Staten Island Car Accident Injury Lawyers

Types of Car Accidents We Assist With

At our law firm, we have helped countless victims who have suffered injuries in many different types of motor vehicle accidents. 

Our skilled attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for those who have been hurt in:

• Drunk driving accidents
• Distracted driving accidents, including texting while driving
• Rideshare accidents
• Head-on crashes
• Rear-end collisions
• Accidents involving drivers running stop signs and red lights
• Uninsured and underinsured driver accidents

We also handle truck, motorcycle, and bicycle accidents on behalf of victims throughout the five boroughs.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions may occur when a driver crosses the centerline or median and puts their vehicle in the path of oncoming traffic. Such crashes can also result from a driver going the wrong way on a one-way street or simply falling asleep at the wheel. In some situations, alcohol or distracted driving may also be factors.

Today’s vehicles are generally equipped with several safety features designed to minimize injuries in a head-on collision. However, airbags, crumple zones, and seatbelts can only do so much. 

Each year, thousands of drivers and passengers sustain life-altering injuries as a result of head-on crashes, including:

• Neck and spinal cord injuries
• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
• Full and partial paralysis
• Multiple and compound fractures
• Severe cuts, lacerations, and internal bleeding

Head-on collisions are also among the most deadly of all car accidents. Federal safety officials estimate that head-on crashes account for approximately 10% of all traffic fatalities while representing only about 2% of all motor vehicle accidents.

High-Speed Accidents

Speeding has become so commonplace that most drivers barely think twice before doing it. In fact, in some areas it is nearly impossible to keep up with traffic without traveling 5, 10, or even 20 miles per hour above the posted speed limit. Exceeding the speed limit while keeping up with the flow of traffic is one thing, but there are many other reasons for speeding that may be considered negligent in addition to being dangerous. 

At The Chernyy Law Office, P.C., we understand that high-speed accidents may occur as a result of:

• Drag racing or street racing
• Drivers who lack proper training and skill
• Distracted driving, including cell phone use
• Drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs
• Drivers involved in a police chase

Federal safety officials estimate that speed is a factor in about a quarter of all car accidents, and nearly 10,000 fatalities occur each year in accidents linked with speeding. Following an accident, however, drivers are often quick to deny that they were driving too fast. With our extensive network of experts, including engineers and various accident experts, we are prepared to work to determine the true cause of the accident and hold the responsible party or parties accountable for the injuries they caused you or your loved one.

Rear-End Accidents

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), at least 1.7 million rear-end collisions occur on American roadways every year. Rear-impact crashes are linked to about 1,700 deaths and half a million injuries annually. These numbers mean that, on average, four people are killed, and 1,400 more are injured in rear-end collisions every single day in the United States. At The Chernyy Law Office, P.C., our skilled car accident attorneys recognize the dangers of rear-end collisions, and we help injured victims get the full compensation they deserve.

In most cases involving a rear-end crash, the driver who struck the rear of another vehicle is liable for causing the accident. Such liability often remains even if the first vehicle stopped or slowed suddenly. Basic rules of the road require that a driver be able to stop safely if a car or truck ahead slows or stops for any reason. If the trailing driver cannot stop in time to avoid a collision, there is a good chance that they were not driving safely by failing to use the vehicle's brakes on time or by simply following too closely. Rear-end accidents are often the result of driver distraction, and many such crashes have been linked with cell phone use while driving.

Sometimes, however, chain reaction accidents can complicate the issue of liability. If a driver, for example, rear-ends a vehicle at the end of a line of cars stopped at a red light, the struck vehicle may be pushed into the vehicle just ahead, and so on. Most chain reaction crashes involve multiple rear-end impacts, and determining who is at fault can be challenging.

On busy routes in and around Staten Island, a rear-end impact can also be made worse by weather, construction, or sudden congestion at bridge and tunnel approaches. We often see collisions that begin with a momentary distraction, such as checking a GPS near the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge entrance, and end with multiple vehicles damaged. In these situations, it is important to collect as much information as possible at the scene so that we can identify every driver and insurer who may share responsibility.

Uninsured & Underinsured Driver Accidents

Auto insurance companies that serve the state of New York are typically required by law to provide uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in every insurance policy. As the name implies, this type of coverage is designed to protect those involved in accidents caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers. An uninsured driver is any person who operates a motor vehicle without liability insurance. An underinsured driver, by comparison, is a motorist who may have auto insurance coverage, but the policy is not sufficient to cover the damages caused by the accident.

Recovering compensation for a crash caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver is often possible, but it is rarely easy. You can seek damages from the at-fault driver, but if he or she has failed to comply with the state’s insurance requirements, it may be difficult, and often impossible, to collect everything you need to cover your damages. An uninsured or underinsured driver accident may leave you with no choice but to pursue compensation from your own insurance company.

When a collision happens on Staten Island and the at-fault driver has little or no coverage, the claims process can quickly become confusing. We can review your policy, explain how New York’s no-fault rules interact with uninsured and underinsured motorist benefits, and help you understand which coverages may apply to your situation. By dealing directly with the insurance company on your behalf, we aim to prevent adjusters from pressuring you into accepting less than you may be entitled to under the terms of your own policy.

What To Do After a Car Accident in Staten Island

The minutes and days after a crash can feel overwhelming, but the steps you take can make a real difference in your health and in any future claim. Your first priority should always be safety and medical care, even if you believe your injuries are minor. Calling 911, accepting an evaluation from emergency personnel, and following up with a doctor in Staten Island or another nearby borough creates a record of your injuries and helps you get the treatment you need.

Once everyone is safe, it is helpful to gather as much information at the scene as you reasonably can. This can include exchanging contact and insurance details with the other drivers, taking photos of vehicle positions and damage, and noting landmarks like nearby intersections or exits on the Staten Island Expressway. If there are witnesses, getting their names and phone numbers can be valuable later if the insurance company questions how the collision occurred.

In the days that follow, you should notify your insurance company within the time limits set out in your policy and New York’s no-fault system. When you do, stick to the basic facts of when and where the accident happened and the types of vehicles involved. Before giving a detailed or recorded statement, many people find it helpful to talk with a car accident attorney Staten Island residents can turn to for guidance, so they understand their rights and the kinds of benefits they may be able to seek.