Yes, you should call 911, especially for serious injuries or if the property owner is uncooperative. The police will document the scene and create an official incident report.
For non-emergency situations, you can file a report at your local NYPD precinct or online through the NYPD’s Online Police Report System. Having an official police report strengthens your case by providing independent documentation of the accident. If your accident occurred on city-owned property, also report it through NYC 311 to create a separate record with the city.

To obtain a copy of your NYPD accident report, visit the NYPD Records Section or submit a request online. You’ll need the incident date and location, and there may be a small processing fee. Reports are typically available within 5-10 business days. For construction site accidents, incident reports may be filed with the NYC Department of Buildings, and you can request copies through their records department.

Many clients contact us after they’ve already started dealing with the insurance company on their own, and often after realizing how challenging it can be. We can step in at any stage of the process. During your free consultation, we’ll review everything that’s happened so far, identify any mistakes that need correcting, and take over communications with the insurance company to ensure you receive fair compensation.

New York City has numerous hospitals and emergency rooms across all five boroughs. Seek immediate care at the facility nearest to where your accident occurred:

• NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens
• NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center
• Lenox Hill Hospital

Don’t delay treatment even if you think your injuries are minor. Delayed symptoms are common, and prompt medical documentation is important for your case.

After your initial treatment, physical therapy may be essential for recovery. NYC offers numerous PT options, including:

• Athletico Physical Therapy
• Elite Movement Initiative
• Professional Physical Therapy
• JAG Physical Therapy

Many accept various insurance plans, and some offer evening and weekend appointments to accommodate work schedules.

Depending on your injury, specialized support groups and resources can help during recovery:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

• Brain Injury Association of New York State: Support groups, resources, and advocacy
• Mount Sinai Brain Injury Research Center: Treatment and clinical trials

Spinal Cord Injuries

• NYC Spinal: Local support network

Burn Injuries

• NewYork-Presbyterian Burn Center: Leading burn treatment facility
• Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors: National organization with NYC connections

Amputation Support

• NYU Langone Center for Amputation Reconstruction
• Limb Loss Support Group

Transit accidents require special procedures. For injuries on MTA property, you must file a personal injury claim form within 90 days of the accident. Document your injuries immediately, take photos of the hazard, and get contact information from witnesses. MTA claims have strict deadlines and special procedural requirements, so consulting an attorney quickly will help you

Yes, and your complaints strengthen your case. When you notify your landlord in writing through email, text, certified letter, or 311, you create proof they knew about the hazard but failed to fix it. This “prior written notice” becomes powerful evidence in a premises liability lawsuit.

Under the NYC Housing Maintenance Code, landlords must maintain safe conditions and make repairs within a reasonable time after being notified. The law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who report violations or file claims.

Sidewalk accidents on city-owned property require filing a Notice of Claim with the NYC Comptroller’s Office within 90 days of the incident. The Notice of Claim must include details about the accident, injuries, and the hazardous condition.

Yes. New York State follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule, meaning you can recover damages even if you were partially responsible for your accident. Your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault you bear. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you’d receive $80,000.

Property owners frequently argue that hazards were “open and obvious” to avoid liability. However, New York law recognizes that even obvious hazards can cause injuries, especially when people are distracted, in poorly lit areas, or have no safe alternative route. An experienced premises liability attorney can counter these defenses by showing the property owner’s negligence despite the condition’s visibility.