At the Law Office of Steven R. Smith, we thrive in the courtroom. Our competitive spirit and passion for litigation make us the firm you want fighting for you in your battle for injury compensation.
As a local personal injury law firm in Long Island, we treat our clients like human beings, because you are more than just a case number. Providing individual attention and clear legal guidancethroughout the claims process has earned our office consistent five-star ratings from local accident victims. Our advocates stand ready to manage your legal burdens so you can focus entirely on your physical recovery.
A 48-year-old passenger suffered a fractured humerus (upper arm) and a herniated cervical disc and required surgery on the arm and cervical spine.
A 36-year-old fractured his right leg, left hand, and rib in a motorcycle accident. He required surgery and was unable to return to work as a police officer.
A 70-year-old man suffered a right rotator cuff tear and a herniated lumbar disc that required multiple surgeries as a result of an automobile accident.
Growing up as a track and baseball athlete, Steven R. Smith always seemed to gravitate toward competitive environments. After pursuing his Psychology degree, Steven gained an interest in the practice of law. Since earning his J.D. from the St. John's University School of Law in 1988, Steven has been committed to fighting for the rights of clients throughout New York. Discover how he can represent you after a sudden injury threatens your future.
The statute of limitations for most personal injury lawsuits in New York is three years from the exact date of the incident. However, claims involving wrongful death have a shorter two-year deadline, and claims against a government entity require a Notice of Claim within 90 days. Our personal injury law firm in Long Island tracks these specific deadlines to protect your right to financial recovery in local civil courts.
A pre-existing condition does not disqualify you from recovering financial damages after an unexpected accident. Under New York law, you are entitled to compensation for the aggravation or exacerbation of a prior injury caused by someone else's negligence, provided there is clear medical evidence.
Our firm represents injured accident victims from our primary office located in Garden City, New York. Beyond Nassau County, our personal injury law firm in Long Island provides dedicated legal advocacy to clients throughout Suffolk County, Queens County, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Our advocates also maintain flexible operational hours and can arrange to meet with severely injured individuals at home or hospital bedsides.
New York's insurance system requires your personal carrier to pay for initial medical bills and basic lost wages regardless of who caused the collision. To seek additional financial recovery for physical pain, your medical conditions must meet a strict statutory threshold for a serious injury. Our personal injury law firm in Long Island will compile your diagnostic scans and specialist evaluations to legally challenge the insurance carrier's medical limits.
To establish liability, we must prove that the property owner either created the hazardous condition or had actual or constructive notice of it. This requires gathering documentation such as property maintenance logs, surveillance footage, and expert analysis of local building code violations. Seeking legal advice immediately allows our investigators to document these dangerous property defects before they are altered.
We begin investigating your case immediately upon retention to protect vital evidence before it's lost or destroyed. Our deep familiarity with regional accident scenes, local precincts, and Nassau County courts allows us to deploy resources rapidly to secure your rights. This proactive approach will make sure that there's a strong structural foundation for your ongoing injury claim.
After an accident, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, uncertain, and unsure where to turn. Medical bills start piling up, time away from work creates financial stress, and insurance companies may pressure you to settle before you understand the full impact of your injuries. During this time, you deserve more than generic legal advice — you deserve personal attention and clear guidance focused on your best interests.
At the Law Office of Steven R. Smith, we believe every client’s situation is unique, and we treat it that way. From your first conversation with our office, we take the time to listen to your story, understand your concerns, and explain your options in plain language. You won’t be passed off or left wondering about the status of your case. We stay accessible, responsive, and fully engaged at every stage.
While you focus on your recovery, we focus on the legal details. We handle communication with insurance companies, gather evidence, and build a strong claim designed to reflect the true extent of your losses. Our goal is to protect you from unfair tactics and pursue compensation that supports your recovery and future. Above all, our commitment is to you.
If you recently sustained a serious injury, your sole focus should be on making a full physical recovery. Let us handle the claims process and negotiations with insurance. Contact us for representation in Garden City, Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Hempstead, Westbury, Queens, Hicksville, Mineola, or anywhere in New York. Your first consultation is completely free.
Steven R. Smith is a real professional. We met by accident and I highly recommend him to anyone who needs his services. He is honest . reliable and a real gentlemen. He is hands on and very easy to reach. Returns calls and emails promptly. You will not be disappointed.
The Law Office of Steven Smith handled my case with professionalism, empathy and understanding. They explained the process when I had questions and were always very patient. I used Steven Smith on a case 20 years ago and returned due to his attention to detail and professionalism. I would recommend Mr. Smith and his staff.
I highly recommend Steven Smith. He will answer any question for you and will get you a great settlement!
Steven R Smith he is a great lawyer. If you was to ever get Into an accident. Steven is the guy you want to be representing you, Steven and his team will get you the best settlement that you can possibly get.
Steven Smith has represented me on cases and has never failed to impress me. He is very upfront and honest about the realities of what can be done about a situation while instilling confidence that he will do everything in his power to get you all the compensation you're entitled to. Not to mention he is a wonderful person overall and I would not hesitate to hire Mr. Smith again. Thank you!
Steven R Smith and staff are very professional, will stand by you from beginning to end of your law suit. I would highly recommend it to anyone in need of such a great lawyer and staff. Thank you so much for your great help.
Very satisfied with settlement and your support. Great communication. Highly recommended. Thank you Steven R Smith and staff for everything
I have been an investigator for 30 plus years and I highly recommend this individual. He is my personal attorney and is someone who is honest, hard working, knows the law, and gets the job done. He does not beat around the bush and tells it like it is. Put your trust in him like I did and i guarantee you will feel the same about him that I do.
Before an accident happens, make sure you can find your insurance information, understand New York’s reporting deadlines, and know how to document a collision safely. You may have only minutes to respond while dealing with traffic, injuries, and confusion. Thinking about yourself or someone you love being hurt can be genuinely upsetting, but preparing now can make an already frightening situation easier to manage.
Photographs, videos, witness accounts, crash reports, physical damage, and electronic records can help prove liability after a car accident. The strongest evidence shows how the vehicles moved, what each driver did before impact, and whether that conduct caused the collision. Being expected to preserve these details while you are injured and shaken can be challenging, but evidence from several sources can help reconstruct the accident even when you could not document everything yourself.
Most personal injury cases settle within several months to a year, but the timeline can vary widely depending on the facts of the case. Factors such as the severity of your injuries, how long medical treatment lasts, whether liability is disputed, and how cooperative the insurance company is all play a role. Simpler cases may resolve more quickly, while cases involving serious injuries or litigation can take longer.
If you’re worried about how long the process will take, you’re not alone. Many people are facing mounting bills and lost income and want answers as soon as possible. At the Law Office of Steven R. Smith, we work to move cases forward efficiently while also making sure your claim isn’t rushed before the full extent of your injuries is clear. Settling too early can mean accepting less than you truly need.
Compensation for anxiety after a car accident varies and depends on the severity of the emotional distress and how it affects your daily life. In New York, anxiety may be included as part of non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, especially when it is supported by medical records, therapy notes, or a formal diagnosis. There is no fixed dollar amount, as each case is evaluated individually.
Many accident victims struggle with fear of driving, panic attacks, sleep issues, or ongoing stress after a crash. These effects are real and deserve to be taken seriously. Our NY car accident lawyer can help you document how anxiety has impacted you and work to include these damages in your claim, so your compensation reflects both your physical injuries and the emotional toll the event had on you.
Slip and fall cases can be challenging, but they are absolutely winnable with the right evidence. To succeed, you generally must show that a property owner knew or should have known about a dangerous condition and failed to fix it or warn visitors. Evidence such as photos, incident reports, maintenance records, and witness statements is often critical.
Many people hesitate to pursue these cases because they think the injury was “their fault.” In reality, property owners in New York have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. We help investigate what caused your fall, identify negligence, and build a claim that clearly shows how the hazard could have been prevented.
Suing for medical malpractice can be worth it when a healthcare provider’s negligence causes serious injury, worsens a condition, or leads to long-term complications. These cases are complex and require proof that the provider deviated from accepted medical standards and caused measurable harm. When the impact is significant, compensation can help cover medical costs, lost income, and future care.
Patients often struggle with anger, confusion, and loss of trust after a medical error. We understand how difficult it can be to question a doctor or hospital. Our Long Island attorney's role is to carefully review your situation, consult qualified experts, and help you decide whether pursuing a claim makes sense based on the harm you’ve suffered and your long-term needs.
In New York, a wrongful death claim must be filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. This is often a close family member named in a will or appointed by the court. While the lawsuit is brought by the representative, any compensation recovered is typically distributed to surviving family members such as a spouse, children, or other dependents.
Families coping with a sudden loss are often unsure of their rights and overwhelmed by legal questions. Wrongful death claims are intended to provide financial support for funeral costs, lost income, and the loss of guidance or support your loved one provided. Our New York personal injury law firm helps families understand the process and pursue accountability while treating your situation with utmost care and respect.
