Manhattan Based Car Accident Attorneys - Representing Car Accident Victims in New York For Over Four Decades

She was driving through the intersection; lawfully, carefully, alert. He was supposed to stop. He didn’t.

The impact was violent. Her head snapped forward with such force that it changed her life forever. What began as a “concussion” soon revealed itself to be post-concussive syndrome, a traumatic brain injury with life-long, debilitating consequences.

Chronic headaches. Dizziness. Memory lapses. Emotional volatility. She could no longer work, drive, or go about her daily routine without help. And still, the insurance company tried to call it “mild.”

We didn’t let them. Because there’s no such thing as a "mild" brain injury.

Through expert medical testimony, accident reconstruction, and tireless litigation, we proved what she was living every day: this wasn’t just a bump on the head—like all brain injuries, it was a serious, life-altering injury. And it was caused by someone who broke the law.

The result: a $2.5 million settlement to cover her ongoing care, lost wages, and the disability she’ll carry for life.

At De Caro & Kaplen, LLP, we know brain injuries. We know what they take from people. And we don’t back down, especially when someone’s future is on the line.

If a reckless driver changed your life, we’re here to help you reclaim it. Call us for a free consultation.

Beyond our knowledge and experience, De Caro & Kaplen, LLP clients benefit from a level of personal attention that’s rare among legal professionals today. Since we’re a “boutique” personal injury firm, our partners personally handle every case. That means you deal directly with a seasoned attorney—not a paralegal. Our partners maintain a small caseload in order to devote their time and resources most productively to each client.

And unlike many firms, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial to ensure you receive full justice and compensation for your injuries.

We invite you to visit our bio pages (Shana, Michael) for more information on our credentials, or follow the links below.

• Michael served as chair of the Motor Vehicle Accident Section of the American Association for Justice
• We are preferred attorneys of The Brain Injury Association of America (link)
• Michael is a professorial lecturer at law, teaching a course in brain injury law at the George Washington University Law School (link)
• Shana De Caro served two terms as Chairwoman of The Brain Injury Association of America (link)
• Michael served two terms as Chair of the New York State Traumatic Brain Injury Services Coordinating Council (link)
• Both Shana and Michael have been selected as New York Super Lawyers (link, link)

If you've been injured in a car accident due to another driver's negligence, poor road conditions, or defective vehicle components, you have a valid car accident claim.

If you're unsure about liability in your car accident, contact us today for a free consultation.

Below are comprehensive details of common types of car accidents we handle. This list is thorough but not exhaustive—if you suspect negligence contributed to your accident, please reach out. We’re here to help.

The most common crash. The most overlooked injuries.

Rear-end crashes account for nearly 30% of all accidents—that's 3.78 million collisions annually (source). Don't let "minor" fool you. Even low-speed impacts deliver devastating force to your neck and spine.

Typical injuries include:

• Whiplash and severe neck trauma
• Concussions without direct head contact
• Chronic back and spinal damage

Why they happen:

Distracted driving, tailgating, speeding, and impaired reaction times turn everyday commutes into life-changing events.

While rear-end crashes cause only 7% of fatal accidents (source), they generate massive medical bills, lost wages, and lasting pain. The "minor fender-bender" that changed everything deserves serious legal attention.

Read more about rear-end crashes.

3% of crashes. 11% of deaths.

When two vehicles collide front-to-front, the physics are brutal. Combined speeds create devastating forces that turn cars into weapons. In 2024, NYC alone saw over 1,000 head-on crashes.

Common causes:

• Impaired or distracted driving into oncoming traffic
• Reckless speeding reducing reaction time
• Dangerous passing on two-lane roads
• Poor visibility causing lane drift

Devastating consequences:

• Traumatic brain injuries from mild to severe
• Spinal cord damage causing paralysis
• Multiple fractures and internal bleeding
• High fatality rates

Survivors face enormous medical costs and lifelong disabilities. Your family needs experienced advocates who understand the stakes.

Read more about head-on collisions.

Your car's weakest point. Their strongest impact.

Each year there are tens of thousands of T-bone accidents in New York. When a vehicle's front slams into your side, there's little between you and disaster—just a door and some glass.

Intersection dangers:

• Running a red light 
• Right-of-way violations
• Distracted driving
• Excessive speed through crossings

Severe injuries from limited protection:

• Head trauma and brain injuries
• Spinal damage and paralysis
• Rib, pelvis, and limb fractures
• Internal organ damage

According to The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) side-impact crashes cause 25% of traffic deaths nationally. Intersections aren't just crossings—they're danger zones requiring maximum vigilance and legal protection when things go wrong.

Read more about side impact collisions.

The "minor" accident that isn't.

Sideswipes look simple—two cars scraping sides. But lose control afterward, and you're facing secondary crashes, barrier impacts, or pedestrian strikes.

Why they happen:

• Unsafe lane changes
• Blind spot failures
• Distracted driving
• Aggressive merging

Escalating injuries:

• Whiplash from sudden impacts
• Soft tissue damage
• Cuts from broken glass
• Fractures from secondary crashes

Don't let insurance companies minimize sideswipe damage. These "minor" accidents create major medical bills and lost wages.

Read more about sideswipe car accidents.

One crash becomes ten. One injury becomes hundreds.

Chain-reaction collisions turn highways into disaster zones. With 72% of accidents involving multiple vehicles (source), pile-ups create complex legal nightmares with multiple drivers, insurers, and degrees of fault.

Cascade triggers:

• Poor weather and low visibility
• High speeds with inadequate following distance
• Distracted driving causing secondary impacts
• Highway congestion creating chain reactions

Multiplied trauma:

• Brain injuries from repeated impacts
• Spinal damage from multiple directions
• Fractured bones and internal injuries
• Whiplash even at lower speeds

Multiple vehicles mean multiple insurance claims, disputed liability, and accident reconstruction battles. You need attorneys who can untangle the chaos and fight for full compensation.

Read more about multi-vehicle pile-up accidents.

2% of accidents. 35% of deaths.

When vehicles flip, occupants become projectiles. SUVs, trucks, and vans with high centers of gravity are particularly vulnerable to rollovers that create catastrophic injuries.

Rollover triggers:

• High-speed turns and sharp maneuvers
• Collisions destabilizing the vehicle
• Tire blowouts causing loss of control
• Poor road conditions and obstacles

Violent consequences:

• Traumatic brain injuries from impacts and ejections
• Spinal cord damage and paralysis
• Severe fractures throughout the body
• Internal organ damage from crushing forces
• High fatality rates

Rollover survivors face extensive rehabilitation, permanent disabilities, and overwhelming costs. These complex cases demand experienced legal teams who understand vehicle dynamics and manufacturer liability.

Read more about rollover accidents.

They left you injured. We'll find them.

Hit-and-run incidents increased 25% in NYC between 2018-2023 (source). Victims are left injured, confused, and seemingly without recourse. But evidence and legal recourse exists—we know how to find it and file the appropriate claim on your behalf.

Our investigation tools:

• Surveillance footage analysis
• Witness interviews and statements
• Physical evidence collection
• Law enforcement collaboration
• Accident reconstruction

Common injuries:

• Traumatic brain injuries from sudden impacts
• Spinal and neck damage
• Severe fractures
• Extensive soft tissue trauma

No license plate? No problem. We'll work with uninsured motorist coverage and pursue every avenue for compensation. Hit-and-run drivers think they can escape justice—they're wrong.

Read more about hit-and-run car accidents.

Five seconds is all it takes.

At 55 mph, looking at your phone for five seconds means driving the length of a football field blind. In NYC, distracted driving caused over 25,000 crashes in 2022—1 in every 4 accidents.

Modern distractions:

• Texting and smartphone use
• GPS navigation adjustments
• Eating and drinking
• Passenger conversations

Delayed reaction injuries:

• Whiplash from sudden impacts
• Concussions and brain trauma
• Multiple fractures from high-speed crashes
• Soft tissue damage throughout the body

These accidents are 100% preventable, making the negligence inexcusable. Distracted drivers must be held fully accountable for their choices.

Read more about distracted driving accidents.

30% of traffic deaths. Zero excuses.

Drunk driving kills over 12,000 Americans annually (source). In New York, 28% of fatal crashes involve impaired drivers who chose to weaponize their vehicles (NYS).

Impairment effects:

• Delayed reaction times
• Compromised judgment
• Poor motor coordination
• Visual distortions

Catastrophic results:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord damage and paralysis
• Internal organ trauma
• High-impact fractures
• Frequent fatalities

Drunk drivers don't just face criminal charges—they can face punitive damages designed to punish and deter. We'll pursue every dollar available to hold them accountable.

Read more about drunk or impaired driving accidents.

No protection. Maximum vulnerability.

In 2022, NYC drivers killed 132 pedestrians and 18 cyclists while injuring over 13,900 more. People on foot or bike accounted for over half of all traffic deaths.

Driver failures:

• Failing to yield at crosswalks
• Distracted driving through pedestrian areas
• Speeding in residential zones
• Aggressive turning into crosswalks
• "Dooring" cyclists

Life-altering injuries:

• Traumatic brain injuries from head impacts
• Spinal cord damage
• Multiple fractures
• Internal organ trauma
• Severe road rash
• Lasting psychological trauma

Arterial streets represent just 15% of NYC roads but cause 60% of pedestrian deaths. These aren't accidents—they're preventable tragedies requiring accountability.

One car doesn't mean one cause.

Single-vehicle crashes account for a large percentage of crashes, but "single-vehicle" is misleading. When your car hits a tree, guardrail, or rolls into a ditch, the real culprit might be a pothole, faulty brakes, or debris in the roadway.

Hidden causes:

• Road defects and poor maintenance
• Mechanical failures (brakes, steering, tires)
• Debris or obstacles in the roadway
• Inadequate signage or barriers
  Construction zone hazards

Serious consequences:

• Traumatic brain injuries from fixed-object impacts
• Spinal damage from rollovers
• Severe fractures from crushing forces
• Internal injuries from sudden deceleration

Don't let insurance companies blame you automatically. We investigate road conditions, vehicle maintenance records, and municipal responsibilities. Your "single-vehicle" accident might involve multiple liable parties.

Your car became the weapon. The manufacturer pulled the trigger.

Modern vehicles contain thousands of components—any one can fail catastrophically. When defective parts cause crashes, manufacturers with billion-dollar profits must be held accountable for cutting corners on safety.

Common defects:

• Brake system failures
• Tire blowouts and tread separation
• Steering mechanism problems
• Airbag malfunctions or non-deployment
• Electronic system failures

Devastating results:

• Loss of vehicle control at high speeds
• Inability to stop or steer
• Lack of protection during impact
• Secondary crashes from mechanical failure

Manufacturing accountability:  Vehicle defects turn your car into a death trap. Manufacturers must answer for their failures. We work with automotive engineers and safety experts to prove defects and demand recalls when necessary.

Orange cones. Concrete barriers. Maximum danger.

NYC's constant construction creates accident hotspots with confusing lane changes, reduced visibility, and massive equipment. When crashes happen, liability can involve the city, contractors, and other drivers.

Construction hazards:

• Narrow lanes and sudden merges
• Concrete barriers with no give
• Heavy equipment operating near traffic
• Poor signage and inadequate warnings
• Uneven surfaces and debris

Amplified injuries:

• Severe impacts with immovable barriers
• Crushing injuries from construction equipment
• Head trauma from concrete median strikes
• Multiple vehicle pile-ups in confined spaces

Complex liability: Construction zone accidents can involve multiple defendants: the city, general contractors, subcontractors, and equipment operators. We investigate work zone design, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance. When construction zones become crash zones, everyone responsible must pay.

Additional car accident scenarios include:

• Accidents caused by vehicle defects or recalls
• Crashes due to poor road maintenance or defective roadway design
• Weather-related car accidents
• Parking lot accidents

If negligence contributed to your car accident injury, you deserve compensation.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

Looking at a photo of the crash site is not enough to predict the severity of your auto accident injury. The New York car accident lawyers at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP dig deep to understand how the injuries you sustained will affect the quality of your life now, and in the future. We work with accident reconstruction experts, treating physicians, medical experts, and other professionals to determine how and why your injury took place—and how it could have been prevented.

We also retain qualified economists and life care planners to assist us in understanding and proving the degree of harm and loss suffered. This process, designed to maximize your compensation to the fullest extent possible, takes into account:

• Medical expenses
• Present and future loss of income
• Emotional trauma and related treatment/expenses
• The necessity for future medical and rehabilitation services
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of the pleasures and pursuits of life

The Basics: Your Insurance Pays First

New York's "no-fault" system means your own insurance covers medical bills and lost wages immediately—regardless of who caused the crash. It's designed for speed, not justice.

Key coverage (Personal Injury Protection):

• $50,000 maximum per person in "basic economic loss"
• Medical expenses - all reasonable and necessary treatment
• Lost wages - 80% of earnings, capped at $2,000/month for 3 years max
• Other expenses - home care, transportation to treatment

Critical deadline: File within 30 days or you may lose benefits entirely.

What No-Fault Doesn't Cover

• Property damage to your vehicle
• Pain and suffering (unless you meet strict injury thresholds)
• Full wage replacement (only 80%, with monthly caps)

When You Can Sue 

You can pursue the at-fault driver for your injuries, disability, loss of earnings, and pain and suffering only if your injuries meet New York's "serious injury" threshold:

Qualifying injuries:

• Death
• Dismemberment
• Significant disfigurement
• Fracture
• Permanent loss of use (organ, limb, function)
• Permanent limitation of use
• Significant limitation of body function
• 90+ days of disability within 180 days of the accident

If you qualify, you can sue for:

• Pain and suffering damages
• Economic losses exceeding no-fault limits
• Full compensation for your injuries

No-fault gets you quick medical coverage but limits your rights. The real question isn't whether no-fault applies—it's whether your injuries are serious enough to break through and pursue full compensation.

Don't let insurance companies minimize your injuries or rush you into settlements. Contact our experienced New York car accident attorneys for a free consultation to understand your full legal options.

• The New York State Comptroller has issued a report finding motor vehicle fatalities in New York State rose 25.8 % in the years from 2019 to 2022.
• Fatalities reached their highest level in 2022.
• 1,175 motor vehicle deaths occurred in 2022, which was the highest number since 2013.
• Most fatal car crashes occur on urban roadways which went up by 61 % in New York since 2017.
• Long Island led the state in the number of deaths with 164 reported in Suffolk County and 81 in Nassau County.
• Three out of four vehicles involved in roadway deaths were passenger vehicles and light Trucks.
• One in three deaths involved speeding.
• One in three deaths involved a driver with a blood alcohol level above the federal legal limit.
• Speeding, drunk driving, and failure to abide by traffic safety rules are causing preventable deaths.

Our car accident attorneys serve the entire State of New York including New York City, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island and Queens. We also serve Nassau and Suffolk, Rockland, Westchester Counties, Albany, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse and surrounding areas.

• Can I sue for a car accident in New York?
• How long can a car accident lawsuit in New York take?
• Can whiplash cause a concussion?
• How do you sue a negligent driver after a car accident in New York?

Filing a lawsuit can be stressful. But our partners maintain a limited caseload in order to provide attentive client support and eliminate as much anxiety as possible. You’ll feel confident knowing you have a qualified attorney by your side at every step of your case.

Concerned about the costs of hiring a lawyer for your car accident case? Don’t be. You pay no attorney fees unless we win a settlement or favorable judgment on your behalf.

Your car accident case starts with one conversation, directly with one of our partners, Shana De Caro or Michael Kaplen.

Why act today?

Because the earlier you file a claim, the better. Missing deadlines will mean your case is unable to move forward.

• No upfront cost – We’re paid only if we win for you.
• Personal attention – Your case is handled start-to-finish by our partners, not passed to a junior associate.
• Proven results – Multi-million-dollar recoveries for New Yorkers injured in car accidents.

Don’t let evidence disappear or deadlines expire. Reach out now, and let’s start building the strongest claim possible, together.