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January 29, 2026

Personal Injury Law Firms in NYC: Does Size Matter?

When you have been injured in a New York City accident, you are suddenly forced to make decisions you never asked for. Medical care. Missed work. Family responsibilities. Bills. Stress. Uncertainty about what comes next.

And right when you are most vulnerable, you are surrounded by billboards, commercials, and slogans pushing one message: “We’re bigger, so we’re better.”

But in personal injury law, law firm size is not a legal strategy, and a bigger firm does not automatically mean better results.

At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, personal injury law should be precisely what it says: personal. Your injuries are personal. Your pain is personal. I want you to know that your recovery is personal. Your case deserves a New York City personal injury law firm that treats you like a person, not a file number, and has the experience, resources, and trial readiness to fight for maximum compensation.

Call Greenstein & Pittari, LLP for a FREE consultation: 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462)
No fee unless we win.
Serving injured New Yorkers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

Why “Bigger Is Better” Is Often Just Marketing in NYC Personal Injury Cases

Some national or high-volume personal injury firms try to convince you that bigger offices, bigger advertising, and bigger settlement numbers on billboards mean they can win more for you.

That is not how personal injury claims in New York City work.

Your result depends on the strength of your case, including:

  • How quickly evidence is preserved
  • How thoroughly is liability investigated
  • How well your damages are documented
  • How strongly your lawyer negotiates with the insurance company
  • Whether your attorney is prepared to file a lawsuit and go to trial
  • How closely your legal team communicates with you and manages your case

Insurance companies do not pay more because a firm is loud. They pay more when they believe your legal team is building a case that can win in court.

The Volume Model: How Some Large Injury Firms Make Money

Many significant, out-of-state personal injury firms operate on a volume-based model. That means they sign as many cases as possible and try to resolve them quickly.

This system can create serious risks for injury victims in NYC.

A high-volume “settlement mill” may benefit from settling many cases fast, even if those settlements are not the full value of the injury.

This may be profitable for the firm, but it can hurt the client.

Your personal injury claim is your one opportunity to recover compensation for what you have lost. If your case is rushed, undervalued, or ignored early, you may never be able to recover what you genuinely need for future treatment, lost income, and long-term suffering.

If you believe a law firm is pressuring you to settle too quickly, call Greenstein & Pittari, LLP for a free consultation. We will explain what your case may be worth and what steps to take to protect your claim.

Your Injury Is Not Just a Case File

Personal injury law is about your life and what has been taken from you.

Injury victims come to us every day, dealing with:

  • Chronic pain and limited mobility
  • Missed work and lost income
  • Ongoing physical therapy and medical appointments
  • Anxiety, trauma, and emotional distress
  • Changes to family life, parenting, and relationships

A personal injury claim is not just paperwork. It is your future.

At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, we take time to learn your story and build your case around what you will need to move forward.

What Full Compensation Should Include in a New York City Personal Injury Claim

Many people think a personal injury case is only about medical bills. In reality, full compensation in a New York personal injury case can include multiple categories of damages.

Medical Expenses (Past and Future)

Your claim may include:

  • Emergency room care and hospitalization
  • Follow-up doctor visits and specialist care
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation
  • Diagnostic testing, imaging, and prescriptions
  • Surgery and recovery costs
  • Mobility devices and home modifications
  • Long-term treatment and future medical needs

Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity

If your injury affects your ability to work, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Lost wages
  • Lost overtime and bonuses
  • Lost income for self-employed victims
  • Reduced earning ability in the future
  • Disability-related economic losses

Pain and Suffering

New York law allows compensation for the human impact of an injury, including:

  • Physical pain
  • Emotional distress
  • Anxiety, depression, and trauma
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Limitations on daily activities and relationships

Property Damage

If your car or personal property was damaged, you may be entitled to repair or replacement costs.

Additional Damages

Depending on the case, you may also recover compensation for:

  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Permanent disability
  • Loss of consortium
  • Punitive damages in rare cases involving extreme reckless conduct

If you want a clear breakdown of damages in your NYC personal injury case, call Greenstein & Pittari, LLP. A consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win.

Do Large Personal Injury Firms Have Better “Resources”?

Not necessarily, and not in the way most advertising suggests.

Severe injury cases often require independent experts, such as:

  • Accident reconstruction engineers
  • Medical experts
  • Economists and vocational experts
  • Life care planners for catastrophic injuries
  • Investigators
  • Trial exhibits and litigation support

These experts are typically independent. A law firm does not employ them because independence improves credibility.

Both small and large firms can hire experts. What matters is whether your attorney:

  • Knows which experts are needed
  • Hires the right professionals
  • Uses them effectively to prove damages and liability
  • Has time to build a case properly

Trial Readiness in NYC: The Factor That Can Drive Higher Settlements

Insurance companies settle cases based on risk. If they believe your lawyer will file a lawsuit and go to trial, your leverage increases.

Many high-volume firms avoid trials because trials require:

  • Time
  • Preparation
  • Litigation costs
  • Serious attorney involvement

A firm can advertise that it fights, but the real question is whether it builds cases that might be tried.

At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, we prepare every case with trial in mind. Even if a case settles, strong trial preparation often leads to stronger settlement offers.

The NYC Advantage: Why Local Knowledge Matters

Hiring a New York City personal injury law firm with local experience can make a difference.

Local knowledge helps with:

  • Understanding NYC court procedures and expectations
  • Knowing how insurance carriers negotiate in New York
  • Recognizing defense doctors and defense tactics
  • Building strategies for jury pools across the five boroughs
  • Moving quickly to preserve evidence before it disappears

This is our community. We represent injured New Yorkers every day.

Communication Matters: You Deserve to Speak With Your Lawyer

One of the most common complaints people have about large personal injury firms is a lack of communication.

Clients often report:

  • They cannot reach their attorney
  • Their case is handled by staff members instead of a lawyer
  • They are transferred from person to person
  • They go months without meaningful updates

Communication is not a luxury. It is essential to build a strong case.

Your lawyer needs to understand your injuries, your treatment, and how your life has changed. If your lawyer does not know your story, they cannot tell it effectively to an insurance company or a jury.

At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, we prioritize clear communication, honest answers, and client support.

What to Look for When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer in NYC

Please don’t choose a firm based solely on size. Focus on what impacts your outcome:

  • Experience with cases like yours
  • Ability to take cases to trial
  • Proven case preparation and investigation
  • Resources to fund serious injury litigation when needed
  • Responsiveness and client communication
  • A strategy tailored to your injuries and your future

Personal Injury Cases We Handle in New York City

Greenstein & Pittari, LLP represents injury victims across New York City in cases involving:

  • Car accidents
  • Truck accidents
  • Uber and Lyft accidents
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Slip and fall injuries
  • Construction accidents
  • Premises liability and negligent security
  • Dog bite injuries
  • Wrongful death lawsuits

Serving Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

Free Consultation and No Fee Unless We Win

If you were injured in New York City, do not let advertising decide your future.

Call Greenstein & Pittari, LLP today for a FREE consultation: 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462)
Please don’t worry about a fee unless we win your case.

Frequently Asked Questions About NYC Personal Injury Law Firms and Firm Size

Does the size of the law firm affect my settlement in NYC?

Not automatically. The value of a personal injury settlement depends on liability, injury severity, medical documentation, insurance coverage, and strategy. A firm’s size does not guarantee a better result.

What is a settlement mill personal injury firm?

A settlement mill is a high-volume personal injury firm that handles a large number of cases and focuses on quick settlements. Clients often have limited contact with their attorneys, and cases may be pushed to resolve quickly rather than maximize value.

Do you know if I will speak directly with my lawyer?

I think you should ask this before you sign. Some large firms rely heavily on assistants or case managers. At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, we prioritize direct attorney involvement and client communication.

When does hiring a large firm make sense?

Large firms may be helpful in class actions or multi-state litigation involving hundreds of plaintiffs. Most individual NYC accident claims do not require a national firm structure.

How long does a personal injury case take in NYC?

It depends on the severity of the injury, the medical treatment timeline, the insurance company’s position, and whether litigation is required. Some cases resolve in months, while severe injury cases can take longer.

What damages can I recover in a New York City accident claim?

Depending on the facts, damages can include medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, property damage, disability, scarring, and, in rare cases, punitive damages.

How do personal injury lawyers get paid in NYC?

Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no upfront attorney fee, and you only pay if the lawyer recovers compensation for you.

What if I do not have health insurance but need treatment?

In many cases, arrangements may be available to help you receive medical care while the case is pending. Your attorney should be able to explain options, including medical liens or letters of protection, when appropriate.

Do I have to go to court to win?

Not always. Many cases settle. However, trial readiness often drives more substantial settlement offers because it increases the insurance company’s risk.

How soon should I contact a personal injury attorney after an accident?

Please let me know as soon as possible. Evidence in NYC can disappear quickly, including surveillance footage, witness memories, and accident scene conditions. Early legal action protects your claim.

Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari, LLP?

When you choose Greenstein & Pittari, you get a firm built for injured New Yorkers, not a high-volume pipeline.

  • Local Harlem office for convenience and trust
  • No fee unless we win your case, our Fee Guarantee
  • Bilingual services available
  • Hundreds of positive client reviews and testimonials
  • We handle the insurance companies so you can focus on healing
  • Top-rated, award-winning lawyers, including Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers recognition
  • Exclusive focus on personal injury law

Our motto is simple: Don’t Be a Victim Twice.

We have seven convenient locations throughout New York, with offices in Harlem, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County.

Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) today.
The call is free. The consultation is free. You do not pay unless we are successful.

Speak With a NYC Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you were injured in New York City, you do not need the most prominent firm. I think you need the right firm.

Call Greenstein & Pittari, LLP at 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) for a FREE consultation.
No fee unless we win.
Serving Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

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