Car accident lawyer in New York is a search many drivers make within a day or two of a crash, often while they’re still dealing with a tow and a rental car. That timing is right. New York’s no-fault system starts a 30-day clock the moment the collision happens, and missing it can cost you benefits before anyone has even looked at who was at fault.
The five lawyers below handle motor vehicle cases as a core part of their practice. Each was chosen for their verdict and settlement history, their recognition from peer-review groups such as Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers, and their record against insurance carriers in New York courts. Together they cover Manhattan, the outer boroughs, Long Island and upstate.
1. Edward H. Gersowitz (Gersowitz Libo & Korek)
Edward Gersowitz co-founded the firm with Andrew Libo in 1984. Both had worked with the trial lawyers F. Lee Bailey and Aaron J. Broder. Jeff Korek joined as a named partner in 1992. The firm reports more than $1 billion recovered for clients.
Gersowitz studied at Cornell and Cardozo Law School. He has appeared in Best Lawyers every year since 2012 and serves as a governor of the American Association for Justice. His motor vehicle work includes an $18 million settlement for the sole survivor of a Bronx River Parkway crash.
Address: 140 Broadway, Suite 4540, New York, NY 10005
2. Andrew Levine (Raphaelson & Levine)
Andrew Levine joined Raphaelson & Levine straight out of Hofstra Law School, where he graduated magna cum laude and served on the Law Review. He has won verdicts for the firm since 2005 and became a partner alongside Howard Raphaelson. The firm dates to 1992.
He has sat on the board of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association since 2012 and has been named a Super Lawyer every year since 2015. The firm has three offices, in Manhattan, Woodbury and Flushing, which makes it a practical choice for drivers in Queens and on Long Island.
Address: 14 Penn Plaza, Suite 1718, New York, NY 10122
3. Matthew J. Fein (Pazer Epstein Jaffe Fein & Gozenput)
Pazer Epstein Jaffe Fein & Gozenput has represented accident victims for more than 50 years. In 2026, Best Law Firms ranks it Tier 1 in New York City for plaintiffs’ personal injury litigation. Most of its cases involve motor vehicle crashes, construction accidents and premises claims.
Matthew Fein, a named partner, earned his law degree in 1997 and has been listed in Best Lawyers since 2021. A firm this focused on injury victims usually knows the defense lawyers and insurance adjusters on the other side well, which often speeds up settlement talks.
Address: 20 Vesey Street, Room 700, New York, NY 10007
4. Jordan D. Hecht (Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek)
Jordan Hecht and his partners, Judd Kleeger and Jonathan Damashek, came from large New York injury firms and set up their own practice so clients would work directly with a partner. U.S. News & World Report has named it among the best law firms in New York City.
Hecht earned his J.D. from Cardozo in 1994, was admitted to the bar in 1995, and was selected to Super Lawyers every year from 2011 through 2025. The firm handles car, truck and pedestrian cases along with construction injuries.
Address: 19 West 44th Street, Suite 1500, New York, NY 10036
5. Ross Cellino (Cellino Law)
Ross Cellino launched Cellino Law in October 2020 after years running one of the state’s best-known injury practices. The firm uses the 888-888-8888 phone number and has offices in Buffalo, Rochester, Long Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Manhattan.
That reach is the main reason to consider it. If your crash happened on the Thruway near Buffalo but you live in the city, one firm can handle the case from both ends.
Address: 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 2001, New York, NY 10170
What New York Law Expects After a Crash
- File for no-fault within 30 days. Your own insurer pays up to $50,000 for basic economic loss, such as medical bills and lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash.
- Report the crash to the DMV within 10 days on form MV-104 if anyone was hurt or property damage was over $1,000.
- Know the threshold. You can sue the other driver for pain and suffering only if you have a “serious injury” under Insurance Law Section 5102(d), such as a fracture or a significant limitation of a body function.
- Check the policy limits early. New York’s minimum liability coverage is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries. That’s why your own supplementary uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage often matters.
- Mind the deadlines. Most car accident lawsuits must be filed within three years, but if a city vehicle was involved, you need to file a notice of claim within 90 days.
FAQs
Q1. How much does a car accident lawyer cost in New York?
A: Most charge a contingency fee of up to one-third of the recovery and nothing if they lose.
Q2. Do I need a lawyer for a minor car accident in New York?
A: If no-fault covers your bills and you have no lasting injury, you may not. A fracture, surgery or ongoing treatment is a good reason to call one.
Q3. Who pays my medical bills after a car accident in New York?
A: Your own auto insurer pays first under no-fault, up to $50,000, no matter who was at fault.
Q4. Can I sue if the other driver was uninsured?
A: You can file a claim under your own uninsured motorist coverage, which New York requires on every auto policy.
Q5. How long does a car accident case take in New York?
A: It varies. A simple claim may settle in months, while a case that goes to trial can take a year or more.
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