Staten Island Personal Injury Attorney
When you or a loved one is injured because of someone else's negligence, the consequences can be devastating — medical bills, lost income, pain, and uncertainty about the future. You need a Staten Island personal injury lawyer who will stand in your corner, fight the insurance companies, and pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Ward & Rafter, LLP represents injury victims throughout Staten Island and New York State. We handle all personal injury matters with one exception: we do not handle medical malpractice. From car accidents on the Staten Island Expressway to slip and falls in local stores and on public sidewalks, we are committed to holding negligent parties accountable and getting results for our clients.
We offer free initial consultations for personal injury matters, and we handle these cases on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
Car Accident Lawyer on Staten Island
Staten Island's roads — from the congested Staten Island Expressway and the West Shore Expressway to local intersections along Hylan Boulevard, Richmond Avenue, and Victory Boulevard — see thousands of accidents every year. When a crash happens, the physical, financial, and emotional toll on victims can be severe.
Insurance companies move quickly after an accident. They have experienced adjusters and lawyers working to minimize what they pay you. Without skilled legal representation, injury victims often settle for far less than their case is worth — sometimes before they even understand the full extent of their injuries.
How We Approach Car Accident Cases
We investigate the accident thoroughly, gather evidence, obtain police reports, and work with medical professionals to document the full scope of your injuries. We handle all communications with insurance carriers so you can focus on your recovery. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle
• Rear-end collisions
• Intersection accidents
• Highway and expressway accidents
• Distracted and drunk driving crashes
• Rideshare accidents (Uber, Lyft)
• Truck and commercial vehicle accidents
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims
New York No-Fault & Serious Injury
New York is a no-fault insurance state, which means your own insurance covers certain medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident. However, to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, you must meet the threshold for a "serious injury" under New York law. We evaluate every case carefully to determine whether that threshold is met and advise our clients accordingly.
Slip & Fall Lawyer — Staten Island Premises Liability
Property owners in New York have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for visitors, customers, and in some cases, passersby. When they fail to do so — whether through neglect, inadequate maintenance, or failure to warn of a known hazard — and someone is injured as a result, they can be held liable.
Slip and fall cases on Staten Island arise in a wide range of settings: grocery stores and shopping centers, restaurant and retail floors, apartment building common areas, construction sites, and public sidewalks maintained by the City of New York or private property owners. Each setting comes with its own legal rules and procedural requirements, and the window to take action can be narrow — particularly when a municipality is involved.
Common Causes of Slip & Fall Accidents
• Wet or slippery floors without adequate warning
• Uneven pavement, broken sidewalks, and cracked curbs
• Ice and snow on walkways, stairs, and parking lots
• Poor lighting in stairwells, parking lots, and hallways
• Defective stairs, handrails, and escalators
• Debris or obstacles in walkways
• Unmarked hazards in stores and commercial spaces
What You Should Do After a Slip & Fall
If you are injured in a slip and fall, document everything you can — photograph the condition that caused your fall, get the names of any witnesses, and seek medical attention immediately. Report the incident to the property owner or manager and request a copy of any incident report. Then contact an attorney as soon as possible. Evidence disappears quickly, and notice requirements in New York can be strict, especially when a government entity is involved.
Other Personal Injury Cases We Handle
In addition to car accidents and slip and falls, Ward & Rafter represents clients in a broad range of personal injury matters, including:
• Dog Bites & Animal Attacks: New York law holds dog owners strictly liable in certain circumstances for injuries caused by their animals. We represent victims of dog bites and attacks throughout Staten Island.
• Wrongful Death: When negligence causes a fatal injury, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim. We handle these sensitive matters with the care and diligence they deserve.
• Defective Products: Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can be held liable when a defective product causes injury. We evaluate product liability claims and pursue responsible parties on behalf of injured consumers.
• Negligent Security: Property owners who fail to provide adequate security in high-risk environments can be liable when that failure leads to injury. We represent victims of assaults and other crimes attributable to negligent security.
• Construction Accidents: New York's Labor Law provides strong protections for workers injured on construction sites. We evaluate construction accident claims and advise injured workers on their rights and options.
What to Expect When You Work With Us
Personal injury cases can take time, and the process is not always straightforward. Here is what you can generally expect when Ward & Rafter handles your case.
Free Initial Consultation: We start by listening. We want to understand what happened, how you were injured, and what impact it has had on your life. There is no charge for this initial conversation.
Investigation & Documentation: We gather the evidence needed to build your case — accident reports, photographs, witness statements, medical records, and any other documentation relevant to liability and damages.
Insurance Negotiations: We handle all dealings with insurance carriers and work to secure a fair settlement that reflects the true value of your claim. We do not accept lowball offers simply to close a file quickly.
Litigation When Necessary: If a fair resolution cannot be reached through negotiation, we are fully prepared to file suit and take your case to trial. Insurance companies know which attorneys are willing to litigate — and that preparation strengthens every negotiation.
Contingency Fee: We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney's fees unless and until we recover compensation for you.
Why Choose Ward & Rafter
Staten Island Focus: We know Staten Island's roads, courts, and local legal landscape. Our attorneys are regular practitioners in Richmond County and understand how cases move through this system.
Trial-Ready Representation: We prepare every personal injury case as if it is going to trial. That preparation gives us leverage in negotiations and ensures we are ready if a verdict is what it takes to get you justice.
Responsive & Accessible: Injury victims have enough to deal with. We keep you informed, return calls promptly, and make sure you always know where your case stands.
No Fee Unless You Win: Our contingency fee structure means our interests are aligned with yours. We only get paid when you do.
Honest Counsel: We give our clients realistic assessments of their cases. We will tell you what your case is worth, what the challenges are, and what to expect — because informed clients make better decisions.
Injured on Staten Island? Contact Us Today.
If you or a family member has been injured in a car accident, a slip and fall, or any other incident caused by someone else's negligence, do not wait. Evidence can disappear, witnesses' memories fade, and legal deadlines are unforgiving. The sooner you have an attorney in your corner, the better positioned you will be.
Contact Ward & Rafter, LLP today for a free consultation with a Staten Island personal injury attorney. There is no obligation, and no fee unless we recover for you.