NYC Car Accident Lawyer – Brett Nomberg

Free Consultation | No Fees Unless We Win | 30+ Years Experience

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in New York City, you need a lawyer who understands NYC’s unique traffic environment and complex insurance laws. Brett Nomberg has been helping car accident victims across all five boroughs for over 30 years. For anyone who has ever traveled the busy streets of New York City, it’s evident that car accidents, though often minor, are a common occurrence. When you’re involved in an accident, understanding your rights and options can make all the difference. Engaging with an NYC Car Accident Injury Lawyer is important when it comes to confronting the aftermath of such incidents.

Why Choose Brett Nomberg?

• Proven Results: Multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements, including a $4.5 million verdict after the defense claimed a case was worth “11 cents”
• Personal Attention: Brett personally handles every case and is available on weekends
• No Risk: You pay nothing unless we win your case
• Experienced Trial Lawyer: Over a dozen successful appeals at the Appellate Division
• Former NYC Bar Association Chair: Led the Tort Litigation Committee from 2013-2016

What Should I Do Right After a Car Accident in NYC?

In the days and weeks following a car accident, victims often face unexpected medical expenses, loss of income, and emotional distress. These challenges can become overwhelming. A skilled NYC Car Accident Injury Lawyer can help you understand how New York State’s insurance and traffic laws apply to your case, ensuring you receive any compensation you’re entitled to.

Take these steps immediately:

1. Ensure Safety: Make sure no one is in immediate danger and, if possible, move vehicles out of traffic.
2. Check for injuries – Ensure everyone’s safety first. Move vehicles only if it’s safe and necessary.
3. Call 911 – Get police to the scene. An official police report is critical for your claim. Reporting the accident to the police, ensures that an official report is prepared.
4. Exchange information – Exchange insurance information with other drivers and gather contact information from any witnesses. Make sure to get the other driver’s insurance, license plate, and contact details. Don’t discuss fault.
5. Document everything – Take photos of vehicle damage, the accident scene, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries.
6. Get witness information – Collect names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the accident.
7. See a doctor immediately – Even if you feel fine. Some injuries like whiplash or concussions don’t show symptoms right away.
8. Call a lawyer before talking to insurance companies – Gain legal advice to protect your rights and understand your full range of options. Insurance adjusters often try to get you to make statements that hurt your claim.

How Does New York’s No-Fault Insurance Work?

New York follows a “no-fault” insurance system, meaning that your insurance company should cover medical expenses and lost earnings up to a certain limit, regardless of who caused the accident. However, severe cases that involve significant injury might allow you to step outside these no-fault restrictions to file a personal injury lawsuit. You can review New York’s insurance laws.

What does New York’s no-fault insurance system mean?

• Your own insurance company pays your medical bills and lost wages up to $50,000, regardless of who caused the accident
• You can’t sue the other driver unless you meet the “serious injury threshold” defined by New York Insurance Law §5102(d)
• Serious injuries include: death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, bone fractures, permanent loss of use of a body part, significant limitation of function, or a medically determined injury preventing you from doing substantially all of your daily activities for at least 90 days

If your injury is serious, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover compensation for pain and suffering, full lost wages, and other damages beyond the no-fault limit.

Can I Still Get Compensation If I Was Partially at Fault?

Yes. New York follows a “comparative negligence” rule (CPLR §1411). This means even if you were partly responsible for the accident, you can still recover damages. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Example: If your damages total $100,000 and you’re found 20% at fault, you can recover $80,000.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in NYC

Many factors contribute to car accidents throughout NYC. The most common include:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• DUI/DWI incidents
• Reckless driving
• Poor weather conditions

In each case, a diligent NYC Car Accident Injury Lawyer will investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident to identify liable parties and assess the potential compensation.

What Types of Car Accidents Does Brett Nomberg Handle?

• Rear-end collisions
• T-bone and side-impact crashes
• Head-on collisions
• Hit-and-run accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Rideshare accidents (Uber/Lyft)
• Taxi and delivery vehicle accidents
• Multi-vehicle pileups
• DUI/DWI accidents
• Accidents involving city vehicles (MTA buses, sanitation trucks, etc.)

What Damages Can I Recover in a Car Accident Case?

If your injury meets the serious injury threshold, you may be entitled to:

• Medical expenses: Past and future treatment, surgery, therapy, medication
• Lost wages: Income you’ve lost and future earning capacity if you can’t return to work
• Pain and suffering: Physical pain and emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed
• Permanent disability: Long-term impairment or disfigurement
• Property damage: Vehicle repairs or replacement

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in NYC?

Most cases: 3 years from the date of the accident (CPLR §214)

Accidents involving city vehicles (MTA, NYPD, sanitation, etc.): You must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days under General Municipal Law §50-e. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your claim.

Don’t wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and insurance companies move quickly to minimize your claim.

What Makes NYC Car Accidents Different?

New York City presents unique challenges:

• Dense traffic and pedestrian activity – More potential witnesses but also more complexity in determining fault
• Surveillance cameras – Many accidents are captured on CCTV, traffic cameras, or building security footage
• Complex street design – Bike lanes, bus lanes, one-way streets, and confusing intersections create liability questions
• City agency involvement – Accidents involving MTA buses, city-owned vehicles, or poorly maintained roads require special notice procedures
• Commercial vehicles – Delivery trucks, taxis, and rideshare vehicles have different insurance requirements and liability rules

What If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?

You have options:

• Uninsured motorist coverage (UM): Your own insurance policy may cover your injuries if the at-fault driver has no insurance
• Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM): Protects you if the other driver’s insurance isn’t enough to cover your damages
• No-fault benefits: Still available through your own policy regardless of the other driver’s insurance status

How an NYC Car Accident Injury Lawyer Can Assist

An NYC Car Accident Injury Lawyer will review your case, aid in collecting evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if required. Their experience can relieve much of the post-accident stress, enabling a smoother recovery focus.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire Brett Nomberg?

Nothing upfront. Brett works on a contingency fee basis, which means:

• Free initial consultation
• No legal fees unless we win your case
• We cover all case expenses during litigation
• You only pay if we recover compensation for you

What Our Clients Say

“Finding a doctor after an injury can be overwhelming, especially with no-fault insurance complexities. After being hit by a car in NYC, I struggled to get the care I needed. Despite consulting top attorneys, none took my case as it didn’t meet their financial expectations. Brett J. Nomberg was different. He said, ‘Let me first get you insurance so you can see the doctors, and later we can handle everything else.’ His priority was helping me, even without knowing if he’d benefit financially.”

“Brett J. Nomberg is very professional and knowledgeable. The Paralegal Dominika is great! They responded immediately to my phone calls or emails whenever I made any. The group was extremely helpful and guided me throughout the whole process. My case was successfully resolved.”

Common Questions About NYC Car Accidents

Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance company?

No, not without speaking to a lawyer first. Insurance adjusters may use your words against you to minimize your claim or deny it entirely.

What if I wasn’t wearing my seatbelt?

You can still recover damages, but the defense may argue your injuries were worse because you weren’t wearing a seatbelt. New York courts consider this on a case-by-case basis.

Can I sue if the accident was on a poorly maintained NYC street?

Yes, but you must file a Notice of Claim against the city within 90 days. Cases against government entities have strict procedural requirements.

What if I’m an undocumented immigrant?

You still have the right to file a personal injury claim. Immigration status does not affect your ability to seek compensation for injuries.

How long will my case take?

It varies. Simple cases may settle in months, while complex cases involving severe injuries or disputed liability may take 1-3 years, especially if they go to trial.

NYC Resources After a Car Accident

• NYC 311: Report non-emergency issues and access city services – Call 311 or visit portal.311.nyc.gov
• NYS DMV: File accident reports and handle insurance inquiries – dmv.ny.gov
• NYC Collision Reports: Get your official police accident report – NYPD Collision Reports
• NYC Department of Finance: Manage traffic tickets – nyc.gov/dof

Contact Brett Nomberg Today

Don’t face insurance companies alone. Get experienced legal representation from a lawyer who has been fighting for NYC car accident victims for over 30 years.

Law Office of Brett J. Nomberg, PLLC
600 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 808-8092

Free Consultation | Available Weekends | No Fees Unless We Win