Suffolk County is the deadliest county for traffic crashes in New York State. Its highways the Long Island Expressway, Sunrise Highway, Route 110, the Sagtikos Parkway, Montauk Highway see thousands of serious accidents every year. Slip and falls, construction accidents, medical malpractice, and dog bites injure thousands more residents across Huntington, Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven, Smithtown, and every community between the Nassau border and Montauk Point.
When a negligent driver, property owner, employer, or medical professional causes your injuries, New York law gives you the right to pursue full compensation. But insurance companies move quickly, evidence disappears fast, and legal deadlines in Suffolk County are strict some as short as 90 days.
At the Law Offices of Theodore A. Naima, we represent clients throughout Suffolk County. Attorney Ted Naima has been fighting for Long Island personal injury victims for nearly three decades, and he has the results to show for it.
Call (516) 280-7311 for a free consultation.
Critical Deadlines in Suffolk County Personal Injury Cases
Missing a legal deadline in New York permanently eliminates your right to sue, regardless of how strong your case is. These deadlines are not flexible.
Standard personal injury claims (private parties): Under CPLR § 214, you generally have 3 years from the date of injury to file suit.
Medical malpractice: 2.5 years (30 months) from the date of the malpractice or the end of continuous treatment.
Claims against Suffolk County, any of its 10 towns, school districts, or the LIRR: A Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the accident or injury. Failing to file this notice bars your lawsuit against the government entity, even if the three-year statute would otherwise still be open. Towns covered include Huntington, Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven, Smithtown, Southampton, East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, and Southold.
Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of death.
Minors: The statute of limitations is generally tolled (paused) until the child turns 18, but the 90-day municipal notice requirement is not automatically tolled in all circumstances. Get legal advice immediately if a minor was injured.
The 90-day municipal deadline is the one that surprises people most. If a dangerous road condition, a defective sidewalk, or a government-owned property caused your accident in Suffolk County, contact us immediately.
What to Do After an Accident in Suffolk County
The decisions you make in the hours and days after an accident directly affect the strength of your claim:
1. Get medical attention immediately. Even if you feel you are not seriously hurt, some injuries including traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and spinal damage do not produce obvious symptoms right away. A gap between your accident and your first medical visit gives insurance companies an opening to argue your injuries were not caused by the accident.
2. Call 911 and get a police report. An official police report creates a contemporaneous record of the accident, identifies the parties involved, and begins documenting fault. In New York, accidents involving injury or property damage over $1,000 must be reported.
3. Document everything. Photograph the scene, the vehicles, the hazard, your injuries, skid marks, road conditions, and any relevant signage. If witnesses are present, get their names and contact information.
4. Do not give a recorded statement to the other party’s insurance company. Adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to reduce what they pay. You have no legal obligation to provide a recorded statement. Contact an attorney first.
5. Preserve all evidence. Keep damaged clothing, broken equipment, defective products, or anything else connected to your accident. Do not repair your vehicle or discard any items until your attorney has had the opportunity to document them.
6. Contact a personal injury attorney as quickly as possible. Evidence is perishable. Surveillance footage is overwritten. Witnesses move. Road conditions are repaired. Municipal deadlines run regardless of your health or awareness. The sooner an attorney begins investigating, the stronger your case.
Damages You May Pursue in a Personal Injury Case
No matter what type of personal injury you have, there are several damages that may apply to your case. Once you hire a Suffolk County lawyer, they’ll want to determine the full extent of your damages as they relate to your injury.
Depending on your unique circumstances, attorney Ted Naima can help pursue compensation for a multitude of damages, including:
- Medical bills—this includes the cost of emergency services, hospitalizations, appointments, surgeries, medications, and other treatments.
- Lost wages—if your recovery prevents you from working, you may be able to seek reimbursement for missed paychecks.
- Lower earning capacity—some injuries may prevent you from returning to your old job, resulting in diminished future earnings.
- Pain and suffering—you can get compensation for your pain, suffering, mental anguish, disability, or disfigurement.
Since it’s difficult to determine the value of your case on your own, it’s essential to consult with an experienced Suffolk County personal injury attorney.
At the Law Offices of Theodore A. Naima, we help by identifying both current and future costs resulting from your injury.
How Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Suffolk County, NY Can Help
Dealing with an injury requires a lot of rest. In many cases, victims have a hard time keeping up with their claims because they need to rest and recover.
Our goal is to help ease the burden of your personal injury claim, so you can focus on what matters most. Regardless of your case type, attorney Ted Naima will:
- Discuss the impact of your injuries;
- Speak with your doctors to understand the significance of your treatment;
- Collect medical, financial, physical, and visual evidence related to your injuries;
- Contact potential witnesses and ask them for statements;
- File your legal paperwork in a timely manner;
- Manage communications with the defendant and their lawyer;
- Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf;
- Prepare your case for trial in case a settlement cannot be reached; and
- Provide you with frequent updates and discuss your legal options.
We understand that recovery is a very difficult process for individuals and families affected by personal injuries.
That’s why we handle every aspect of the case from the very beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Suffolk County?
For most claims against private parties, you have 3 years from the date of injury under CPLR § 214. But if a government entity Suffolk County, any of its 10 towns, a school district, or the LIRR is involved, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days. Medical malpractice claims have a 2.5-year deadline. Wrongful death claims must be filed within 2 years of the date of death. These deadlines are strict and unforgiving. Contact an attorney immediately if you are unsure which deadline applies to your situation.
What if I was partly at fault for my accident?
You can still recover under New York’s pure comparative negligence rule (CPLR § 1411). Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault but you are not barred from recovering. Someone found 40% at fault can still recover 60% of their total damages. Do not let an insurance adjuster convince you otherwise.
How much does a Suffolk County personal injury lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis our fee is a percentage of what we recover for you, and only if we win. If we recover nothing, you pay no attorney fee. We also advance all case expenses so you have no out-of-pocket costs while your case is pending.
What if the insurance company has already made me an offer?
Do not accept a settlement offer before speaking with an attorney. Insurance companies make early, low offers to resolve claims before injured people fully understand what they are worth. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you permanently give up the right to pursue additional compensation even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than initially apparent.
Where are personal injury cases filed in Suffolk County?
Cases above the jurisdictional threshold are filed in Suffolk County Supreme Court in Riverhead. Smaller claims are handled in Suffolk County District Court in Central Islip. We are familiar with both courts and their local rules.
Can I still file a claim if the accident happened months ago?
Possibly, but time is working against you. The statute of limitations may still be open, but evidence deteriorates, witnesses become harder to locate, and the 90-day municipal deadline may already have passed. Contact us immediately and we will assess whether your claim can still be pursued.
Cases We Handle
Throughout nearly three decades of experience, Ted Naima has represented thousands of personal injury clients. We can assist victims in a variety of personal injury cases, including:
- Slip and falls,
- Car accidents,
- Motorcycle accidents,
- Medical malpractice,
- Nursing home abuse,
- Construction site accidents,
- Wrongful death, and
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Bedsores
- Trucking accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Dog bites;
- And more
Every case we take on has one thing in common: a victim sustaining injuries due to the negligence of another. If you don’t see your case type listed above, please don’t hesitate to contact us for a free case review.
Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Case Review
If someone’s negligent actions injure you or a family member, contact the Law Offices of Theodore A. Naima. We can take on the insurance companies and give your case the personal care and attention it requires.
To speak with attorney Ted Naima about your claim, call us at(516) 280-7311 or contact us online.