Frekhtman & Associates

How much is my New York personal injury case worth?

It depends on five factors: injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, future care needs, and liability clarity. Our firm has secured a $525,000 Brooklyn slip and fall verdict, a $1,150,000 two-surgery settlement, and a $69,225,000 auto accident verdict. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in New York?

You have three years to file a personal injury claim in New York under CPLR § 214. Medical malpractice runs 2 years and 6 months. Wrongful death runs two years. Claims against the City of New York or the MTA require a Notice of Claim within 90 days under GML § 50-e.

How much does it cost to hire Frekhtman & Associates?

Hiring Frekhtman & Associates costs nothing upfront. We works on a 100% contingency fee – clients pay no legal fees unless the firm recovers money. The initial consultation is free, available 24/7 by phone, with hospital, office, and home visits for serious injuries.

Do I have a personal injury case in New York?

Yes, you have a personal injury case in New York when three conditions are met:Negligence – another party’s negligence caused the accident.Treatment – the injury required medical treatment.Threshold – the injury meets New York’s serious injury threshold under Insurance Law § 5102(d), including any fracture, significant disfigurement, permanent loss of a body system, or 90 of the first 180 days of disability.

What if I was partly at fault for the accident?

You can still recover compensation when partly at fault for the accident. New York follows pure comparative negligence under CPLR § 1411 – a plaintiff found 90% at fault still recovers 10% of damages. Our lawyers counters inflated blame with crash reconstruction, medical evidence, and witness statements.

Should I accept the insurance company's first settlement offer?

No, do not accept the insurance company’s first settlement offer. First offers run far below case value. Adjusters move fast on lowball numbers because injured people are scared, in pain, and worried about bills. In one brain injury case, the carrier opened at $140,000; the final settlement reached $3.1 million.

What should I do right after an accident in New York City?

Take six steps right after an accident in New York City:Get medical attention immediately – brain injuries, internal bleeding, and spinal damage surface days later.Call 911 and request a police report.Photograph the scene, vehicles, and visible injuries.Collect witness names and phone numbers.Refuse recorded statements from any insurance company.Contact a personal injury attorney before signing anything.

Will my case go to trial or settle?

95% of New York personal injury cases settle before trial. The remaining 5% reach a jury when carriers refuse fair value, when liability is heavily disputed, or when injuries justify a verdict beyond settlement offers. Founding attorney Arkady Frekhtman has tried cases to verdicts as high as $69,225,000.