Brooklyn Personal Injury Lawyer

Brooklyn is the most populous borough in New York City, home to more than 2.5 million people. It also leads all five boroughs in total traffic injuries: 15,901 people were hurt in crashes here in 2023 alone. If you've been injured through no fault of your own, you deserve a Brooklyn personal injury lawyer who knows this borough's streets, its courts, and its laws.

At The Orlow Firm, we've represented injured New Yorkers since 1982. Our founding partner, Steven S. Orlow, is a Cornell Law graduate and a former Assistant District Attorney for Kings County. When you call us, you work directly with a partner, not a junior associate.

Call (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation | Se Habla Español

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Brooklyn recorded 11,980 motor vehicle crashes in 2023, more than any other borough, according to NYPD collision data. Those crashes caused 15,901 injuries and 63 deaths. Pedestrian injuries climbed 20% in the first nine months of 2024, compared to a 13% rise citywide. Seven people die in Brooklyn traffic crashes every week. Another 700 are treated in emergency rooms for car accident injuries in that same time.

Some corridors are especially dangerous. Tillary Street and the Flatbush Avenue Extension average nearly 180 crashes per year; it's one of New York's most deadly intersections. Atlantic Avenue and Flatbush Avenue saw eight people killed or seriously hurt between January 2022 and early 2024. Atlantic Avenue at Pennsylvania Avenue in East New York sees more than 130 crashes a year. The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and Belt Parkway are high-speed corridors where serious crashes happen regularly.

Brooklyn's rapid change adds more risk. In Williamsburg and DUMBO, heavy construction truck traffic now shares roads with a growing number of cyclists and pedestrians. Bushwick had 4,177 crashes over 24 months, injuring 242 cyclists and 252 pedestrians. Brooklyn's older housing stock, much of it built before World War II, creates real dangers: deteriorating stairs, defective elevators, and crumbling sidewalks.

The construction industry alone generated 222 reported incidents in 2024, up from 212 the year before, per NYC Department of Buildings data. Across the borough, 3,132 bicycle crashes occurred in 2023, with 28 cyclist fatalities, according to NYC DOT data.

If you were hurt in any of these situations, call our Brooklyn personal injury attorneys.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Brooklyn

Our attorneys handle the full range of personal injury cases throughout Kings County.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Brooklyn leads the city in crash volume. Car, truck, motorcycle, bus, rideshare, and taxi accidents happen daily on the borough's congested streets and expressways. New York is a no-fault state. Your own insurance pays initial medical bills and some lost wages. But if your injuries meet the "serious injury" threshold under Insurance Law §5102(d), you can bring a full tort claim against the at-fault driver.

Pedestrian Accidents

Crosswalk strikes, failure-to-yield violations, and bus-door accidents hurt Brooklyn pedestrians every day. Even if you crossed mid-block, New York's comparative negligence law lets you recover compensation. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you still have a claim.

Bicycle and E-Bike Accidents

Brooklyn's 3,132 bicycle crashes in 2023 show how dangerous the borough's roads are for cyclists. Dooring accidents, drivers who don't check mirrors before opening car doors, and right-of-way violations are the most common causes. E-bike delivery workers face particularly high risks across Williamsburg, Crown Heights, and Sunset Park.

Slip, Trip and Fall / Premises Liability

Under NYC Administrative Code §7-210, the property owner next to a sidewalk, not the city, is generally responsible for keeping it safe. Broken pavement, icy walkways, uneven steps, and wet store floors all create legal liability. We handle everything from sidewalk trips to defective building conditions.

Construction Accidents

New York Labor Law §240(1), the Scaffold Law, places absolute liability on property owners and general contractors when gravity-related accidents hurt workers. Labor Law §241 provides additional protections for general construction site safety. With Brooklyn's construction activity showing no sign of slowing, these protections matter more than ever. We represent both workers hurt on job sites and bystanders struck by falling debris.

Negligent Security

Brooklyn's density and nightlife mean that poor security in parking lots, NYCHA buildings, hotels, and entertainment venues can have deadly results. When an assault or robbery happens because a property owner failed to provide reasonable security, they can be held responsible for resulting injuries.

Wrongful Death

When negligence takes a life, certain family members can bring a wrongful death claim in Kings County Supreme Court under New York Estates Powers & Trusts Law §5-4.1. These cases recover the financial support, parental guidance, and other losses the family suffers. We handle these cases with care.

Dog Bites

New York applies a mixed standard for dog bite liability. Owners of dogs with known dangerous tendencies face strict liability. In other cases, negligence principles apply. Leash law violations in Brooklyn parks can also support a claim.

Call (646) 647-3398 to speak with our attorneys about your situation. If your case involves medical malpractice, product liability, or nursing home abuse, ask about those areas when you call.

How Liability Works in Brooklyn Personal Injury Cases

The Four Elements of a Claim

To recover compensation, you need to prove four things. The defendant owed you a duty of care. They breached that duty. The breach caused your injury. And you suffered actual damages. These elements apply whether a driver ran a red light on Atlantic Avenue or a landlord failed to fix a broken stair in Borough Park.

New York's Comparative Negligence Rule

New York follows pure comparative negligence under CPLR §1411. Even if you were partly responsible for your accident, say, crossing against the light or working without proper gear, you can still recover compensation. Your award is reduced by your share of fault. Insurance adjusters often try to inflate your percentage of fault to cut what they owe. An attorney counters that with evidence.

When the City Is Responsible: The 90-Day Deadline

If the City of New York, the MTA, NYCHA, or another government agency caused your injury, an extra requirement applies. Under General Municipal Law §50-e, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident. Miss that deadline by one day, and you may lose your right to sue forever. The clock starts on the date of your injury, not when you hire an attorney.

These situations come up often in Brooklyn: MTA bus accidents, NYCHA building defects, injuries on city roads, and crashes involving NYPD vehicles all require a timely Notice of Claim. We know these deadlines and act fast to protect your rights.

Construction Law: No Fault Defense for Defendants

Under New York Labor Law §240(1), property owners and general contractors cannot use your comparative fault as a defense in gravity-related construction accident cases. If you fell from scaffolding or were struck by a falling object due to an inadequate safety system, liability attaches regardless of any mistake you made. This protection is one of the strongest available to injured workers anywhere in the country.

Steven S. Orlow's background as a former Counsel to the County Executive of Queens County gives our firm a deep understanding of government liability that few personal injury practices can match. We're also admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York. That lets us pursue federal civil rights claims when Brooklyn incidents involve NYPD misconduct, Rikers Island, or NYCHA.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Brooklyn Injury?

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover the documented financial losses your injury caused.

• Medical expenses – Emergency room bills, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, home health aides, and the cost of future treatment if your injury requires ongoing care
• Lost wages – Income you missed while recovering, plus lost earning capacity if your injury limits your ability to work long-term
• Property damage – Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle or other personal property
• Out-of-pocket expenses – Transportation to medical appointments, prescription costs, and related costs

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages cover losses that don't come with a receipt but are just as real.

• Pain and suffering – Physical pain, discomfort, and the impact of living with a serious injury
• Emotional distress and PTSD – Anxiety, depression, and psychological trauma that follow a serious accident
• Loss of enjoyment of life – The activities, hobbies, and relationships your injury has diminished
• Disfigurement or permanent disability – Scarring, amputation, or lasting impairment
• Loss of consortium – A spouse's claim for the loss of companionship and support

Wrongful Death Damages

When an injury is fatal, the estate and qualifying family members can recover funeral and burial costs, the financial support the deceased would have provided, the value of parental guidance and companionship, and compensation for the conscious pain and suffering the decedent experienced before death.

What Affects How Much Your Case Is Worth?

The severity and permanence of your injury are the biggest factors. A fractured wrist that heals fully is valued differently than a spinal cord injury requiring lifelong care. Clear liability helps too: the cleaner the defendant's fault, the stronger your negotiating position. The defendant's insurance coverage often sets a practical ceiling, though assets and umbrella policies can expand recovery.

For car accidents, New York's no-fault system pays up to $50,000 in medical expenses and some lost wages through Personal Injury Protection coverage, regardless of fault. To pursue pain and suffering damages beyond that, your injuries must meet the serious injury threshold under Insurance Law §5102(d). That includes fractures, significant disfigurement, and injuries that limit daily activities for at least 90 of the 180 days after the accident.

Our Results in Brooklyn-Area Personal Injury Cases

$3,750,000 – A child developed elevated lead blood levels due to a landlord's and maintenance company's failure to address lead paint in their apartment. Brooklyn's pre-war housing stock makes lead poisoning claims a major source of landlord liability throughout the borough.

$3,375,000 – A construction worker fell twelve feet off a ladder, suffering injuries to his neck, back, elbow, and shoulder that required surgery. Labor Law §240 protections were central to this recovery.

$2,875,000 – A legally blind man fell sixteen feet into an open elevator shaft, sustaining serious back and heel injuries. Premises owners have a heightened duty to protect individuals with disabilities.

$1,500,000 – Our client fell on a badly damaged sidewalk, requiring back and ankle surgery. Under NYC Administrative Code §7-210, the abutting property owner was held responsible.

$1,200,000 – An 83-year-old pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and suffered multiple fractures. Pedestrian safety on Brooklyn's high-traffic corridors remains a real concern.

$997,997 – A taxi driver was hit head-on by a truck, requiring back surgery. Commercial vehicle collisions are among the most severe cases we handle.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

The Personal Injury Case Process in Brooklyn

Here's what to expect from start to finish.

Step 1 – Free Consultation. One of our attorneys reviews your situation, explains your options, and tells you honestly whether you have a viable claim. No charge, no obligation.

Step 2 – Investigation and Evidence Gathering. We get police reports, medical records, surveillance footage, and witness statements. In Brooklyn, DOT cameras at major intersections, MTA cameras at bus stops, and business security cameras along commercial corridors can be critical. Footage gets overwritten within days. The sooner you call us, the better our chances of preserving it.

Step 3 – Ongoing Medical Treatment. Keep treating your injuries. Gaps in treatment give insurers an opening to argue your injuries weren't serious. If cost is a concern, we can arrange treatment on a medical lien, paid from your eventual recovery.

Step 4 – Claim Filing. We file with the at-fault party's insurer. If a government agency is involved, we serve the Notice of Claim within the 90-day window under General Municipal Law §50-e.

Step 5 – Negotiation. Most cases resolve without going to court. New York insurers must respond to claims within 15 business days and make coverage decisions within 30. We handle all communications so you aren't pressured into a low offer.

Step 6 – Filing Suit If Necessary. If we don't reach a fair settlement, we file in Kings County Supreme Court at 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn. The litigation track includes depositions, discovery, and expert testimony.

Step 7 – Resolution. Simple cases often settle in six to twelve months. Complex cases, such as construction accidents or premises liability claims with disputed liability, typically take twelve to twenty-four months. Cases that go toward trial average three to four years or more.

You work directly with Steven, Brian, or Adam Orlow throughout the entire process. Not a paralegal. Not a case manager.

What to Do Right After an Accident in Brooklyn

Taking the right steps in the hours after an injury can determine whether you recover what you deserve.

1. Call 911. Request police and, if needed, an ambulance. An NYPD report creates official documentation of the incident.

2. Get medical attention right away. Even if you feel fine, go to Maimonides Medical Center (Borough Park), Kings County Hospital (Crown Heights), NYU Langone Brooklyn (Fort Hamilton Parkway), NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist (Park Slope), or the nearest emergency room. Head trauma, whiplash, and internal injuries often show no immediate symptoms. A medical record tied to the date of your accident is key to your claim.

3. Document the scene. Photograph the vehicle, the hazard, the intersection, or the premises condition. Video is better. Note nearby surveillance cameras. Businesses, MTA bus stops, and NYCDOT cameras at major intersections like Tillary and Flatbush capture footage that can support your account.

4. Get witness contact information. Names and phone numbers. Bystanders leave quickly; getting their details at the scene is far easier than tracking them down later.

5. Don't admit fault. Even an instinctive apology can be used against you. Let the facts speak through the official report and physical evidence.

6. Notify your own insurer. New York no-fault law requires you to notify your own insurance company promptly, even when someone else caused the accident.

7. Stay off social media. Insurance adjusters routinely monitor claimants' Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok accounts. A photo from an event, no matter how innocent, can undermine a pain and suffering claim.

8. Call The Orlow Firm. Time matters in personal injury cases. Call (646) 647-3398. If you're hospitalized or can't travel, we come to you. Se Habla Español. Services are available in English and Spanish throughout our Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and Bronx offices.

Why Brooklyn Injury Victims Choose The Orlow Firm

A Brooklyn Credential No Competitor Can Match

Steven S. Orlow began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney for Kings County, Brooklyn. He prosecuted cases in the same Kings County Supreme Court building where our attorneys now handle personal injury claims. That firsthand knowledge of Brooklyn's legal culture, its judiciary, and its community shapes how our firm prepares every case.

Over 40 Years Representing Injured New Yorkers

The Orlow Firm has represented injured clients since 1982. We've worked through Brooklyn's industrial era, the hard years of the 1970s and 1980s, and the growth and change of today. In that time, we've handled every major category of personal injury case: construction falls in DUMBO, pedestrian strikes on Flatbush Avenue, premises liability claims in Crown Heights and Borough Park.

A Family Firm That Handles Your Case Personally

Our firm is a three-generation family practice. Steven S. Orlow, our founding partner, works alongside his sons Brian Seth Orlow and Adam Moses Orlow, both Managing Partners. Adam Orlow served as President of the Queens County Bar Association in 2022 and 2023 and remains a Board member. When you retain The Orlow Firm, one of those three attorneys handles your case. Not a junior associate. Not a paralegal. Not a call center.

Our 4.9/5 Google rating reflects what happens when clients get that level of attention.

Federal Court Access for Civil Rights Cases

We're admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York. If your injury arose from NYPD misconduct, conditions at Rikers Island, or a NYCHA building failure, we can pursue both state and federal claims.

Accessible and Bilingual

Our Brooklyn office is at 32 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, steps from Kings County Supreme Court. We also have offices in Queens (our main location), Manhattan, and the Bronx. If you cannot come to us, we come to you. All services are available in English and Spanish (Se Habla Español), which matters for clients in Sunset Park, Flatbush, and Borough Park.

No Fee Unless We Win

We work on contingency. Our fee is typically one-third of the net recovery. You pay nothing upfront: no hourly rates, no retainer, no administrative fees. Your free consultation carries no obligation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brooklyn Personal Injury Cases

Do I need a lawyer for a personal injury case in Brooklyn?

You can file a claim on your own, but insurance companies employ adjusters and defense lawyers whose job is to pay you as little as possible. Represented claimants consistently recover more. Our free consultation lets you evaluate your options at no cost and with no obligation to hire us.

How much does a personal injury lawyer cost in Brooklyn?

The Orlow Firm works on contingency. We receive no fee unless we recover money for you. Our fee is typically one-third of the net recovery. You pay nothing upfront: no hourly rates, no retainer, no case expenses billed to you along the way. If we don't recover, you don't pay.

What if the City of New York caused my injury?

Suing the City, the MTA, NYPD, NYCHA, or another municipal entity requires filing a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the incident under General Municipal Law §50-e. Missing this deadline by one day can permanently bar your claim. Call us right away. The clock starts the day you are injured, and we move fast to protect your right to sue.

Can I still recover damages if I was partly at fault?

Yes. Under CPLR §1411, New York follows pure comparative negligence. Even if you were 30% responsible, you can still recover 70% of your total damages. Insurance companies will try to assign you a higher share of fault to reduce their payout. Having an attorney to challenge that assessment matters.

What if the driver who hit me was uninsured or fled the scene?

Your own auto insurance policy may cover you through Uninsured Motorist benefits. New York requires this coverage on all registered vehicles. If you were hit as a pedestrian or cyclist, you may be able to access coverage through a household member's policy or other sources. We help you find every available avenue for recovery, even when the at-fault party cannot be located.

How long does a Brooklyn personal injury case take to settle?

Simple cases with clear liability typically resolve in six to twelve months. Cases with disputed liability, serious injuries, or complex evidence often take twelve to twenty-four months. Cases that go to trial in Kings County Supreme Court may take three to four years or more. Acting quickly preserves evidence and shortens the time before a case can be resolved.

Can undocumented immigrants file personal injury claims in Brooklyn?

Yes. New York law does not limit personal injury rights based on immigration status. An undocumented construction worker has the same protections under Labor Law §240 as any other worker. A noncitizen hurt on a city sidewalk has the same right to file a Notice of Claim. The Orlow Firm has represented undocumented clients and recovered millions of dollars on their behalf.

What Brooklyn court handles personal injury cases?

Most personal injury lawsuits in Brooklyn are filed in Kings County Supreme Court at 360 Adams Street in Downtown Brooklyn. Smaller claims may go to Civil Court. Our attorneys know Kings County's local rules, judicial preferences, and the courthouse complex, an advantage built over decades of litigating cases there.

Sources & Official Resources

New York Laws Cited

1. CPLR § 214 — Actions to Be Commenced Within Three Years (Personal Injury)
2. CPLR § 1411 — Comparative Negligence
3. General Municipal Law § 50-e — Notice of Claim (90-Day Deadline)
4. NY Labor Law § 240(1) — Scaffold Law / Absolute Liability
5. NY Labor Law § 241 — Construction Site Safety
6. NY Insurance Law § 5102(d) — Serious Injury Threshold (No-Fault)
7. NY Estates, Powers & Trusts Law § 5-4.1 — Wrongful Death Claims

NYC Local Laws Cited

8. NYC Administrative Code § 7-210 — Sidewalk Liability for Abutting Property Owners

Statistics Sources

9. NYPD Motor Vehicle Collisions Data — Brooklyn
10. NYC DOT Bicycle Crash Data Report 2023
11. NYC Department of Buildings — Construction Accident Summary

Official Resources

• NYC Courts — Kings County Supreme Court
• NYC Comptroller — File a Notice of Claim
• MTA — File an Injury Claim

Contact a Brooklyn Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love has been injured in Brooklyn through someone else's negligence, don't face the insurance companies alone. The Orlow Firm has protected injured clients throughout Williamsburg, Flatbush, Crown Heights, Sunset Park, Bay Ridge, Borough Park, Bushwick, East New York, and every corner of Kings County for over 40 years.

Call (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation. We work on contingency: you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Se Habla Español | Brooklyn office at 32 Court Street | We can come to you