New York City Rear-End Accident Lawyers
25+ years representing NYC accident victims, holding drivers accountable in rear-end collisions for following too closely, driving distracted, or speeding.
Based on 300+ reviews
Why Hire Our New York City Read End Accident Lawyer?
Nearly $1 Billion Won
We’ve recovered almost $1 billion for injured clients across documented cases
Largest MVA Recovery
We recovered $69.25M, the largest single motor vehicle accident settlement
Media Recognition
We’ve been featured in national and local outlets including the New York Post, Daily Mail, and CBS New York
No Fee Unless We Win
Getting rear-ended in New York City can leave you with severe injuries, costly damage to your bumper, and an insurer calling your whiplash “minor.” When a driver hits a stopped or slowing vehicle from behind, New York courts presume that the driver was negligent and require them to offer a non-negligent explanation.
That presumption is only the beginning, because the rear driver can still argue you stopped suddenly or cut into the lane. Attorney Arkady Frekhtman has represented injured New Yorkers since 1999, answering those defenses with police reports, crash photos, and medical records. From offices in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens, our New York City car accident lawyers handle injury claims ranging from soft-tissue cases to catastrophic crashes, with tens of millions recovered in motor vehicle case results.
Hit from behind on the BQE, the LIE, Hylan Boulevard, or anywhere in the five boroughs? A New York City rear-end accident lawyer at Frekhtman & Associates can review your case today. Call (866) 288-9529 now or request a free consultation online.
Who Is at Fault in a New York Rear-End Collision?
New York courts presume the driver who strikes a stopped or stopping vehicle from behind is at fault. The rule rests on Vehicle and Traffic Law §1129(a), which requires every driver to keep a safe following distance from the car ahead. Once you show you were rear-ended, the other driver must offer a non-negligent explanation for the crash.
Inattention, including distracted driving, and following too closely are the primary causes of rear-end crashes, according to NHTSA research, and NYPD collision data lists following too closely among the leading factors in city crashes.
Courts accept only limited explanations, such as:
- The front driver suddenly cut into the lane
- Sudden brake or other mechanical failure
- Unavoidable skidding on wet pavement
A claim that you stopped suddenly or had faulty brake lights is usually not enough on its own. For a full breakdown of New York’s presumption of fault and the exact statute involved, see our guide to rear-end collision laws in New York.
Believe the other driver caused your crash? Call (866) 288-9529 now for a free case review.
Common Injuries From Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end impacts throw your body forward and backward in a fraction of a second, and that motion causes a specific set of injuries.
Whiplash and neck injuries
Sudden forward-and-backward head motion strains neck muscles and ligaments. See our page on whiplash injuries for treatment and case value information.
Herniated and bulging discs
Impact force can compress spinal discs, causing pain that radiates into the arms or legs.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Your brain can strike the inside of your skull from the whiplash motion alone, even if your head never strikes the steering wheel, window, or airbag. Our brain injury page covers diagnosis and case valuation in depth.
Facial and airbag-related injuries
Airbag deployment can cause burns, abrasions, facial fractures, and chest injuries.
Wrist, shoulder, and arm injuries
Gripping the steering wheel during impact can cause sprains and dislocations.
Seatbelt-related internal injuries
The seatbelt can bruise or injure internal organs during a high-force collision.
NY Accident Attorneys, Frekhtman Associates represented me after I was rear ended in a car accident and suffered spinal injuries. The auto accident lawyers made me feel comfortable, helped me get good medical care, and ultimately obtained a fair amount of compensation for my injuries, lost wages and medical bills. I am thankful to them for their help and quick service.
What Is the “Serious Injury Threshold” in New York, and Do You Meet It?
New York’s No-Fault law requires your injury to meet the state’s serious injury threshold before you can sue for pain and suffering. Under New York’s No-Fault system, your own auto insurance pays up to $50,000 for medical expenses and part of your lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash. To recover pain and suffering compensation from the at-fault driver, your injury must meet one of the eight categories defined in Insurance Law §5102(d).
- Death
- Dismemberment
- A fracture
- Loss of a fetus
- Permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function, or system
- Permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member
- Significant limitation of use of a body function or system
- Significant disfigurement
What Is My Rear-End Accident Case Worth in New York?
Your rear-end accident case value depends on your medical treatment, lost income, and the severity of your injury. New York law recognizes two categories of compensation: economic damages not covered by No-Fault, which you can recover regardless of your injury’s severity, and non-economic damages, which require a serious injury.
Economic Damages
- Medical Expenses: emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, and future treatment for more serious injuries
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: income missed during recovery, and the projected gap if your injury limits future earnings
- Property Damage: vehicle repair or replacement, recoverable regardless of injury severity
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and Suffering: physical pain, permanent limitations, disfigurement, and emotional distress from your injury
What to Do After Being Rear-Ended in New York City
Your actions in the first 24 hours after a rear-end crash can affect how much compensation you recover. Insurance adjusters build their case immediately. Take these six steps to build yours.
For a full walkthrough of what to document and how, see our guide on what to do after a car accident in New York.
I had a case in the Bronx where a semi truck rear-ended me. This firm helped me get the medical care I needed. They found excellent doctors and made sure everything was taken care of. Then when it came time to negotiate they did NOT back down. They fought hard for the maximum possible money for me and I was very happy with the final result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?
You do not always need a lawyer for a minor car accident with no injuries and only vehicle damage. You benefit from a lawyer once any injury is involved, since insurers undervalue claims that lack medical documentation and legal pressure. Read our guide to hiring a lawyer for a minor car accident for more details.
Can I Recover Damages If I Was Partly at Fault for My Rear-End Car Accident?
Yes, in most cases. Your damages are reduced by your fault percentage. For lawsuits filed on or after May 26, 2026, New York bars recovery only if your fault exceeds the combined fault of the driver(s) you’re suing, typically more than 50% in single-defendant cases.
What If the Other Driver Has No Insurance?
You can recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage if the at-fault driver has no insurance. New York requires every auto insurance policy to include uninsured motorist coverage. Our team identifies every available source of coverage in your case, including your own policy.
What Percentage of Car Accident Cases Go to Trial?
Most car accident cases settle before trial without ever reaching a jury. Most rear-end cases resolve through negotiation once liability and injury are documented. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which strengthens our negotiating position. See our guide to settling versus going to court for more details.
How Long Do I Have to File a Rear-End Collision Claim?
In most cases, New York gives you three years from the crash to sue the at-fault driver under CPLR §214. If a city-owned vehicle or NYC Transit bus hit you, a Notice of Claim is generally due within 90 days. Wrongful death claims have a two-year statute of limitations. See the details on the statute of limitations for car accident claims in New York.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Case?
It depends on injury severity, treatment length, and whether fault is disputed. Clear-liability cases can resolve in months, but cases involving surgery or a serious injury threshold dispute often take longer, especially if a lawsuit is filed.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Our car accident lawyers charge nothing upfront. A contingency fee is a percentage of your recovery, often one-third in New York, set in a written agreement before your case starts and paid only if you win. Our guide to personal injury lawyer costs breaks down how contingency percentages are calculated.
Get Legal Help for Your Rear-End Collision
Our Fight is Your Fight.
You pay no attorney’s fee unless we win your case. Talking to us costs nothing and requires no commitment from you. Tell us what happened, and we will tell you honestly whether you have a claim and what your next step should be. Your filing deadline starts running the day of your crash, and some deadlines are short. Waiting only makes your case harder to prove.
Call (866) 288-9529 now, available 24/7. Prefer to write it out? Submit your case details, and we’ll call you back. There is no obligation, and there is no fee unless we win.
The Right Representation Near You
While it’s possible to handle a personal injury case on your own, having an experienced attorney by your side significantly increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome. We have our office located all over New York City, so you don’t have to worry about office visits. You can find and visit one of our offices near you.