Yes. New York’s new 2026 car accident laws can apply even when the motor vehicle accident happened before May 26, 2026. The critical date under the legislation is not necessarily the collision date. The 2026 amendments to New York’s serious-injury law, comparative-negligence rule, trial sequencing requirements, and certain non-economic damages provisions apply to actions and ... Read More
A herniated disc can qualify as a serious injury after a New York car accident, but an MRI showing a cervical or lumbar disc herniation does not automatically satisfy New York’s serious-injury threshold. For motor vehicle personal injury actions governed by Insurance Law Article 51, the medical evidence must establish that the injury falls within ... Read More
A torn rotator cuff or other significant shoulder tear can qualify as a serious injury after a New York car accident. Still, the diagnosis alone does not automatically satisfy New York’s serious-injury threshold. For motor vehicle personal injury actions governed by Insurance Law Article 51, the medical evidence must establish that the shoulder injury falls ... Read More
No. You do not need surgery to meet New York’s serious-injury threshold after a car accident. Insurance Law § 5102(d) does not require an injured person to undergo surgery before recovering pain-and-suffering damages in a motor vehicle personal injury case. A person who suffers a significant spinal, shoulder, knee, neurological, or other injury may potentially ... Read More
A torn meniscus or other significant knee injury can qualify as a serious injury after a New York car accident. Still, the diagnosis alone does not automatically satisfy New York’s serious-injury threshold. For motor vehicle personal injury actions governed by Insurance Law Article 51, medical evidence must show that the knee injury falls within one ... Read More
Big law vs. small law? For a personal injury case, the size of the firm matters less than who actually handles your case. The right choice is a firm with the resources to take on insurers and the attention to treat you like more than a case number. Big Law vs. Small Law at a ... Read More