Car Accident Lawyers Serving Oneonta and Surrounding Counties

Last updated on March 2, 2026

Car crashes can happen fast – and they can upend lives just as quickly. If you are dealing with serious injuries after a car crash, you may be worried about what the future holds for you and your family. Our lawyers at Scarzafava & Basdekis, PLLC understand how difficult it can be to obtain insurance coverage for the cost of your recovery. We are here to help you seek the compensation and peace of mind you deserve.

Our goal is to give you a voice in the amount of damages you need to recover from your car accident injury. We are ready to leverage our 46 years of combined experience to help you achieve your goal.

What To Do After A Car Accident In New York

Looking at a phone for just a second can lead to disaster on the road making distracted driving dangerous. Winter brings treacherous driving conditions in Otsego, Delaware and Chenango counties – from icy roads to poor visibility and unexpected snowstorms. These hazardous conditions increase the risk of all types of crashes, including pedestrian accidents. If you find yourself in a crash, here is an overview of the steps you can take to protect yourself and your legal rights:

• Check for injuries and call 911: Check yourself and passengers for injuries, then call emergency services right away. Even minor crashes require police documentation.
• Move to safety when possible: If your vehicle can be driven and poses a traffic hazard, move it to the roadside. Turn on hazard lights and set up reflective markers if available.
• Document the accident scene: Take photos of all vehicles, damage, road conditions, traffic signs and your injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses and the other driver, including insurance details.
• Seek medical attention immediately: Visit a doctor even if you feel fine. Many serious injuries, such as whiplash, concussions and internal bleeding, show symptoms days after the accident.
• Contact an attorney: Make sure to call an attorney first before speaking with insurance companies. A lawyer will handle communications to protect your rights and prevent statements that might harm your claim.
• Report the accident to your insurance company: Notify your insurer about the accident, but stick to basic facts. Let us handle detailed discussions about faults or injuries.

For most minor accidents, these no-fault benefits are your only option. But the law makes an exception for victims with major injuries. If your injuries are severe enough, you can file a claim against the driver who hit you for additional damages your insurance won’t cover.

To qualify, you must have what New York law considers a “serious injury.” This includes injuries like fractured bones, noticeable scars and lasting damage to body parts. The law also recognizes injuries that prevent you from performing your normal daily activities for at least 90 days during the first six months after your accident.

Reach out to our office today. We can review your medical records and help determine if your injuries meet these standards. We also handle a wide range of vehicle collision cases, including commercial truck accidents and motorcycle accidents. Additionally, we advocate for victims of drunk driving in New York. We work on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing unless we secure compensation for you. Our success is directly tied to yours, allowing you to focus on getting better while we handle the legal work.

Work With Attorneys Who Value Mission-Driven Advocacy

No matter how mild or severe your car accident injuries are, you want to make sure your insurance provides the coverage it claims it will provide for you. From the moment we began our practice, we have made it our mission to help injury victims like you hold their insurance providers accountable and fight aggressively for the compensation they need. We have a thorough understanding of New York’s no-fault insurance rules and when insurers may be acting in bad faith, and we leverage that knowledge to our clients’ advantage. Alongside being mission-driven, we also have a strong reputation. Throughout our years of practice, we have been recognized for our work as personal injury lawyers by U.S. News & World Report Super Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell.

Additionally, we operate on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. To learn more about our personalized, compassionate and mission-driven representation, schedule a consultation with us today by calling 607-441-4137.

Common Car Accident Injuries

There are several injuries you can suffer in a car crash. They can include:

• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones and internal injuries
• Emotional and psychological trauma

No matter the type of injury you sustain, it can have a lasting impact on your life. Additionally, the costs associated with treating these injuries are high. That’s why we fight hard to get you the care and coverage you need to address and treat these injuries.

Understanding Liability In New York Car Accidents

Here is a breakdown of a few things you will want to know about car accidents in the Empire State:

New York’s No-Fault Insurance System

When it comes to determining fault in a car crash, New York abides by no-fault rules. Under no-fault rules, drivers turn to their own insurance companies to seek compensation after an accident, regardless of who was responsible for the accident.

When Can You Sue Outside Of No-Fault In New York?

While New York follows no-fault rules for car accidents, there can be some exceptions in which you can sue for injuries. You can do so if the injury you suffer in a crash meets what’s called the “serious injury” threshold. The types of injuries that meet the serious threshold requirements include:

• Fractures
• Loss of limbs or other body parts
• Injuries that result in significant limitations of body usage

People can also sue if the damages from the accident exceed the $50,000 no-fault coverage limits.

How You Can Prove Negligence

To prove negligence in a car accident injury, you typically have to demonstrate that the driver who hit you was:

• Engaging in distracted driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Driving well above the posted speed limit
• Failing to yield to you

We can help gather the evidence, reports and witness testimony necessary to help prove negligence.

Shared Fault And Comparative Negligence In New York

As part of New York’s no-fault rules, shared fault and comparative negligence can significantly impact an individual’s ability to pursue compensation after a car accident. For example, under shared fault and comparative negligence, even if a driver is partially at fault for an accident, they may still be eligible to recover compensation. However, their level of responsibility for the accident could determine the amount of compensation they can receive.

How We Help You Recover Compensation

There are several steps we can take to help you recover compensation after a car accident. We can gather evidence you collected from the crash scene, speak with witnesses who were present and thoroughly review police reports, medical records and insurance policies to see if they match up. By employing these tactics, we can help you seek financial coverage for things like:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Long-term care and rehabilitation

The types of expenses you may need to cover with your injury compensation typically depend on your specific situation. No matter how much you need and what you need it for, we will fight for every penny you deserve.

Car Accident FAQ

Below are some of the questions we hear most often from car accident injury clients.

Do I need a lawyer for a minor accident?

It can depend on the circumstances. However, if you are involved in a minor car accident, it is still advisable to contact an attorney. Even if you think your case will be straightforward, it may not be. If it isn’t straightforward, an attorney can help you determine the appropriate strategy for pursuing the payout you deserve, as well as any other complications you are having with your insurance provider.

How long do I have to file a claim in NY?

In New York, you have three years from the date of the accident to pursue a claim. However, there can be exceptions to this rule such as if you are seeking a claim against the government for your injuries. In those cases, the deadline for filing may be shorter.

What if I was partially at fault?

Even if you were partially at fault for an accident in New York, you can still recover damages for any injuries you sustain. However, the amount you can obtain in compensation may be limited depending on your level of fault.

Schedule A Free Consultation

When you choose to hire our firm to provide representation for your case, you can rest assured that we have your best interests in mind and can help you when you’ve been in a significant accident. A common occurrence in personal injury accident cases is that the party at fault or the insurance company can try to make you take an unfair settlement. At Scarzafava & Basdekis, PLLC, our Oneonta-based team keeps your best interests in mind and fights for the recovery you deserve.

After an accident, contact our car accident lawyers. Schedule a complimentary initial consultation by calling us at 607-441-4137. With an office in Oneonta, we assist individuals in Otsego, Delaware and Chenango counties who have been injured. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case.