Trusted car accident attorneys with over 75 years of combined experience representing injury victims.
If you were hurt in a car accident in Hempstead, then you may be dealing with physical injuries and significant financial loss. Our Hempstead, NY car accident lawyers have represented injured victims across Nassau County for decades. At Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP, we know how these cases are built, how carriers negotiate, and what it takes to negotiate effectively. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Car Accident Lawyer Hempstead, NY
People often ask what does hiring an attorney do for them? Essentially, we handle the legal aspects while you focus on your health. New York operates under a no-fault insurance system. After a crash, your own personal injury protection coverage handles initial medical costs and a portion of lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident. No-fault coverage has limits, and when your injuries are serious, those limits can run out quickly.
When injuries meet the threshold defined under New York Insurance Law § 5102(d), including fractures, significant disfigurement, permanent limitation of a body organ or member, and similar criteria, you gain the right to bring a claim directly against the at-fault driver. Outside the no-fault system, the potential recovery is substantially broader. Our car accident attorney in Hempstead knows how to evaluate whether you qualify, build the evidence to support it, and negotiate or litigate from a position of strength.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Hempstead
We represent clients injured in all kinds of motor vehicle crashes throughout Hempstead and Nassau County. The cause of the collision, the vehicles involved, and the extent of your injuries all shape what a case looks like and what it can recover.
- Car accidents. Rear-end crashes, intersection collisions, sideswipes, and head-on impacts. We handle the liability investigation, insurance negotiations, and litigation when settlement isn’t sufficient.
- Truck accidents. Commercial carrier crashes are complicated, as federal safety regulations apply. Multiple parties may share liability, and the injuries tend to be severe. We dig into the evidence and pursue everyone responsible.
- Motorcycle accidents. Riders already face higher injury risk. They also may have to deal with adjusters who just assume they were riding recklessly. We challenge that narrative with facts.
- Pedestrian accidents. A person struck by a vehicle has almost no physical protection. The injuries we see in these cases reflect that reality. We fight for the full value of what our clients have lost.
- Bicycle accidents. Cyclists have legal rights on New York roads, so when a driver violates those rights and causes injury, we hold them accountable.
- Lyft accidents. These cases involve layered insurance coverage that shifts depending on whether the driver was logged in, had a passenger, or was between rides. We’ve handled these nuances before and are strategic in our approach.
- Wrongful death. When a crash takes a life, surviving family members may have a claim for economic losses, loss of companionship, and related damages. We handle these cases carefully and with the seriousness they deserve.
- Bus accidents. Government-operated buses add procedural requirements, including strict notice deadlines, that don’t apply to ordinary car accidents.
Why Choose Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP for Car Accident Cases in Hempstead, NY?
Experience Built Over Decades, Not Years
Martin Schiowitz has been trying personal injury cases in New York since 1973. He co-founded this firm in 1978, which is more than 50 years of practice. He’s a peer-selected Super Lawyer, which is a designation that puts him in the top 5% of attorneys in his field. He is also a long-standing member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.
Jeremy Schiowitz has spent over 16 years representing injured victims across New York City and Long Island. What makes his approach distinctive is his background. Before committing entirely to plaintiff-side work, he developed a thorough understanding of how insurance defense operates. He knows what defense attorneys look for, what adjusters are trained to push back on, and where cases are typically vulnerable. That perspective informs how he builds a case.
Attorney Jeremy has been named a Super Lawyer every year from 2014 through 2025, recognized among the Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, and named to the 10 Best Attorneys in New York list by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys.
Combined, our personal injury lawyer in Hempstead, NYd and the surrounding area brings over 75 years of experience to personal injury cases and pursuing fair compensation for accident victims.
Results That Matter
Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP has recovered millions of dollars for car accident victims throughout New York. Our car accident results include a $2,800,000 recovery, along with multiple additional results at or above $2,000,000. We handle every case on contingency, so there are no upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs. We don’t get paid unless you do.
Understanding Car Accident Cases in Hempstead, NY
Damages, Liability, and Compensation
In New York, fault is assessed under a pure comparative negligence standard, meaning that even a partially at-fault plaintiff can recover damages. Your recovery gets reduced by your percentage of fault, but it’s not eliminated entirely. That’s an important distinction, and one insurers may intentionally use against claimants.
Once liability is established, recoverable damages in a Hempstead car accident case can include:
- Medical expenses: Current treatment costs and projected future care, including surgery, rehabilitation, and prescription costs.
- Lost wages: Income already lost and diminished future earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and reduced quality of life.
- Property damage: Vehicle repair or replacement costs, and compensation for any other property that was damaged in the collision.
- Out-of-pocket costs: Transportation, home modifications, and other expenses tied to the injury.
Important Aspects of Your Car Accident Case
There are important considerations to factor into your case, such as what we have listed here below:
- Evidence disappears. Skid marks fade, surveillance footage gets overwritten, and witnesses move on. The sooner an attorney gets involved, the better the odds of capturing what matters.
- Beyond evidence. No-fault compliance is critical, as New York requires that you file your PIP application within 30 days of the accident. If this timeframe passes, you risk losing benefits entirely.
- Recorded statements. Adjusters often call early and sound helpful, but they’re not on your side. In fact, what you say in those conversations can be used to reduce what you recover. Don’t give a recorded statement without talking to an attorney first.
- Consistent medical treatment. Any gaps or delays in care, even when they happen for entirely understandable reasons, are routinely used by defense counsel to argue that injuries aren’t as serious as claimed.
Car Accident Case Timeline
No two cases are exactly alike or proceed on the same schedule, but here’s a general progression for claims in New York:
- Immediately after the crash: Get medical attention, file a police report, and notify your insurer.
- First 30 days: No-fault application filed, treatment underway, attorney preserves evidence and begins investigation.
- Months 1 through 6: Demand package prepared, initial negotiations with the insurance carrier begin.
- Months 6 through 18: If settlement isn’t reached, a lawsuit is filed then discovery and depositions follow
- Resolution: Most cases settle and don’t go to trial. Straightforward cases can resolve in under a year, complex cases can take two to three years or more.
What to Bring to Your Car Accident Consultation
You don’t need a complete file to have a useful first conversation over a consultation. Bring any of the following if you do have them:
- The police report or report number from the crash
- Photos of the vehicles, scene, and any visible injuries
- Medical records and bills connected to the accident
- Insurance information for everyone involved
- Any letters or correspondence from insurance companies
New York Legal Resources for Car Accident Cases
New York’s no-fault laws, liability rules, and filing deadlines are worth understanding before you make any decisions about your case. These official resources are a solid starting point:
- New York CPLR § 214: Establishes the three-year statute of limitations for personal injury actions in New York.
- New York CPLR § 5041: Requires future damages exceeding the statutory threshold in personal injury and wrongful death verdicts to be paid through structured periodic payments rather than a single lump sum.
- New York CPLR § 1412: Places the burden of pleading and proving the plaintiff’s culpable conduct on the defendant, complementing the comparative negligence rule under CPLR § 1411.
Reach Out to Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP to Schedule a Consultation
If you or someone in your family was hurt in a car accident in Hempstead, NY, reach out to us as soon as possible. At Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP, we offer free consultations and handle every case on a contingency basis. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve based on your degree of injuries and monetary losses. Reach out now to reserve your appointment with us.
Car Accident Statistics in Hempstead
Car crashes remain one of the most common causes of serious injury in New York. Nationwide, NHTSA reports that 39,345 people died in traffic crashes in 2024, the first year below 40,000 since 2020. Closer to home, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury-related death for New York residents, and state health data records an annual average of roughly 1,098 deaths, 12,093 hospitalizations, and more than 136,000 emergency room visits from traffic injuries. Passenger vehicles account for most of these crashes. A state fiscal report found that three of every four vehicles in New York’s fatal crashes were passenger vehicles or light trucks, and Nassau County alone recorded 81 traffic fatalities in 2022. Behind those numbers are drivers and passengers across Hempstead working through the aftermath.
What Are Common Types of Injuries in a Car Accident?
The injuries from a car crash range from minor to life-altering, and some do not surface until days later. Knowing what to watch for helps you get the right care and document the claim. These are the injuries we see most often in Hempstead car accident cases.
- Whiplash and soft-tissue injuries. The sudden force of a collision strains the neck, shoulders, and back. Whiplash is common in rear-end crashes and can linger for months, even when the vehicle damage looks minor.
- Traumatic brain injuries. A blow or jolt to the head can cause a concussion or something far more serious. Symptoms of traumatic brain injuries sometimes appear gradually, which is why a prompt medical evaluation is important after any head impact.
- Spinal cord and back injuries. Herniated discs, nerve damage, and in severe cases paralysis can follow a high-speed crash. These injuries often require long-term care and can permanently change how a person works and lives.
- Broken bones. Arms, wrists, ribs, and legs absorb a great deal of force in a collision. Broken ribs carry their own risk, since they can affect breathing and the organs beneath them. Fractures also appear in slip and fall cases, where the mechanism differs but the injury does not.
- Internal injuries. Damage to organs and internal bleeding are not always visible and can turn life-threatening quickly. Prompt imaging after a serious crash can catch what an external exam misses.
- Lacerations and scarring. Broken glass and deployed airbags cause cuts that sometimes leave permanent scars, which factor into what a claim is worth.
- Psychological injuries. Not every injury is physical. Anxiety, trouble sleeping, and post-traumatic stress are real consequences of a violent crash, and New York recognizes them as compensable harm.
Two people in the same crash can walk away with very different injuries, and the severity drives what a claim is worth. Getting checked promptly and keeping consistent records gives an attorney the foundation to pursue full compensation.
Hempstead Car Accident Lawyer FAQs
How much does a car accident lawyer in Hempstead cost?
We take car accident cases on contingency. You pay nothing up front and no hourly rate. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, and if there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee. The first consultation is free. Our overview of how contingency fees work lays out the arrangement in plain terms.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Hempstead, NY?
Most New York personal injury claims carry a three-year deadline from the date of the crash. There is a separate, much shorter step, though. To keep your no-fault benefits, you generally must file a PIP application within 30 days. Claims against a public agency can require notice within 90 days. Because the statute of limitations and these shorter windows are strict, speaking with an attorney early is wise.
Do I use my own insurance after a car accident?
Yes, at first. New York is a no-fault state, so your own PIP coverage pays initial medical costs and part of your lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. Those benefits have limits. When injuries are serious, you may step outside no-fault and pursue the at-fault driver directly for the rest of your losses.
What if the other driver had no insurance?
You may still have a path to recovery. Many New York policies include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which can apply when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little of it. Reviewing your own uninsured motorist coverage is one of the first things we do in these cases.
What is my car accident case worth?
It depends on the facts. Value reflects the severity and permanence of your injuries, your medical costs, lost income, and the available insurance. Our discussion of the types of damages explains the categories. We give you an honest assessment rather than an inflated promise.
What if I was partly at fault for the crash?
You can still recover in most cases. New York’s comparative negligence rules reduce a recovery by your share of fault rather than barring it. Insurers frequently argue for a larger share of blame than the facts support. How the rule applies to your particular crash is something we review with you directly.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?
Be careful. The other insurer is not working for you, and early recorded statements are often used to reduce what you recover. You can decline a recorded statement and refer them to your attorney. It is fine to report the crash, but keep the details brief until you have counsel.
The insurer already offered a settlement. Should I accept it?
Not without a close look. First offers tend to be low and are designed to close the claim before the full injury picture is clear. You are not required to accept, and we can explain what it means to reject a settlement offer and negotiate for more.
Will my car accident case go to trial?
Probably not. Most car accident claims settle through negotiation. We prepare each case as though it will be tried, which tends to produce stronger offers. If a case does proceed to court, we walk you through each stage so nothing feels unfamiliar.
Do I need a lawyer for a minor car accident?
Not always. A small claim with no real injury can sometimes be handled alone. But when injuries are serious, fault is disputed, or the insurer is slow to pay, having counsel usually changes the result. Our notes on choosing an attorney may help you decide.
Local Information for Hempstead Car Accident Cases
Most Dangerous Locations for Car Accidents in Hempstead
Some roads in and around Hempstead carry more crash risk than others, usually where speed and traffic volume are highest. A few worth knowing:
- Hempstead Turnpike (NY 24). A wide, high-volume arterial with heavy traffic and frequent intersection crashes.
- Meadowbrook State Parkway. A high-speed route where collisions tend to be severe.
- Southern State Parkway. One of Long Island’s busiest and most crash-prone parkways.
- Fulton Avenue and Peninsula Boulevard. Dense commercial corridors where turning and rear-end crashes are common.
- Downtown near the Hempstead Transit Center. Congestion, buses, and constant turning movements make for frequent low-speed collisions.
These are not the only places crashes happen, but they account for a meaningful share of the cases we handle.
Important Local Resources for Hempstead Car Accidents
After a crash in Hempstead, a few contacts are worth keeping on hand for reports, records, and care.
- Hempstead Police Department: 516-483-6200. The Village of Hempstead’s police respond to crashes and prepare reports for incidents within village limits.
- NYS DMV Crash Reports: 518-474-6518. Search for and order a certified copy of the crash report that insurers and attorneys rely on.
- Nassau University Medical Center: 516-572-0123. The area’s Level I trauma center, on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow, treats many of the most seriously injured patients.
We list these for convenience only. Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP does not endorse and is not affiliated with the organizations above.
About Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP
Founding partner Martin Schiowitz has been consulted on tort law and trial strategy throughout his career and has been featured on television discussing personal injury law. He completed a degree in economics at Brooklyn College before earning his law degree. Over the years, the attorneys at Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP have recovered millions of dollars for car accident and other injury victims across Nassau County.
What Our Clients Say
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Jeremy Shiowitz is a superb lawyer with tremendous experience and knows how to get the job done. Jeremy is very helpful and responsive as well. Great man of character and easy to get along with. I made the right choice by choosing Jeremy to represent my son in his case.”
Victor Cortes
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Contact Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP
A serious crash can leave you facing medical bills and lost income at the worst possible time. You have the right to seek full compensation. Our Hempstead car accident lawyer reviews your case at no cost and explains your options in plain language. We work on contingency, so there are no fees unless we recover for you. You can expect an honest read on your claim, what it may be worth, and the steps ahead. Our office answers calls at any hour. Contact us when you are ready, and we will take it from there.
