Queens 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 – Queens 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 Queens 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 families.

Experienced Advocacy for Car Accident Victims in Queens, NY

When you choose a Queens car accident lawyer from the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe – Queens Personal Injury Lawyers, you are working with a firm that has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients across Queens, Long Island, and the greater New York area. 

Our results speak for themselves:

• $3,500,000 jury verdict for a rear-end collision victim whose injuries were repeatedly dismissed by the defense
• $1,500,000 recovery for a young man who required lumbar fusion surgery after being struck from behind
• $1,300,000 settlement for a commuter who suffered a rotator cuff tear and herniated discs in a high-speed highway crash

These examples reflect some of our past cases. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome, as every case depends on its own facts, evidence, and applicable law.

The firm was built by two partners with complementary strengths. Stephen Cohen has dedicated his career to representing injured victims in automobile accidents and personal injury cases since earning his J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law.

Managing Partner Richard Jaffe is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, recognized for achieving multiple settlements and verdicts exceeding $1 million, holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and was named to the 2012 New York Super Lawyers list. As a certified EMT and certified brain injury specialist, Richard gained firsthand knowledge of the traumatic impacts of auto collisions, which enhanced his ability to advocate for compensation.

Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. No hourly charges, no upfront costs, no fine print.

Trusted High-Rated Reviews

We’ve earned stellar reviews on Yelp and Google :

• Mary Beams: “I was very pleased with the service that I received. Everything was very organized. Everything was very prompt. The people were very kind and nice everyone I spoke to everything was explained proper. I was not inconvenienced once everything went very smooth. I would definitely recommend them.” Read more
• Yanu Alexandra. “My name is Yanu and I am a client of the law office of Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP LLP. I have had a pleasant experience with both the attorneys and staff. I was impressed with their professionalism and customer service and their staff is not only friendly but also highly skilled.” Read more
• Dalivid Solano. “I felt HONORED and GRATEFULLY to have legal representation & settlement for my Injury Related case By COHEN & JAFFE. This is by far THE BEST law firm I have ever work with. The lawyers are extremely good, kind , highly professional and they were always Available I HIGHLY Recommend this Team”. Read more

Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Queens, New York

At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe – Queens Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle a wide range of car accident cases in Queens. Our experienced attorneys are equipped to manage complex cases involving:

• Rear-End Collisions: Often caused by distracted driving or tailgating, these accidents can result in significant injuries such as whiplash and spinal damage.
• Side-Impact Crashes: Commonly occurring at intersections, these accidents can lead to severe injuries due to the lack of protection on the sides of vehicles.
• Head-On Collisions: These are among the most dangerous types of accidents, often resulting in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
• Pedestrian Accidents: Pedestrians hit by vehicles can suffer life-threatening injuries, and these cases require careful investigation to establish liability.
• Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable on the road, and accidents can lead to severe injuries or death.
• Truck Accidents: Due to their size and weight, truck accidents can cause extensive damage and severe injuries.

Our team is dedicated to providing comprehensive legal support to ensure our clients receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries and losses.

Queens Traffic Accident Statistics and Hotspots

Queens spans more than 100 square miles, connects to three major airports, and serves as a throughway for millions of daily commuters, creating crash conditions unlike anywhere else in the state. According to the New York State Police, slightly more than 30% of fatal crashes in New York State are alcohol-related, with a drunk-driving-related injury occurring approximately every two minutes statewide.

Some of the most consistently dangerous roads and corridors in Queens may include:

• Queens Boulevard: Heavy multi-lane traffic with frequent pedestrian crossings.
• Van Wyck Expressway: High-speed commuter corridor with limited merge space.
• Grand Central Parkway: Frequent congestion near airport interchanges.
• Long Island Expressway: High crash volume during peak commuting hours.
• Belt Parkway: Dangerous curves and heavy truck traffic.

Jamaica Avenue, Northern Boulevard, Hillside Avenue, and Merrick Boulevard: High collision rates at intersections with pedestrian crossings and delivery vehicle stops.

Common Causes of Car Crashes in Queens

No two crashes are identical, but the causes behind them follow recognizable patterns. According to NYPD collision reports for Queens intersections, driver inattention and distraction, failure to yield the right-of-way, and driver inexperience rank among the most frequently cited contributing factors at crash sites across the borough, with incidents producing pedestrian, motorist, and cyclist injuries alike. Neighborhoods like Astoria and Flushing share these same risk factors, where heavy pedestrian activity, frequent turning movements, and dense commercial traffic leave little margin for a driver’s momentary lapse. Understanding what caused your accident is the first step toward determining who is legally responsible. 

Distracted Driving and NYC Traffic Density

Dense urban traffic requires constant attention, but distracted driving remains one of the leading contributors to crashes across New York City. Stop-and-go conditions, pedestrians entering crosswalks mid-block, cyclists in narrow lanes, and double-parked delivery vehicles leave no margin for inattention. A driver who glances at a phone for a few seconds at a busy Queens intersection can trigger a collision with devastating consequences.

Speeding and Reckless Driving on Local Roadways

Highway ramps, expressway corridors, and wide arterial roads encourage excessive speed, especially late at night when traffic thins. Reckless lane changes, aggressive tailgating, and failure to yield at intersections are frequent contributors to serious crashes throughout the borough, and these behaviors tend to multiply injury severity due to the forces involved.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Impaired driving remains a persistent threat on Queens roads. Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs show measurably slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and reduced vehicle control, all of which increase both crash likelihood and injury severity when a collision occurs. 

Poor Road Conditions and Construction Zones

Potholes, uneven pavement, missing signage, and inadequately marked construction zones create hazards drivers cannot always anticipate. When a defective road condition contributes to a crash, liability may extend to a municipal entity or private contractor. These claims carry distinct procedural requirements, including shorter notice deadlines for government entity claims, which is one of the key reasons to involve a Queens car accident lawyer early. 

What to Do After a Car Accident in Queens, New York

The steps you take in the hours and days following a crash can affect the strength of your claim:

• Call 911 Immediately: A police report creates an official record that becomes a foundational document in any legal proceeding.
• Seek Medical Attention Right Away: Injuries like soft tissue damage, herniated discs, and traumatic brain injuries often show no immediate symptoms. Early medical records linking your injuries to the crash are essential. Queens options include Elmhurst Hospital Center, Queens Hospital Center, and Mount Sinai Queens. 
• Document the Scene: Photograph vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks, and visible injuries before anything is cleared.
• Collect Information: Obtain names, contact details, insurance information, and license plate numbers from all drivers involved. Note any witnesses.
• Do Not Discuss Fault: Avoid statements to other drivers, bystanders, or insurance representatives until you have spoken with a car accident lawyer in Queens.
• Contact an Attorney Before Speaking With Any Insurance Company: Adjusters represent the carrier’s interests, not yours. A legal consultation before any recorded statement protects your claim.
• Preserve All Records: Keep every medical bill, treatment note, prescription, and missed-work documentation from the start.

“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

Proving Liability and Determining Fault in Your Claim

New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Under the updated  New York Civil Practice Law and Rules § 1411, in car accident cases governed by New York’s no-fault law, an injured person may be barred from recovering non-economic damages if their share of fault is greater than the fault of the party they are claiming against. Where fault is shared but does not exceed that threshold, compensation is reduced proportionally by the claimant’s percentage of responsibility, making how fault is framed and documented from the earliest stages of a claim critically important. 

Proving negligence requires building a cohesive evidentiary record. Police reports establish the initial factual account of the crash. Medical records document injury severity and progression. Witness statements, traffic camera footage, and accident reconstruction analysis counter defense arguments designed to shift fault onto the injured party. In commercial vehicle cases, electronic logging data and maintenance records frequently become relevant. Rideshare claims involve layered insurance analysis depending on whether the driver was actively transporting a passenger at the time. Municipal liability claims require a notice of claim filed within 90 days, a deadline that cannot be missed.

Insurance carriers evaluate claims to minimize their payouts. Our Queens car accident lawyers can anticipate their strategies and address them before they undermine your recovery.

Maximizing Your Compensation: Damages Available to You

New York law recognizes two broad categories of compensatory damages in car accident cases, and understanding both is essential when evaluating whether a settlement offer reflects the true value of your claim. 

Economic Damages

Economic damages represent calculable financial losses directly caused by the accident. These can include emergency treatment and hospitalization, ongoing care and physical therapy, projected future medical expenses for long-term or permanent conditions, lost wages during recovery, diminished earning capacity when the injury affects future employment, and property damage, including vehicle repair or replacement. 

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages address the human cost of the injury beyond what bills and pay stubs can measure. These can include compensation for physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the long-term impact on relationships and daily function. These damages are only available when the serious injury threshold under New York Insurance Law § 5104 is met, reinforcing why thorough medical documentation from the earliest stage of treatment directly affects total recovery.

Statute of Limitations for New York Car Accident Lawsuits

Time limits govern every personal injury claim in New York. Under New York Civil Practice Law and Rules § 214, most personal injury claims must be commenced within three years of the accident date. Two critical exceptions have much shorter deadlines. Claims against a government entity require a notice of claim filed within 90 days of the accident. Wrongful death claims carry a two-year statute of limitations measured from the date of death, not the date of the crash.

Waiting to consult a car accident attorney does not pause these deadlines. Evidence deteriorates, surveillance footage is overwritten, and witnesses become harder to locate with each passing week. 

Contact a Queens Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today

After a serious collision, every decision you make affects what comes next. At Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe – Queens Personal Injury Lawyers, we offer free consultations with no obligation, so you can understand your options before committing to anything. Our Queens car accident lawyer team is committed to pursuing the compensation our clients may be entitled to recover under New York law. Contact us today at (516) 358-6900 to get started. 

Call a car accident lawyer near you in Queens:

• Car accident lawyer in Nassau County 
• Car accident lawyer in Long Island

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