Car Accident Lawyer Queens
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in Queens, allow our experienced Queens car accident attorneys to help you out. Contact us today.
Based on 300+ reviews
Why Hire Our Queens Car Accident Lawyer?
Nearly $1 Billion Won
We’ve recovered almost $1 billion for injured clients across documented cases
Largest MVA Recovery
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
Car accidents in Queens cause devastating injuries that change lives in seconds. When a collision occurs on Queens Boulevard, the Long Island Expressway, or Northern Boulevard, insurance companies start building their case against you immediately. You need a Queen personal injury attorney who knows how to stop them.
Frekhtman & Associates, founded by Queens Supreme trial attorney Arkady Frekhtman, has spent 25+ years holding negligent drivers and insurance companies accountable. We have recovered $900M+ for injured clients, including a $69.25 million motor vehicle verdict. When adjusters try to minimize your claim, we fight back with evidence, experience, and a proven track record.
- $900M+ recovered for injured clients
- $69.25M largest single recovery in a motor vehicle case
- 25+ years trying cases on the Queens Supreme calendar
- AVVO 9.9 Rating, National Top 100 Trial Lawyers, AIPIA Ten Best Attorneys
- No fee unless we win
Call our Queens office at 718-331-3330 24/7 to find out if you have a case.
Why Hire a Queens Car Accident Lawyer?
- We Know New York’s No-Fault Laws: The serious injury threshold under § 5102(d) is where most cases die. Insurers routinely move to dismiss, arguing your herniated disc or soft tissue injury does not qualify. We have defeated those motions repeatedly, including cases with minimal treatment and bulging discs. We win them.
- We Investigate Properly: Queens car accidents demand fast, aggressive evidence preservation. On every case we deploy accident reconstruction experts, pull surveillance footage before it is overwritten, subpoena cell phone records to prove distraction, secure event data recorder downloads, and retain biomechanical and medical experts.
- We Go to Trial: Founder Arkady Frekhtman has tried and resolved motor vehicle cases on the Queens Supreme calendar, including a $1.2 million settlement for a driver rear-ended on the Long Island Expressway. Most firms avoid trial. We prepare every case as if a Queens jury will decide it, because that preparation is what drives real settlements.
- We Know Queens: Our Queens office at 100-09 Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills, NY 11375, is minutes from Queens County Supreme Court at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard. We try cases in front of Queens judges and Queens juries.
Exposed Adjuster Lies. Recovered 7x The Initial Offer.
We turned down their lowball offer, and they refused to go higher for over three years. At trial, we exposed the insurance adjuster’s lies under oath. They were forced to pay $4.17 million with interest. That is more than seven times their final pre-suit offer.
Proven Results in Queens and Surrounding Area Car Accident Cases:
- $69.25 million verdict for a motor vehicle accident victim who suffered a traumatic brain injury
- $1.2 million settlement for a client rear-ended by a box truck on the Long Island Expressway
- $1 million settlement for a pedestrian struck by a car who suffered a traumatic brain injury with subarachnoid hemorrhage
See our full verdicts and settlements or learn more about our firm.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is unique, and the value of any claim depends on its specific facts.
Arkady is an extremely personable and transparent human being.
He aims for the best outcome for his clients and provides all of the necessary details you would want out of an attorney. He takes time out of his busy schedule for his clients and ensures that you are supported and get the best outcome in the quickest amount of time possible. You are definitely in good hands with this firm.
How Much Is Your Queens Car Accident Case Worth?
Insurance companies offer quick, lowball settlements, hoping you sign away your rights before you know the true cost of your injuries. We calculate the full lifetime value of your claim and fight to recover every dollar.
- Economic Damages: All medical costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage.
- Non-Economic Damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. New York does not cap these damages.
- Punitive Damages: When drivers act with reckless disregard like drunk driving, texting, or fleeing the scene, we pursue damages designed to punish them.
To recover non-economic damages in New York, your injuries must meet the serious injury threshold under Insurance Law § 5102(d). This includes fractures, permanent limitation of use, significant disfigurement, or injuries preventing normal activities for 90 of the first 180 days.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Queens
Your first hours after a crash determine the strength of your claim. Insurance companies start building their defense immediately. We step in to stop them. If you are reading this from the scene or the hospital, take these steps now:
See exactly what to do after a car accident in Queens to protect your case.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. All investigation costs, expert fees, and litigation expenses are advanced by our firm.
If we do not win, you owe us nothing. Learn more about how much a personal injury lawyer costs.
How Insurance Companies Reduce Your Settlement
Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company’s profits, not to help you. Their goal is to close your claim for the lowest amount possible. We know their playbook and how to beat it. See exactly how to spot insurance company tactics after an auto accident.
- Recorded Statements: They use your own words to minimize your injuries. Never give a recorded statement without us present.
- Blaming the Victim: They use comparative negligence to argue you were partially at fault. Under NY CPLR § 1411, you can still recover even if partially responsible. But every percentage they assign reduces your payout. See comparative negligence in New York.
- Delaying and Stalling: They drag out the process, hoping financial pressure forces you to settle. We force their hand.
- Challenging Serious Injury: They aggressively dispute whether your injuries meet the § 5102(d) threshold to avoid paying non-economic damages.
We handle all communication so you cannot be manipulated.
Who Is Responsible for Your Car Accident?
Identifying all liable parties maximizes your recovery. In Queens car accidents, multiple parties may share fault:
The Other Driver
Speeding, running red lights, distracted driving, drunk driving, and failure to yield all establish liability.
Vehicle Owners
Under NY V&T Law § 388, owners are vicariously liable for accidents caused by anyone driving with their permission.
Employers
Companies face liability when employees cause accidents within the scope of employment. See our page on Queen truck accidents.
Government Entities
Dangerous road conditions create liability, but you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days under General Municipal Law § 50-e.
Manufacturers
Defective brakes, tires, or airbags can shift liability to manufacturers.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Car Accident?
To recover compensation, you must prove the other driver was negligent. New York law requires four elements:
- Duty: The other driver owed you a duty of care. All drivers must operate their vehicles safely and follow traffic laws.
- Breach: The driver violated that duty. Running a red light, texting, speeding, or drunk driving all constitute breaches.
- Causation: The breach directly caused your accident and injuries. We establish this link through evidence.
- Damages: You suffered actual harm including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
We gather the evidence to prove each element: police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, cell phone records, vehicle black box data, and expert testimony. Insurance companies challenge one or more elements in every case. We anticipate their arguments and build evidence to defeat them. Learn about your rights after a car accident.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in the Queens?
New York law imposes strict deadlines. Miss them, and you lose your right to compensation permanently.
- No-Fault Benefits: 30 days from the accident to file your application under 11 NYCRR § 65-1.1.
- Personal Injury Lawsuit: 3 years from the accident under NY CPLR § 214(5).
- Wrongful Death: 2 years from the date of death under NY EPTL § 5-4.1. Learn about New York wrongful death claims.
- Government Claims: 90 days to file a Notice of Claim, then 1 year and 90 days to sue.
- DMV Reporting: 10 days for accidents involving injury or $1,000+ damage under V&T Law § 605.
Evidence disappears fast. Surveillance footage gets overwritten. Witnesses become harder to locate. We move immediately. Learn more about the statute of limitations for car accidents in NY.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Understanding what causes crashes helps establish liability. We see these causes repeatedly:
Distracted Driving
Texting, phone calls, and GPS navigation divert attention. Cell phone records prove distraction.
Speeding
Queens Boulevard, Northern Boulevard, and Queens expressways see drivers routinely exceeding limits. Event data recorders capture speed at impact.
Drunk and Drugged Driving
Impaired drivers cause some of the most devastating crashes. Learn what to do if you were hit by a drunk driver who fled.
Running Red Lights
Intersections like Northern Boulevard and 48th Street, Queens Boulevard and Woodhaven Boulevard see frequent violations.
Failure to Yield
Left-turn accidents and crosswalk violations cause serious injuries.
Following Too Closely
Stop-and-go traffic on the Long Island Expressway and Grand Central Parkway creates frequent rear-end collisions. See rear-end collision laws.
Types of Car Accidents We Handle
Different accident types require different investigation approaches. We handle every type of motor vehicle collision:
- Rear-End Collisions: The most common type. Frequently causing whiplash, herniated discs, and soft tissue injuries, insurers try to minimize.
- T-Bone Collisions: Side-impact crashes at intersections cause serious injuries because doors offer less protection.
- Head-On Collisions: Often involve drunk driving or distraction. Frequently result in catastrophic injury or death.
- Hit-and-Run Accidents: We work to identify the driver and pursue compensation through uninsured motorist coverage. See can you sue after a hit-and-run.
- Multi-Vehicle Pileups: Complex liability requiring identification of all responsible parties and their coverage.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accidents: We help you access all available coverage when the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance. Learn about OBEL coverage.
Work-Related Car Accidents
If you were injured in a car accident while working, whether driving for your job, making deliveries, or traveling between work sites, you may have multiple claims:
- Workers’ Compensation: Covers medical bills and partial lost wages regardless of fault. You can file a workers’ compensation claim through your employer’s insurance.
- Third-Party Lawsuit: If another driver caused the accident, you can sue them for full damages including pain and suffering on top of workers’ comp benefits.
- Employer Liability: In some cases, your employer may share liability if they pressured you to violate safety rules or failed to maintain company vehicles.
Delivery drivers, truck operators, and employees running work errands all have unique claim options. We identify every available source of compensation.
Common Car Accident Injuries
The severity of your injuries directly impacts your claim value. We handle all injury types:
Concussions to severe TBI causing permanent cognitive impairment. We have secured $1 million settlements for brain bleed injuries.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, paralysis. These rank among the highest-value cases. Learn about Queens spinal cord injuries.
Broken Bones
Complex fractures requiring surgical repair with plates, screws, and rods.
Internal Injuries
Ruptured organs and internal bleeding may not produce immediate symptoms. Same-day medical evaluation is critical.
Frekhtman & Associates is the best law firm I've been too
As I was going to physical therapy for my car accident they work very quick to get my case settled. I've told them I want to get back on my feet and they got my check so quickly. I 100% Recommend Frekhtman and the team to anyone that wants to settle their accident case and actually cares 🙏🏽🙏🏽 Thank you Frekhtman and the team 🙏🏽
Car Accidents in Queens County
Queens ranks second in New York City for traffic collisions. Local knowledge matters when building your case.
- Queens Crash Statistics: 17,808 crashes in 2024, with 7,632 injuries and 74 traffic deaths, according to NYC Vision Zero and NYC DOT Open Data.
- Northern Boulevard: One of the deadliest corridors in the city. In 2021, Northern Boulevard recorded 284 crashes. The intersection at Northern Blvd and 48th Street is tied for the deadliest in all of New York City.
- Queens Boulevard: Despite a full 7-mile redesign by NYC DOT, reducing lanes and adding speed cameras, it remains one of the city’s most dangerous corridors.
- High-Risk Roads: Van Wyck Expressway, Long Island Expressway, Grand Central Parkway, and Woodhaven Boulevard see frequent serious collisions per NYC DOT Vision Zero data.
Most Dangerous Intersections in Queens:
- Northern Blvd & 48th Street: Tied for the deadliest intersection in all of NYC. 9 people killed or seriously injured since 2022.
- Northern Blvd & Union Street: High-volume pedestrian crossing in Flushing with a history of serious crashes.
- Queens Blvd & Woodhaven Blvd: Wide lanes and high speeds create dangerous conditions.
- LIE Service Road Intersections: Over 110 crashes annually around the Long Island Expressway and Queens Boulevard vicinity
Queens Trauma Centers: Jamaica Hospital Medical Center (Level I), NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst (Level I), NewYork-Presbyterian Queens (Level I) in Flushing.
Queens Courthouse: Auto accident lawsuits are filed in Queens County Supreme Court at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica. Our attorneys know Queens judges and juries.
Queens Car Accident FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a Queens car accident lawyer?
Nothing. We advance all costs and you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. Our fee comes out of the settlement, not your pocket. Learn more about personal injury lawyer costs.
What is the statute of limitations for a car accident lawsuit in New York?
The typical statute of limitations for car accidents in NY is three years from the date of the accident under CPLR § 214(5), but the real deadline is 30 days to file your no-fault application. Miss that, and you lose PIP benefits. Wrongful death claims have a two-year statute of limitations; government claims require a 90-day notice of claim.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes. New York uses the pure comparative negligence rule under CPLR § 1411. Even at 90% fault, you recover 10% of damages. We have won cases where the client was initially blamed. The police report is not the final word.
What if the other driver was not cited by police?
Citations do not determine civil liability. We have won cases where our client got the ticket. We build independent proof through accident reconstruction, cell phone records, and surveillance footage.
How does New York's no-fault insurance work?
Under New York’s no-fault insurance rules, your own insurer pays up to $50,000 for medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. To sue for pain and suffering, your injury must meet the serious injury threshold under § 5102(d). Most carriers fight this. We document injuries from day one to close that gap.
What is the serious injury threshold?
You must prove one of these under Insurance Law § 5102(d): fracture, permanent limitation of use, significant limitation of a body function, significant disfigurement, or a medically determined injury preventing substantially all daily activities for 90 of the first 180 days. This is the barrier insurance companies use to deny claims.
How long will my case take?
Straightforward soft tissue cases can settle in 6 to 12 months. Serious injury cases with surgery or permanent damage take 18 months to 3 years. We do not settle until you reach maximum medical improvement. Rushing leaves money on the table. See how long it takes to settle.
What if the at-fault driver has no insurance?
You file against your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. New York requires a minimum of $25,000 UM. If you carry higher limits, you can recover more. We also search for additional liable parties with insurance.
Should I accept the insurance company's first offer?
No, and here is why: first offers are calculated to close your file cheap before you know the full extent of your injuries. We have seen initial offers of $15,000 turn into settlements over $500,000 once we got involved. Do not sign anything.
Do I have to go to court?
Over 90% of our cases settle before trial. But we prepare every case as if it is going to a jury. That preparation is what drives fair settlements. If the offer is not right, we try the case.
Do I need a lawyer after a car accident?
If you have significant injuries, yes. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers working against you. We level the playing field. Learn more about whether you need a lawyer after a car accident.
Speak With a Queens Car Accident Lawyer Today
Every day after an accident matters. Insurance companies are already building their case against you. Evidence is disappearing. The 30-day no-fault deadline waits for no one.
Frekhtman & Associates responds immediately. We stop insurance games, preserve critical evidence, and fight for your full recovery. You pay nothing unless we win.
Call 866 ATTY LAW. Get a trial lawyer on your side.
718-331-3330 24/7 | Start your free consultation
Our Queens office at 100-09 Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills, NY 11375 represents car accident victims throughout the borough, including Jamaica, Flushing, Astoria, Long Island City, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Corona, Rego Park, Woodside, Sunnyside, Ridgewood, Bayside, Fresh Meadows, Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Howard Beach, and Far Rockaway. We also serve clients throughout New York City.
Meet our full legal team and read what our clients say about working with Frekhtman & Associates.
Hablamos español. Russian-speaking attorneys on staff.
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.