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A car accident in Queens can leave you dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about your legal rights. According to NYPD collision data published on NYC Open Data, Queens consistently records thousands of reported motor vehicle crashes each year. If another driver’s negligence caused your crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Queens car accident attorney Keetick L. Sanchez of K L Sanchez Law Office, P.C. has built a reputation as a tough and tenacious advocate for accident victims throughout Queens. Before and during law school, she worked as a trial litigation paralegal on personal injury actions, including motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents, and slip and fall cases. Today, her New York personal injury firm represents clients in courtrooms across all five boroughs.
This guide covers what to do after a car accident in Queens, how New York’s no-fault insurance system works, the types of compensation available to you, how fault is determined, and what deadlines apply to your claim. You will also learn about common injuries, the serious injury threshold, and why legal representation matters in car accident cases. Call K L Sanchez Law Office at (646) 701-7990 to speak with Keetick L. Sanchez about your case.
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I would like to thank the KL Sánchez group and the lawyer Sanchez, for helping my mother and myself to fight the lawsuit in a car accident which turned out to be favorable to us due to the experience and the good work done. Likewise for Sonita Espinoza, who is the paralegal who assisted me in this almost 2-year process. I highly recommend this defense group for car accident cases, criminal defense, construction falls. Thank you very much and God bless you for your good work. Edwin Morazan.
The steps you take immediately after a car accident can directly affect the outcome of your claim. Knowing what to do at the scene, and in the hours and days that follow, protects both your health and your legal rights.
Call 911 if anyone is injured. Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 600, drivers involved in an accident resulting in injury or death must stop, provide identification, and render assistance. Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury is a criminal offense. However, you may move the vehicles out of the way of traffic for safety reasons.
While waiting for the police, document the scene with photos and video if you can do so safely. Capture vehicle damage, traffic signals, skid marks, road conditions, and the positions of vehicles. Exchange names, contact information, and insurance details with the other driver. Collect names and phone numbers from any witnesses.
Even if you feel fine, see a doctor within 24 to 48 hours. Some injuries, such as concussions, herniated discs, and internal bleeding, may not produce symptoms immediately. Early medical documentation also creates a record that directly connects your injuries to the accident.
Keetick L. Sanchez of K L Sanchez Law Office can review your accident and advise you on the best path forward. Call (646) 701-7990 for a free consultation.
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I just recently had an awesome experience with the team at K L Sanchez law office. The lawyer, Kettick Sanchez, was very professional and knowledgeable throughout the whole process, her assistant Kelly was also great at communicating and helping me with any concerns I had. Would definitely recommend their services due to their high quality of work and passion!
New York is a no-fault insurance state, which means your own auto insurance policy pays for your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages after a car accident, regardless of who caused the crash. This system is governed by New York Insurance Law Article 51.
Under the no-fault system, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage provides up to $50,000 in “basic economic loss” per person. This includes up to $50,000 per person in basic economic loss, such as medical expenses and other necessary costs, plus lost earnings (up to $2,000 per month for up to three years) and up to $25 per day for other reasonable expenses for up to one year, subject to the policy limit and no-fault claim requirements.
To file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, your injuries must meet New York’s “serious injury” threshold under Insurance Law Section 5102(d). This law defines nine categories of qualifying injuries:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Death | Fatal injury from the accident |
| Dismemberment | Loss or amputation of a limb or body part |
| Significant disfigurement | Visible scarring or permanent changes to appearance |
| Fracture | Any broken bone |
| Loss of a fetus | Miscarriage caused by the accident |
| Permanent loss of use | Complete inability to use a body organ, member, or system |
| Permanent consequential limitation | Lasting restriction in the use of a body organ or member |
| Significant limitation of use | Meaningful restriction of a body function or system |
| 90/180-day injury | A non-permanent injury that prevents you from performing substantially all daily activities for at least 90 of the 180 days following the accident |
Meeting even one of these categories allows you to pursue a full personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver. Courts require objective medical evidence, such as MRI results, range of motion testing, and physician evaluations, to prove your injury qualifies.
K L Sanchez Law Office can evaluate whether your injuries meet this legal standard. Contact the Jackson Heights office at (646) 701-7990.
If your injuries meet the serious injury threshold, you can pursue compensation beyond what no-fault insurance provides. New York does not cap the amount of damages in personal injury lawsuits, so the value of your claim depends on the specific facts of your case.
Economic damages reimburse you for financial losses that can be calculated with documentation:
Non-economic damages compensate for losses that do not have a specific dollar amount but significantly affect your quality of life:
Key Takeaway: Car accident victims in Queens may recover both economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, property damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress) if their injuries meet the serious injury threshold.
Keetick L. Sanchez is a lifelong resident of New York and the founder of K L Sanchez Law Office, P.C. She earned her J.D. from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law School. Before and during law school, she worked as a trial litigation paralegal handling personal injury actions, including Labor Law 240, 241(6), and 241 cases, motor vehicle accidents, and slip and fall accidents.
Keetick is admitted to practice law in the State of New York and the State of Texas. She gained additional legal training through internships with the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office in the Street Narcotics and Gangs Bureau (S.N.A.G.) and with the International Refugee Assistance Project (I.R.A.P.), where she worked on immigration matters assisting refugees. She represents clients in courtrooms throughout New York City, bringing a hands-on approach to every case.
Queens is the largest borough in New York City by land area, with over 2.2 million residents and some of the most congested roads in the five boroughs. Driver inattention and distraction remain the leading cause of car accidents across New York City. Other common causes of Queens car accidents include:
Certain roads in Queens are especially dangerous. Queens Boulevard, once referred to as the “Boulevard of Death,” still accounts for a high concentration of pedestrian-involved crashes despite recent safety improvements. Major Queens corridors like Queens Boulevard and Northern Boulevard have been the focus of Vision Zero safety projects, reflecting longstanding safety concerns on these roads.
If a negligent driver caused your accident on any Queens road, Keetick L. Sanchez can investigate your case. Call (646) 701-7990.
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Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident was tough, but having this Keetick by my side made all the difference. Her skill in the courtroom and compassion during my recovery period were more than I could have asked for. Truly the best in Queens.
ABOGADOS QUE HABLAN ESPAÑOL!
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The force of a car collision can cause injuries ranging from soft tissue strains to life-threatening trauma. The type and severity of your injuries depend on factors like the speed of impact, the angle of the collision, and whether you were wearing a seatbelt.
Common car accident injuries include:
Some of these injuries qualify as “serious injuries” under Insurance Law Section 5102(d), which opens the door to a full personal injury lawsuit. A fracture, for example, automatically satisfies the threshold. Herniated discs and torn ligaments may qualify if medical testing shows permanent or significant limitation of use.
Key Takeaway: Car accidents in Queens cause injuries ranging from whiplash and fractures to traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage. Proper medical documentation is critical because it determines whether your injuries meet New York’s serious injury threshold.
New York follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule under Civil Practice Law and Rules Section 1411. This means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
For example, if a jury awards you $200,000 in damages but finds you 20% at fault, you would receive $160,000. Unlike some states that bar recovery above a certain fault threshold, New York allows you to recover damages at any level of shared fault.
Determining fault requires a thorough investigation. Evidence that may be used includes:
The Queens County Civil Court (89-17 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica) has monetary jurisdiction up to $50,000. Claims seeking more than $50,000 are typically filed in Queens County Supreme Court (88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica).
Keetick L. Sanchez has investigated personal injury cases throughout New York City, negotiating settlements and pursuing litigation to secure the most favorable outcome possible for her clients. Call K L Sanchez Law Office at (646) 701-7990 to discuss how fault applies in your case
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The legal office of Lawyer K L Sánchez, provided us with an excellent service with very qualified personnel, Lawyer Sánchez is a very professional, very qualified and very responsible person, in the same way Ms. Yenny is a very professional and qualified person, they They show interest and concern for your case and do not rest until it is 100% resolved, which I certainly recommend. For my part you have my gratitude and thanks.
Under CPLR 214(5), you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the accident resulted in a wrongful death, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of death under EPTL Section 5-4.1.
Separate deadlines apply for no-fault insurance claims. An Application for No-Fault Benefits (Form NF-2) must be submitted to your insurance company within 30 days of the accident. Medical providers generally must submit bills to the no-fault insurer within 45 days of treatment.
If the at-fault party is a public entity, special deadlines may apply. For example, claims against the City of New York generally require a Notice of Claim within 90 days, and a lawsuit must be started within one year and 90 days. Other public authorities can have different notice and filing deadlines (including shorter timelines), so it’s important to confirm the correct rules immediately.
Key Takeaway: You have three years to file a car accident lawsuit in New York, but no-fault claims must be submitted within 30 days. Claims against government entities require a Notice of Claim within 90 days.
Meeting these deadlines is critical. Contact K L Sanchez Law Office early to protect your rights.
Insurance companies, including your own, are motivated to pay as little as possible on every claim. After a car accident in Queens, you may face insurance adjusters who pressure you to accept a quick settlement, request recorded statements that could be used against you, or argue that your injuries are not serious enough to meet the threshold under Insurance Law Section 5102(d).
A car accident lawyer can protect your rights by:
K L Sanchez Law Office works on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront and owe no legal fees unless Keetick L. Sanchez recovers compensation for you.
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I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND! I will give more than 5 stars if I could! They are really so helpful and knowledgable. The team always made sure our case was up to date, especially YENNY. She’s one of a kind! She’s always there when I need her! So polite and so kind. We are so grateful to Attorney Sanchez and her team for winning our case!!! Thank you so much K L Sanchez Law Office!
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Sorting out injuries, medical bills, and insurance issues after a car accident is a lot to manage while you’re also trying to heal. Having the right legal support can take pressure off your shoulders and help ensure the claim is handled properly.
Keetick L. Sanchez of K L Sanchez Law Office has spent her career representing injured clients throughout Queens and all five boroughs of New York City. She handles every aspect of car accident claims, from investigation through trial, and knows how to build cases that hold insurance companies accountable. Contact our Queens car accident lawyers to discuss your case.
Call K L Sanchez Law Office at (646) 701-7990 for a free consultation. Our office at 37-06 82nd Street, Suite 304, in Jackson Heights serves injured clients throughout Queens, and consultations are available in both English and Spanish. K L Sanchez Law Office works on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
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I had a really good experience working with my lawyer Keetick Sanchez. She greatly helped me through a stressful time in my life and made the whole process go very smooth. Ms. Sanchez’s paralegal Sonia Espinoza was always available and took the time to answer all of my questions. Neither of them ever rushed me through anything, rather they provided me with thoughtful support and advice.
The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical treatment, your lost wages, and the impact on your daily life. Cases involving fractures, surgery, or permanent limitations typically carry higher values. There is no cap on personal injury damages in New York.
Yes. New York’s pure comparative negligence rule allows you to recover damages even if you were partially responsible. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you are not barred from recovery at any level.
New York requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage as part of their auto insurance policy. If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you can file a claim with your own insurance under your UM coverage.
Straightforward cases with clear liability and documented injuries may settle within several months. Complex cases, particularly those involving disputed fault, severe injuries, or government entities, can take one to three years or longer if they proceed to trial.
In most cases, the first offer from an insurance company does not reflect the full value of your claim. Speaking with a car accident lawyer before accepting any offer can help you understand whether the settlement is fair.
The NF-2 form, officially called the Application for No-Fault Benefits, is the document you or your attorney must submit to your own auto insurance company within 30 days of the accident to receive coverage for medical bills and lost wages under New York’s no-fault system.
