Experienced Personal Injury Representation Across New York’s Capital Region
When someone else’s negligence changes your life, whether it’s a distracted driver, an unsafe property, a defective product, or a reckless act, you deserve a personal injury lawyer who will fight for the full value of what you’ve lost.
Medical bills, lost income, and pain that doesn’t go away are real costs. Insurance companies know that, and they often look for ways to minimize what they pay.
At Ianniello Chauvin, LLP, our personal injury attorneys represent injured individuals and families across Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park, Albany, and Glens Falls. Our personal injury law firm brings more than 100 years of combined legal experience, including experience as former prosecutors. We understand how evidence is built, challenged, and presented in court.
We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
We represent clients in a wide range of personal injury law claims throughout New York’s Capital Region. Every case is different, but our approach is the same: investigate what happened, build the strongest possible case, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents, truck collisions, motorcycle crashes, and pedestrian and bicycle injuries are some of the most common personal injury claims we handle in the Capital Region.
Whether you need a personal injury attorney for an auto accident, a motorcycle accident lawyer, or truck accident attorneys for a case involving a commercial carrier, we handle claims against negligent drivers, trucking companies, and insurance carriers. We also handle complex trucking accident cases involving multiple potentially responsible parties.
Case types include automobile accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle injuries, bicycle and pedestrian injuries, rideshare accidents, and boating accidents.
Premises Liability
Property owners have a responsibility to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors. When they fail to do so and someone gets hurt, the property owner may be legally responsible for the resulting injuries.
As a personal injury lawyer for slip and fall cases, we handle many premises liability claims, including injuries caused by inadequate security, structural hazards, and dangerous conditions on commercial or residential property.
Case types include slip and fall accidents, dog bites, negligent security, swimming pool accidents, and other negligence and premises liability claims.
Medical Negligence
Medical malpractice cases can be complicated and often require expert medical testimony and extensive documentation.
We work with medical experts when necessary to establish the applicable standard of care, determine whether that standard was violated, and document the harm caused by the negligence.
Case types include medical malpractice, surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication errors, nursing home negligence and abuse, and birth injuries.
Workplace and Construction Injuries
New York’s labor laws, including Labor Law Sections 200, 240, and 241, provide important protections for workers injured on construction sites and in other workplaces.
Some workplace injuries may involve third-party liability in addition to workers’ compensation. Depending on the circumstances, that could mean pursuing compensation from property owners, general contractors, equipment manufacturers, or other responsible parties.
Case types include construction accidents, workplace injuries, scaffold and ladder falls, defective equipment, repetitive stress injuries, and product liability claims.
Do You Have a Personal Injury Case?
If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or intentional misconduct, you may have a personal injury claim under New York law.
Generally, three basic elements need to be established:
- Duty of care: The other party had a legal responsibility to act reasonably. For example, drivers must follow traffic laws and property owners may have a duty to address known hazards.
- Breach: The other party failed to meet that responsibility.
- Damages: You suffered actual harm as a result, such as physical injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for an accident, including in a car accident lawsuit. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you are not automatically barred from recovering anything.
For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault and your total damages were $100,000, you could still recover $80,000.
The statute of limitations for many personal injury claims in New York is three years from the date of the injury. Different deadlines can apply to claims against government entities and certain other types of cases. Because missing a filing deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation, contacting a personal injury attorney promptly is important.
Personal Injury Claims Arising from Criminal Conduct
Not every personal injury comes from an accident. If you were injured as the result of a criminal act, such as an assault, a DWI-related collision, or another violent crime, you may have both a criminal case and a separate civil personal injury claim.
The criminal case is pursued by the state. A civil claim is pursued by you to seek compensation for the harm you suffered.
Civil claims arising from criminal conduct can include:
- Assault and battery injuries: You may be able to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering even if the person who harmed you is not criminally convicted.
- DWI accident injuries: If an impaired driver caused your injuries, you may have a personal injury claim against the driver and, in some circumstances, other potentially responsible parties.
- Violent crime injuries: Victims of robberies, domestic violence, and other violent crimes may have civil claims separate from the criminal prosecution.
- Negligent security: If inadequate security contributed to a criminal act on a property, the property owner or another responsible party may potentially be liable.
At Ianniello Chauvin, LLP, our attorneys handle both sides of this equation. With former prosecutors on our team, we understand the intersection of criminal and civil law and can help coordinate your personal injury claim alongside any ongoing criminal proceedings.
Why Choose Ianniello Chauvin, LLP?
Not every personal injury law firm takes the same approach. Here’s what sets us apart:
Former prosecutors on your side. Our attorneys, including Managing Partner Matthew E. Chauvin, a former Saratoga County ADA, spent years in the courtroom building and presenting cases.
That experience carries over directly to personal injury litigation. We know how to build an evidence-based case and how to anticipate the arguments insurance companies and opposing counsel may make.
Trial-ready representation. Insurance companies know which attorneys are prepared to go to trial and which firms routinely settle. Our attorneys have real trial experience and are prepared to take a case to a jury when necessary to pursue fair compensation.
Four offices across the Capital Region. We maintain offices in Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park, Albany, and Glens Falls. You can meet with your attorney in person and have direct access to your legal team rather than being routed through a call center.
No fee unless we win. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and you don’t owe attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is always free.
Available 24/7. Accidents don’t happen only during business hours. Our team is available day and night, so you can speak with a member of our legal team when you need help.
What to Expect When You Contact Us
We know that reaching out to a law firm after an injury can feel overwhelming. Here’s what you can expect when you contact Ianniello Chauvin, LLP:
- Free case evaluation: We’ll listen to what happened, ask questions about your situation, and give you an honest assessment of your potential case. There’s no pressure and no obligation.
- Investigation: If we take your case, we’ll begin gathering evidence, including medical records, accident reports, witness statements, expert opinions, and other documentation needed to build your claim.
- Demand and negotiation: We’ll present a detailed demand to the responsible party’s insurance carrier, supported by evidence of your injuries and losses.
- Litigation if necessary: If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we can file suit and prepare your case for trial.
Throughout the process, your attorney will keep you informed about where your case stands and what comes next.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Claims in New York
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in New York?
The statute of limitations for many personal injury claims in New York is three years from the date of the injury. However, different deadlines can apply to claims against municipalities or other government entities, as well as certain types of cases such as medical malpractice.
Because missing an applicable deadline can prevent you from pursuing your claim, it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
How much is my personal injury case worth, and what does a personal injury lawyer cost?
Every case is different. The potential value depends on factors such as the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, the effect of the injury on your daily life, and the degree of the other party’s responsibility.
As for personal injury lawyer fees, we work on a contingency basis. There’s no upfront attorney fee, and our fee is a percentage of the compensation we recover for you.
We’ll evaluate the circumstances of your case during your free consultation and explain what your claim may be worth based on the available evidence and our experience with similar cases.
What does “contingency fee” mean?
It means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our fee is a percentage of the amount we recover. If we don’t recover compensation, you don’t owe us an attorney fee.
This arrangement allows clients to pursue a personal injury claim without paying attorney fees upfront.
Do I need a lawyer if the insurance company already made me an offer?
It’s worth speaking with an attorney before accepting an insurance company’s offer. An early settlement may not account for all of your medical expenses, lost income, future treatment, or other damages.
An experienced personal injury attorney can review the offer, evaluate the available evidence, and negotiate for compensation that more fully reflects your losses.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
New York’s pure comparative negligence rule allows you to recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for an accident. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover the remaining portion of your damages.
For example, if you were found to be 50% at fault, you could potentially recover 50% of your total damages.
Should I see a doctor even if I feel fine after an accident?
Yes. Some injuries, including concussions, whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and internal injuries, may not cause obvious symptoms right away.
Getting medical attention creates a record of your condition and can help establish a connection between the accident and your injuries. Delays or gaps in medical treatment can also give an insurance company an opportunity to question the severity or cause of your injuries.
Can I file a personal injury claim if someone intentionally hurt me?
Yes. If you were injured because of an assault, battery, or another intentional act, you may be able to file a civil personal injury claim against the person responsible.
That civil claim is separate from any criminal case brought by the state. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
How long does a personal injury case take?
The timeline varies from case to case. Many personal injury cases settle within 6 to 18 months, but cases involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or litigation can take longer.
We’ll keep you informed about the expected timeline and what to expect as your case moves forward.
How do I find the right personal injury lawyer near me?
Look for a personal injury attorney with real experience handling cases like yours and, when necessary, taking cases to trial. It’s also worth asking about contingency fees, trial experience, and who will actually handle your case.
We maintain offices in Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park, Albany, and Glens Falls, so you can meet with your attorney in person.
Do you handle motorcycle and truck accident claims specifically?
Yes. Motorcycle and truck accident cases can involve significant injuries and complicated liability issues. Trucking cases may also involve commercial insurance policies and potential claims against the trucking company in addition to the driver.
Getting an attorney involved early can be important for preserving evidence and identifying everyone who may be responsible.
Injured? Get a Free Case Evaluation
If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, don’t wait to get help. Contact Ianniello Chauvin, LLP for a free, confidential case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer who has the experience to fight for the compensation you deserve.
We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Personal Injury Representation by City
Local context, hospital information, and court details for each Capital Region city we serve.