Our team of legal professionals is focused on being your champions against insurance companies and others who might try to take advantage of you during your time of need. We believe in hard work, honesty, integrity, and determination as we pursue justice for your injuries. Each NYC car accident lawyer at Lambrou Law has the background in personal injury law required to aggressively negotiate for a fair settlement that meets your financial needs.
We also understand the city and its unique concerns, such as the most dangerous roads and intersections in New York City. By conducting a thorough investigation to determine who is to blame, what happened, and the full extent of your injuries, we compile a timeline showing how the distracted driver’s negligent actions left you with pain and suffering. You can put your energy into improving while we manage the paperwork and legal documentation.
The unexpected bills associated with an automobile accident can strain most people’s budgets, and they may worry about how to pay an attorney for their case. At Lambrou Law, our team works on a contingency fee basis, starting with a free consultation. You do not pay our attorney’s fees or other costs until we secure a settlement for you. We strive to reduce your emotional, physical, and financial stress by working to get the maximum compensation available for you.
Your rights as an injured driver in NYC
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Right to file a personal injury claim – You have the right to file a personal injury claim against the distracted driver whose negligence caused the accident. Distracted driving, which includes texting, using a smartphone, or any other activity that takes a driver’s attention off the road, is considered negligent behavior. Under New York law, you can pursue compensation for your injuries and damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. |
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Right to gather evidence of distracted driving – You have the right to gather evidence to prove that the other driver was distracted at the time of the crash. This could includes eyewitness testimony, cell phone records, and traffic camera footage. |
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Right to legal representation – You have the right to hire a personal injury attorney to represent you. An experienced lawyer can help protect your rights by negotiating with insurance companies to ensure you receive fair compensation and filing a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary, to hold the distracted driver accountable for their negligence. |
See what our clients have to say about our work
Attorney Lambros Y. Lambrou founded our firm to treat every client how they deserve. Through education, constant communication, and commitment to the client’s best interests, we are rewarded by the praise and testimonials from those we have served. Read what they have to say.
“They are very professional, knowledgeable & highly experienced… I truly believe I got the best representation possible. They came highly recommended. I feel Blessed that I got them to represent me…I would definitely go back to The Lambrou Law Firm!”
“I just remember a big, big truck…I was in a lot of pain. I had a broken hip, broken arm, and back. I was just thinking about my family, about what’s going to happen, who’s gonna handle payment of our bills? The expenses, the house, the kids… The first time that I met him (Lambros Lambrou), I was so impressed with how he gives you the confidence to keep going. He told me that he’s gonna take care of everything for me. I feel so much better. I see the picture of the day I was in the hospital, and today everything is changed. I’m very blessed to find him.”
“Mr. Lambrou is a phenomenal lawyer. He handled my case with absolute care and strives to achieve justice every step of the way. I highly recommend his services.”
We manage all kinds of distracted driving accidents
You can count on our team to help you, regardless of the details or size of your case. We have experience with accidents involving:
- Speeding
- Sideswipes
- Head-on crashes
- Rear-end collisions
- Trucks
- Motorcycles
- Bicycles
- Pedestrians
Cell phones are the most common culprit in distracted driving cases
Under New York law, drivers are forbidden from using smartphones and similar electronic devices when behind the wheel and their vehicle is in motion. Drivers cannot even read a text while driving, since even that simple action can take five seconds or more. As reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a vehicle going 55-mph can travel the length of a football field, putting fellow motorists, pedestrians, and others at risk of harm.
NYC drivers cannot hold their mobile devices or do any of the following:
- Make a phone call without using hands-free technology
- Compose, send, or read emails or texts
- Browse websites
- Take or view photos or send them to anyone else
- Watch or record videos, such as for social media platforms
- Play games
If the other driver was charged with breaking the no-texting law, your attorney can use this evidence to show negligence and fault.
Our distracted driving accident lawyers are ready to hear from you
If you were injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver in NYC, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and other losses. At Lambrou Law, we’re committed to helping you understand and protect your rights. We’ll fight to ensure that the distracted driver is held accountable and you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us guide you through recovering from your accident.
Common questions about distracted driving accidents
New York is a no-fault state, which means that regardless of who caused the accident, you can file a claim with your own insurance company under your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This entitles you to compensation for medical expenses and lost wages, up to your policy limits, without the need to prove fault.
However, PIP does not cover non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. To recover compensation beyond PIP coverage, you can pursue a third-party claim or lawsuit against the distracted driver if your injuries are deemed "serious" under New York law. Serious injuries can include broken bones, significant disfigurement, loss of a limb, or any injury that leads to long-term disability.
Both nationally and in NYC, distraction while driving leads to many accidents. The New York Police Department (NYPD) found in 2023 that 2,339 accidents happened due to some form of distraction, accounting for 29% of the total of 8,027 injury and fatality collisions. These include events such as:
- Cell phone use
- Driver inattention or distraction
- Eating or drinking
- Tablets or other electronic devices use
- Distractions outside the vehicle
- Distraction from passengers
- Texting
No – any activity that takes your attention off of the road is a distraction. Driving distractions can fall into one or more of these three categories:
- Cognitive: Cognitive distractions take the driver’s mind and focus off driving, leaving them open to delayed reactions.
- Visual: Visual distractions lead a driver to look away from the road.
- Manual: A manual distraction occurs when the driver takes one or both hands off the wheel, such as reaching for food or something in the backseat.
Many distractions, such as adjusting music or temperature controls, sending a text, or having a heated discussion with a passenger, can involve all three kinds of distractions. When drivers limit their distractions and treat driving as just another task, they can fail to obey traffic signals, give others the right of way, and cause devastating accidents.
Collecting evidence is pivotal to the success of your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Your attorney will handle most of this task, but you can assist immediately after the accident. We recommend the following:
- Avoid admitting guilt or assigning blame.
- Notify your insurance provider.
- Take photos and videos of your injuries and the accident scene.
- Contact an NYC distracted driving accident lawyer at Lambrou Law.
The statute of limitations under New York Civil Practice Law & Rules (CPLR) § 214(4) is three years. If you are eligible to bring one, you must file your personal injury lawsuit within that timeframe or risk losing the right to seek compensation. Some exceptions may shorten or extend the deadline, so it is critical to speak with an NYC distracted driving accident attorney right away to understand your rights.
Depending on the details, surviving family members can bring legal action against those at fault. If the person dies immediately, the family can file a claim with the help of an NYC wrongful death lawyer. If the loved one passes away later, the family can file a survivor action to pursue a personal injury lawsuit as if the deceased had survived.
In many cases, families can pursue both survivor actions and wrongful death claims since they address different aspects of the loss. Your attorney can advise you of your options.
Resources for injured drivers in NYC
Lambrou Law PLLC
Our New York City office is located at:
- Address: 45 Broadway, 31st Floor, New York, NY 10006
- Phone: (212) 285-2100
Hospitals
DMV guidance on filing an insurance claim
- File a claim under your own insurance with the New York Department of Motor Vehicles
- File an NYC police report online
- File a report online with the New York Department of Motor Vehicles
