New York City Personal Injury Lawyers
Frekhtman & Associates Injury and Accident Attorneys is a plaintiff-side personal injury law firm founded in Brooklyn, New York in 1999 by Arkady Frekhtman (New York Bar #2931723). The firm handles serious and catastrophic injury litigation – motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents under New York Labor Law §§ 240 and 241, traumatic brain injury, premises liability, medical malpractice, and wrongful death – for clients across all five New York City boroughs, from six offices in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan.
Why Choose Our New York City Personal Injury Lawyers?
Nearly $1 Billion Won
We’ve recovered almost $1 billion for injured clients across documented cases
Largest MVA Recovery
We recovered $69.5M, the largest single motor vehicle accident settlement
Media Recognition
We’ve been featured in national and local outlets including the New York Post, Daily Mail, and CBS New York
No Fee Unless We Win
Because we work on a contingency fee, you won’t pay us a dime unless we win your case
Free Case Review
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Since 1999, our firm has recovered more than $900 million for injured New Yorkers, including a $69,225,000 jury verdict in a motor vehicle case - one of the largest auto accident verdicts in New York State history.
We work on a 100% contingency fee: no fee unless we recover compensation for you. Case expenses are advanced by the firm and deducted from the recovery at the end of the case.
About Frekhtman & Associates
Arkady Frekhtman was admitted to the New York bar on January 13, 1999 (Registration #2931723). He passed both the New York and Texas bars, began his career as an associate at a plaintiff’s personal injury firm, and opened his own practice in Brooklyn shortly after. His first settlement was $12,000 for a Queens mother who sued a life insurance company alleging fraud – enough to hire one paralegal.
The firm has grown from one attorney to 25 people – attorneys, paralegals, investigators, and file clerks – across six New York City offices. Mr. Frekhtman is admitted to the Supreme Court of the State of New York and to the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York. He handles case preparation, motions and appeals, depositions, mediations, and trials himself.
He hosts Trial Stories, a podcast on civil justice now in its ninth season, and publishes a video library explaining injury law to non-lawyers.
What we tell clients: the truth about their case, including when the answer is that they don’t have a case worth bringing. Consultations are free and answered 24 hours a day. We make hospital and home visits when an injury makes travel impossible. Our attorneys and staff speak English, Spanish, and Russian, and we serve clients across the five boroughs.
Client Testimonials
Personal Injury Lawyer Client Testimonial: A Success Story In New York.
Personal Injury Lawyer Client Testimonial: $800k verdict
Personal Injury Lawyer Client Testimonial: Val P.
While it’s possible to handle a personal injury case on your own, having an experienced attorney by your side significantly increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome. According to studies, victims represented by a personal injury lawyer receive higher settlement amounts compared to those who handle their cases independently. Here are some of the practice areas we handle:
Accidents
After a serious car crash, auto accident, or vehicle collision, your financial future should be protected. We will vigorously advocate for your claim to secure the maximum compensation possible.
Accidents
A truck accident often results in catastrophic injury due to the sheer size of the vehicle. If you were involved in a collision with a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, or commercial vehicle, our legal team is ready.
Accidents
Whether you suffered a serious slip and fall at a retail store, were injured at a dangerous vacation rental, or involved in a pool accident, the owner has a duty of care.
Injuries
Our dedicated team meticulously navigates the process to ensure you receive the maximum workers’ compensation benefits you are legally owed.
Malpractices
Our firm partners with renowned expert witnesses and physicians to thoroughly investigate your medical malpractice negligence claim.
Injuries
A Traumatic Brain Injury claim is not just about the accident; it requires navigating complex neurological evidence and uncooperative insurance adjusters who deny the severity of a concussion or brain damage.
Deaths
Surviving family members who lost a loved one unexpectedly due to fatal injuries are known under New York law as legal dependents may be able to recover financial compensation by filing a wrongful death case.
Injury
Spinal cord injuries caused by accidents, falls, or negligence can result in partial or complete paralysis with devastating long-term consequences. We are committed to building the strongest possible case to secure the compensation your future depends on.
NYC Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Motor Vehicle and Traffic Cases
New York roadways produce the largest share of the injury cases we take on. Forbes reported 100,508 motor vehicle incidents statewide in 2022, with 37,848 resulting in injuries or deaths. Our team handles the full range of these cases, from high-speed car accidents and truck crashes to bus accidents involving MTA, school, charter, and commercial carriers. Vulnerable road users face disproportionate risk, including pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists. Motorcycle riders accounted for more than 18% of motor vehicle fatalities in New York State in 2021 according to New York State DMV data. Whether the crash happened on the BQE, a Manhattan side street, or a Queens intersection, we build each case around the specific roadway, vehicle type, and liability facts that actually win.
Construction, Premises, and Workplace Injuries
New York is one of the most protective states in the country for injured construction workers. Under Labor Law sections 240 and 241, owners and contractors can be held strictly liable for scaffold falls, ladder collapses, falling objects, and other elevation-related hazards. Our construction accident team knows how to build these cases against general contractors, subs, and property owners who skipped safety protocols. Beyond construction sites, slip and fall and other premises liability injuries send roughly 2.3 million Americans to the ER each year, with 662,000 requiring hospitalization, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In New York, property owners who fail to maintain walkways, staircases, entryways, and common areas can be held accountable for the injuries that follow.
Catastrophic Injuries and Medical Malpractice
The highest-value cases we handle involve catastrophic injuries that permanently change a person’s life. This includes traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, severe burn injuries, and injuries caused by medical malpractice. These cases demand different expertise than straightforward crash claims. Proving malpractice requires establishing duty, breach, causation, and damages, often against hospital systems with aggressive defense teams. We handle surgical errors, missed or incorrect diagnoses, birth injuries from delivery negligence, and medication mistakes. When an injury permanently alters earning capacity, mobility, or independence, the settlement or verdict has to account for decades of medical care and the reality of what recovery actually looks like.
Wrongful Death
New York imposes a two-year statute of limitations on wrongful death claims, measured from the date of the victim’s passing. That deadline moves quickly when a family is still grieving. We handle these cases with the urgency the law requires and the care the family deserves, covering fatal car crashes, medical errors, construction site deaths, and other negligence-driven losses. If you recently lost a family member and suspect negligence was involved, contact our office before the filing window closes.
Meet Our Attorneys
Your Personal Injury Questions, Answered
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 work 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.
How long will my New York personal injury case take?
A New York personal injury case takes a few months to several years. Simple cases with clear liability and minor injuries resolve faster. Serious injury cases take longer because a settlement requires reaching maximum medical improvement. Complex cases with disputed liability or catastrophic injuries require a trial.
What if I already have a lawyer but I'm not happy with them?
You have the right to switch lawyers at any time during your case. The prior firm gets paid from the eventual recovery under a referral fee arrangement, so changing attorneys costs nothing extra. One client switched after her prior attorney did nothing for 1.5 years; our team closed the case in 7 months.
Will my pre-existing condition hurt my personal injury case?
No, a pre-existing condition will not hurt your personal injury case. New York follows the eggshell skull rule – a defendant takes the plaintiff as found. The eggshell skull rule makes the defendant liable for the full aggravation of a pre-existing condition, even when a healthier person would have been less hurt.
The Right Representation Near You
While it’s possible to handle a personal injury case on your own, having an experienced attorney by your side significantly increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome. We have our office located all over New York City, so you don’t have to worry about office visits. You can find and visit one of our offices near you.