Albany Personal Injury Attorney
Injured in Albany? You Deserve a Fighter in Your Corner.
When an accident turns your life upside down, the last thing you should worry about is legal fees. At Seraj Law, you pay nothing unless we win your case.
The Challenge
A serious injury caused by someone else's negligence can leave you facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, and an insurance company that moves fast to minimize what it pays you. The system is stacked against injured people who try to navigate it alone.
Our Approach
Attorney Ahmad H. Seraj represents injured New Yorkers on a contingency fee basis — no upfront cost, no hourly billing, and no fee at all unless we recover money for you. We investigate the accident, document your damages, and fight the insurance companies so you can focus on recovering.
Albany Personal Injury Lawyer
When unexpected injuries occur — from car crashes on I-90 to slip-and-fall incidents or workplace accidents — victims face medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma all at once. At the same time, the at-fault party’s insurance company gets to work immediately, with trained adjusters whose goal is to minimize what they pay you.
Attorney Ahmad H. Seraj represents injured Albany residents and Capital Region families on a pure contingency fee basis. You pay nothing to start your case. You pay nothing if we don’t win. We only get paid when you do.
Why Hire an Albany Personal Injury Attorney?
Insurance companies are businesses first. Their primary goal is protecting their bottom line, not ensuring you receive fair compensation. After an accident, you’ll face tactics designed to reduce your payout:
- Early contact attempts — adjusters call within hours of the accident, hoping to secure recorded statements or quick settlements before you understand your injuries
- Claim delays — disputes about the severity of your injuries to wear you down
- Low initial offers — settlements that don’t cover future medical costs or lost earning capacity
- Fault shifting — inflating your percentage of comparative negligence to reduce the payout
An experienced Albany personal injury attorney levels the playing field and can identify all available sources of recovery.
Personal Injury Practice Areas
Car Accidents
Car accidents are the leading cause of personal injury claims in Albany. We handle cases involving:
- Distracted driving, drunk driving, and reckless driving
- Rear-end collisions and intersection crashes
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Commercial vehicle collisions
Truck Accidents
Commercial trucking crashes cause catastrophic injuries and involve multiple potentially liable parties — the driver, the trucking company, cargo loaders, and manufacturers. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations create additional bases for liability.
Motorcycle Accidents
New York motorcyclists are excluded from No-Fault insurance under NY Insurance Law § 5103(a), giving them a direct tort claim against the at-fault driver from day one — without having to first clear the serious injury threshold.
Rideshare Accidents (Uber & Lyft)
Rideshare accidents involve a three-period insurance coverage model that determines which policy applies based on the driver’s status at the time of the crash. We untangle the coverage layers so your claim doesn’t fall between the cracks.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises — including addressing unshoveled sidewalks, wet floors, and poorly lit stairwells. When they fail, they may be liable for injuries under New York premises liability law.
Wrongful Death
When negligence causes a fatality, New York law under EPTL § 5-4.1 gives the personal representative of the estate the right to bring a wrongful death claim on behalf of surviving distributees.
New York Personal Injury Law: What You Need to Know
No-Fault Insurance
New York is a no-fault state for motor vehicle accidents. Your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP/No-Fault) coverage pays initial medical bills and a portion of lost wages — up to $50,000 — regardless of who caused the accident. No-Fault does not cover pain and suffering.
Serious Injury Threshold
To pursue pain and suffering damages against the at-fault driver, your injuries must meet the threshold under NY Insurance Law § 5102(d):
- Any fracture
- Significant disfigurement
- Permanent consequential limitation of a body organ or member
- Significant limitation of a body function or system
- Medically determined injury preventing substantially all daily activities for 90 of the first 180 days after the accident
Pure Comparative Negligence
New York follows pure comparative negligence under CPLR Article 14-A. Even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover — your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault.
Statutes of Limitations — Do Not Wait
| Claim Type | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Personal injury (general) | 3 years from injury date |
| Wrongful death | 2 years from date of death |
| Claims against government entities | Notice of Claim within 90 days |
| Medical malpractice | 2.5 years from malpractice date |
Missing these deadlines permanently bars your right to recover.
How We Handle Your Case
- Free case evaluation — no commitment, no fee, no obligation
- Investigation — police reports, accident reconstruction, witness statements, surveillance footage, electronic data
- Medical documentation — working with your treating providers to document the full scope of your injuries
- Insurance negotiation — all communications with the at-fault insurer handled by us
- Albany County Supreme Court litigation — if the insurer won’t offer fair value, we file suit and pursue your case through discovery and trial
What Compensation Can I Recover?
Depending on your case:
- Economic damages — medical bills, lost wages, future care costs, rehabilitation expenses
- Non-economic damages — pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage — repair or replacement of your vehicle and personal property
- Punitive damages — in rare cases of particularly egregious conduct
Why Choose Seraj Law
- No upfront cost. Contingency fee only — you pay nothing unless we win.
- Local court knowledge. We practice in Albany County Supreme Court and know the local procedures.
- Personalized attention. We maintain smaller caseloads to give each case the focus it deserves.
- Corporate-side experience. Ahmad H. Seraj’s background in corporate finance gives him insight into how insurance companies and corporate defendants protect their interests — knowledge that works in your favor.
If you or someone you love was injured in an accident in Albany or anywhere in the Capital Region, contact Seraj Law today for a free consultation.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different. Contact our office for advice specific to your situation.
Related Services
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in New York?
In New York, most personal injury claims must be filed within three years of the injury date under [CPLR § 214](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CVP/214). There are important exceptions — claims against a government entity require a Notice of Claim within 90 days. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to recover, so acting quickly matters.
What is the serious injury threshold in New York?
Under NY Insurance Law § 5102(d), to pursue pain and suffering damages beyond No-Fault benefits, your injury must meet the 'serious injury' threshold. This includes fractures, significant disfigurement, permanent loss or limitation of a body organ or function, or a medically determined injury that prevents you from performing substantially all daily activities for at least 90 of the first 180 days after the accident.
How much is my personal injury case worth?
Every case is different. Compensation in a NY personal injury case typically includes medical expenses, lost wages, future care costs, and pain and suffering damages. The value depends on injury severity, how clearly liability is established, insurance policy limits, and whether comparative negligence applies. We evaluate each case individually during a free consultation.
Do I need a lawyer for a car accident in Albany?
You are not required to hire a lawyer, but insurance companies assign trained adjusters and attorneys to your claim immediately. Their goal is to settle quickly and for as little as possible. A personal injury attorney levels the playing field, handles the procedural steps, and ensures you do not accept a settlement that falls short of your actual damages.
How does a contingency fee work?
Under a contingency fee arrangement, you pay no attorney fees upfront and no hourly charges. If we recover money for you through settlement or verdict, our fee is a percentage of that recovery — typically one-third. If we do not win, you owe us nothing. This means every Albany personal injury victim has access to serious legal representation regardless of financial circumstances.
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The information on this website is for general informational purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.