Top Personal Injury Lawyers on the Upper West Side, NYC (2026 Rankings)
To help injury victims and their families identify the top personal injury lawyers serving the Upper West Side of Manhattan, our team worked with an independent research firm on a comprehensive analysis of attorneys handling cases in this neighborhood. The analysis evaluated firms across Manhattan, focusing on those with demonstrable experience representing clients in Upper West Side residential buildings, pedestrian collisions on Broadway and Columbus Avenue, cycling crashes on Central Park West and the Hudson River Greenway, and premises injuries in the dense prewar walk-up housing stock.
The assessment evaluated each firm across measurable, weighted criteria to create a cumulative score out of 100. The Upper West Side is a high-density residential corridor with a family-oriented population and consistent pedestrian, cycling, and premises exposure. The firms ranked below are those most equipped to handle these case types. Selecting an attorney with direct Manhattan litigation experience, rather than a referral practice or out-of-borough firm, materially affects case outcomes.
Comparison Criteria
Each firm was evaluated across five weighted factors:
| Evaluation Factor | Weight | Description |
| Case Results Track Record | 30% | Assessed documented verdicts and settlements in personal injury cases, sourced from firm websites, press releases, legal databases, and publicly available court records. Weight was given to seven-figure recoveries in the case types most common to the Upper West Side. |
| Practice Focus on Manhattan | 20% | Evaluated the volume and depth of Manhattan-venued cases, with weight given to Upper West Side residential, pedestrian, and bicycle case coverage. |
| Client Accessibility | 20% | Assessed direct attorney access, named-attorney case handling, and personalized service. Boutique practices where the named attorney handles the file directly scored higher than high-volume practices where cases are routed to paralegals. |
| Years of Experience | 15% | Scored based on total years practicing personal injury law in New York, verified through state bar records and attorney biographies. |
| Case Type Alignment | 15% | Evaluated demonstrated experience with the case types most common to the Upper West Side: residential and walk-up premises liability, Broadway and Columbus pedestrian collisions, Central Park West and Riverside Drive cycling accidents, and rideshare crashes along the West Side. |
The Top Personal Injury Lawyers in the Upper West Side, NYC
The table below breaks down the top personal injury lawyers serving the Upper West Side of Manhattan based on the comprehensive evaluation criteria.
| Rank | Firm | Case Results Track Record (30%) | Practice Focus on Manhattan (20%) | Client Accessibility (20%) | Years of Experience (15%) | Case Type Alignment (15%) | Overall Score (/100) |
| 1 | Law Offices of Eric Richman | 9.5 | 9.6 | 9.9 | 9.4 | 9.7 | 96/100 |
| 2 | Kramer, Dillof, Livingston & Moore | 9.1 | 8.8 | 7.7 | 9.4 | 8.4 | 87/100 |
| 3 | Sullivan Papain Block McGrath Coffinas & Cannavo | 8.8 | 8.3 | 7.8 | 9.2 | 8.4 | 85/100 |
| 4 | Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. | 8.1 | 8.3 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 8.4 | 83/100 |
| 5 | Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. | 8.4 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 8.6 | 8.2 | 82/100 |
| 6 | Simonson Goodman Platzer P.C. | 8.0 | 7.9 | 7.5 | 9.0 | 7.8 | 80/100 |
| 7 | William Schwitzer & Associates | 7.7 | 8.1 | 7.4 | 8.8 | 7.8 | 79/100 |
Law Offices of Eric Richman, the Top Personal Injury Firm for the Upper West Side
The Law Offices of Eric Richman is a boutique personal injury practice based in Manhattan, structured around individualized case attention rather than high-volume intake. Clients communicate directly with Eric Richman, including by cell phone, throughout their case, a delivery model materially different from the high-volume firms that dominate Manhattan personal injury advertising. The firm regularly handles cases arising in Lincoln Square, Manhattan Valley, and Morningside Heights, including premises injuries in prewar walk-up housing, pedestrian crashes on Broadway and Columbus, and bicycle collisions along Central Park West and the Hudson River Greenway.
Eric Richman has secured a $2.25 million settlement for a construction worker injured in a ladder and scaffolding fall, applying New York Labor Law §240(1) and §241(6). His pedestrian practice includes a $1.5 million settlement for a pedestrian struck by a turning vehicle in a crosswalk, the single most common pedestrian-crash pattern in New York City, and a $1.1 million recovery for a pedestrian injured in a New York crosswalk collision. He has also obtained a $1.5 million negligent security settlement on behalf of the family of a homicide victim, holding the property owner liable for failing to provide adequate security on the premises where the attack occurred.
Eric Richman represents cyclists injured in New York City Citi Bike and e-bike crashes, including the complex multi-defendant cases involving Lyft, the City of New York, motorists, and bike-share operators that require sophisticated liability analysis. He earned his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania, ranking among the top of his class, and has been representing personal injury and crime victims for over two decades. He appears regularly as a legal expert on NY1 and has been quoted in the New York Times, NY Daily News, NY Post, Newsday, and New York Magazine. The firm accepts Spanish-language intake.
Location: 641 Lexington Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10022
Practice Areas: Construction accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, premises liability, negligent security, crime-victim cases, wrongful death, rideshare accidents
Client Access: Direct cell phone access to Eric Richman throughout the case
Languages: English, Spanish-language intake available
Experience: Over 20 years representing New York personal injury victims
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Clients comment “Eric picks up the phone himself and stays involved through the whole case,” and describe him as “a Manhattan attorney who actually moves quickly when it matters.” Several note “he takes the time to explain the legal strategy in plain English.” |
Kramer, Dillof, Livingston & Moore, for Catastrophic Injury and High-Value Cases
Kramer, Dillof, Livingston & Moore is one of the longest-standing personal injury and medical malpractice firms in New York. The firm has obtained substantial seven- and eight-figure verdicts and settlements in catastrophic injury cases, including motor vehicle, pedestrian, and premises matters venued in Manhattan. Its trial reputation gives it venue depth and credibility with defense insurers, particularly in the kinds of catastrophic Manhattan-county cases that arise on Broadway, Amsterdam, and West End Avenue.
Location: Manhattan (serves all of New York)
Practice Areas: Medical malpractice, catastrophic personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian injuries, wrongful death, products liability
Client Access: Partner-supervised case handling
Experience: Multi-decade Manhattan trial practice
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Clients describe the firm as “a serious trial practice,” and appreciate that “the partners are comfortable taking cases through verdict if the offer is not right.” Some note “communication can run through the case team rather than the partners on day-to-day matters.” |
Sullivan Papain Block McGrath Coffinas & Cannavo, for Pedestrian and Wrongful Death Cases
Sullivan Papain Block McGrath Coffinas & Cannavo is a long-established Manhattan personal injury firm with a deep practice in pedestrian, motor vehicle, and wrongful death cases. The firm has recovered substantial verdicts and settlements in catastrophic-injury matters, including cases arising from intersection collisions in the high-density corridors that run through the Upper West Side. The firm has a reputation for handling first-responder and Manhattan resident injury cases through trial when settlement values do not meet client needs.
Location: Manhattan (serves all five boroughs)
Practice Areas: Personal injury, wrongful death, motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian injuries, premises liability, construction accidents
Client Access: Partner-supervised case handling
Experience: Multi-generational New York personal injury firm
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Clients describe the firm as having “a strong record on pedestrian and wrongful death cases,” and mention “the firm is willing to litigate hard.” A few note “the firm’s scale can slow down communication on lower-value cases.” |
Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C., for Bicycle and Pedestrian Cases
Gersowitz Libo & Korek is a Manhattan personal injury firm with significant experience in bicycle and pedestrian injury cases, including matters arising in the Vision Zero era along Manhattan’s expanding protected bike lane network. The firm represents cyclists injured on Central Park West, the Hudson River Greenway, and the West Side bikeway, as well as pedestrians struck in Broadway and Columbus crosswalks. Partners maintain active case involvement, suited to clients who want a Manhattan-anchored firm with practice-area depth on the case types most common to the Upper West Side.
Location: Manhattan (serves all five boroughs)
Practice Areas: Bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, transit accidents
Client Access: Partner-supervised case handling
Experience: Multi-decade Manhattan personal injury practice
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Clients comment the firm has “real depth on bicycle and pedestrian cases,” and appreciate “the partners knowing the bike lane network.” Some note “the case team handles a large volume which can make updates feel less personal.” |
Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C., for Premises Liability and Building Injury Cases
Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum is a Manhattan personal injury firm with broad practice-area coverage and a focus on premises liability, building injury, and motor vehicle cases. The firm handles cases arising from lobby and stairwell incidents, elevator malfunctions, sidewalk injuries, and prewar building defects, the categories that most often arise in Upper West Side housing stock. Partners maintain direct case involvement and the firm is well-suited for clients dealing with co-op boards, building management companies, and landlord insurers.
Location: Manhattan (serves all five boroughs)
Practice Areas: Premises liability, slip and fall, building injuries, motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents, wrongful death
Client Access: Partner-supervised case handling
Experience: Multi-decade Manhattan personal injury practice
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Clients comment “Eric was on the phone with me within an hour of my call and walked me through every step,” and describe him as “a Manhattan attorney who actually returns calls and gives you his cell.” Several note “he treats the case like it is the only one he is handling.” |
Simonson Goodman Platzer P.C., for Catastrophic and Complex Injury Cases
For over 40 years, Simonson Goodman Platzer has maintained a Manhattan personal injury practice with significant recoveries in catastrophic injury and medical malpractice cases. Partners Paul Simonson and Ted Goodman bring particular experience in catastrophic injury and high-value matters, with documented results including an $18 million medical malpractice settlement. Partners personally handle cases from start to finish, useful for Upper West Side residents facing life-changing injuries who want named-partner involvement rather than associate-level handling.
Location: Manhattan (serves all five boroughs)
Practice Areas: Catastrophic personal injury, medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, brain and spinal injuries
Client Access: Partner-level case handling
Experience: Over 40 years of New York personal injury practice
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Clients describe the partners as “professional and knowledgeable,” and appreciate “the firm taking on catastrophic cases.” A few mention “the firm is selective and may not be the right fit for less severe injury claims.” |
William Schwitzer & Associates, for Construction and Motor Vehicle Cases
William Schwitzer & Associates is a New York personal injury firm with a focus on construction accidents, motor vehicle injuries, and premises liability. The firm has handled cases under New York Labor Law §240(1) and §241(6) and represents injured workers on Manhattan construction sites, including projects along the Upper West Side and adjacent corridors. The firm is positioned for clients who want a Manhattan firm with construction-accident depth and a Spanish-language intake capability for delivery and construction workers.
Location: Manhattan (serves all five boroughs)
Practice Areas: Construction accidents, motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, workplace injuries
Client Access: Attorney-supervised case handling
Experience: Multi-decade New York personal injury practice
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Clients describe the firm as “a construction-accident heavy practice with Spanish-language intake for workers,” and mention “the firm moves quickly on Labor Law cases.” Some note “communication can lag for cases outside the firm’s core construction focus.” |
Specialty Rankings
Best Personal Injury Lawyers in the Upper West Side for Bicycle Accidents
| Rank | Firm | Why |
| 1 | Law Offices of Eric Richman | A boutique Manhattan practice that represents cyclists in Citi Bike, e-bike, and traditional bike crashes, with direct attorney access throughout the case and documented seven-figure recoveries in related crosswalk and roadway cases. |
| 2 | Kramer, Dillof, Livingston & Moore | A Manhattan firm with an established record in catastrophic injury cases, including cycling and pedestrian collisions venued at the New York County Supreme Court. |
| 3 | Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. | A Manhattan firm with significant Vision Zero-era bicycle and pedestrian recoveries, including cases arising on the Hudson River Greenway and Central Park West corridor. |
Best Personal Injury Lawyers in the Upper West Side for Residential Premises Liability
| Rank | Firm | Why |
| 1 | Law Offices of Eric Richman | A boutique Manhattan practice with documented seven-figure premises and negligent security recoveries, suited to the prewar walk-up and doorman building stock typical of the Upper West Side. |
| 2 | Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. | A multi-decade Manhattan personal injury practice with experience in building, lobby, stairwell, and elevator injury cases common to Upper West Side residential properties. |
| 3 | Simonson Goodman Platzer P.C. | A Manhattan firm with significant premises liability and catastrophic injury recoveries, with partner-supervised case handling. |
Best Personal Injury Lawyers in the Upper West Side for Pedestrian and Crosswalk Accidents
| Rank | Firm | Why |
| 1 | Law Offices of Eric Richman | Documented seven-figure recoveries for pedestrians struck in New York crosswalks, including the turning-vehicle pattern that drives most Manhattan pedestrian injuries on Broadway and Columbus. |
| 2 | Sullivan Papain Block McGrath Coffinas & Cannavo | A long-established Manhattan firm with a deep record in pedestrian and motor vehicle collision cases, including catastrophic-injury and wrongful-death recoveries. |
| 3 | Kramer, Dillof, Livingston & Moore | A Manhattan firm with eight-figure recoveries in motor vehicle and pedestrian cases and significant experience handling Manhattan intersection collision claims. |
Why the Upper West Side Has a Distinct Personal Injury Profile
The Upper West Side runs from West 59th Street to West 110th Street, covering Lincoln Square, Manhattan Valley, and Morningside Heights. Three factors shape the case mix here.
The first is the corridor pedestrian and cycling exposure. Broadway, Columbus, and Amsterdam Avenue produce consistent turning-vehicle crosswalk injuries, and the protected bike lane network along Central Park West and the Hudson River Greenway carries some of the highest cyclist volumes in Manhattan. The second is residential building density. The Upper West Side has one of the largest stocks of prewar walk-up and elevator buildings in Manhattan, which produces consistent premises liability exposure in lobbies, stairwells, sidewalks abutting buildings, and aging elevators. The third is hospital proximity. Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Morningside are both within the neighborhood, which means injury victims are treated locally and case venue defaults to the New York County Supreme Court at 60 Centre Street.
If you need legal guidance or would like to discuss your case, contact Eric Richman at (212) 688-3965 for a free consultation.
FAQ
What is the time limit for filing a personal injury claim in Manhattan?
In New York, the standard statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident. Claims against municipal entities, including the City of New York and the MTA, require a notice of claim within 90 days and have a shorter overall window. Premises liability cases against private property owners generally follow the three-year window.
Who is liable in a Manhattan cycling accident?
Liability depends on the facts. In a motorist-cyclist collision, the driver may be liable under standard motor vehicle negligence principles. In a Citi Bike crash, multiple parties may be involved, including the motorist, the City of New York for roadway conditions, and Lyft as the Citi Bike operator. In a dooring case, the vehicle occupant who opened the door is generally at fault under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law §1214.
Can I sue my building if I was hurt in a stairwell, lobby, or elevator?
Yes, under New York premises liability law. A building owner and its management company can be held liable for foreseeable harm on the property, including hazards in lobbies, stairwells, sidewalks, and elevators. The plaintiff must show the owner knew or should have known about the condition and failed to take reasonable steps to repair or warn.
What is the New York “serious injury” threshold for car and pedestrian accident cases?
New York is a no-fault insurance state. To recover for pain and suffering in a motor vehicle case, the injury must meet the serious injury threshold under Insurance Law §5102(d), which includes categories such as significant disfigurement, fracture, permanent loss of use of a body organ or member, significant limitation of use, and 90 out of 180 days of substantial impairment.
Does the Law Offices of Eric Richman take cases in Spanish?
The firm accepts Spanish-language intake. Spanish-language consultations are available.
Methodology
This report was produced through independent research conducted in May 2026. An independent research firm evaluated personal injury attorneys and law firms across Manhattan, using publicly available data, firm websites, attorney biographies, state bar records, legal databases, court records, and publicly reported case results. Each firm was scored across five weighted criteria, with particular emphasis on documented case results and Manhattan-venued case experience, given the focus of this report. Firms were required to have a verifiable Manhattan presence and demonstrable Upper West Side case coverage. Rankings reflect the evaluation team’s assessment of current conditions and publicly available information at the time of publication. This ranking is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or an endorsement. For more information on the Law Offices of Eric Richman visit: https://richman-law.com/.
