Babylon
Serving Amityville, West Babylon, North Babylon, Lindenhurst, Copiague, Wyandanch, and the Route 109 and Sunrise Highway corridors.
Experienced Long Island Car Accident Attorneys Fighting for You
A car accident can change your life in seconds, on the way to work, picking up the kids, or heading home after a long day, leaving you with injuries, mounting bills, and an insurance company already asking questions. You shouldn’t have to figure out New York’s insurance laws on top of recovering.
How We Can Help
Representing Long Island car accident victims every day
At Palermo Law, our Long Island personal injury attorneys represent injured car accident victims every day, protecting your rights and guiding you through the process from start to finish.
Our attorneys bring more than 75 years of combined experience and over 400 five-star Google reviews helping injured people throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Steven Palermo holds a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating, has been named to Super Lawyers five times, and Palermo Law has been voted Best Law Firm in Four Leaf’s Best of Long Island competition five years running.
With offices in Babylon, Carle Place, East Hampton, Elmont, Hauppauge, Huntington, Mineola, Patchogue, and Riverhead, we’re never far from where you need us, and we’ll come to you at home, in the hospital, or over Zoom if travel is difficult. Your first consultation is always free, with no obligation.
Case Result
$3.2 Million Through Thorough Investigation
A delivery truck struck a child pedestrian, and the driver appeared to be at no fault. Our accident reconstruction expert uncovered a Vehicle and Traffic Law violation, leading to a $3.2 million recovery — the thorough investigation we bring to every case.
Why Hire Palermo Law for Your Long Island Car Accident Case?
There are dozens of car accident firms on Long Island. So why do so many accident victims choose Palermo Law? The answer comes down to three commitments we make to every single client.
| 1 |
Maximize Your RecoveryWe do not settle for the first number an insurance company puts on the table. Our job is to identify every available source of compensation, build the strongest possible case and fight until we get you a result that reflects what you have actually been through, medically, financially, and personally. |
| 2 |
Minimize Your StressAfter a car accident, your job is to heal. Our job is to handle everything else related to your accident. We communicate directly with insurance carriers, track your medical treatment, organize your records, complete all required no-fault and liability forms, and keep you updated so you always know where your case stands. You will not spend your recovery chasing paperwork or speaking to an adjuster who keeps asking you the same questions and yet telling you nothing. |
| 3 |
Resolve Your Case EfficientlyTime matters. The longer a case drags on, the longer you are living with uncertainty. Our team moves with purpose from day one, because getting you to a resolution that you are happy with, as quickly as possible without sacrificing anything, is part of what we consider a successful outcome. |
Our “Trial Ready” Philosophy Sets Us Apart
Here is the thing most car accident firms will never tell you: insurance companies know which attorneys actually go to trial and which ones settle when things get tough. At Palermo Law, we prepare every case as if it is going to be heard by a jury, even though most cases do eventually settle. That is how we build leverage at the negotiating table.
From the moment you hire us, we begin a full investigation. We collect the police report and any available accident scene photos or surveillance footage. We preserve evidence before it disappears. We work with medical professionals to document your injuries thoroughly and connect your treatment to the crash. We identify all liable parties and build a complete liability picture. We account for every dollar of your damages, including future medical costs, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
While you are focusing on healing, we are building a case that gives the insurance carrier no room to lowball you. When the adjuster knows that our attorneys have done their homework and are ready to walk into a courtroom if necessary, the negotiation looks very different than it would otherwise. That preparation is leverage, and leverage is what gets you a fair result without unnecessary delay and in most cases, without the need for a trial.
If the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable offer, we are ready to try the case, and not every firm can say that honestly.
Case Result
$705,000 for a Rear-End Crash the Insurer Called “Pre-Existing”
Our client was rear-ended in a company vehicle and needed cervical spine surgery, but the at-fault driver carried only a $25,000 policy. Palermo Law recovered that limit in full, then identified SUM coverage on the employer’s policy and defeated the defense’s pre-existing condition argument to secure an additional $680,000.
Types of Injuries We Handle
Car accident injuries vary widely in severity, but even injuries that seem minor at first can become serious, chronic conditions if not treated properly. At Palermo Law, we handle the full range of car accident injuries, and we understand how to prove them to insurance carriers and juries in a way that truly reflects the full impact on your life.
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Back and Neck Injuries
Whiplash and other cervical spine injuries are among the most common injuries in Long Island car accidents, particularly rear-end collisions. Symptoms including stiffness, radiating pain, limited range of motion, and headaches may not appear for hours or even days after the crash. Back injuries, including lumbar strains, facet joint injuries, and nerve compression, can result in chronic pain that affects every part of daily life.
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Herniated and Bulging Discs
Disc injuries occur when the force of the crash compresses or twists the spine, causing the disc’s inner material to push outward and press on nearby nerves. Herniated discs in the cervical and lumbar spine can cause severe radiating pain, numbness, tingling, and even weakness in the arms or legs. Many disc injuries require injections, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery. Under New York’s serious injury threshold, disc injuries supported by objective medical findings, particularly MRI evidence, can qualify your case for pain and suffering compensation.
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Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries involve damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments rather than bones. They are common in car accidents but frequently undervalued by insurance companies because they do not always appear right away. That does not make them less real. Torn ligaments, muscle tears, and significant sprains can cause lasting pain, instability, and functional limitations. We work with medical professionals who document these injuries thoroughly so the insurance company cannot dismiss them as unrelated.
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Fractures
Broken bones from car accidents range from simple fractures that heal in weeks to complex, comminuted breaks requiring surgery, hardware, and months of rehabilitation. Fractures of the legs, arms, ribs, pelvis, and facial bones are all common in car accidents. Under New York Insurance Law Section 5102(d), a fracture automatically qualifies as a serious injury, which means fracture victims are generally entitled to seek compensation in addition to their no-fault economic benefits.
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Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries, ranging from concussion to severe TBI, occur when the head strikes a surface or when violent deceleration causes the brain to move inside the skull. Symptoms of TBI include headaches, cognitive fog, memory problems, mood changes, sensitivity to light and sound, and sleep disruption. Serious TBIs can result in permanent cognitive deficits that affect a person’s ability to work and function independently. These cases carry substantial damages, and we handle them with the level of expertise and medical coordination they require.
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Wrongful Death
When a car accident claims a life, the loss is immeasurable. Under New York law, the surviving family members, typically a spouse, children, or parents, may bring a wrongful death claim to recover compensation for the financial and emotional impact of losing their loved one. This includes loss of the decedent’s economic contributions, loss of parental guidance, and conscious pain and suffering. These cases require careful, sensitive handling, and we approach them with the seriousness and compassion they deserve.
Understanding New York No-Fault Insurance After a Long Island Car Accident
New York is a no-fault state, meaning after an accident your own insurance carrier pays your initial medical bills and a portion of your lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. This gets some of your necessary accident-related expenses paid quickly without requiring you to prove fault first.
Your no-fault (PIP) coverage provides:
- Up to $50,000 per person for reasonable and necessary medical expenses.
- 80% of lost earnings up to $2,000 per month.
- Up to $25 per day for other out-of-pocket expenses such as household help.
Two important obligations: medical bills must be submitted to your carrier within 45 days of the accident, and you are generally required to attend any IME the carrier schedules.
No-fault covers the basics, but it does not compensate you for pain and suffering, does not cover lost earnings beyond the monthly cap, and does not account for the full cost of a serious injury over months or years of treatment.
This is where the serious injury threshold comes in. Under New York Insurance Law Section 5102(d), to step outside the no-fault system and sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering and expenses not covered by no-fault, your injuries must meet one of the defined serious injury categories: fractures, permanent loss of use of a body organ or limb, significant limitation of a body function or system, permanent consequential limitation, or a medically determined injury that prevents you from performing substantially all of your usual daily activities for at least 90 of the first 180 days following the accident.
Meeting the threshold requires proper medical documentation, and insurance companies actively challenge threshold claims with doctors and lawyers working to minimize or eliminate them. Having an attorney who understands New York’s threshold law, and knows how to build the medical record necessary to satisfy it, isn’t optional if you want full compensation; it’s essential.
Insurance Companies Are Not on Your Side
After a car accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will often contact you quickly. They may sound sympathetic. An adjuster might call to check on how you are doing, ask if there is anything they can do to help, or even extend what sounds like a reasonable early settlement offer. It can feel like someone is actually looking out for you.
They are not.
Insurance carriers are for-profit companies. Every dollar they pay to a claimant is a dollar that reduces their profit margin. Their adjusters are trained professionals whose job is to resolve claims for as little money as possible. Every question they ask, every form they send, every recorded statement they request, every early settlement offer they make, is part of a structured process designed to achieve that goal.
Common tactics include:
- Calling quickly after the crash, before you fully understand your injuries or their long-term implications.
- Requesting a recorded statement that can later be used to contradict your account of events.
- Offering a fast cash settlement before your injuries have fully developed and your prognosis is unknown.
- Disputing the necessity or relatedness of your medical treatment to reduce what they owe.
- Sending you to an “independent” medical examiner — typically a doctor retained regularly by insurance companies — whose report is designed to minimize your injuries.
- Arguing that your injuries were pre-existing or unrelated to the accident.
The numbers speak for themselves. Studies consistently show that accident victims represented by an attorney recover significantly more than those who handle their claims alone. According to data published by the Insurance Research Council, injury claimants who hired an attorney received settlements that averaged 3.5 times higher than settlements received by unrepresented claimants, even after accounting for attorney fees. That gap exists precisely because trained car accident attorneys know how to counter the tactics insurance companies use and how to build cases that insurance companies cannot afford to ignore.
We Know Their Playbook
We deal with car accident insurers every day
At Palermo Law, we deal with Long Island car accident insurers every day. We know their playbook, and we know how to respond to it effectively.
Critical Deadlines After a Long Island Car Accident
A car accident starts several legal clocks running at once, and missing any one of them can permanently close the door on compensation, no matter how strong your case is otherwise.
- 30 days – Written notice to your own no-fault carrier, the first step toward medical and lost-wage benefits. See 11 NYCRR Section 65-1.1.
- 90 days – A sworn notice of claim if a government vehicle or public entity, such as a county bus or school district vehicle, was involved, followed by a lawsuit within one year and 90 days. It is governed by General Municipal Law Section 50-e.
- 3 years – The general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit against a private driver, set out in CPLR Section 214.
- 2 years – The deadline for a wrongful death action, running from the date of death rather than the date of the accident. This comes from EPTL Section 5-4.1.
Tolling exceptions for minors and mental incapacity can affect these deadlines, so don’t assume your situation fits the general rule. Speak with an attorney as soon as possible to confirm yours.
The Value of Having a Lawyer in Your Corner
Without a Lawyer
$17,600
Average car accident settlement
vs.
With An Attorney
$77,600
Average car accident settlement
Our Long Island Offices
Long Island car accident help, wherever you were hurt
Carle Place
Serving Garden City, Westbury, East Garden City, Uniondale, and the central Nassau communities along the Meadowbrook Corridor.
East Hampton
Serving Southampton, Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor, Amagansett, Montauk, Water Mill, and all of the East End communities along Route 27 and Route 25.
Elmont
Serving Valley Stream, Rosedale, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens, and the Jamaica Avenue and Linden Boulevard corridors near the Nassau-Queens border.
Hauppauge
Serving Commack, Islandia, Brentwood, Central Islip, Smithtown, and the I-495 LIE and Veterans Memorial Highway corridors in central Suffolk.
Huntington
Serving Huntington Station, Cold Spring Harbor, Melville, Centerport, Northport, Greenlawn, Dix Hills, and the Route 110 and 25A corridors in western Suffolk.
Serving
Mineola
Serving Williston Park, New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Garden City, Albertson, and all surrounding Nassau communities in the county seat hub.
Patchogue
Serving Medford, Holbrook, Blue Point, Sayville, Bellport, Brookhaven, Ronkonkoma, and the Route 112, Route 454, and Sunrise Highway communities in mid-Suffolk.
Riverhead
Serving Calverton, Wading River, Manorville, Aquebogue, Jamesport, and the entry corridor to the North and South Forks along Route 25 and Route 58.
What to Do After a Car Accident on Long Island
1
Call 911 immediately
Even if injuries seem minor, having a police report creates an official record of what happened, and that document can become critical evidence if fault is disputed later.
2
Seek medical attention right away
Go to the emergency room, an urgent care facility, or your doctor as soon as possible, even if your injury seems minor. Many injuries, including whiplash, disc herniations, and concussions, do not become symptomatic for hours or days. A gap in treatment is one of the most common arguments insurance carriers try to use to minimize claims.
3
Document the scene
If you are physically able, take photos or video of all vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signals, signage, and any visible injuries. Get the names, phone numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance information of all drivers involved.
4
Get witness information
If anyone witnessed the crash, get their contact information before they leave. Witness testimony can be decisive in cases where fault is disputed, and officers do not always collect witness contact information at the scene.
5
Report the accident to your insurance carrier
You are generally required to report accidents promptly under your policy terms. However, limit what you say to the facts of the accident. Do not give a recorded statement without speaking to an attorney first.
6
Contact Palermo Law before speaking to the other driver's insurance company
The at-fault driver’s insurer will contact you quickly, often within 24 to 48 hours. Their goal is to get you on record saying something that limits their liability. Let us handle that communication for you.
5-Time Winner
Long Island’s Best Law Firm
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Voted Best Law Firm on Long Island by readers of BestOfLongIsland.com, presented by Four Leaf — recognition the firm has earned five times over from the community it serves.
Types of Cases We Handle
How Did Your Crash Happen?
Select the type of accident to see how these crashes happen, how we prove them, and where they occur across Long Island.
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Common Accident
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end crashes are the most common type of car accident on Long Island, especially on heavily traveled roads like the LIE (I-495), Southern State Parkway, and Jericho Turnpike. While some may appear minor from the outside, rear-end impacts can cause serious cervical and lumbar injuries, herniated discs, and concussions, particularly at highway speeds.
How We Prove ItEstablishing Fault
Insurance carriers usually understand their driver is at fault but will often argue over the severity of the injuries. We document vehicle damage and point of impact, pull dashcam and traffic footage, and build the medical record needed to counter those arguments.
Where It Happens on Long IslandCommon Locations
Rear-end crashes concentrate in congested stop-and-go traffic on Long Island’s expressways, parkways, and major arterials.
LIE (I-495)Southern State PkwyJericho TpkeSunrise HwyRoute 110 -
Common Accident
Intersection & Left-Turn Collisions
T-bone collisions occur when one vehicle strikes another from the side at an intersection, and left-turn crashes happen when a driver turning across oncoming traffic fails to yield. The side of a vehicle offers far less structural protection, so occupants frequently suffer severe injuries including broken bones, internal trauma, and head injuries. Under New York law, a left-turning driver who collides with oncoming traffic is generally presumed negligent.
How We Prove ItEstablishing Right of Way
These cases turn on who had the right of way and who ran the light. We use intersection camera footage, signal timing records, point-of-impact analysis, and witness statements, and we know how to use New York’s right-of-way rules to build your case when insurers try to shift blame.
Where It Happens on Long IslandCommon Locations
These crashes cluster at high-risk intersections along Long Island’s busy turnpikes and commercial corridors.
Hempstead TpkeMerrick RdMontauk HwyRoute 110Jericho Tpke -
Common Accident
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe crashes often happen when drivers change lanes without checking their mirrors or blind spots or drift out of their lane on multi-lane roads. Parkway merge points see a disproportionate share of these crashes. While a sideswipe can seem like a minor scrape, it can send vehicles spinning into guardrails, other cars, or off the road entirely.
How We Prove ItReconstructing the Merge
We analyze the location of side-impact damage, pull dashcam and traffic footage, and gather witness accounts of the lane change to establish which driver left their lane unsafely.
Where It Happens on Long IslandCommon Locations
Sideswipes concentrate at parkway merge points and on multi-lane arterials with short merge zones and heavy traffic.
Northern State PkwySouthern State PkwyLIE (I-495)Meadowbrook PkwySunrise Hwy -
Common Accident
Head-On Collisions
Head-on crashes are among the most catastrophic types of motor vehicle accidents. They are unfortunately not uncommon on two-lane county roads throughout eastern Suffolk County, including stretches of Route 25 (Middle Country Road) and Route 27 heading toward the Hamptons. When two vehicles strike each other at combined speed, the results are often serious.
How We Prove ItBuilding a Catastrophic Case
These cases typically involve large damages, and we pursue every dollar aggressively. We reconstruct the crash, establish which driver crossed into oncoming traffic, and fully document the long-term medical and financial impact of catastrophic injuries.
Where It Happens on Long IslandCommon Locations
Head-on crashes occur most often on two-lane county roads in eastern Suffolk County, particularly on routes heading toward the East End.
Route 25 (Middle Country Rd)Route 27County Rd 39Montauk HwyRoute 25A -
Common Accident
Drunk & Impaired Driving Accidents
Crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers are entirely preventable, which makes them particularly devastating. Long Island sees a significant number of DWI-related accidents, especially on weekend nights along bar corridors in areas like Huntington village, Bay Shore, and Patchogue. Accidents caused by prescription medication, marijuana, or other substances are treated similarly under New York law.
How We Prove ItDocumenting Impairment
Establishing impairment requires thorough evidence gathering, including police reports, toxicology results, and accident reconstruction. Where applicable, we pursue not only the driver but also commercial establishments that over-served alcohol under New York’s Dram Shop laws.
Where It Happens on Long IslandCommon Locations
Impaired-driving crashes cluster on late-night routes near nightlife districts and the corridors connecting them.
Huntington VillageBay ShorePatchogueSunrise HwyMontauk Hwy -
Common Accident
All Other Car Accident Types
We handle the full spectrum of motor vehicle accidents on Long Island, including wrong-way crashes, accidents caused by defective traffic signals, weather-related accidents where another driver’s negligence contributed, hit-and-run collisions, multi-vehicle pileups, and crashes involving rideshare vehicles like Uber and Lyft.
How We Prove ItUncovering Every Source of Recovery
Whatever the circumstances of your crash, we investigate fully to identify every liable party and every available source of coverage — including your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage when an at-fault driver flees or has no insurance.
Where It Happens on Long IslandCommon Locations
These crashes happen across all of Long Island, from high-speed expressways to local roads in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
LIE (I-495)Northern State PkwySunrise HwyRoute 110Hempstead Tpke
Common Accident
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end crashes are the most common type of car accident on Long Island, especially on heavily traveled roads like the LIE (I-495), Southern State Parkway, and Jericho Turnpike. While some may appear minor from the outside, rear-end impacts can cause serious cervical and lumbar injuries, herniated discs, and concussions, particularly at highway speeds.
How We Prove It
Establishing Fault
Insurance carriers usually understand their driver is at fault but will often argue over the severity of the injuries. We document vehicle damage and point of impact, pull dashcam and traffic footage, and build the medical record needed to counter those arguments.
Where It Happens on Long Island
Common Locations
Rear-end crashes concentrate in congested stop-and-go traffic on Long Island’s expressways, parkways, and major arterials.
LIE (I-495)
Southern State Pkwy
Jericho Tpke
Sunrise Hwy
Route 110
Common Accident
Intersection & Left-Turn Collisions
T-bone collisions occur when one vehicle strikes another from the side at an intersection, and left-turn crashes happen when a driver turning across oncoming traffic fails to yield. The side of a vehicle offers far less structural protection, so occupants frequently suffer severe injuries including broken bones, internal trauma, and head injuries. Under New York law, a left-turning driver who collides with oncoming traffic is generally presumed negligent.
How We Prove It
Establishing Right of Way
These cases turn on who had the right of way and who ran the light. We use intersection camera footage, signal timing records, point-of-impact analysis, and witness statements, and we know how to use New York’s right-of-way rules to build your case when insurers try to shift blame.
Where It Happens on Long Island
Common Locations
These crashes cluster at high-risk intersections along Long Island’s busy turnpikes and commercial corridors.
Hempstead Tpke
Merrick Rd
Montauk Hwy
Route 110
Jericho Tpke
Common Accident
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe crashes often happen when drivers change lanes without checking their mirrors or blind spots or drift out of their lane on multi-lane roads. Parkway merge points see a disproportionate share of these crashes. While a sideswipe can seem like a minor scrape, it can send vehicles spinning into guardrails, other cars, or off the road entirely.
How We Prove It
Reconstructing the Merge
We analyze the location of side-impact damage, pull dashcam and traffic footage, and gather witness accounts of the lane change to establish which driver left their lane unsafely.
Where It Happens on Long Island
Common Locations
Sideswipes concentrate at parkway merge points and on multi-lane arterials with short merge zones and heavy traffic.
Northern State Pkwy
Southern State Pkwy
LIE (I-495)
Meadowbrook Pkwy
Sunrise Hwy
Common Accident
Head-On Collisions
Head-on crashes are among the most catastrophic types of motor vehicle accidents. They are unfortunately not uncommon on two-lane county roads throughout eastern Suffolk County, including stretches of Route 25 (Middle Country Road) and Route 27 heading toward the Hamptons. When two vehicles strike each other at combined speed, the results are often serious.
How We Prove It
Building a Catastrophic Case
These cases typically involve large damages, and we pursue every dollar aggressively. We reconstruct the crash, establish which driver crossed into oncoming traffic, and fully document the long-term medical and financial impact of catastrophic injuries.
Where It Happens on Long Island
Common Locations
Head-on crashes occur most often on two-lane county roads in eastern Suffolk County, particularly on routes heading toward the East End.
Route 25 (Middle Country Rd)
Route 27
County Rd 39
Montauk Hwy
Route 25A
Common Accident
Drunk & Impaired Driving Accidents
Crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers are entirely preventable, which makes them particularly devastating. Long Island sees a significant number of DWI-related accidents, especially on weekend nights along bar corridors in areas like Huntington village, Bay Shore, and Patchogue. Accidents caused by prescription medication, marijuana, or other substances are treated similarly under New York law.
How We Prove It
Documenting Impairment
Establishing impairment requires thorough evidence gathering, including police reports, toxicology results, and accident reconstruction. Where applicable, we pursue not only the driver but also commercial establishments that over-served alcohol under New York’s Dram Shop laws.
Where It Happens on Long Island
Common Locations
Impaired-driving crashes cluster on late-night routes near nightlife districts and the corridors connecting them.
Huntington Village
Bay Shore
Patchogue
Sunrise Hwy
Montauk Hwy
Common Accident
All Other Car Accident Types
We handle the full spectrum of motor vehicle accidents on Long Island, including wrong-way crashes, accidents caused by defective traffic signals, weather-related accidents where another driver’s negligence contributed, hit-and-run collisions, multi-vehicle pileups, and crashes involving rideshare vehicles like Uber and Lyft.
How We Prove It
Uncovering Every Source of Recovery
Whatever the circumstances of your crash, we investigate fully to identify every liable party and every available source of coverage — including your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage when an at-fault driver flees or has no insurance.
Where It Happens on Long Island
Common Locations
These crashes happen across all of Long Island, from high-speed expressways to local roads in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
LIE (I-495)
Northern State Pkwy
Sunrise Hwy
Route 110
Hempstead Tpke
Contact Palermo Law for your Car Accident Case
Schedule a Free Consultation
With nine locations across Long Island, Palermo Law is never far from where you need us. Each office is staffed with attorneys and support personnel who know the local roads, the local courts, and the communities they serve. Whether your accident happened on the Long Island Expressway near Hauppauge, on Sunrise Highway in Babylon, or on a county road heading toward the East End, there is a Palermo Law office nearby.
If you cannot come to us because of your injuries, we come to you. We regularly conduct client meetings at hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and private homes throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. We also offer Zoom consultations and evening and weekend appointments to accommodate your schedule.
Your first consultation is always completely free and carries no obligation. You pay nothing unless we win your case. Call us today or submit your information online and a member of our team will reach out to you promptly.
Car Accident verdicts & settlements
$1.5
million
For a client injured in a motor vehicle accident
$1.025
million
for a victim of a drunk driving crash
$975
thousand
For a client injured in a motor vehicle accident
$950
thousand
For a client injured in a motor vehicle accident
$875
thousand
for a client injured while driving for work
$750
thousand
For a knee injury worsened from a car accident
$705
thousand
for a client injured from a rear-end collision
$675
thousand
for a client injured from a low impact rear-end collision
online ratings
Car Accident Client Reviews
...simple and stress free
Palermo Law makes the whole process of being in a car accident simple and stress free
Ana Tovar
Google Review
...all of my questions and concerns were taken care of...
I used this law office for my car accident and I’m happy I did all of my questions and concerns was taken care of. I would use Palermo law again if I needed to.
Dalisa Dandridge
google review
...the best possible settlement after my motor vehicle accident...
Steven Palermo’s law firm fought for the best possible settlement after my motor vehicle accident. I’d like to especially thank Danielle for her patience with coordinating appointments and explaining the process of MVA cases, to Courtney for keeping track of all of the fine details on our case, and for asking all the questions that we didn’t even know mattered. I would absolutely recommend Palermo law. So much so that this is my second time using them, but fingers crossed that it will also be the last time needing to.
Cassie Fuentes
google review
...I chose Palermo law and it was the best choice I made...
After my hit and run in March of 2025 I chose Palermo law and it was the best choice I made. Steve and Courtney have gone above and beyond for me and have always fought for me. Their staff is dedicated and gets back to you in a timely manner. They keep you up to date with your case and never leave you in the dark. They are accommodating and extremely knowledgeable. I highly recommend Palermo law for your accident needs
Jessica Conroy
google review
Long Island Car Accident FAQs
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in New York?
In New York, most car accident lawsuits must be filed within three years of the accident date. Claims against a government entity, such as a municipality responsible for a dangerous road condition, require a notice of claim within 90 days and a lawsuit within one year and 90 days.
Missing these deadlines typically bars your claim entirely, which is why contacting an attorney as early as possible is critical, even if you are still receiving treatment.
What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?
If you're hit by an uninsured driver, you may be able to file a claim under your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which New York requires on all auto policies. Pedestrians or cyclists struck by an uninsured vehicle may have a path to recovery through MVAIC.
New York requires all registered vehicles to carry liability insurance, but uninsured drivers remain a real problem on Long Island roads. We regularly handle UM and MVAIC claims and can explain what your options are.
What does it mean to "meet the serious injury threshold" in New York?
To sue for pain and suffering in New York, your injuries must meet one of the serious injury categories under Insurance Law Section 5102(d), such as a fracture, permanent loss of use, significant limitation of a body function, or the 90/180-day disability standard.
New York's no-fault system otherwise limits recovery to medical bills and lost wages. Our attorneys evaluate threshold eligibility in every case and work with your medical providers to ensure your injuries are properly documented.
How much is my Long Island car accident case worth?
Your case's value depends on your injury severity, whether it meets New York's serious injury threshold, your medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and the available insurance coverage. No attorney can honestly quote a dollar figure before evaluating these factors.
Be skeptical of anyone who promises a number upfront. What we can tell you is that we work to maximize every case, and our track record of over $75 million recovered for clients reflects that commitment.
Do I still have a case if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Yes. New York follows pure comparative negligence, meaning your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault but not eliminated. If a jury found you 30 percent responsible for the crash, you could still recover 70 percent of your total damages.
Insurance companies will often try to inflate your share of fault as a way to reduce their exposure. An experienced attorney knows how to counter those arguments with evidence and push back on unfair fault assessments.
What is a no-fault IME and do I have to go?
A no-fault IME is a medical exam scheduled by your insurance carrier with a physician of its choosing, and you are generally required to attend under your policy terms. Despite the word 'independent,' these doctors are typically retained regularly by insurance companies, and their reports often support reducing or cutting off no-fault benefits.
Failing to appear can result in a denial of benefits. Speak with our attorneys before attending an IME. We can prepare you for what to expect and help you document any discrepancies between the IME report and your actual condition.
How long does a Long Island car accident case take to resolve?
Straightforward Long Island car accident cases with clear liability and well-documented injuries may settle in several months. Cases with disputed liability, serious injuries requiring ongoing treatment, or uncooperative insurance carriers can take longer, sometimes years if litigation is required.
Our approach, building a thorough, trial-ready case from the start, often accelerates resolution because it gives the insurance company every reason to make a fair offer and no confidence that delay will benefit them. We keep our clients updated throughout and never push for a resolution that is not in their best interest.
Can I handle my own car accident claim without an attorney?
You can handle your own claim, but you are likely leaving money on the table if you do. Insurance companies have experienced claims professionals and attorneys negotiating these cases every day, while most injury victims do not.
Research from the Insurance Research Council has found that people represented by attorneys in bodily injury claims receive significantly higher settlements on average than those who negotiate on their own, even after paying attorney fees. Our consultation is free, so there is no reason not to at least understand your options before making that decision.
Learn more about the benefits of hiring an attorney vs. representing yourself.
Are there dangerous roads on Long Island where accidents happen most often?
Yes. Long Island's highest-crash corridors include the Long Island Expressway (I-495) between exits 40 and 60 in central Suffolk, Route 110 through Amityville and Huntington, Sunrise Highway (Route 27) through Nassau and western Suffolk, Hempstead Turnpike, Jericho Turnpike, the Meadowbrook State Parkway, Merrick Road, Montauk Highway, and Northern State Parkway.
If your accident occurred on any of these roads, there may be relevant crash history. We investigate the scene, not just the vehicles.
What does it cost to hire Palermo Law for my car accident case?
Nothing upfront, and nothing unless we win. Palermo Law handles all car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning our fee is a percentage of the compensation we recover for you. If we do not recover anything, you owe us nothing.
There are no upfront retainers, no hourly billing, and no surprise invoices. We offer to advance all case costs including filing fees, expert fees, and investigation costs, and those are only recovered from a successful settlement or verdict. Your initial consultation is completely free with no obligation to hire us.
Learn more about the cost of hiring a car accident attorney.