Raimondo Law Firm wins $800,000 settlement in Long Island crash case

The Raimondo Law Firm secured an $800,000 settlement for a Long Island client injured in a lane-change collision that caused serious back injuries and permanent hardware. The case underscores how quickly proving fault and documenting serious injury can shape car accident claims in New York.

Why it matters: - The settlement shows the potential value of documenting both fault and long-term injury in New York car crash claims. - The case involved surgical treatment, permanent hardware and nearly a year out of work, all of which can drive damages in a serious injury lawsuit. - New York injury victims can pursue pain and suffering only if they meet the state’s serious injury threshold and are not more than 50% responsible for the crash.

What happened: - The Raimondo Law Firm secured an $800,000 settlement for a client injured in a vehicle collision on Long Island. - The crash happened when another driver improperly changed lanes, struck the client, sent the vehicle across oncoming lanes and into a tree. - The client suffered significant trauma and long-term consequences, including low back injuries that required surgery and permanent hardware. - The client was unable to work for almost a year after the accident.

The details: - The claim centered on negligent driving, including failure to maintain a lane and failure to operate the vehicle with reasonable care. - The firm said fast evidence collection is critical because accident scenes are cleared, footage can disappear and witness accounts can change. - Evidence cited in these cases can include CCTV or dashcam footage, witness statements, vehicle telemetry, cell phone logs, expert reconstruction analysis, police reports and emergency response records. - The firm also emphasized medical proof, including treatment records, surgical reports, prescriptions, implanted hardware and a physician’s long-term prognosis. - Expert medical witnesses can help explain how hardware affects function, range of motion and long-term recovery. - Under New York law, the serious injury categories include death, dismemberment, loss of fetus, significant disfigurement, fracture, permanent consequential limitation, permanent loss of use and significant limitation. - The firm said surgical intervention and permanent medical hardware are often strong objective proof of serious injury.

Between the lines: - The settlement reflects how New York personal injury cases often turn on two questions: who caused the crash and whether the injury is severe enough to clear the legal threshold for non-economic damages. - In a state with aggressive insurance defenses, contemporaneous evidence and medical documentation can determine whether a claim settles and how much it is worth. - The firm’s messaging also signals a broader litigation strategy: build the liability case quickly, then pair it with objective medical evidence to strengthen negotiations.

What's next: - Injury victims are advised to seek immediate medical treatment, keep all medical and financial records, avoid early settlements and not give statements to the other driver’s insurer. - The Raimondo Law Firm says it is available 24/7 for free case reviews and consultations. - The firm continues to handle motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, dog attacks and other personal injury claims across Long Island, New York City and parts of Upstate New York.

The bottom line: - In New York crash cases, permanent injuries and clear proof of fault can make the difference between a denied claim and a substantial settlement.