Car Accident Lawyer Serving Nassau County and Long Island

A crash on the LIE or the Southern State changes everything in a moment — and the insurance company's adjuster will be calling before you've even left the hospital. I'm Barton Sobel, a car accident lawyer with over 35 years of experience in New York courts. I handle the insurers, the deadlines, and the legal strategy so you can focus on getting better.

What to Do After a Car Accident in New York

The steps you take in the first hours and days after a crash directly affect what you can recover. Here's what matters most:

 

  • Call 911 and get a police report filed — it becomes a critical document in your claim.
  • Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Delayed symptoms are common, and gaps in treatment can be used against you.
  • Document the scene: photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
  • Get the other driver's insurance information, plate number, and contact details.
  • Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
  • Contact my office. From the moment I take your case, all insurer communication runs through me. Give them my number instead of yours.

New York's No-Fault System — and Why the 30-Day Deadline Cannot Wait

New York is a no-fault insurance state, which means your own auto insurance covers your medical bills and a portion of lost wages regardless of who caused the accident — but only if you file on time. The no-fault application must be submitted within 30 days of the crash. Miss that window and you may lose access to those benefits entirely.

 

When I take your case, that deadline is calendared immediately. No-fault benefits can cover necessary medical treatment and up to 80% of lost earnings while your injury claim is still being built. There's money available for your bills now, not just at the end of a lawsuit. Getting that claim filed correctly and on time is one of the first things I do.

When Can You Sue After a Car Accident in New York?

No-fault benefits cover immediate costs, but they don't compensate you for pain and suffering or serious long-term losses. To bring a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, your injuries must meet New York's serious injury threshold — a legal standard that includes conditions like significant disfigurement, bone fractures, permanent limitation of a body organ or member, and injuries that prevent you from performing your usual daily activities for 90 out of the 180 days following the accident.

 

Whether your injuries qualify is a legal and medical analysis, not a simple checklist. I review the medical records and evaluate the threshold question as part of every case. If you have a viable claim beyond no-fault, I'll tell you plainly — and if the threshold isn't met, I'll tell you that too.

The Statute of Limitations — How Long Do You Have to Sue?

In most New York car accident cases, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. That may sound like a long time, but evidence fades, witnesses become harder to locate, and building a strong case takes time. Claims against a municipality — a pothole, a broken traffic signal, a road design defect — carry a much shorter window and require a Notice of Claim filed within 90 days.

 

If a loved one was killed in the crash, wrongful death claims carry their own separate deadlines. The safest approach is to contact an attorney as early as possible. Waiting costs you nothing. Missing a deadline costs you everything.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims

Not every driver on Long Island carries adequate insurance — or any at all. If the driver who hit you was uninsured or carried limits too low to cover your injuries, you may still have a path to compensation through your own policy's uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage.

 

These claims are often more contested than standard third-party claims because your own insurer has a financial interest in minimizing what they pay. I handle UM and UIM claims regularly and know how to push back when an insurer undervalues a legitimate injury. If you're unsure whether your policy includes this coverage, bring your declarations page to our consultation and I'll review it with you.

Common Nassau and Suffolk Crash Corridors

Long Island's roads generate a high volume of serious accidents. Certain corridors appear repeatedly in my caseload:

 

  • The Long Island Expressway (I-495), particularly between exits 30 and 50 in Nassau and western Suffolk
  • The Northern State Parkway and Southern State Parkway
  • Hempstead Turnpike (Route 24) through Nassau County
  • Sunrise Highway (Route 27) through both counties
  • Merrick Road and Peninsula Boulevard in the South Shore communities

 

If your accident happened on any of these roads — or anywhere in Nassau or Suffolk County — I can help. I've been practicing in these courts and working with local law enforcement records for over three decades.

If You Got a Ticket at the Scene, That Matters Too

In many crashes, one or both drivers receive a traffic ticket from the responding officer. If you were ticketed, that citation can be used against you in your injury claim. If the other driver was ticketed, that record supports your case.

 

I handle both sides of this equation. As a car accident lawyer and traffic ticket attorney with deep experience in Nassau County courts, I can address a ticket from the same incident while pursuing your injury claim. One attorney, one conversation, no gaps in your defense.

What a Car Accident Case With Me Looks Like

  • What should I do if the other driver's insurance company calls me after the accident?

    Do not give a recorded statement or accept any settlement offer before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and anything you say can be used to reduce your claim. Once I represent you, all insurer contact goes through my office.

  • How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit on Long Island?

    In most cases, three years from the date of the accident under New York's statute of limitations. Claims involving a government entity require a Notice of Claim within 90 days. Wrongful death claims have separate deadlines. Contact me as early as possible — delays create risk.

  • What if the driver who hit me didn't have insurance?

    You may have a claim under your own policy's uninsured motorist coverage. If the at-fault driver had insurance but not enough to cover your losses, underinsured motorist coverage may apply. I review your policy as part of the initial case evaluation.

  • Do I have to go to court to resolve my car accident claim?

    Most cases settle before trial through negotiation with the insurance company. If the insurer refuses to offer fair compensation, I'm prepared to litigate. You'll always know where your case stands and what the options are.

  • What if I was partly at fault for the accident?

    New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault — your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. Whether and how fault is allocated is a legal question I analyze as part of building your case.

Speak With a Long Island Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone you care about was injured in a motor vehicle accident in Nassau County, Suffolk County, or anywhere on Long Island, I'm ready to review your case at no cost and no obligation. The earlier we connect, the more I can do to preserve your claim.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This page is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Contacting this office does not create an attorney-client relationship.