Car Accident Lawyer in Jamaica Queens NY
Car Accident Attorneys who fight for Queens.
For decades, Tannenbaum, Bellantone & Silver, P.C. has stood beside injured New Yorkers — pursuing the medical care, lost income, and full recovery insurance companies would rather not pay.
Results that speak for themselves
A small selection of recoveries our attorneys have secured for clients across New York’s courts.
The Firm
A practice built on trial work, not transactions.
Tannenbaum, Bellantone & Silver, P.C. limits its practice to the representation of seriously injured and sick clients — in personal injury, medical malpractice, nursing home, construction, military malpractice, automobile, and premises liability litigation.
We work with recognized doctors, certified industrial hygienists, pharmacologists, physical therapists, economists, vocational specialists, life care planners, and accident reconstructionists to maximize the value of every case we accept.
To assure proper attention to every matter, we deliberately keep our caseload small. If you cannot meet with us at our offices, we will travel to you. A car accident attorney from our firm will respond promptly to your inquiry.
Meet Our Attorneys
Steven Tannenbaum
Steven B. Tannenbaum brings more than 40 years of experience representing seriously injured clients in complex medical malpractice, military medical malpractice, personal injury, product liability, and labor law matters. He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and all New York state courts, and has served as trial counsel for more than 25 firms across the region and in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, and Texas. Recognized among the Top Attorneys of North America — and selected for its President’s Circle in 2020 — Mr. Tannenbaum also serves as a mediator and arbitrator for National Arbitration and Mediation. A grateful survivor of sudden cardiac arrest, he is a certified CPR/AED instructor and currently serves as National Vice-Chair of Parent Heart Watch.
Gregory Bellantone
Gregory D. Bellantone brings 30 years of experience representing seriously injured clients in medical malpractice, construction accidents, motor vehicle negligence, and premises liability matters, recovering millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. Admitted to practice in New York since 1991 — as well as the Federal Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York — he has successfully tried cases in Supreme Court in every county in New York City, throughout Long Island, and in Federal Courts in New York and Florida, with trial results published in New York Verdict Search. Mr. Bellantone also serves as trial counsel to firms across New York City and Long Island and represents several small businesses in litigation matters. A recognized top-rated attorney, he was selected to Super Lawyers in 2019 and 2020 and is a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Queens
Most collisions are preventable. The negligence behind them is often the foundation of a successful claim.
Texting, fiddling with a GPS, or simply taking eyes off the road for a moment that changes a life.
Aggressive lane changes and unsafe speeds in the dense traffic that defines Queens roadways.
Operating under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances — a clear basis for liability.
Drowsy commercial drivers and exhausted commuters whose reaction times have collapsed.
Poor road surfaces, missing signage, and weather-related dangers that responsible drivers must anticipate.
Defective brakes, worn tires, or manufacturer defects that can implicate third-party liability.
What to Do After the Accident
The actions you take in the moments and days after a collision can shape both your recovery and the strength of your case.
01. Call the police. Make sure an official accident report is filed at the scene. This document becomes a foundational piece of evidence and is often required by your insurance carrier.
02. Seek medical care immediately. Even if you feel fine, get evaluated. Soft-tissue injuries, concussions, and internal bleeding may not present symptoms for hours or days, yet leaving them undocumented can undermine your claim.
03. Document the scene. Photograph every vehicle, the surrounding roadway, traffic controls, weather conditions, and any visible injuries. Capture damage from multiple angles before vehicles are moved.
04. Exchange information — carefully. Get names, contact details, insurance information, and license plates from all drivers and witnesses. Do not admit fault, speculate about causes, or apologize at the scene.
05. Speak with an attorney before the insurer. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. A brief conversation with a Queens car accident lawyer before you give any recorded statement can preserve options worth tens of thousands of dollars.
Understanding Fault in a Car Accident Case
New York’s hybrid no-fault and comparative fault system is more nuanced than most drivers realize. Three rules determine whether — and how much — you can recover.
Comparative Fault
You may recover damages even if you were partly at fault — but your award will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Establishing the lowest possible figure is core to our work.
No-Fault Insurance
Your own auto insurance pays certain medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. Learn more about how no-fault works in New York.
Serious Injury Threshold
When your injuries meet the statutory threshold, you can step outside the no-fault system and file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver — opening the door to pain and suffering damages.
What a Claim Can Recover for You
We work closely with medical professionals, economists, and life care planners to calculate the true cost of your injuries — past, present, and projected.
Economic Damages
- Emergency room and hospital bills
- Surgical and rehabilitation costs
- Projected future medical treatment
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Travel costs related to medical care
Non-Economic Damages
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium for spouses
- Diminished quality of relationships
Note: Because every case is unique, we never apply a formula. Each claim is built from the ground up around the life you lived before the crash and the life you face after.
Statute of Limitations / Timeline
Time is not on your side.
How long it takes to resolve a car accident claim depends on the severity of injuries, the length of medical recovery, and the insurance company’s willingness to negotiate fairly. Some claims settle in months; others, especially those requiring litigation, take a year or more.
More importantly, New York imposes strict filing deadlines. Missing one can permanently bar you from recovering anything. The earlier we are involved, the more options remain on the table.
Why Tannenbaum, Bellantone & Silver
Three commitments that define our practice.
I. Aggressive Representation Insurance carriers field teams of lawyers whose job is to pay you as little as possible. We answer with decades of courtroom experience and a willingness to try cases rather than settle short.
II. Expert Network We routinely retain accident reconstructionists, treating physicians, vocational specialists, and life-care planners to substantiate every dollar of damages claimed on your behalf.
III. Personal Attention Our caseload is intentionally limited so that every client speaks with an attorney — not a case manager. Compassion is not separate from competence; both are required to do this work well.
Speak with a Queens car accident attorney today.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a Jamaica or Queens car accident, the most important call you make today may be this one. We review the facts, explain your rights under New York law, and outline a path forward — at no cost to you.
CTAs: Call 516-354-0200 · Schedule Online
