Were you injured in an accident in Syracuse, New York? A Syracuse personal injury lawyer at Passalacqua & Associates, LLC can help you with your claim and pursue a life-changing recovery. Call our law office at (315) 500-6425 to schedule a free consultation.
Our skilled and highly-rated legal team has earned a reputation for delivering outstanding results for our clients. We have 50 years of combined experience and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation over the years. When clients hire us to represent them, insurance companies and defense firms take notice.
Whether you are suffering after a car accident, medical error, slip and fall incident, or nursing home abuse, we are here to help and support you.
You don’t have to fight your legal battle alone. We can answer your questions and give you guidance to get started with your case.
Why Choose Passalacqua & Associates, LLC To Handle My Personal Injury Case in Syracuse, NY?
With over 50 years of combined experience, Passalacqua & Associates, LLC has a proven track record of delivering results for injury victims in Syracuse and the broader Central New York area. Our team has recovered millions of dollars for clients, earning the trust of our community through dedication, skill, and relentless advocacy.
Backed by 230+ five-star reviews, we’re known for treating every case like it’s a priority—because it is. From negotiating with insurance companies to fighting in court, we have the experience, resources, and determination to help you win the justice and fair compensation you deserve.
Reach out to our attorneys in Syracuse today to learn more.
You may have a personal injury case if you suffered some kind of compensable harm due to the actions or inactions of another party. Examples include physical injuries, emotional distress, or financial losses.
If you are looking to recover damages for harm that was caused by someone else, you must prove that their conduct caused your harm. For example, a driver who fails to use their turn signal when they are switching lanes and hits another car could be liable for causing the accident.
In some cases, such as those involving defective products or certain dangerous activities, strict liability may apply, meaning the responsible party can be held liable regardless of fault.
To prove your case, you will need evidence such as medical records, witness statements, police reports, and photos/videos of the accident scene. All these factors must be taken into consideration when determining whether you have a personal injury case.
Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Research by the Insurance Research Council has shown that accident victims represented by an experienced personal injury lawyer receive settlements valued at 3.5 times higher than victims who try to handle their complex personal injury cases on their own. Beyond helping you recover more compensation, hiring a lawyer will give you the following advantages:
A Levelled Playing Field: Insurance companies tend to prey on victims’ vulnerability by trying to persuade them to take a low settlement. Having an attorney on your side can ensure that there will be a fair outcome for all parties involved.
Access to Experts: Most law firms have a network of experts that they can call upon to testify on behalf of their clients. When working with a lawyer, you will have a whole team supporting you.
Protection From Accusations of Shared Fault: The insurance company may try to shift blame to you. Your lawyer can fight unfounded allegations of liability.
Time to Rest: While your attorney takes care of your case, you can focus on healing from your injuries.
As you can see, there are many reasons that you should consider hiring a lawyer after an accident.
We Handle All Personal Injury Cases in Syracuse
Within the scope of personal injury law, we are capable of taking cases in a wide variety of practice areas. Some of our practice areas include:
Car Accidents
On average, there are between 5 million and 6 million motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. every year. Car accidents are caused by distracted driving, driving under the influence, speeding, and adverse weather conditions. Our Syracuse car accident attorneys can help you recover compensation for your injuries.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can be dangerous due to lack of protection for riders. If a driver failed to yield, didn’t see you, or was reckless, they could be liable for your injuries. Reach out to our Syracuse motorcycle accident lawyers today.
Truck Accidents
Truck accidents often involve multiple vehicles and can result in catastrophic injuries. The truck driver, the trucking company, or even the manufacturer of the truck could be held accountable for their negligence. These claims are notoriously complicated and require a careful understanding of state and complex federal trucking regulations. Our Syracuse truck accident lawyers are here to support you.
Premises Liability
If you were injured on someone else’s property due to unsafe conditions, you may have a premises liability claim. Property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises. Our Syracuse premises liability attorneys are here for you.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can happen in stores, on sidewalks, or at restaurants because of slippery floors or poor maintenance. Allow our Syracuse slip and fall accident lawyers to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Wrongful Death
If a loved one has died due to someone else’s negligence or misconduct, you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. A claim could compensate your family for your losses. Call our Syracuse wrongful death lawyers today.
We also serve clients with medical malpractice cases, including birth injury and other malpractice claims. Additionally, our team has experience handling brain injuries, construction accidents, and wrongful death cases. Whether your case is straightforward or complex, our team is committed to providing dedicated, personal service to every client we represent.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Most lawyers, including ours, work on a contingency fee basis. Under this fee arrangement, you will not owe your lawyer any upfront or hourly fees. Rather, their compensation will be determined by the outcome of your case.
If you manage to win your case, your attorney will receive a percentage of your settlement or jury verdict. However, if you lose your case, you will not have to pay your lawyer anything.
What Damages Are Available to Syracuse Accident Victims?
There are a few kinds of damages available to plaintiffs in Syracuse, New York. They are known as economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
Economic damages are tangible losses that are directly tied to the accident. They are documented by bills and receipts.
Examples of economic damages include:
Medical bills
Lost Wages
Out-of-pocket expenses
Property damage
Non-economic damages are more subjective losses that are more difficult to calculate. They include:
Pain and suffering
Mental anguish
PTSD
Loss of consortium
Diminished quality of life
In rare cases, punitive damages are awarded to victims for conduct that is intentional, malicious, or grossly negligent. The purpose of these damages is to punish and deter defendants.
Common Injuries in Personal Injury Claims
When injuries occur, it’s essential to understand your rights and take immediate action. Accidents in New York can cause a wide range of serious injuries, including:
Soft tissue injuries (sprains, strains, and tears)
Amputations
Whiplash
Crushing injuries
Burn injuries
These injuries can have lasting consequences. It’s essential to take prompt action to protect your health and secure the resources you need for recovery.
How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
The total value of your case will depend on the extent of your injuries. If you have severe injuries, your compensation will be higher. Other factors that can affect the value of your case are whether you are partly responsible for your accident, the cost of ongoing medical treatment, medical expenses, whether you can return to work, and, if so, in the same capacity, insurance policy limits, and the quality of your evidence.
Our legal team can work with you to determine the full value of your case and pursue maximum compensation for your claim.
What If I’m Partially At Fault For the Accident?
New York has adopted a pure comparative fault standard. This means that you can still recover compensation even if you are partially responsible for your accident. However, your recovery will be reduced according to your percentage of fault.
For example, if you were awarded $500,000 but were found to be 10% at fault, you would receive $450,000 in damages. As long as you are not totally at fault, you will be able to recover compensation for your case.
Our lawyers can ensure that you are not unfairly blamed for the incident.
What Should I Do After an Accident in Syracuse?
Taking the right steps after an accident can protect your health, safety, and ability to pursue compensation.
Check for injuries and call 911 – Ensure that everyone is safe and request emergency medical services if needed.
Exchange information with all parties involved – Share names, phone numbers, addresses, insurance details, and any other relevant info.
Document the scene with photos and videos – Capture any property damage, hazardous conditions, and visible injuries.
Collect witness names and contact details – Independent statements can help support your version of events.
Seek medical attention promptly – Even if you feel fine, some injuries may not be immediately obvious. Contact your medical professionals as soon as possible.
Avoid admitting fault or giving recorded statements – What you say can be used against you later in the claims process.
Contact a personal injury attorney – An experienced lawyer can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights from day one.
By following these steps, you can safeguard your well-being and strengthen your potential injury claim.
In Onondaga County, there are typically around five traffic fatalities, 35 collision-related hospitalizations, and 375 emergency department admissions every month.
In a recent year, Syracuse reported 14 fatal car accidents resulting in 16 deaths.
Syracuse is also known for the Onondaga Lake Parkway Bridge, a low-clearance bridge that continues to cause problems for truck drivers. In a two-year period, this location averaged just over nine crashes per year.
These statistics show that accidents remain a serious concern in Syracuse, highlighting the importance of being aware of high-risk areas on local roads.
Personal Injury FAQ:
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After an Accident in NY?
Under New York law, you have three years after the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. There are exceptions to this deadline, such as if a government entity or a child is involved.
However, failure to file your lawsuit by this deadline means that you could be barred from recovery. Our attorneys can make sure that you file your lawsuit within a timely manner and meet all applicable deadlines.
What Is Negligence, and How Do I Prove It?
Negligence refers to the failure to take reasonable care to prevent causing harm to others. If a person doesn’t act with the level of care that a reasonable, ordinary person would, they have acted negligently.
To prove negligence in a personal injury case, there are four elements that you must demonstrate:
Duty of Care: The defendant had a duty to act in a certain way to prevent harm to others (e.g., a driver owes a duty to others to drive safely on the road).
Breach of Duty: The defendant failed to meet their duty of care.
Causation: There is a direct link between the defendant’s conduct and the harm that the plaintiff suffered.
Damages: The defendant’s negligence resulted in the plaintiff’s physical injuries, property damage, or pain and suffering.
Evidence that can support your negligence claim includes:
Medical records
Photographs and videos
Accident reports
Bills/receipts
Witness statements
Lost wages
Expert testimony
Having credible evidence is key to building a strong case.In some cases, such as those involving defective products or certain dangerous activities, strict liability may apply, meaning the responsible party can be held liable regardless of fault.
Will My Personal Injury Case Go to Trial?
We also serve clients facing complex medical malpractice cases, such as birth injuries and other malpractice claims. On top of that, our team has handled many brain injury and construction accident cases, so you can trust us to fight for you no matter how complicated your situation might be.
Only about 3% to 4% of personal injury cases go to trial. While there is a small chance that your case will go to trial, it’s more likely that a fair settlement will be reached. Regardless of the developments in your case, we are prepared to negotiate for a settlement or go to trial. Every step of the way, we will take your preferences into account and seek an outcome that satisfied you.
How Long Will My Injury Case Take?
Some personal injury cases are settled in a matter of months, and others take years to resolve. Factors that can affect the timeline of your case include the severity of your injuries, how quickly you recover, insurance negotiations, and whether your case settles or goes to court.
How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help?
When you choose to work with one of our experienced attorneys, you can trust that we will:
Conduct our own private investigation into your accident, the parties involved, and the available evidence
Communicate with expert witnesses, such as doctors and accident reconstructionists, to strengthen your claim
Answer your questions and keep you updated as your case progresses
Provide an estimate of the value of your case
Handle communications with the insurance company and their attorneys
Want to learn more? Call our personal injury law firm to schedule a free consultation.
Contact Our Experienced Syracuse Personal Injury Lawyers For Legal Help
If you have been injured in an accident in Syracuse, New York, our trial lawyers are prepared to help you. You can count on our Syracuse personal injury attorneys to walk you through every step of the legal process and provide compassionate, exceptional legal representation.
When you choose Passalacqua & Associates, LLC, you get a team of lawyers who have 50 years of combined experience, recovering millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. Passalacqua & Associates, LLC proudly serves clients throughout Syracuse and the greater Upstate New York region, providing trusted legal support tailored to your needs. Call our office to schedule a free consultation today to get the legal assistance you deserve.
Passalacqua & Associates, LLC provides legal representation for individuals facing personal injuries and criminal charges. Our attorneys offer compassionate guidance and aggressive strategies, and we’re committed to achieving the best possible outcomes. We’ll protect your rights and navigate legal complexities on your behalf.
Areas We Serve
Passalacqua & Associates, LLC proudly serves clients in Utica, Syracuse, and the surrounding upstate New York communities. We are dedicated to providing accessible and effective legal services to those in need of experienced personal injury and criminal defense representation within these regions.