Garden City Personal Injury Lawyer

• Comparative Fault: New York applies pure comparative negligence (CPLR § 1411). Recovery may be reduced by the claimant’s share of fault, but is not barred.
• Labor Law Protections: Workers injured by gravity-related risks may assert claims under Labor Law §§ 200, 240, and 241.
• Wrongful Death: Claims are brought by the personal representative on behalf of distributees (EPTL § 5-4.1).

Statutory deadlines, comparative fault rules, and verified crash and injury statistics shape how Garden City personal injury claims are evaluated, negotiated, and litigated.

Important Steps After an Injury Occurs

Immediate steps taken after a serious accident protect both your health and your legal rights. A systematic approach to the aftermath of an injury preserves the integrity of a future personal injury claim:

• Seek medical attention immediately and follow treatment plans, as medical records created shortly after the incident serve as primary evidence.
• Document the scene with photos and videos, and record witness contact details, because visual proof of vehicle damage, property defects, or weather conditions provides irrefutable evidence.
• Report the incident to the police, property management, or employers as required, as official reports from the Garden City Police Department or a site manager provide an objective timeline of the event.
• Preserve records, including medical bills, medical records, pay stubs, and repair estimates, as physical evidence of financial loss allows our Garden City personal injury attorney team to calculate the exact amount of economic damages. This includes invoices for medical treatment and receipts for out-of-pocket costs.
• Do not provide a statement to the insurance company until counsel has reviewed coverage and liability and can be present during the statement, because adjusters often seek recorded statements early in the process to identify inconsistencies and use them against you.

What you do in the hours after an injury can directly affect the strength of your claim. Once these steps are taken, a Garden City personal injury lawyer can begin the formal process of pursuing recovery.

How Compensation After an Injury Is Pursued in Garden City

The process of seeking compensation involves a methodical approach to proving liability and quantifying the full extent of your losses.

Evidence That Strengthens Injury Claims

A successful outcome relies on gathering evidence that clearly identifies the liable party and the extent of the harm.

• Accident reports, photographs, and surveillance footage: We gather official reports and any visual evidence from nearby businesses to establish how the serious accident occurred.
• Medical records and expert opinions: Our Garden City personal injury lawyer team coordinates with medical specialists to document the extent of your injuries and the cost of necessary future care.
• Wage documentation for lost income: We utilize tax returns and employer statements to verify the impact of the accident on your long-term earning capacity.
• Maintenance logs, safety policies, and prior complaints: For premises liability or product liability cases, we seek records that prove the other party was acting negligently.

Documents and Deadlines

The legal system operates under strict timelines that can disqualify even legitimate claims if missed.

• Timely filings under CPLR statutes: Under New York CPLR § 214, most personal injury cases must be filed within three years. However, medical malpractice has a limit of two years and six months, and wrongful death must be filed within two years.
• Notices of claim for government entity cases: If a case involves a municipality, General Municipal Law § 50-e requires a Notice of Claim to be filed within 90 days. Failure to meet this deadline typically results in the loss of your legal rights to seek justice.

Avoidable Errors Before Filing

• Delayed medical care: Waiting to see a doctor creates a "gap in treatment" that insurance adjusters use to deny injury claims.
• Gaps in documentation: Failing to track out-of-pocket expenses or missing medical appointments can reduce the fair settlement value.
• Recorded insurer calls without counsel: Speaking with the at-fault party's insurance company without a Garden City personal injury lawyer often leads to unintentional admissions of fault.
• Missed statutory notices: Failing to meet the 90-day window for government-related accidents is a common mistake that can end a personal injury case before it begins.

Strict adherence to legal deadlines and thorough documentation are the primary tools for securing a fair settlement in the New York legal system.

Why Work with Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, LLP

Legal representation impacts how a claim is prepared, negotiated, and resolved. A firm’s experience and internal structure support consistent and strategic case handling.

Experience, focus, and financial alignment support effective representation for injury victims.

Damages We Seek to Recover

We seek maximum compensation for both tangible and intangible losses.

Economic Damages

These are measurable financial losses, such as:

• Past and future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

These address the human cost of the injury:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of life enjoyment
• Physical impairment or disfigurement

In rare instances where the at-fault party acted with extreme negligence or intentional malice, the court may award punitive damages to punish the defendant.