,100,000 Settlement in a Construction Accident Case
$4,000,000 Awarded to Families of Flight 587 Victims
I was rear-ended last year. As soon as I met with Michael I immediately received top-notch service.
Doctors and treatment was quickly implemented and everyone treated me like royalty. Affiliation with this firm gets you top-level service. Every doctor I went to had heard of Michael and treated me like I was a priority.
I highly recommend him and his team due to the personal and high level of attention and service provided.
Why do I need a lawyer to handle my case?
It is not uncommon for an insurance company to contact the victim of an automobile accident and attempt to settle the case. The offer may sound tempting, but typically, it is only a percentage of what your case is really worth. It is important to remember that an insurance adjuster works for the insurance company, not for you.
An experienced attorney, skilled in handling automobile accident cases, can represent your best interests. Our personal injury lawyers at MSL have in-depth knowledge of auto accident claims. We can protect you and fight for the compensation you deserve.
What is no-fault insurance?
No-fault coverage is available in New York, regardless who may have caused an accident involving a motor vehicle. This type of insurance typically covers lost wages, medical expenses, and reimbursement for household duties that cannot be performed as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.
However, there must be documentation from a medical provider confirming the injuries, and most policies will not pay out more than $50,000. New York law dictates that each automobile insurance policy include a minimum of $50,000 in no-fault coverage for every occupant of the vehicle.
What should I do if an insurance company contacts me after my accident?
Be polite, but sternly direct the insurance company’s representative to speak with your attorney. The insurance rep will understand. He or she knows the insurance company is not really there for you. If you have not yet retained legal counsel, it is vital that you do not sign anything or give any recorded statements. Doing so could void your legal rights to financial compensation.
What types of compensation can I recover?
The types and amount of compensation you recover in an automobile accident will depend on many different factors. Of course, the severity of your injuries and whether you are liable for any portion of the accident will impact the amount of compensation you may receive. The amount of insurance coverage carried by all parties involved in the crash and whether the other party is a private citizen or on the job at the time of the accident will help dictate how the case unfolds.
Some of the most common types of compensation awarded in motor vehicle accident cases include:
- Medical expenses, past and future
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Other compensation may be awarded, depending on the facts of the case. Our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys can assess the full extent of your losses help you recover the full compensation you are due after an auto accident with injuries.
Select results from recent motor vehicle accident cases:
- $2,000,000 obtained for a woman who was injured when her vehicle was rear-ended by a box truck.
- $2,000,000 recovered for a 14 year old boy was struck by a van while riding a bicycle.
- $1,675,000 awarded to a driver of a car which struck by another car.
- $1,600.000 awarded to a woman who was a passenger in a vehicle rear-ended by an 18-wheel tractor trailer. Injuries included back neck and shoulder injuries.
- $1,000,000 settlement for a man rear ended at a stoplight. He sustained serious personal injury to his cervical spine, lumbar spine and the right shoulder which required surgery to repair his rotator cuff as well as a SLAP tear.
- $1,495,000 awarded to a passenger of a vehicle in which the driver lost control of his vehicle and struck a tree.
- $1,350,000 settlement obtained for a 14-year-old High School freshman, injured in a pedestrian accident by the defendant in a road rage accident. The plaintiff sustained serious injuries, including a closed head injury, post concussive syndrome and cognitive deficits. After a slow recovery process, Plaintiff is currently enrolled in Special Education. At the outset and throughout the litigation process, The Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff demanded the entirety of the available insurance policies and made it clear they would not engage in any negotiations for anything less. Litigation ensued and plaintiff's counsel refused to back off their position. Just days before trial, the Defendants offered the entirety of the available insurance policies totaling $1,350,000.
- $1,250,000 awarded to a 35 year old taxi cab driver whose vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle.
- $1,800,000 million awarded to the passenger of a cab.
Ask our clients about our results in automobile accident cases
”On my way to work I pulled into JFK where an Access-A-Ride ambulette struck me in the back and pushed me into another car. I suffered injuries to my neck, lower back, and right knee. I was taken to the emergency room.
“I heard about Michael through my cousin who had an accident. He used Michael and was very satisfied with him.
“Michael was very professional. Explained things well. Made me feel welcome. And he made me feel like everything was going to be alright. Like I said he was just a professional. He was very precise about how he wanted to execute my case.
“I would absolutely, 100% refer people to Michael. I think a lot of lawyers should be more like him. He's a guy who means what he says and does what he means.” – Christopher
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
The statute of limitations (time limit imposed by law) in New York for motor vehicle accident injuries is three years. The clock usually starts ticking on the date the accident occurred. However, some types of injuries are not always apparent right away, but may cause symptoms that become known over time.
In such cases, the statute of limitations may begin running from the date the injuries were reasonably discovered.
If you have been involved in an accident and believe you may have a case, it is best to speak with an attorney immediately. Crucial evidence may be lost if you wait too long to start an investigation. If you are submitting medical bills to a no-fault insurance carrier, this must be done within forty-five days of the date of treatment. This is a very strict guideline. If you are unable to do it yourself, ask someone you trust to help you. Failure to submit the bills within the time limit could leave you personally responsible for those medical expenses.
What to do if you’re in a car accident:
You can protect your legal rights if you know what to do. This guide can help you if you are involved in an auto accident. Keep it in your glove compartment.
STOP YOUR CAR!
If you are involved in an accident, you should stop your car as close to the accident scene as is safely possible. Leaving the scene of an automobile accident is considered a crime for which you can be prosecuted. Remain at the scene of the accident until police arrive. Check your medical condition and that of any other occupants of the vehicle.
CONTACT THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY
Call the police at the scene of the accident immediately and respectfully insist that they come to the scene and make a report. Inform them if you need an ambulance. Do not allow anyone, including the police, to convince you not to make the report. Wait for the police to arrive, even if they take an extremely long time. Filing a police report protects your rights. If a report is not filed to the police, the consequences can be huge. A police report will help ensure that you are not later blamed for the accident. In addition, it will assist you if your insurance company attempts to raise your policy rate.
ACCIDENT VICTIMS BEWARE OF AMBULANCE CHASERS & RUNNERS
Beware of people who arrive at the accident scene and solicit you to go to a lawyer and/or doctor. They are scam artists who are paid by doctors and lawyers to illegally solicit you.
GATHER INFORMATION COMPLETELY
The Accident information Diary located at the end of this booklet details the information you will need to protect your rights. In the event you are involved in an accident, make sure you fill out the diary completely.
SPEAKING WITH THE OTHER DRIVER AND/OR POLICE
Do not say anything at the scene of the accident that might be used against you later, such as "I am sorry." While it is human nature to say such things, you may find out later that the accident was completely the fault of the other driver. Do not start a fight or altercation with the occupant(s) of the other motor vehicle. Such actions will only lead to further misfortune down the road.
WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVE
When the police arrive, politely insist that a report is made. Remember, the police are very busy. They respond to thousands of accidents each year. Do not allow the police to convince you that you can file a report later. The police report protects your rights and can protect you from a rise in your insurance rate. If police present you with an MV104 Form and suggest you fill it out at a later time, decline. This is not a police form.
TOWING YOUR CAR
If your automobile needs to be towed, let the police call a tow truck. Get the name, address, and telephone number of the tow company before you allow them to take your car. Make sure you are aware of the towing and storage fees.
IF YOU ARE INJURED, GO TO THE HOSPITAL
If you are injured, go to the hospital to have your medical conditions checked out. If you are in need of an ambulance, ask for one. If not, proceed to the hospital after providing all relevant information. If you are injured and do not go to the hospital, have your medical condition checked as soon as possible.
CONTACT YOUR LAWYER IMMEDIATELY
Call a lawyer! Your lawyer can advise you about how to protect your rights and what your responsibilities are. You should get the advice of a lawyer before you call your own insurance company. Your lawyer will also take statements from any witnesses before their memories grow "dim." Finally, you have a very short timeframe in which to file certain applications with your insurance company. For these and many other reasons, it is imperative to contact your lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact our motor vehicle accident law firm today
At the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff PLLC, we have a proven track record of success handling automobile accident claims in New York. Whether you were a driver or passenger in a vehicle, walking down the road, or riding a bicycle when your accident occurred, MSL will fight for your rights and represent your best interests, so you can concentrate on your recovery.
Contact our office for a FREE CONSULTATION any time.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.