Personal Injury Lawyer on Long Island, New York

After a serious injury on Long Island, you may be facing mounting hospital bills from facilities like North Shore University Hospital or Stony Brook Medicine. You can't work, but insurance adjusters are already calling, asking you to give recorded statements before you've even seen a specialist. Meanwhile, the insurance company has one goal: pay you as little as possible, or nothing at all.

At Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm, we've helped thousands of injured Long Islanders fight back. Rated a Tier 1 ranking for Personal Injury Litigation in NYC by U.S. News – Best Lawyers®, our experienced Long Island personal injury attorneys have recovered over $1 billion for people across Nassau County, Suffolk County, and throughout New York.

When you hire Raphaelson & Levine, we immediately deploy our investigation team to preserve critical evidence—surveillance footage, medical records, police reports, witness statements—before it disappears.

Our intake team is available 24/7, and our personal injury lawyers on Long Island are ready to help. You pay nothing unless we win your personal injury claim.

These quick answers cover the most common questions people ask us after an injury in Nassau or Suffolk County.

The Moment Everything Changes: What Long Island Injury Victims Face

For many serious personal injury claims, the physical pain is only the beginning. There's the nauseating worry when you can't pick up your child because of your back injury.

The frustration of watching bills pile up while you wait for insurance companies to return your calls. The isolation that creeps in when you can't do the things that made you feel like yourself.

• The construction worker from Freeport who couldn't explain his injuries to doctors because he only spoke Mandarin—and feared deportation if he sought help
• The mother from Syosset whose emergency room visit after being struck by a fire truck was just the beginning of months of painful rehabilitation
• The grandfather from Roosevelt who can no longer drive the grandchildren to school after a bus collision left him with chronic neck pain

These aren't just case files to us. They're families who trusted us to fight for them when they had no one else to turn to. We don't take that responsibility lightly.

How to File a Personal Injury Claim on Long Island

A serious injury can turn your life upside down in an instant. Knowing what to do after an accident can make a huge impact on your physical health and financial well-being.

1. Get to a safe place and remain calm. Before assessing vehicle damage or attempting to move your vehicle away from traffic, check to make sure that your passengers and anyone involved in the accident is ok. If anyone is unconscious or complains about neck or back pain, request medical attention immediately.
2. Report the accident to the police. Call 9-1-1 from your smartphone. The police report can be a critical piece of evidence to help determine liability or to use when negotiating with the insurance company or filing a personal injury claim.
3. Document as much as possible. Use the camera app on your smartphone to take pictures of the damage to your vehicle, any injuries, and the accident scene. Having photographic proof of any damages can help your insurance adjuster determine compensation, and may also assist your case in court. Surveillance footage can be overwritten, so preservation should be addressed promptly.
4. Gather information from witnesses. If you know that someone saw what happened, ask for his or her name and contact information to provide to your insurance company and police. Witness recollections can fade over time.
5. Get checked by a medical professional — even if you feel fine. Many car accident symptoms may not show up until days, weeks, or even months after the crash, but they may have just as serious long-term effects as broken bones. By visiting a medical professional shortly after the accident, you can determine such things as soft tissue injuries as well as have a written record of your visit. This is important to establish credibility if the lawyer for the other party claims your injuries couldn't have been that serious.
6. Notify the applicable no-fault insurer promptly. Written notice is generally required as soon as reasonably practicable and within 30 days after the accident, unless written proof provides clear and reasonable justification for delay. The applicable insurer is not always your own. For actions between covered persons arising from motor vehicle use, Insurance Law § 5104 generally requires a serious injury to recover non-economic loss. Economic loss above basic economic loss may also be recoverable. Motorcycle occupants are excluded from statutory no-fault benefits; do not assume the same threshold rules apply to every motorcycle claim.
7. Consult a personal injury attorney. An insurance company may try to offer you a settlement within a few short days after the accident. Use caution before accepting any early settlement offers. It's often difficult to know the full extent of your injuries, and their long-term effects, until many days, weeks, or even months after an accident. Don't settle a claim until you are confident you are being fairly compensated for all of your injuries. Personal injury actions generally have a three-year filing period, subject to exceptions. Government and public authority claims require prompt review because notice requirements and deadlines vary by entity.

Proven Results: Long Island Settlements & Verdicts We've Won For Our Clients

Our track record speaks louder than promises. From New York, for New York, we've recovered over $1 Billion to help families get their lives back. Medical bills paid. Lost wages recovered. Justice served.

Recent Long Island personal injury case results:

• Raphaelson & Levine secured a $1.5 million settlement for a motorist who was sideswiped by an MTA bus on the Long Island Expressway and left at the scene.
• $415,000 — Construction Accident (Mineola): A Mandarin-speaking undocumented worker fell 38 feet when a ladder collapsed during an AC installation. Other law offices turned him away, but we secured translation services, protected his privacy concerns, and held the general contractor accountable under New York Labor Law § 240. His immigration status never affected his right to financial compensation.
• $410,000 — Premises Liability (Long Island): A broken sidewalk that the property owner knew about for years caused our client to trip and fall, resulting in multiple fractures. We obtained maintenance records proving the dangerous condition had been reported repeatedly—and ignored.
• $300,000 — Premises Liability (Freeport): Our client was injured at a food pantry when an improperly stored pallet fell, causing serious back injuries. We held the premises owner accountable for failing to maintain safe conditions.
• $300,000 — Motor Vehicle Arbitration (Wantagh): When a driver illegally bypassed traffic on the shoulder and made a dangerous left turn, our client suffered injuries requiring months of treatment. We pursued this case through arbitration and secured max compensation.
• $225,000 — Motor Vehicle Accident (Syosset): An emergency fire truck responding to a call struck our client's vehicle. Despite the complexity of suing a municipal entity with sovereign immunity protections, we navigated the Notice of Claim requirements and recovered justice.
• $175,000 — Motor Vehicle Mediation (Long Island Expressway): Our client was a passenger whose vehicle was struck during a dangerous merge on the LIE. Through mediation, we secured this recovery without the delays of a full trial.
• $115,000 — Motor Vehicle Accident (Long Island): A rear-end collision caused by a Geico-insured driver resulted in herniated discs. Despite Geico's aggressive tactics to minimize the claim, we proved our client met the serious injury threshold.
• $100,000 — Motor Vehicle Accident (Roosevelt/Bellmore): Our client was injured on the Nassau Inter-County Express route between Merrick and Bellmore. We maximized recovery within the available policy limits.

Note: Every case is different, and past results don't guarantee future outcomes. But these settlements reflect what's possible when the experienced trial lawyers at Raphaelson & Levine fight for Long Island families.

"After four decades representing injured Long Islanders, I've learned that every case is really about one thing: getting a family's life back on track. Insurance companies see claim numbers. We see the father who can't coach Little League anymore, the mother missing work to drive to physical therapy. That's who we fight for."

— Howard Raphaelson, Founding Partner & Personal Injury Attorney

How Long Do Personal Injury Cases Take to Settle?

Personal injury case timing varies. Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), the point at which doctors believe your condition has stabilized, can help assess future losses. Filing and notice deadlines must still be protected during treatment.

Settling before MMI is risky because you may not understand the full extent of your injuries, and ultimately the insurance claim may underestimate future medical costs and lost income.

Stages of a Long Island Personal Injury Case

• Treatment and investigation: You treat and recover; your injury lawyer investigates, identifies responsible parties, preserves evidence, and gathers medical records.
• Settlement discussions: Your lawyer sends a demand package and negotiates with the insurance company.
• Litigation when needed and before applicable deadlines: A lawsuit is filed, with discovery, motions, and (rarely) a trial. Most cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it's going to a jury

Factors that can affect your settlement timeline include:

• Severity of your injuries: Traumatic brain injury and wrongful death cases require more extensive documentation
• Number of defendants: Multiple liable parties can extend negotiations
• Insurance company cooperation: Some insurers settle quickly; others lowball, delay, and/or force litigation
• Municipal claims: Government entities often require different procedures and Notice of Claim compliance

We never pressure accident victims to settle early just to close a case. We wait until you've recovered (or reached MMI), so we can demand the full value of what you've lost.

What to Expect When You Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you've been injured, knowing what to do next can make a huge impact on your physical health and financial well-being. Here's what typically happens when you reach out about an injury claim.

1. Free Case Evaluation — Request a free case evaluation so your attorney can understand the details of your injury, and evaluate your legal options.  Bring as much information as you have available, including the police report, your medical records, proof of lost income, and the contact information for any witnesses.  There is no obligation and no pressure.
2. Investigation and Evidence Preservation — Your legal team immediately deploys to preserve critical evidence — surveillance footage, medical records, police reports, witness statements — before it disappears.  Surveillance footage can be overwritten, so preservation should be addressed promptly. Witness statements become less reliable over time.
3. Medical Documentation — Your attorney coordinates with your doctors at facilities like North Shore University Hospital or Stony Brook Medicine to document your injuries and future care needs.  Serious symptoms or injuries may not appear for days or even weeks — a written record establishes credibility if the other party claims your injuries aren't serious.
4. Insurance Negotiation — Your team of experienced personal injury attorneys will handle the legal process and negotiate on your behalf.  An insurance company may try to offer you a settlement within a few short days after the accident — it's often difficult to know the full extent of your injuries until weeks or months later. Don't settle a claim until you are confident you are being fairly compensated.
5. Resolution Through Settlement or Trial — If an adequate resolution cannot be achieved through a settlement, it may be necessary for your attorney to initiate a personal injury trial  in Nassau or Suffolk County courts.  Some injury law firms may shy away from long nights of preparation and going to trial. But at Raphaelson & Levine, it's what gets us out of bed in the morning.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim on Long Island?

A personal injury action generally must be commenced within three years under CPLR § 214. Medical malpractice generally has a two-year-and-six-month period under CPLR § 214-a. The general wrongful death period is two years after death under EPTL § 5-4.1. Exceptions, accrual rules and tolls can change these periods. Government claims can have much shorter notice and filing deadlines; the rules depend on the particular entity and claim. Seek advice promptly.

But several exceptions create shorter deadlines that catch Long Island victims off guard. Our attorneys will determine your filing requirements, and act quickly to ensure your right to compensation is protected.

Disclaimer: Statute of limitations vary based on the specific facts of your case. The information above is for general educational purposes for New York claims and does not constitute legal advice. Deadlines against government entities are significantly shorter. Consult with a Long Island injury attorney at Raphaelson & Levine to learn more.

Municipal Claims Process: The 90-Day Notice Requirement

If your injury involved a negligent party of a Long Island government entity (like Nassau County bus, a Town of Hempstead vehicle, a Suffolk County road defect, or a Long Island Rail Road accident—you face dramatically shorter timelines.

For claims subject to General Municipal Law § 50-e, a notice of claim generally must be served within 90 days. A court may permit a late notice in qualifying circumstances, but strict outer limits apply. Different rules can govern public authorities.

For personal injury actions covered by General Municipal Law § 50-i, the general action period is one year and ninety days after the event. The particular defendant and claim must be checked; this is not a universal public authority deadline.

Unfortunately time is not on your side. Every day you wait, your case weakens:

• Traffic camera footage from Long Island Expressway and Northern Boulevard cameras is typically deleted within 30-45 days
• Witness statements can become less reliable over time
• Vehicle "black box" data can be overwritten or intentionally erased
• Evidence preservation becomes impossible once accident scenes are cleaned and vehicles repaired

We monitor these deadlines relentlessly. Don't risk losing your right to compensation.

Who's At Fault In A Long Island Personal Injury Case?

New York’s comparative negligence rules can reduce damages in proportion to a person’s share of fault. Under CPLR § 1411(b), recovery is barred in personal injury actions subject to Article 51 of the Insurance Law when the claimant’s fault exceeds the combined fault of the defendants. Other claims remain subject to the general proportional-reduction rule. Which rule applies depends on the claim and the applicable law.

We've fought inaccurate police reports and overzealous insurance adjusters attempting to reduce a settlement payout through these laws, and will advocate for every penny of compensation you deserve.

Who Can Be Liable For Injuries Caused In My Case?

Common liable parties in a personal injury case varies by the cause of accident, but may include: other drivers, vehicle owners, employers, trucking companies, cargo loaders, road maintenance authorities, general contractors, property management companies and landlords, and/or manufacturers of defective vehicles, equipment, or products, and distributors and retailers.

At Raphaelson & Levine, we thoroughly investigate every potential defendant to pursue compensation. We've handled thousands of cases involving strict liability, negligence, and violations of various laws, including VTL § 388, Labor Law §§ 200, 240, 241, and FMCSR violations.

Our Investigation Process

We don't wait for insurance companies to investigate, we build your case proactively:

1. Immediate evidence preservation: Surveillance footage, 911 recordings, witness statements
2. Accident reconstruction: Working with engineers to prove exactly how the accident occurred
3. Expert witnesses: Medical specialists, economists, vocational experts
4. Subpoenas: Compelling production of cell phone records, corporate safety documents, maintenance logs

We investigate every party. From the distracted driver to the trucking company that pushed illegal hours, we ensure no source of compensation is overlooked, including uninsured motorist coverage, workers compensation claims, and all available insurance policies.

What Is My Long Island Personal Injury Case Worth?

The value of a successful personal injury claim depends on the individual facts, injuries, available coverage and applicable law.

Your actual settlement value depends on three factors: the severity of your injuries, the strength of evidence proving fault, and the insurance coverage available.

How We Calculate A Fair Settlement

Economic Damages: These are your calculable, out-of-pocket losses like medical expenses, lost income, lost earning capacity, and out-of-pocket costs. We work with medical providers, life care planners, and expert economists to document your current damages and project all your future needs.

Non-Economic Damages: These compensate for quality-of-life impacts that don't have receipts:

Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and qualifying loss-of-consortium claims address non-economic harms. Their value depends on evidence and the applicable legal standards; there is no automatic multiplier.

The Serious Injury Threshold

For actions between covered persons arising from motor vehicle use, Insurance Law § 5104 generally requires a serious injury to recover non-economic loss. Economic loss above basic economic loss may also be recoverable. Motorcycle occupants are excluded from statutory no-fault benefits; do not assume the same threshold rules apply to every motorcycle claim. Insurance Law § 5102(d) defines serious injury through several categories. Examples include:

The following list is illustrative; the facts and medical evidence must be reviewed against every applicable statutory category.

• Bone fracture
• Significant disfigurement
• Permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member
• Significant limitation of use of a body function or system

Insurance companies routinely deny that injuries meet this threshold. Our experienced personal injury attorneys specialize in proving serious injury, even when insurers claim your injuries are "minor."

How to Choose the Best  Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer Near You

Selecting the right legal representation can determine whether you receive fair compensation or a lowball settlement. Here's what separates experienced personal injury law firms from the rest.

The most reliable indicator of attorney quality is recognition from other lawyers. Super Lawyers designation means an attorney has been selected by their peers as among the top 5% in their practice area. Nassau County Bar Association and Suffolk County Bar Association involvement demonstrates commitment to the legal community.

During your free consultation, ask:

• "How many cases like mine have you handled in Long Island, NY?"
• "How do you communicate with clients during their case?"
• "Will you personally handle my case?"

Why Long Island Families Choose Raphaelson & Levine

At Raphaelson & Levine, we've built our reputation as the "Voice of the Injured" through our core values, the four R's: reputation, resources, results, and respect.

Here's what sets us apart:

• Decades of experience serving Nassau County, Suffolk County, and all of Long Island
• Over $1 billion recovered for injured New Yorkers in complex personal injury cases
• Trial lawyers who actually go to court, insurance companies know we don't bluff
• No fee unless we win: We advance all case expenses and only collect if we recover for you
• 24/7 Availability: Accidents don’t happen on a schedule. Our intake team is available around the clock to take your call and connect you with an attorney as soon as possible.
• Direct Attorney Access: You’ll have direct access to an attorney, a firm partner, and a dedicated legal team throughout your case.
• Multilingual staff that live on Long Island, and are proud to serve Long Island's diverse communities (English, Español, 中文（普通话))

Find out what you need to know about Long Island personal injury claims and how our team of award-winning personal injury attorneys can help you.