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Syracuse Car Accident Lawyer

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Office Location

Syracuse Appointment Center

407 S Warren St Suite B,

Syracuse, NY 13202

Paul Harding

Content Reviewed by:

Paul Harding

Why Choose Us for Your Syracuse Car Accident Claim?

Our firm provides big resources, big results, and big relief to New Yorkers who’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence. Here’s why countless Syracuse residents have trusted us to handle their car accident claims:

  • Proven Track Record: We’ve been fighting for car accident victims and their families for more than 30 years, recovering over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for our valued clients.
  • Large-Firm Resources: With over 40 attorneys and 120 support staff, our team has the strength to take on powerful insurance companies.
  • Local Presence: Our attorneys have deep knowledge of the traffic laws, courts, and insurance practices that influence Syracuse car accident claims. Our local presence extends to community partnerships, including a multi-year commitment as an Official Partner of Syracuse Athletics, through which we support student athletes across the university’s varsity programs.
  • Aggressive Advocacy: We don’t back down when insurers try to lowball our clients. Known as The Heavy Hitters®, our attorneys are tough negotiators who aren’t afraid to push back.
  • Accessible Representation: Our team is available 24/7 and offers convenient meeting locations from 6 offices and 10 appointment centers.

Types of Car Accidents We Handle in Syracuse

The way your collision happened can shape your entire claim. Our car accident lawyers in Syracuse, NY, handle a wide range of cases:

  • Rear-End Collisions: These crashes are often more serious than they appear, and we’re prepared to uncover the full extent of your damages, such as whiplash-related pain and physical therapy expenses.
  • Head-On Crashes: We pursue compensation for emergency care, hospitalization, lost wages, and more when these high-impact collisions cause catastrophic injuries.
  • Side-Impact Accidents: Due to the higher risk of direct impact with the body, T-bone crashes frequently lead to life-altering injuries that qualify victims for substantial compensation.
  • Multi-Vehicle Accidents: Accidents involving several drivers involve complex liability issues, and we’re ready to determine each party’s role and preserve your right to full damages.
  • Hit and Run Incidents: If the at-fault driver fled the scene, we can help you seek recovery through uninsured motorist coverage or other insurance options.
  • DUI Accidents: When impaired driving causes harm, we pursue accountability and fair compensation, including potential punitive damages.
  • Distracted Driving Crashes: We’re ready to gather strong evidence showing how distractions behind the wheel led to your injuries.
  • Truck Accidents: Collisions involving commercial vehicles often involve multiple possible sources of liability and violations of federal safety regulations, and we’re equipped to take on these challenges.

New York Car Accident Laws That Might Affect Your Claim

State law directly influences your recovery options after a car accident. New York’s no-fault insurance rules and comparative negligence standards shape how you can seek damages and what your compensation might look like. 

New York’s No-Fault Insurance System

New York is a no-fault state for car accidents. This means after most crashes, you must first file a claim with your own auto insurance provider to recover compensation. 

All New York drivers must carry personal injury protection coverage, which pays for up to $50,000 per person for medical expenses, lost wages, and other economic losses related to the accident. This coverage applies no matter who is at fault for the collision. 

You may step outside the no-fault system and file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver if you meet the state’s serious injury threshold. Examples of qualifying car accident injuries include loss of a limb, loss of a body organ, bone fracture, loss of a fetus, significant disfigurement, or a permanent limitation of a body function.

Understanding what no-fault insurance covers and building a strong claim for additional damages can be challenging. Our Syracuse auto accident lawyers are here to help you navigate this complex system and pursue the maximum compensation available under the law. 

Comparative Negligence and Car Accidents

New York’s pure comparative negligence rule allows you to recover compensation even if you are partially or mostly at fault for the accident. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. 

For example, if your total damages equal $100,000 and you’re 30% responsible for the crash, your compensation would be reduced by $30,000. You would still be entitled to recover $70,000.

Insurance companies often try to take advantage of this law by shifting unfair blame onto injured drivers to reduce what they have to pay. Our Syracuse personal injury lawyers are prepared to challenge these tactics and advocate for a fair determination of fault.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Syracuse Car Accident?

The type and amount of compensation you can recover depend on the severity of your injuries, the extent of each party’s liability, and the applicable insurance coverage. When you choose us to handle your claim, we’ll pursue compensation for all available damages to address the full impact the accident has had on your life. This may include both economic and non-economic damages, such as:

  • Medical expenses for all past and future treatment needs
  • Lost wages for the work you missed while recovering
  • Reduced earning capacity for the injury’s long-term impact on your ability to work
  • Disability-related expenses, including mobility equipment and in-home care costs
  • Vehicle repair or replacement
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life for the ways the injury impacts your ability to participate in activities you once enjoyed
  • Disfigurement and scarring

How Is Liability Proven in a Syracuse Car Accident Case?

To sue a driver for damages outside New York’s no-fault system, you must prove that they’re liable for your injuries. This requires evidence of all four elements of negligence: duty, breach, causation, and damages.

Every driver has a duty of care to operate their vehicle safely. You must show that the driver breached that duty by acting carelessly, such as exceeding the speed limit, running a red light, or texting while driving. The evidence must also show that the breach of duty directly caused the car crash and your injuries, which resulted in actual damages such as medical expenses or pain and suffering.

Many types of evidence can come together to prove these elements, including:

  • Police reports
  • Witness statements
  • Traffic camera footage
  • Expert vehicle damage analysis
  • Accident reconstruction reports
  • Medical records

You don’t have to handle this process alone. Our Syracuse car crash lawyers can take the lead on investigating the accident, collecting documentation, and presenting it to the insurance company on your behalf.

How Long Do You Have To File a Car Accident Claim in New York?

New York’s statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is three years. That means you typically have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. 

Shorter deadlines apply in certain situations. For example, if your accident involved a state or city government agency, you’ll need to file a notice of claim within 90 days and file a lawsuit within one year and 90 days. Insurance claims also require prompt notice to the insurer. 

If you miss your case’s deadline, you may permanently lose your right to seek compensation. Quick action can protect your case, so we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible after a car crash.

How Can Our Syracuse Car Accident Attorneys Help You?

You’re dealing with enough stress after an accident. Leave the legal details to us while you focus on your health. When you trust our firm to represent you, we’ll handle every aspect of your claim, including:

  • Investigating the crash to determine what happened and who’s at fault
  • Gathering evidence of the at-fault party’s negligence
  • Identifying all available sources of compensation
  • Determining whether you qualify to step outside the no-fault insurance system
  • Documenting and calculating your past and future damages
  • Handling communication with insurance companies
  • Negotiating a fair settlement and protecting you against low offers
  • Preparing for trial if settlement negotiations fail
  • Representing you before a judge or jury if necessary
  • Keeping you informed every step of the way

The insurance companies are not on your side. Choosing us means having a dedicated advocate who puts your interests first and is prepared to challenge powerful insurers to seek the results you deserve.

You’re not alone in your fight for a fair outcome after a car crash. Harding Mazzotti, LLP, is ready to stand by your side and advocate for maximum compensation on your behalf. 

We represent clients on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay zero out-of-pocket fees for our services, and we only get paid if you win. Complete our online contact form or call 844-446-1044 to request a free consultation and start moving forward today.

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