After a car accident on Long Island, you are dealing with injuries, insurance adjusters, and a no-fault system designed to limit what you can recover. We step in immediately to protect your claim, document the full extent of your injuries, and pursue every dollar of compensation available under New York law.

Our Long Island car accident lawyers handle rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, hit-and-runs, and multi-vehicle accidents across Nassau and Suffolk County.Rated a Tier 1 ranking for Personal Injury Litigation in NYC by U.S. News – Best Lawyers®, and awarded "Leaders In The Law" by New York Magazine, our experienced Long Island car accident attorneys have helped thousands of families across throughout New York recover more than $1 Billion in compensation.

Whether you were rear-ended on the Long Island Expressway, hit at a Hempstead intersection, or sideswiped on Sunrise Highway, we understand the roads, the common crash patterns, and the tactics insurers use to minimize payouts. We’ll be your voice, and build the case that fights for the full value of your claim.

Call (212) 268-3222 for a free consultation with an Long Island accident lawyer nearby.

Quick Answers About Car Accident Claims on Long Island

After a car accident on Long Island, the decisions you make in the first few days — what you say to the insurance company, which doctors you see, whether you preserve evidence — can determine the outcome of your entire case. We handle all of that from day one.

We’ll make sure you understand your rights, the deadlines that matter most, and whether you may qualify to pursue compensation beyond no-fault benefits. We’ll also explain what to do next, what to avoid, and what information can strengthen your claim—so you can make an informed decision.

If you have questions, call us. We offer multilingual intake in English, Spanish, and Mandarin, and we’ll explain your options clearly and directly.

Why Long Island Car Accident Victims Choose Raphaelson & Levine

We earn trust through verified outcomes, real client feedback, and a clear approach to helping our clients get full, fair compensation.

Our New York personal injury law firm is built for serious injury litigation and grounded in decades of experience in Nassau County Supreme Court (Mineola) and Suffolk County Supreme Court (Riverhead), and a proven track record of results.

When the stakes are high, you want a firm built for serious injury litigation—not quick settlements.

What Our Clients Say

"I worked with this firm after a serious car accident. They helped with getting things squared away before and after my surgery, managing two insurance claims,..." — Zef D., Car Accident (Google Review)

"Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm is the best Law Firm in New York.I was Rear-ended in a car accident, and they got me the most money possible..." — Anthony M., Car Accident (Google Review)

"After suffering from a horrible car accident in Long Island, I originally went with a larger national branded injury law firm. After fully healing from physical therapy, that firm sat on my case for over a year and barely pushed to get it resolved. I changed firms to Raphaelson & Levine and [they] immediately worked to get the case resolved quickly. If I could do it all over again, I would have just gone with them first." — Terron G., Car Accident (Google Review)

"If you are looking for a firm with personalized service you have found your place. Andrew and his legal team fought for my rights after being injured in a car accident involving a driver hitting me head on. I had some serious injuries and Andrew set me up with the top knee surgeon on Long Island who successfully completed my knee surgery and got me back into shape. The only personal injury attorney I would recommend." — Michael M., Car Accident (Google Review)

Reviews reflect individual experiences; results vary.

Recent Car Accident Case Results

$4.25 Million — Roadway Design Defect Settlement, Suffolk County. Our client lost control on a dangerous curve with inadequate signage, sustaining a traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures. We retained highway design engineers who identified critical flaws in the road's layout and filed claims against the responsible municipality.

$3.02 Million — Highway Accident Settlement, New York. A passenger was injured when a trailer struck a bridge overpass and the trailing vehicle lost control. The trailer driver fled the scene. We pursued the hit-and-run operator and secured a $3.02 million settlement for fractured ribs, facial injuries, and neck, back, and leg trauma.

$2.25 Million — Head-On Collision Settlement, New York. A driver making an illegal left turn crossed into oncoming traffic and struck our client head-on. We gathered accident reconstruction evidence, medical documentation, and witness testimony proving fault and the full extent of damages.

$1.5 Million — Rear-End Collision Settlement, Nassau County. Our client was rear-ended in Nassau County, sustaining injuries requiring extensive medical treatment. Despite defense attempts to downplay the impact severity, our team secured a $1.5 million settlement through compelling accident reconstruction data and medical records.

$900,000 — Rear-End Truck Collision. A freelance photographer was rear-ended by a truck at a red light, exacerbating a pre-existing herniated disc. We successfully argued that the collision significantly worsened his condition and recovered $900,000.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique.

Our Values: The Four R's

Results. Our clients have recovered over $1 billion in compensation.

Resources. Big firm resources, but small firm attention to detail. We work with top medical experts, accident reconstructionists, life care planners, and forensic economists, and spare no expense building the strongest case for our clients.

Reputation. Over 679 five-star reviews and numerous industry awards, including Best Law Firms Tier 1 rankings, Expertise.com Best Car Accident Lawyers in NYC, Best Lawyers recognition for 7 attorneys, and New York Law Journal Verdicts & Settlements Hall of Fame.

Respect. Every client becomes a part of our family. We make sure every car accident victim understands their legal rights, the deadlines that matter, and whether they may have a claim — so they can make informed decisions about their future.

We Handle All Types of Car Accidents on Long Island, NY

Long Island's highways, parkways, and suburban intersections see some of the highest traffic volumes in New York State.

The Long Island Expressway, Southern State Parkway, Northern State Parkway, and Sunrise Highway carry hundreds of thousands of vehicles daily. Each road has distinct hazards that produce different types of crashes with different liable parties.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end crashes are the most common car accident on Long Island, particularly on congested corridors like the LIE and Sunrise Highway during rush hour. The trailing driver is almost always at fault for failing to maintain a safe following distance, but cases become more complex when a multi-car chain reaction is involved.

We obtain traffic camera footage, electronic data from vehicle event recorders (black boxes), and police reports to establish which driver initiated the chain reaction. Rear-end collisions frequently cause herniated discs, whiplash, and concussions — injuries that insurance adjusters routinely try to minimize.

Head-On Collisions

When a driver crosses the center line into oncoming traffic, the resulting head-on collision is among the most catastrophic types of car accident. These crashes commonly occur on undivided Long Island roads when a driver is distracted, impaired, or falls asleep at the wheel.

We subpoena cell phone records, toxicology reports, and surveillance footage to establish what caused the at-fault driver to cross the line. Head-on collisions at highway speeds frequently cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal organ injuries.

T-Bone and Intersection Accidents

Intersection collisions — where one vehicle strikes the side of another — are especially dangerous because the side panels of a car provide far less protection than the front or rear. On Long Island, these crashes frequently involve drivers running red lights or stop signs at high-traffic intersections.

We obtain traffic signal timing records and intersection surveillance footage to prove which driver had the green light. When signals were malfunctioning or obstructed by overgrown vegetation, the municipality that maintains the intersection may share liability.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

When a driver causes a crash and leaves the scene, the injured person still has options for compensation. We work with police to identify the vehicle through surveillance cameras, license plate readers, and body shop records. If the driver cannot be identified, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage under your own auto policy may provide a path to recovery.

We recovered $590,000 for a client struck in a hit-and-run on the Long Island Expressway when the at-fault driver fled the scene — we pursued the claim through our client's own insurance coverage.

Multi-Vehicle Pile-Ups

Chain-reaction crashes on Long Island highways often involve three or more vehicles and multiple insurance companies, each blaming the other drivers. These cases require detailed accident reconstruction to determine which driver caused the initial collision and which subsequent impacts were unavoidable. Electronic data recorders in modern vehicles can provide critical speed and braking data. We identify every liable party and every available insurance policy to maximize recovery.

Uber, Lyft, and Rideshare Accidents

If you were injured as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, or struck by a rideshare vehicle, multiple insurance policies may apply depending on the driver's status at the time of the crash. Under VTL § 388, the vehicle owner can be held liable for injuries caused by anyone driving with the owner's consent. Rideshare companies carry $1.25 million in liability coverage when a driver is actively carrying passengers. We determine which coverage phase applies and pursue the maximum available limits.

Road Defect and Municipal Liability Accidents

Dangerous road design, potholes, missing guardrails, malfunctioning traffic signals, and poor drainage that causes hydroplaning can all make a municipality liable for your car accident. We recovered $4.25 million for a client who lost control on a Suffolk County road with a hazardous curve and inadequate signage.

Claims against towns, counties, and the New York State Department of Transportation require a Notice of Claim within 90 days — so contacting an attorney immediately is critical.

Multiple Insurance Coverage Layers

Most car accident cases on Long Island involve more than one insurance policy. Beyond the at-fault driver's liability coverage, your own no-fault benefits, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, and umbrella policies may all apply. In commercial vehicle accidents, the vehicle owner's policy and the employer's commercial liability coverage add additional layers.

We identify every available policy and pursue the maximum total recovery across all coverage sources.

How We Build Car Crash Cases on Long Island

Insurance companies start building their defense within hours of a car accident. We match that urgency — securing evidence, documenting injuries, and protecting your claim from the strategies adjusters use to minimize payouts.

1. Immediate Evidence Collection

Within hours of your call, we send preservation letters to businesses and municipalities that may have surveillance footage of the accident scene. We obtain the police accident report, request traffic signal timing data, and arrange for photographs of the vehicles, road conditions, and any defects in the roadway.

For newer vehicles, we secure electronic data recorder (black box) data that captures speed, braking, and steering inputs in the seconds before impact.

2. Accident Reconstruction

Our accident reconstructionists analyze vehicle speeds, braking distances, impact angles, and crush damage to establish exactly how the crash occurred. In multi-vehicle pile-ups, reconstruction determines which driver initiated the chain reaction.

In road defect cases, traffic engineers evaluate whether the road design met applicable safety standards. This expert analysis transforms a "your word against theirs" situation into a fact-based liability case.

3. Medical Documentation and Serious Injury Evidence

Meeting New York's serious injury threshold requires detailed medical evidence — not just an initial ER visit.

We coordinate with your treating physicians and retain independent medical experts who document the full scope of your injuries using objective, quantifiable measures: range-of-motion deficits, MRI and CT findings, nerve conduction studies, and functional capacity evaluations. For long-term injuries, life care planners project your future medical needs and costs so that any settlement accounts for decades of care.

4. Insurance Negotiation and Litigation

We manage every aspect of your no-fault claim, third-party liability claim, and any underinsured or uninsured motorist claims simultaneously. When insurers refuse to offer fair value (which happens often in car accident cases) we file suit and prepare for trial.

Our Long Island car accident attorneys have tried car accident cases in Nassau County Supreme Court, Suffolk County Supreme Court, and courtrooms across New York.

Insurers know which firms actually go to trial, and that knowledge shapes every negotiation.

How Car Accident Claims Work on Long Island

Local Resources for Car Accident Victims on Long Island

After a car accident on Long Island, you will likely interact with local courts, hospitals, and law enforcement. These are the institutions most commonly involved in car accident injury cases across Nassau and Suffolk County.

Courts: Nassau County Supreme Court (Mineola) and Suffolk County Supreme Court (Riverhead) handle personal injury litigation. Jurisdiction depends on where the accident occurred and where the defendant resides.

Major Trauma Centers: Long Island Jewish Medical Center (New Hyde Park), North Shore University Hospital (Manhasset), Stony Brook University Hospital, and NYU Winthrop Hospital (Mineola). We coordinate directly with medical records departments at these facilities to document injuries quickly and thoroughly.

Law Enforcement: Nassau County Police Department, Suffolk County Police Department, and local municipal departments investigate accidents and produce the police reports central to building your case.

Crash Reporting & DMV: If anyone is injured, killed, or there is more than $1,000 in property damage, the driver must file a Motorist Crash Report (Form MV‑104) with the New York DMV within 10 days. To obtain a copy of the official police crash report for a Nassau or Suffolk County accident, you can use the New York DMV's online crash report search and purchase system.

Courts That Handle Car Accident Cases

Personal injury lawsuits on Long Island are typically filed in Nassau County Supreme Court or Suffolk County Supreme Court, depending on where the accident occurred. Cases involving government entities — such as road defect claims against a town or county — may require proceedings in the New York Court of Claims if the state is a defendant. Smaller claims may be handled in Nassau or Suffolk County District Court.

Hospitals and Trauma Centers

Car accident victims on Long Island are most commonly treated at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, Stony Brook University Hospital (a Level I trauma center) in Stony Brook, South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, and North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. The treating facility's medical records become central evidence in your case — documenting what happened at the ER is the foundation of your serious injury claim.

Law Enforcement

Car accidents on Long Island are investigated by the Nassau County Police Department, the Suffolk County Police Department, New York State Police (for highway and expressway crashes), or local village police departments depending on jurisdiction. The police accident report — known as an MV-104 — documents the officer's observations, witness statements, contributing factors, and any traffic violations issued. We obtain these reports as part of our initial investigation.

Related Long Island Personal Injury Practice Areas

Car accidents often involve overlapping injuries and legal theories. If your situation involves any of the following, we handle these cases with the same commitment.

• Long Island Truck Accident Lawyer — Collisions with commercial trucks involve FMCSA regulations, higher insurance limits, and more complex liability chains.
• Long Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyer — Motorcycle riders struck by cars face severe injuries and unique bias challenges from insurance adjusters.
• Long Island Pedestrian Accident Lawyer — Pedestrians struck by vehicles face many of the same insurance and liability issues as car accident victims.
• Long Island Brain Injury Lawyer — Traumatic brain injuries from car accidents often require specialized medical documentation and long-term care planning.

Speak With a Long Island Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you were injured in a car accident on Long Island, the insurance company is already working to minimize your claim. Adjusters contact you within days, sometimes hours, looking for recorded statements, medical authorizations, and quick settlements that do not reflect the true cost of your injuries.

Partners Howard Raphaelson and Andrew Levine have spent decades handling car accident cases across New York, including high-value recoveries in Nassau County Supreme Court, Suffolk County Supreme Court, and the New York Court of Claims.

A short phone call with a personal injury lawyer at Raphaelson & Levine can clarify whether you have a claim, what deadlines apply, and what your case may be worth — without pressure and at no cost.

Call (212) 268-3222 — available 24/7 for free consultations. No fee unless we recover compensation for you.