Car Accident Lawyer Manhattan, NY

If you were injured in a crash on the FDR Drive, a Midtown intersection, a crosstown street, or any of Manhattan’s densely traveled roadways, you are likely facing medical bills, lost income, and an insurance system that can be difficult to navigate. Car accident claims in Manhattan involve New York’s unique no‑fault insurance rules, a “serious injury” threshold for seeking full damages, and a pure comparative fault standard that can reduce recovery by the percentage of fault assigned to you. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents people hurt in auto collisions throughout Manhattan—from Lower Manhattan to Harlem, the Upper East Side to the West Side, and from the Financial District to Inwood. The firm’s New York location serves clients at the New York Supreme Court, New York County, located at 60 Centre Street. For a consultation about your car accident claim, call (888) 437‑7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

On This Page

What Personal Injury Law Means for Car Accident Victims in Manhattan, NY

Car accident claims in Manhattan are governed by New York’s civil practice law and rules and by the state’s no‑fault insurance system. After virtually any motor vehicle crash, your own auto insurance carrier pays the first layer of medical expense and lost‑wage benefits, regardless of who was at fault. This is the “personal injury protection” (PIP) coverage New York law requires every auto policy to provide. For a claim that goes beyond PIP—and that is true in many Manhattan crashes because the injuries are serious—you must bring a lawsuit in the New York Supreme Court, New York County. The court sits at 60 Centre Street in Lower Manhattan, near City Hall, Chinatown, and the Centre Street courts complex. That is the trial court of general jurisdiction, and it hears personal injury cases without any cap on the amount of damages.

Car accident injury claims in New York must be filed within three years from the date of the accident.

Source: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5). View statute.

Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA, MD, DC, NJ, NY.

New York applies a pure comparative fault rule (N.Y. C.P.L.R. Article 14‑A). That means even if you were partly at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages, but the total amount will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury finds you 20 percent responsible, your award is reduced by 20 percent. There is no dollar cap on economic or non‑economic damages in a personal injury lawsuit. To recover for pain and suffering, however, your case must cross the “serious injury” threshold defined in New York Insurance Law § 5102. That generally requires a fracture, significant disfigurement, permanent loss of use of a body organ or member, significant limitation of a body function or system, or a medically determined injury or impairment that prevents you from performing substantially all of your usual daily activities for at least 90 days during the 180 days immediately after the accident.

Cases filed in Manhattan typically move through a preliminary conference, discovery, and a compliance conference before the note of issue is filed to place the matter on the trial calendar. In our practice, a car accident lawsuit in New York County Supreme Court often takes between 18 and 36 months from filing to resolution, though more complex cases can take longer. The court’s calendar and the extent of experienced attorney medical testimony both influence the timeline.

How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Car Accident Cases

When a car accident victim in Manhattan reaches Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., the firm begins by confirming that the immediate steps—medical care, no‑fault benefit claims, and scene documentation—have been addressed. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel then investigate liability: they gather police accident reports, analyze any available traffic‑camera or surveillance footage, and work with accident reconstruction attorneys when the facts are disputed. The firm identifies every insurance policy that may provide coverage, including the at‑fault driver’s bodily injury liability coverage, the victim’s own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, and any umbrella policies. Because New York requires auto insurers to provide no‑fault benefits, the initial claim often starts with your own carrier, but the firm ensures that the claim is properly documented so no benefits are lost.

If the injury meets the “serious injury” threshold, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel prepare the case for litigation. They draft and file the complaint in the New York Supreme Court, New York County, and serve it on all defendants. During discovery, the firm collects medical records, takes depositions of the parties and witnesses, and retains qualified medical professionals to provide testimony on causation and damages. The firm handles settlement negotiations with opposing insurance carriers throughout the process. When a fair settlement cannot be reached, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel present the case at trial. Throughout, the firm’s goal is to achieve a resolution that compensates you fully for your economic and non‑economic losses, while you focus on your recovery.

About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded the firm in 1997. He is a former prosecutor and has built a practice that spans five jurisdictions—Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). Together with his Of Counsel, Mr. Sris brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to every client matter, and the firm has documented 4,739+ firm-wide results. Results may vary. The firm’s entire team works collaboratively, and each case benefits from the collective knowledge of attorneys who have handled thousands of personal injury claims across the firm’s locations.

Verify admissions: Virginia State Bar ? Maryland Judiciary ? DC Bar ? NJ Courts ? NY OCA.

Last reviewed: June 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a car accident in Manhattan?

Seek medical attention right away and document the accident scene by taking photographs of vehicle damage, road marks, and traffic signs, and by gathering witness contact information. Call 911 to have a police report generated; a report is critical for your insurance claim and any later lawsuit. Do not discuss fault with other drivers or insurance representatives at the scene. Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437‑7747 for guidance on preserving evidence and navigating the no‑fault system.

How is fault determined in a Manhattan car accident claim?

Fault is determined by evaluating all available evidence—police reports, witness statements, traffic camera recordings, and accident reconstruction—and applying New York’s pure comparative fault rule. Under that rule, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover even if you were partly to blame. The insurance companies and, if necessary, a jury weigh the facts. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel build a record that positions the facts in your favor.

Do I need a lawyer for a car accident lawsuit in Manhattan?

You are not legally required to have a lawyer, but given the serious injury threshold, no‑fault insurance rules, and the procedural requirements of the New York Supreme Court, working with an experienced attorney is strongly recommended. A lawyer can properly value your claim, negotiate with insurers, and present your case at trial if a fair settlement is not offered. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437‑7747.

What is the statute of limitations for a car accident lawsuit in New York?

Car accident injury lawsuits must be filed within three years from the date of the accident under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5). If the accident causes a death, the wrongful death action must be brought within two years from the date of death (N.Y. E.P.T.L. § 5‑4.1). It is important to begin evaluating your claim well before the deadline. Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. to preserve your rights.

How does the “serious injury” threshold affect my car accident claim in New York?

To recover non‑economic damages (pain and suffering) after a car accident, New York Insurance Law § 5102 requires proof of a “serious injury.” This means your injuries must meet one of several statutory definitions, such as a fracture, significant disfigurement, permanent loss of use of a body part, or a medically determined impairment preventing your usual activities for at least 90 of the 180 days after the crash. Your medical records and expert testimony are crucial to meeting this hurdle.

How much does a car accident lawyer cost in Manhattan?

Personal injury lawyers, including Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., typically handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fee; the attorney’s fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict recovered for you. You are not charged if no recovery is obtained. The specific percentage depends on the complexity of the case; contact us to discuss the fee arrangement for your situation.

Personal Injury Lawyer in Nearby New York Communities

While our firm is available throughout New York State, we regularly appear in courts across the New York City area. If your accident occurred in another borough or neighboring county, you may also be served by our team:

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.