Oneonta Personal Injury Lawyer | Schimmerling Injury Law
If you have been injured in an accident in Oneonta, New York, you deserve a personal injury attorney who understands this community on a personal level. Attorney Tom Schimmerling is a proud Hartwick College graduate who knows Oneonta's streets, its people, and the unique challenges residents face when navigating personal injury claims in Otsego County. For over four decades, Schimmerling Injury Law has been the trusted advocate for accident victims throughout Upstate New York.
Oneonta sits at the crossroads of Interstate 88 and State Routes 7, 23, and 28, making it a hub of daily commuter and commercial traffic. From collisions along the I-88 corridor to slip and fall accidents in local businesses on Main Street, injuries can happen when you least expect them. Our firm understands how to investigate accidents in Otsego County, deal with insurance companies that serve this region, and fight for the compensation Oneonta families deserve.
At Schimmerling Injury Law, we are dedicated to the relentless pursuit of justice for the injured. We work hard to see that every client obtains the maximum settlement or award, and we never charge a fee unless we win your case. If you have been hurt due to someone else's negligence, call us today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.
Motor Vehicle Accidents in Oneonta
Motor vehicle accidents are among the most common causes of serious injuries in the Oneonta area. The convergence of I-88 with local highways, combined with challenging winter weather conditions and the influx of college students each semester, creates conditions where accidents happen far too often. Our firm has extensive experience handling all types of vehicle accident claims for Otsego County residents.
Car Accidents
Car accidents in Oneonta frequently occur along the I-88 corridor, at busy intersections like Main Street and Chestnut Street, and on rural roads throughout Otsego County where deer crossings and limited visibility pose constant hazards. Winter driving conditions, including ice, snow, and limited road treatment on county roads, contribute to numerous collisions each year. If you have been injured in a car accident caused by another driver's negligence, distracted driving, or failure to adjust to road conditions, you have the right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact our car accident attorneys to protect your rights.
Truck Accidents
Interstate 88 serves as a major commercial trucking route connecting Binghamton to Albany, bringing significant tractor-trailer traffic through the Oneonta area daily. Truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries due to the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles. These cases require thorough investigation of driver logs, maintenance records, and trucking company practices. Our firm has the resources and experience to hold trucking companies accountable when their negligence causes serious harm to Oneonta residents. Learn more about how our truck accident lawyers can help your case.
Motorcycle Accidents
The scenic roads surrounding Oneonta, including Routes 7, 23, and 28, attract motorcyclists throughout the warmer months. Unfortunately, motorcycle riders face serious risks from inattentive drivers who fail to see them or misjudge their speed. Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries including road rash, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord damage. New York's comparative negligence laws allow injured motorcyclists to recover compensation even if they were partially at fault, and our attorneys fight to maximize recovery for riders injured by negligent drivers.
Pedestrian Accidents
With two colleges in Oneonta — SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College — thousands of students walk to classes, restaurants, and entertainment venues throughout the city. Pedestrian accidents near campus areas, downtown Main Street, and residential neighborhoods can cause devastating injuries. Drivers who fail to yield at crosswalks, run red lights, or drive distracted put pedestrians at serious risk. Our firm advocates aggressively for pedestrians struck by negligent drivers.
Bicycle Accidents
Oneonta's growing cycling community faces risks from motorists who fail to share the road safely. Bicycle accidents often result in serious injuries because cyclists have little protection against vehicles. Whether you were struck while riding on Route 7, commuting through downtown, or cycling on rural roads outside the city, our attorneys can help you pursue compensation from the at-fault driver's insurance company.
Premises Liability Claims in Oneonta
Property owners in Oneonta have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for visitors, customers, and guests. When they fail to address hazardous conditions, innocent people get hurt. Premises liability law holds negligent property owners accountable for injuries that occur on their property.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Oneonta's harsh winters create significant slip and fall hazards throughout the community. Icy sidewalks, snow-covered parking lots, and wet floors inside businesses cause countless injuries each year. Property owners and businesses must take reasonable steps to clear snow and ice, repair damaged walkways, and warn visitors of dangerous conditions. If you slipped and fell due to a property owner's negligence, our slip and fall attorneys can help you pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Property Owner Negligence
Beyond slip and fall accidents, property owners can be held liable for numerous hazardous conditions including inadequate lighting, broken stairs and railings, falling objects, and failure to provide adequate security. Whether your injury occurred at a retail store, restaurant, apartment complex, or private residence in Oneonta, we investigate the circumstances thoroughly to establish the property owner's liability.
Unsafe Conditions
Unsafe conditions can exist anywhere — from poorly maintained buildings on college campuses to neglected rental properties and commercial establishments. Landlords who ignore building code violations, business owners who fail to repair known hazards, and property managers who cut corners on maintenance can all be held accountable when their negligence causes injuries. Our firm has experience holding property owners throughout Otsego County responsible for maintaining safe premises.
Workplace Injuries in the Oneonta Area
Oneonta's economy includes healthcare facilities, educational institutions, manufacturing, retail, and agriculture — all industries where workplace injuries occur regularly. When you are hurt on the job, you may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits, and in some cases, you may also have a personal injury claim against a third party.
Construction Accidents
Construction sites present numerous hazards including falls from heights, scaffolding collapses, electrocution, and being struck by falling objects. New York's Labor Law provides special protections for construction workers injured on the job. If you were hurt at a construction site in the Oneonta area, our attorneys can help you understand your rights under both workers' compensation and personal injury law.
Industrial Accidents
Manufacturing facilities and industrial workplaces in Otsego County expose workers to heavy machinery, hazardous materials, and dangerous processes. Industrial accidents can cause severe burns, amputations, crush injuries, and toxic exposure. When employers or equipment manufacturers cut corners on safety, workers pay the price. Our firm investigates industrial accidents to identify all responsible parties.
Other Personal Injury Cases We Handle
At Schimmerling Injury Law, we represent Oneonta residents in a wide range of personal injury matters beyond vehicle accidents and premises liability. Our experience allows us to handle complex cases that require thorough investigation and aggressive advocacy.
Medical Malpractice
When healthcare providers in Oneonta fail to meet the accepted standard of care, patients suffer preventable harm. Medical malpractice cases can involve surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication mistakes, birth injuries, and nursing home neglect. These complex cases require expert medical testimony and extensive documentation. Our firm has the resources to pursue medical malpractice claims against negligent healthcare providers and institutions.
Product Liability
Defective products injure thousands of consumers each year. From dangerous pharmaceutical drugs to malfunctioning vehicles and faulty household appliances, manufacturers can be held strictly liable when their products cause harm. If you were injured by a defective product in Oneonta, our attorneys can investigate the product's design, manufacturing, and warnings to build a strong case for compensation.
Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one due to someone else's negligence is devastating. New York law allows surviving family members to pursue wrongful death claims to recover compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. Our compassionate wrongful death attorneys guide grieving families through this difficult legal process with sensitivity and dedication.
Dog Bites
Dog bite injuries can cause serious physical harm, scarring, and emotional trauma — particularly for children. New York follows a mixed liability rule for dog bites, and proving the owner's knowledge of the dog's dangerous propensities is often crucial. Our firm helps dog bite victims in Oneonta pursue compensation from homeowner's insurance policies and negligent pet owners.
Why Oneonta Residents Trust Schimmerling Injury Law
- Deep Local Roots: Attorney Tom Schimmerling graduated from Hartwick College right here in Oneonta and has served Upstate New York communities since 1978
- Proven Experience: Member of the New York Bar Association, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, and former Section Chair of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (AAJ)
- Recognized Excellence: Listed in the Who's Who of American Law and frequent lecturer to Bar and Trial Lawyers Associations on personal injury topics
- No Fee Unless We Win: We work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you
- Community Commitment: Founding board member of a local Habitat for Humanity and the Catskill Area Hospice, and sponsor of community safety programs including Safe.Night and child bicycle helmet distributions
What Our Oneonta Area Clients Say
Tom Shimmerling and his staff have been very professional and timely while helping me with my personal injury case. I highly recommend that you call Tom if you have the need for his legal services!
I highly recommend Tom Schimmerling & his law firm. I started working with Tom back in January of 2015. He took on my December 2014 slip & fall broken arm case against a big resort. Tom & his team were very caring & professional. They kept me updated & let me know what to expect every step of the way. It took years, but Tom persevered against this big company. We finally got the case settled thanks to the Shimmering Legal Team not giving in or giving up on me or my case. Thanks Tom and team I greatly appreciate all your help over the last 6 years!
Serving Injury Victims Throughout Oneonta and Surrounding Areas
Schimmerling Injury Law proudly serves clients throughout Otsego County and the surrounding region. In addition to Oneonta, we represent injury victims in Cooperstown, Morris, Laurens, Otego, Unadilla, Sidney, Delhi, Worcester, and all communities along the I-88 corridor. We understand that serious injuries can make travel difficult, which is why we offer home and hospital visits when needed. Our office is easily accessible from anywhere in the region, and we are always just a phone call away.
As a Hartwick College graduate with deep ties to the Oneonta community, Attorney Tom Schimmerling brings not only legal expertise but also a genuine understanding of what local families face after an accident. We are familiar with the New York State court system, including the Otsego County courts, and we know how to effectively advocate for our clients at every stage of the legal process.
Understanding Oneonta's Unique Injury Risks
Several factors make the Oneonta area particularly susceptible to certain types of accidents. Understanding these local risks helps injury victims recognize when they may have a valid legal claim.
- I-88 Corridor: This busy interstate connecting Binghamton to Albany brings heavy traffic and commercial trucks through the region daily, increasing collision risks
- Severe Winter Weather: Otsego County experiences heavy snowfall, ice storms, and extended freezing temperatures that create hazardous driving and walking conditions for months each year
- College Population: SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College bring thousands of young drivers and pedestrians to the area, along with increased activity around campus zones
- Rural Roads: Many residents travel on poorly lit, winding rural roads with limited shoulders, increasing the risk of single-vehicle accidents and collisions with wildlife
- Tourism Traffic: Proximity to Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame brings seasonal tourist traffic that contributes to congestion and unfamiliar drivers on local roads
What to Expect When Working With Schimmerling Injury Law
We understand that pursuing a personal injury claim can feel overwhelming, especially while you are trying to recover from your injuries. Our firm handles every aspect of your case so you can focus on healing. Here is what you can expect when you work with us.
Your case begins with a free, no-obligation consultation where we listen to your story, evaluate the circumstances of your accident, and explain your legal options. If we take your case, we immediately begin investigating — gathering evidence, obtaining police reports, interviewing witnesses, and documenting your injuries. We handle all communications with insurance companies, protecting you from tactics designed to minimize your claim or trick you into harmful admissions.
Our goal is always to negotiate a fair settlement that fully compensates you for your injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial. Attorney Tom Schimmerling has extensive courtroom experience and a reputation for fighting tirelessly for his clients.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. This arrangement ensures that quality legal representation is accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Claims in Oneonta
Get Your Free Consultation Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident in Oneonta or anywhere in Otsego County, do not wait to get the legal help you need. Personal injury claims are time-sensitive, and evidence can disappear quickly. The sooner you contact an experienced attorney, the better your chances of obtaining full compensation for your injuries.
At Schimmerling Injury Law, we offer free, no-obligation consultations to accident victims throughout the Oneonta area. We will listen to your story, answer your questions, and give you an honest assessment of your legal options. Remember, we work on contingency — you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.
Attorney Tom Schimmerling has been fighting for injury victims since 1978. As a Hartwick College graduate with deep roots in the Oneonta community, he brings both legal expertise and a genuine commitment to helping local families obtain justice. Do not let insurance companies take advantage of you the way they took advantage of so many others. Call us today and let us fight for you.
Contact Schimmerling Injury Law for your free consultation:
NY Office: 607-772-5291
PA Office: 570-445-3265
Request your free consultation online or call us today. We are ready to help.