Long Experience Representing Accident Victims
Our lawyers deal with auto accident claims on a daily basis. But we understand that this is traumatic and new to you. We will take care of everything so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
You can turn to the attorneys of Abdella & Sise LLP for caring, skillful representation after a motor vehicle accident. We are committed to securing the monetary compensation you deserve for your losses and suffering.
Car accident in the Mohawk Valley? Get in touch with us today at 518-725-1819 for a free consultation!
We’ve Seen Every Scenario. We Know What To Do.
Abdella & Sise LLP has served upstate New York since 1937. Our lawyers have investigated countless motor vehicle accidents over the decades. We know what questions to ask and what steps to take to establish liability and maximize your personal injury compensation. We are familiar with every type of collision and all the legal issues, including:
- Intersection, head-on and rear-end collisions
- Collisions with a truck or commercial vehicle
- Accidents caused by drunk drivers
- Texting while driving and other distracted driving accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Pedestrians and bike riders hit by cars
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims (UM/UIM)
- Hit-and-run accidents
We work to get the highest settlement possible, including compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and any lasting disability. We deal with the insurance companies for you. Our verdicts and settlements include recoveries of $3 million and $2.1 million in trucking accidents and $1.1 million in an ATV accident.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motor Vehicle Accident Claims In New York
Here are direct answers to the questions we hear most often from accident victims in the Mohawk Valley.
How does New York’s no-fault insurance law affect my accident claim?
New York is a no-fault state, which means your own insurance covers your medical bills and a portion of lost wages after an accident regardless of who was responsible. What no-fault does not cover is pain and suffering.
To pursue a claim for pain and suffering, your injuries must meet the serious injury threshold defined under New York Insurance Law § 5102(d). Qualifying categories include fractures, significant disfigurement, permanent loss or limitation of a body organ or member and significant limitation of use of a body function or system. We review the medical records and the circumstances of the accident to determine whether the threshold is met.
How long do I have to file a motor vehicle accident lawsuit in New York?
New York gives accident victims three years from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit in most motor vehicle cases. That window sounds long, but the investigation benefits from starting early. Physical evidence disappears, witnesses become harder to locate and records that support your claim have a way of no longer being available the longer you wait. Reaching out to us promptly protects your ability to build the strongest possible case.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the collision?
Possibly, depending on your share of fault. New York changed its comparative negligence rules for motor vehicle cases in 2026. Under amended CPLR § 1411, if you are found 50 percent or less responsible for the accident, your recovery is reduced by that percentage. If you are found more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover. What an insurance adjuster says about fault early in the process is a starting point for negotiation, not a final determination. We look at the evidence ourselves before any fault allocation is agreed to.
Do I have to go to court for my car accident case?
Most cases settle without a trial. Insurance companies weigh the risk of going to court against the cost of settling, and a firm with genuine trial experience changes that calculation. We negotiate hard on every case and prepare each one for trial from the start. If the other side will not offer fair value, we take it to a jury.
Put Your Trust In An Established Law Firm
Our law firm has been around for more than 80 years because we take care of our clients and get results. Call us at 518-725-1819 for a free consultation, or use our online contact form. We have offices in Amsterdam and Gloversville, serving the Albany area and all surrounding counties of upstate New York. We can also come to your home or a hospital on request.