Jeffrey Weiskopf on What Car Accident Victims Across New York Need to Know

Jeffrey Weiskopf is a New York car accident attorney and the founding lawyer of Jeffrey Weiskopf, P.C., a car accident law firm based in Westchester County New York. With nearly two decades of courtroom experience and more than $20 million recovered for injured New Yorkers, he has built a reputation as one of the most tenacious personal injury advocates in the state.

His firm represents car accident victims throughout Westchester County and across New York State, and has earned a perfect 5.0-star rating from over 45 client reviews on Google.

NewNoted editor-in-chief Claire Marshall sat down with Weiskopf to discuss what car accident victims across New York need to know before navigating the claims process.

Marshall: Car accidents are one of the leading causes of serious injury across New York State. What does that landscape look like from where you sit?

Weiskopf: It touches every part of the state. I’m based in Westchester, and we see the consequences every week on roads like I-95, the Saw Mill River Parkway, and Route 9. But those same patterns play out on the Long Island Expressway, the Thruway, and roads in Buffalo, Albany, and Syracuse.

The causes are consistent: inattention, impairment, failure to yield. What never changes is the impact on the people involved. Spinal damage, traumatic brain injuries, and fractures can upend someone’s life regardless of where in New York the accident happens.

Marshall: What are the most common injuries you see, and how do they shape a legal claim?

Weiskopf: Cervical and lumbar spine injuries are by far the most common. Rear-end collisions are notorious for causing disc herniations that become permanently debilitating, even when the crash looks minor on the surface. I’ve seen that play out countless times here in Westchester and in cases across the state.

On the legal side, injury severity drives the value of a claim. We look at current and projected medical costs, lost wages, and whether the injury is permanent. The medical documentation we build from day one is absolutely critical.

Marshall: New York is a no-fault state, which a lot of people find confusing after a serious crash. Can you break that down?

Weiskopf: Under no-fault, your own auto insurance covers your medical bills and a portion of lost wages regardless of who caused the accident. But no-fault does not pay for pain and suffering, and it has dollar limits.

Once your injuries meet what the law calls the serious injury threshold, you have the right to step outside the no-fault system and sue the at-fault driver directly. A lot of people assume no-fault means they can’t sue anyone, and that’s simply not correct. Whether you’re in Westchester, Queens, or Rochester, the threshold analysis is the same.

Marshall: What mistakes do you see accident victims make right after a crash that hurt them later?

Weiskopf: The biggest one is giving a recorded statement to the insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that minimize the company’s payout, and something as simple as saying “I feel okay” at the scene can be used against you months later.

Delaying medical treatment is another serious mistake. If there’s a gap between the accident and your first doctor’s visit, the defense will argue your injuries weren’t caused by the crash. And waiting too long to contact an attorney means evidence disappears, footage gets overwritten, and witnesses become harder to track down.

Marshall: What does the process look like when someone hires your firm after a car accident?

Weiskopf: It starts with a free consultation where I personally meet with every client to understand what happened and how it has affected their life. From there we move immediately into investigation: obtaining the police report, preserving photos and surveillance footage, identifying witnesses, and bringing in experts when needed.

We handle all communication with the insurance companies directly so our clients don’t have to deal with that pressure. Every case is prepared from day one as if a jury will decide it. Insurance carriers know when you’re ready for trial, and that changes what they’re willing to offer.

Marshall: Are there types of car accidents that tend to produce especially complex legal battles?

Weiskopf: Rear-end collisions are the most common cases we handle, and insurance companies fight them harder than people expect. Commercial truck accidents introduce multiple liable parties and federal regulations on top of the standard insurance analysis. Rideshare accidents involving Uber or Lyft have their own layered insurance structure that requires careful navigation.

Cases involving drunk or distracted drivers can also support a claim for punitive damages beyond standard compensation, which changes the entire dynamic of the case.

Marshall: What would you say to someone in New York who was recently hurt in a car accident and is on the fence about calling an attorney?

Weiskopf: I’d tell them the fence is the most dangerous place to stand. Insurance companies have experienced professionals whose job is to pay you as little as possible, and they start working on that goal the moment you file a claim.

We’ve recovered close to a million dollars for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle here in Westchester, and significant recoveries in cases where the insurance company’s initial offer didn’t come close to reflecting the true value.

Marshall: Jeffrey, thank you. This is exactly the kind of guidance New Yorkers need access to.

Weiskopf: Thank you, Claire. A car accident can change someone’s life in a second, and my hope is that anyone in that situation knows they have options and that experienced help is available to them.

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Jeffrey Weiskopf, P.C. is based in Ossining, New York, and represents car accident victims throughout Westchester County and across New York State. The firm can be reached at 914-315-0111 or at weiskopflaw.com.