Types of Car Accidents We Handle
Automobile accidents come in all shapes and sizes, especially in places like Manhattan, where unpredictable traffic packs the streets.
At Finz & Finz, P.C., we’ve seen it all, and we’re ready to handle your case, no matter the details.
Here’s a look at the types of crashes we fight for:
- Car vs. car accident: These crashes often happen at busy intersections or in stop-and-go traffic, caused by speeding, tailgating, or drivers not paying attention.
- Car vs. pedestrian accident: With so many people walking in Manhattan, these accidents are heartbreakingly common—usually due to drivers ignoring crosswalks or running red lights.
- Car vs. bicycle accident: Cyclists get hit when drivers fail to check their blind spots or open doors without looking, especially on narrow streets.
- Car vs. motorcycle accident: Motorcyclists are vulnerable when drivers don’t see them or misjudge their speed, often at high-traffic spots.
- Car vs. truck accident: Big rigs cause devastating crashes, often from driver fatigue or overloaded trucks losing control on tight city roads.
- Car vs. bus accident: Buses can collide with cars due to sudden stops or reckless lane changes in Manhattan’s crowded streets.
- Taxi accident: Speeding or distracted cab drivers weaving through traffic often lead to these all-too-common crashes.
- Uber and Lyft accident: Rideshare drivers rushing to pick up passengers can cause wrecks by cutting corners or ignoring traffic rules.
- Rear-end collision: These happen when drivers follow too closely or get distracted, slamming into the car ahead at lights or in traffic.
- Head-on collision: Wrong-way drivers or those swerving into oncoming traffic cause these violent, often deadly crashes.
- Sideswipe accident: Drivers switching lanes without signaling or checking mirrors scrape or smash into nearby cars.
- T-bone accident: Running red lights or stop signs at intersections leads to these brutal side-impact collisions.
- Hit and run accident: Drivers who flee after a crash—often from panic or no insurance—leave victims stranded and hurting.
- Distracted driving accident: Texting, eating, or fiddling with the radio takes a driver’s eyes off the road, increasing the risk of a collision.
- Drunk driving accident: Booze impairs judgment and reflexes, turning a night out into a nightmare on Manhattan streets.
- Driver fatigue accident: Exhausted drivers—think late-night cabbies or delivery drivers—may doze off or react too slowly, sparking crashes.
According to the Police Department City of New York, Manhattan sees around 1,000 motor vehicle collisions every month—that’s approximately 33 accidents per day.
Statistically speaking, 43 percent of all collisions with other vehicles occur when one car hits another at an angle, followed by 37.5 percent of rear-end crashes, 10.5 percent of sideswipe accidents, and 8.9 percent of head-on collisions, according to the National Safety Council.
When you’ve suffered an injury in any of these (or other) accidents, you need a car accident lawyer in Manhattan who understands the unique aspects of each collision scenario.
Negligence in Manhattan Car Accidents
When someone’s carelessness causes a car accident, that’s negligence—and it’s why you hurt today.
At Finz & Finz, P.C., we hold those responsible accountable.
Negligence boils down to four key pieces: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
- First, every driver has a duty to keep you safe—following traffic laws, staying sober, and watching the road.
- Second, they breach that duty when they mess up—texting, speeding, or blowing through a red light.
- Third, that breach has to cause the crash; you wouldn’t be in this mess if they hadn’t been reckless.
- Finally, damages are the harm you’ve suffered—your injuries, bills, and pain.
In Manhattan, examples of negligence are virtually everywhere: distracted drivers glued to their phones, drunk cabbies weaving through traffic, or fatigued delivery guys pushing through red-eye shifts. It’s not your fault they didn’t do their job as drivers—it’s theirs.
Our Manhattan car accident lawyer team will work tirelessly to prove negligence so you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Common Types of Injuries from Car Accidents
Car accidents don’t just dent bumpers—they hurt people, sometimes in ways that last a lifetime. Each year, Americans sustain over 5.2 million medically consulted injuries in motor vehicle collisions, according to the National Safety Council.
At Finz & Finz, P.C., we’ve seen the toll these injuries take, and we’re here to help heal and recover what you deserve.
Here are some of the most common injuries we see in automobile crashes:
- Neck injury (including whiplash): A sudden jolt snaps your neck back and forth, leaving you with pain, stiffness, and headaches that can linger for months.
- Traumatic brain injury: A hard hit to the head can rattle your brain, causing confusion, memory loss, or even permanent damage.
- Spinal cord injury: Damage to your spine can steal your ability to move or feel, turning everyday tasks into struggles.
- Internal injury: Hidden bleeding or organ damage from the crash’s force can be life-threatening without fast treatment.
- Burn injury: Fires or hot surfaces after a wreck leave painful, scarring burns that need extensive care.
- Soft tissue injury: Sprains, strains, or tears in muscles and ligaments bring swelling and soreness that slow you down.
- Broken bone: Shattered arms, legs, or ribs from the impact mean casts, surgeries, and long recovery times.
- Arm and leg injury: Crushed or twisted limbs make walking or working a daily battle.
- Knee injury: Smashed dashboards or twisted seats can wreck your knees, hobbling you for weeks or longer.
- Chest injury: Seatbelts or steering wheels can bruise or break your ribs, making every breath hurt.
- Amputation (loss of limb): Severe crashes can rip away a hand, foot, or more, changing your life forever.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Cuts or burns leave marks that affect how you and others see you.
- Paralysis: A spinal hit can leave you unable to move parts of your body, robbing you of independence.
- Wrongful death: The worst pain comes when a loved one doesn’t make it, leaving families grieving and devastated.
These injuries aren’t just physical—they also hit your heart and soul.
Our car accident attorneys in Manhattan will fight to make things right for you.
At Finz & Finz, P.C., we work with medical experts to fully understand the extent of your injuries and their long-term impact to ensure you receive fair compensation.
Compensation After a Car Accident in Manhattan
After a crash, you’re left with more than just a wrecked car—you’ve got bills piling up and pain that won’t quit.
At Finz & Finz, P.C., we fight to get you every penny you deserve.
Compensation comes in two big buckets: economic damages and non-economic damages.
- Economic damages cover the stuff you can count: medical bills (hospital stays, surgeries, rehab, meds, therapy), lost income (time off work, missed promotions, reduced earning power), property damage (fixing or replacing your car, ruined personal items), and out-of-pocket costs (crutches, taxis to doctor visits, home care). It’s the money you lost because of the crash.
- Non-economic damages are about the hurt that’s harder to measure: pain and suffering (aching days, sleepless nights), emotional distress (anxiety, depression, fear of driving), loss of enjoyment (missing out on hobbies, family time, life’s little joys), and loss of companionship (strained relationships with loved ones). These hit your spirit, and they matter just as much.
Our Manhattan car accident attorney team at Finz & Finz, P.C., doesn’t stop until we’ve maximized your case value—because you deserve it all.
How Our Manhattan Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
You’re not just a case number to us—you’re a person who’s been through hell. Here’s how Finz & Finz, P.C. steps up for you.
Every car accident case is unique, with its own set of circumstances and challenges. Our experienced attorneys will provide personalized legal guidance based on the specific details of your accident and injuries.
We’ll explain your rights and options in clear, straightforward language, helping you make informed decisions at every stage.
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Review and Gather Evidence
Building a strong case requires compelling evidence.
Our team will thoroughly investigate your accident, collecting:
- Police reports and accident scene photographs (according to the New York City Police Department, drivers must contact the police immediately after a collision when any person suffers an injury or is killed)
- Traffic camera or surveillance footage
- Witness statements and contact information
- Vehicle damage reports and repair estimates
- Road conditions and traffic patterns at the accident location
- Cell phone records to identify potential distracted driving
- Driving history of the at-fault party
- Background information on the vehicles involved
We act quickly to preserve evidence that might otherwise be lost or destroyed. Our investigators know exactly what to look for and how to document it properly to strengthen your case.
Complex cases often benefit from expert testimony.
As your car accident attorney in Manhattan, we’ll collaborate with a network of highly qualified experts, including:
- Accident reconstruction specialists who can determine how and why the crash occurred
- Medical professionals who can explain your injuries and their long-term implications
- Economic experts who can calculate your lost income and future income losses
- Life care planners who can project your future medical and care needs
- Vocational rehabilitation specialists who can assess your ability to return to work
- Engineering experts who can identify vehicle defects or dangerous road conditions
These experts provide credible, authoritative testimony that can significantly strengthen your claim, especially when causation or the extent of your injuries is disputed.
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Assess the Full Extent of Damages
Insurance companies often try to minimize the value of your claim by underestimating your damages.
Our experienced team knows how to thoroughly document and calculate all your losses – both current and future. By comprehensively assessing your damages, we ensure that any settlement or verdict reflects the cost of your injuries and their impact on your life.
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Fight for Fair Settlement
Most car accident cases are resolved through settlement negotiations rather than trial.
Our firm’s reputation for securing record-setting verdicts and settlements gives us powerful leverage during these negotiations. Insurance companies know we’re prepared to take your case to court if they don’t offer fair compensation.
With four former judges on our team, we have unique insight into how to present your case effectively in court.
Our trial attorneys have extensive experience arguing before juries and judges throughout New York. Our team will develop compelling trial strategies and visual presentations that communicate the facts of your case and the extent of your damages to the jury.
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