Long Island Car Accident Lawyer

Why Choose Us to Represent Your Car Accident Case

Choosing the right legal team after a crash can significantly impact your recovery. At the Law Office Of Cohen & Jaffe – Long Island Personal Injury Lawyers, we have a strong record of dedication, results, and community commitment. We focus on building trust with clients, guiding them with care, and pursuing the best possible outcomes. Here is why many in Long Island choose us:

• Decades of Combined Experience – Our attorneys, Stephen M. Cohen and Richard S. Jaffe, have decades of experience representing injury victims throughout New York, achieving significant verdicts and settlements in complex cases. Mr. Cohen has secured results such as $4 million for a motorcyclist with paraplegia, $1.2 million for a child with a fractured skull, and $1.5 million for a worker injured in an elevator accident.

   

• Distinguished Education and Credentials – Mr. Cohen earned his B.S. from Bradley University and his J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law. Mr. Jaffe earned his B.A. from SUNY Binghamton and his J.D. from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. Fluent in Spanish, he began advocating for injury victims in 1988 as a paralegal for a personal injury law firm.

   

• Award-Winning Advocacy– Our firm’s accolades, recognized by respected legal organizations and professional publications, such as Martindale-Hubbell, the American Institute- Personal Injury Division, Super Lawyers, AVVO, and BBB Accredited Business, reflect a strong commitment to justice and outstanding client service.

   

• No Fee Promise – You pay no legal fees unless we win your case, allowing you to focus entirely on your recovery without financial stress.

   

• Deep Community Roots – Our community involvement includes scholarships, charitable programs, and local initiatives that underscore our dedication to Long Island families.

Recent Car Accident Verdicts and Settlements

At the Law Office Of Cohen & Jaffe – Long Island Personal Injury Lawyers, we have a long track record of helping Long Island and nearby area residents who have been injured in accidents caused by the negligence of others:

• $1,500,000 for a woman who was a passenger in a two-car collision and sustained a fractured leg and zygomatic arch.
• $1,200,000 for a child passenger in a two-car crash who suffered a fractured skull.
• $775,000 for a woman hit by a tractor-trailer, with shoulder, neck, and back injuries requiring cervical fusion surgery.
• $500,000 settlement for a car accident victim with exacerbated neck, back, and knee injuries resulting in a percutaneous discectomy.

We will build your case per the American Bar Association’s (ABA) guidelines. For your case to be successful, your legal team must prove how the at-fault party in your collision acted negligently. From there, we can get to work negotiating with the liable party’s insurance company or attorneys. We also take a personalized approach to every case to ensure each client receives the representation they deserve for their unique needs.

Trusted High-Rated Reviews

We’ve earned stellar reviews on Yelp and Google :

• Rosanne Faltings: “I had an excellent experience working with the Law Office of Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP LLP. The entire team, including Mr. Stephen Tiger, Melissa, Dara, and Carola, was professional, knowledgeable, and truly compassionate throughout the process. They not only provided expert legal guidance but also showed genuine empathy and understanding, making a difficult situation much easier to navigate.”  Read more
• Golda. “Being in an accident is an incredibly scary and overwhelming experience. Having great legal counsel is a must. I’m so glad I chose Stephen Tiger and Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP LLP. Stephen explained every step, prepared me for depositions, and did a great job negotiating for me. ” Read more
• Joe Eschmann. “I can’t say enough great things about Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP LLP Law Firm! They were incredible after my accident. From the start, they made me and my family feel comfortable and taken care of, always treating us like VIPs. Any time I had a question or concern, they were ready on call, which meant the world to me during such a stressful time”. Read more

Building a Strong Car Accident Case on Your Behalf in Long Island 

Proving That the At-Fault Party’s Negligence Caused the Accident

Once the other driver’s negligence is established, your attorney must prove that their behavior caused the accident. Your lawyer will thoroughly investigate your case, collect evidence, and interview witnesses to strengthen your claim.

Asserting That as a Result of the Car Collision, You Incurred Financial Damages

Due to the accident and your subsequent injuries, you may have had to pay for extended hospital stays, physical therapy, and more. Your attorney will argue that these damages resulted from the accident so that you may recover compensation.

Gathering Evidence to Support Your Claim

Your Long Island car accident attorney can help you gather evidence to establish the validity of your case and the cost of your damages. The facts of your case will help our legal team demonstrate fault and liability for your car crash.

Our investigation into the cause of your accident will explain who can be held accountable for your damages. The information we find may also be helpful when entering into negotiations with the insurance company.

If it is available, we can gather the following forms of evidence on your behalf:

• Photographs of the car crash scene, your injuries, and your vehicle’s damage
• A copy of the police report
• Traffic surveillance footage
• Eyewitness testimony
• Your medical records

Our car accident attorneys in Long Island, NY, can determine which pieces of evidence will be the most beneficial to your case and advise you on the best course of action moving forward.

Tailoring Our Services to Your Unique Needs

At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe – Long Island Personal Injury Lawyers, we believe that legal care should be personal. While we perform the necessary tasks to build a strong case on your behalf, we also personalize our approach for each client. We treat each of our clients like family as we respond to their needs and requests.

We have longstanding ties to the Long Island community and have a proven track record of achieving successful results for our clients. However, you do not have to take our word for it.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Long Island, NY

The moments after a collision are often overwhelming. What you do — or don’t do — can impact your health, your rights, and your financial future. Here’s what you need to know: 

1. Stop and stay safe. Drivers involved in a crash are generally expected to stop at the scene. If the vehicles are still drivable, move to a safe area while waiting for authorities or exchanging information.

2. Exchange information. If only property damage is involved, it’s important to exchange names, license numbers, phone numbers, and insurance details with the other driver.

3. Report the accident. When property damage is $1,000 or more, all drivers must file a Report of Motor Vehicle Accident (Form MV-104) within 10 days. Failure to do so can lead to a suspended license.

4. Seek medical care. Even without immediate pain or visible symptoms, seeking medical attention is smart. Injuries like whiplash or internal trauma can take time to surface and may worsen without proper care.

5. Talk to a lawyer early. Speaking with a car accident attorney early on gives you a clearer view of your legal options, helps you avoid missteps that could weaken your claim, and ensures key evidence is preserved.

6. Document everything. Take photos of the scene, damage to both vehicles, visible injuries, and any road conditions that may have contributed. Collect names and contact information from any witnesses.

7. Avoid social media posts. It might be tempting to share your experience online, but insurance companies can and do use social media against injured claimants. Even innocent posts can be twisted to dispute your injuries.

8. Keep track of expenses. Save all receipts and invoices related to your injuries — including doctor visits, prescriptions, physical therapy, and any time missed from work. These records strengthen your case for compensation.

9. Follow up consistently. Attend all medical appointments, follow your doctor’s advice, and track your progress. Insurance companies may view skipped treatments or delays as a sign that your injuries aren’t serious. Staying consistent not only helps you recover faster, but it also supports the legitimacy of your claim.

Types of Car Accidents We Handle in Long Island

No two crashes are the same. Our team handles a wide range of accident scenarios that cause life-changing injuries and financial stress, including:

• Rear-End Collisions – Often caused by distracted or tailgating drivers.
• Hit and Run Accidents – We help track down the driver or pursue compensation through your own policy.
• Multi-Vehicle Pileups – Liability can be complex, but we cut through the confusion to build your claim.
• Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accidents – Rideshare crashes raise unique insurance questions, and we help clients navigate claims involving these platforms.
• Traumatic Brain Injury Cases – These often result from serious car crashes, such as high-speed impacts or rideshare collisions. We handle claims involving long-term cognitive and neurological challenges. 

Other common accidents include incidents involving pedestrians, bicyclists, and commercial vehicles. Dangerous road conditions, vehicle defects, and weather can also contribute. Regardless of the details, we carefully examine each case and develop a strategy focused on pursuing the full you deserve.

If your situation doesn’t fit into a common category, don’t worry. We’re ready to evaluate your case and help you understand the options available to move forward.

New York’s No-Fault Insurance System

One of the many ways our Long Island car accident lawyers can serve your case is by handling all communications with the insurance company overseeing your claim. New York is a no-fault insurance state, meaning that you will need to file a claim with your own insurance company before pursuing more money from the at-fault party.

Many accident victims assume that because they are filing a claim with their own insurance company, they have their best interests in mind. However, this is not necessarily true, and the insurance adjuster may employ certain methods to deny or undervalue your car accident claim. We are familiar with their tactics and do not want you to accept a lower settlement than you deserve.

Some tactics that insurance companies may use include:

• Offering a quick-but-cheap settlement: Insurance companies may realize that they should pay you, but may not want to pay the total value of your claim. The insurer may hope that you will jump to accept quick, easy compensation.
• Stalling your claim: An insurance company may stall the completion of your claim, especially if it has already offered a quick, lowball settlement. The insurer may hope that mounting financial pressures will lead you to accept their settlement offer, especially as your claim progresses.
• Misrepresenting your words: Insurance companies record their calls for good reason. One of those reasons is that, given the opportunity, an insurance company may try to misrepresent your words. If you misspeak or are not completely clear about your accident, then the insurance company may try to assign you fault.
• Using lawyers in the hope of overwhelming you: Many car accident victims are intimidated by the presence of lawyers. Insurance companies may have their own lawyers and may deploy them intimidatingly.

When you partner with us, you can rest assured that we will fight tirelessly for the maximum compensation available for your claim. Navigating the complexities of a motor vehicle accident, especially when dealing with insurance companies, can be challenging without understanding your rights and the intricacies of negligence laws.

“I want to convey to the clients that we’re going to do the best we can and that no matter how many questions you have, you’re always going to get that service. You’re going to get courteous people who care about you.”

Richard S. Jaffe

What Damages Can You Recover After a Car Accident in Long Island, New York?

The damages you are facing will be specific to your car accident and the severity of your injuries. Your injury lawyer can review the invoices, bills, and receipts associated with your auto accident to determine the cost of your losses. Additionally, they can project what losses you can expect in the future.

Following a car accident, your recoverable damages may include, but may not be limited to:

• Current and future medical bills
• Auto repair or replacement costs
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Physical therapy
• Paralysis
• Loss of a limb

If someone you love lost their life in the accident, our lawyers may be able to help you pursue damages through a wrongful death claim or lawsuit. You may be able to recover the cost of the decedent’s funeral expenses, medical bills, and lost financial support. One of our skilled attorneys will review every detail of your case to determine which damages you may be eligible to collect.

Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims in New York

The statute of limitations determines the amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit after a severe auto accident. According to CVP § 214(4), car accident claimants generally have three years to file a lawsuit after their collisions.

If you file your case after the state’s statute of limitations expires, your case may be time-barred, meaning that you will likely be unable to recover compensation for your damages. The insurance company and the at-fault party’s legal counsel may try to prevent you from filing your case within the state’s statutory deadline.

Our Long Island car accident lawyers can work on filing your lawsuit within New York’s statute of limitations so you do not miss out on your chance to pursue fair compensation. The sooner you reach out to us, the better. There is a lot that needs to be accomplished to have a strong case.

Contact a Long Island Car Accident Lawyer Today

At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe – Long Island Personal Injury Lawyers, we aim to help you recover fair compensation following a car accident. Our Long Island personal injury attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience helping clients just like you achieve justice. We are committed to being fierce advocates for accident victims so that they can recover the compensation they need to heal and recover fully.

To schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled legal experts, give us a call at (516) 358-6900 or complete our contact form today.

Call a car accident lawyer in New York:

• Car accident lawyer in Nassau County 
• Car accident lawyer in Queens, NY

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