Uod50dZDBcwDjJw | O'Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers

Uninsured Motorist Coverage in New York

Minimum Insurance Requirements

Car Insurance Minimums All drivers and vehicle owners in New York are required to carry insurance. Failing to do so may result in fines and the suspension of one’s driver’s license. The minimum insurance required is:

Property damage: $10,000 per accident.
Bodily Injury: $25,000 for injury to one person; $50,000 for injury to two or more people
Uninsured motorist coverage: $25,000 for injury to one person; $50,000 for injury to two or more people.
Death Benefits: $50,000 per person, or $100,000 per accident.

Under New York’s no-fault law, if you are involved in a minor accident, your insurance will cover your property damage and injuries up to the limits stated above. If you suffer serious or permanent injuries in an accident in which another driver was negligent, you may sue the other driver for your damages above the no-fault limits. Unfortunately, some drivers ignore the law and either let their insurance policies lapse or fail to carry insurance at all. Others carry only the minimum required coverage. What happens when the other driver has no insurance?

An Uninsured Accident Scenario

Suppose, for example, you are in an accident with a drunk driver and you suffer broken bones and other injuries. Broken bones are automatically considered serious injuries, which means the no-fault limits do not apply. You may sue a drunk driver for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, if the driver only carried the required minimum insurance or had no insurance at all, you only have two choices: try to obtain a judgment against the driver and collect directly from him/her or make a claim against your own insurance policy’s uninsured motorist coverage.

The likelihood of being able to collect damages from an uninsured driver is pretty small, so it is probable that you will have to make a claim under your uninsured motorist policy. In this scenario, it is easy to see how your damages can exceed the required minimum uninsured motorist amounts. The medical expenses alone from even one broken bone can exceed $25,000. If your entire family is injured, the $50,000 per accident minimum will be completely inadequate.

Protect Yourself

Don’t wait until an accident happens to find out if you are adequately covered. Make sure you have enough uninsured motorist coverage to protect yourself and your family in case you are in an accident with a driver who carries only the legal minimum coverage or no insurance at all. Talk to your insurance agent about your options. As soon as possible after an accident, talk to a New York accident attorney who can help determine all possible sources of payment. The experts at O’Brien and Ford will help you receive full compensation for your injuries, including your medical expenses and pain and suffering. Call us for a free consultation at (716) 907-7777

Moving Forward Following A Work-Related Injury

Personal Injury Text with Stethoscope Work-related injuries can commonly occur in dangerous occupations such as construction jobs. However, there are many ways an employee can also be injured in non-dangerous occupations. All employers are required to maintain their workplace up to safety standards set forth by their state guidelines and will be liable to you under certain circumstances when your injuries are a direct result of workplace negligence.

When you are injured, not only will you feel physical and emotional pain, but it may also take a toll on you financially. Medical costs are oftentimes very expensive. Depending on your injury, you might not be able to go to work to pay for those hospital bills. Therefore, it is important that you receive accurate advice and guidance on how to pursue your workers’ compensation claim to make sure that you are able to recover financially for your injuries.

Why You Should Retain An Attorney

In New York, you are not required to retain an attorney for a workers’ compensation claim, but it is well-advised to do so. Attorneys experienced in the field of workers’ compensation will be able to explain exactly what you need to do, as well as facilitate the process. Even if you’re not sure that you want to file suit, attorneys usually give free initial consultations without any obligations. They will also not charge you until you receive compensation. Therefore, you have nothing to lose for simply inquiring about a potential claim.

While you are protected by New York’s workers’ rights, most lawsuits take a lot of time and it can be difficult to handle this process without the expertise of an attorney that has handled these cases before. In the past, people that are inexperienced or unfamiliar with the legal system that have tried to sue without legal representation have received less compensation than they could have received with a lawyer on their side. While it is ultimately your choice whether you want to retain an attorney, your chances of receiving full compensation without much hardship on your part will be increased when you hire an attorney.

The Process

In New York, the first thing you should do following an injury is to obtain medical care. As soon as you can afterward, you should notify your employer in writing, within 30 days of the accident or else you may lose your chance of recovering compensation. There will then be forms that will need to be filled out. A New York attorney will know exactly which forms you’ll need, where to send them to, and who to contact when you need personal injury compensation.

After your claim is filed, you’ll need to follow your doctor’s instructions for recovery, as well as possibly attend court hearings that you are required to go to. You will also need to go back to work once you are capable to mitigate future expenses. Lastly, you are also able to sue for workers’ compensation on behalf of a close family member if he or she is unable to do so.

Contact Us

At O’Brien & Ford, we have years of experience in the legal system and continue to stay updated on any New York law developments. We strive to help injured people receive compensation that they deserve while making the process as easy as possible for our clients. An injury can be tolling on your day-to-day life, but the lawsuit doesn’t have to be. Call us today: 716-907-7777.

What To Do Following The Wrongful Death Of A Loved Family Member

When a close family member passes away due to the fault of someone else, you may be able to earn monetary compensation for your costs and reliance on the decedent. Understandably, no amount of money will ever be able to make up for the loss of your loved one, but money can still help you along the way to your recovery. You may be faced with medical bills, funeral costs, and loss of income following such a death, but with the help of legal professionals, you’ll be able to get through this difficult time.

How You Can Sue and How Damages are Distributed

A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit to be economically reimbursed for expenses following the death of a close family member. This type of lawsuit can arise following a death caused by medical malpractice, vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents on the premises of another, or any other reason a death was caused by another person. Even if the person that at-fault was criminally charged for his or her wrongdoing, you can still file this civil suit for your loss.

In New York, the personal representative of the decedent can file suit. Presuming a successful outcome, the personal representative will then be able to distribute the money earned through the claim to the people who have suffered a pecuniary loss by that death. People who receive this money are typically the children, spouse, and/or parents of the decedent.

If you have suffered a pecuniary loss due to the death of a close family member, you could recover financially for the reliance the decedent gave to you, the value of the support and services rendered, loss of nurture and guidance, pain and suffering, loss of inheritance, and potentially punitive damages under aggravating circumstances. Additionally, you may be able to receive medical, funeral, and burial expenses arising from the decedent’s death.

Statute Of Limitations

Statutes of limitations in each state determine how long you have to file suit. You will not be able to file suit once the statute of limitations has run on your claim, so it is vital for you to know how long you have and make sure you file within the time limit. In New York, you have two years from the date of the death to file a wrongful death claim. There are certainly exceptions, such as when there was also a criminal proceeding against the defendant or if a minor is involved, but nevertheless, you should always contact an attorney as soon as possible to ensure that your claim is timely filed.

Contacting An Attorney

When you’re not sure what to do, you should always contact an attorney to further advise you of the specific wrongful death statutes in your state and help guide you with what you should do. When you’re looking for a compassionate attorney that cares about the people they work with, you don’t need to look any further than the team of attorneys at O’Brien and Ford in New York. Contact us today so we can help you and your family receive fair compensation to get you back on your feet. Call us at: (716) 330-2901

Why Road Rage Can Lead To Car Accidents

It’s easy to get frustrated when others drive too close to your car, cut you off, or don’t follow the rules of the roads. However, acting out on your emotions can lead to road rage that causes serious car accidents and violations with law enforcement.

People that drive aggressively are not only dangers to themselves but also others on the road and the repercussions can be severe.

What Is Road Rage?

In the highly-populated and busy state of New York, it is common for the roads to have a lot of traffic. In fact, the Big Apple is well known for bumper-to-bumper traffic in its crowded cities.

This can easily cause aggravation when you’re trying to be on time to an appointment or simply want to arrive after a long day of work. Any driver is susceptible to road rage from minor to serious cases such as:

Speeding
Tailgating
Honking
Flashing headlights
Yelling
Giving rude gestures to other drivers
Walking out of your car and to another driver’s car
Using weapons such as firearms or your own vehicle to injure another driver

Road Rage Consequences

Injuries, property damage, and death are not the only consequences of road rage. Aggressive driving is against the law and whenever you get behind the wheel, you’re expected to follow the law. Disregarding the law can bring about fines, imprisonment, tickets, loss or suspension of your license, and other court and attorney costs. No matter how much another driver angers you while driving, the consequences of reacting hostilely are never worth it.

New York officers are consistently on the lookout to pull over reckless drivers. To obtain a New York license, you even have to pass an examination that includes questions on road rage to prove you are aware of the dangers in addition to the legal and financial consequences that you can face if you fail to drive responsibly. Road rage awareness is a mandatory prerequisite in order to obtain a New York license as this ensures that drivers understand why road rage is never okay and what the ramifications can be.

How To Prevent Road Rage

It may be difficult to impossible to avoid road rage from other drivers around you. However, you can always control your own emotions and take the steps necessary to avoid unfortunate accidents caused by road rage. To reduce your chances of being in a car accident:

Always remain calm and reasonable
Respect others on the road and follow the law
Play soothing music or intriguing podcasts or audiobooks
Mouth you’re sorry and wave if you make a mistake
If you start feeling upset, take a deep breath to calm yourself down
If you’re too emotional, pull over to a safe location and wait until you calm down
Contact the police if you see another person driving aggressively
Expect and plan ahead for the possibility of traffic and reckless drivers

Contact Us

Please always remember to drive responsibly. If you are the victim of a car accident, you deserve to receive compensation and need a skilled attorney on your side. Our attorneys have years of experience and offer free initial consultations to review personal injury cases. Call us today: 716-330-2901.

Common Snow-Related Personal Injury Claims

Winter is many people’s favorite season: colder weather, the holidays, family visits, delicious meals. . . However, winter certainly has its downsides, especially for the northern states that have snowfall each year.

While snow can certainly be fun and beautiful to look at, there have been many personal injuries that could have been avoided completely if it weren’t for snow.

Car Accidents

Driving in the snow is much more difficult and dangerous than driving on a clear road. Snow and ice cause cars to slip and collide with each other. Pile-ups are more common over the winter more than other seasons because it is much harder to break in the snow. Snowfall can also often decrease visibility which is never a good thing while driving.

If you have to drive in the snow, make sure you have snow tires and that your car is well-maintained. Make sure you know the dangers, what to avoid, and exactly how to control your vehicle in the snow in case it slides.

Slip and Falls

Snow and ice are always very slippery. If you don’t have the right snowshoes, it is very likely that you can glide on the snow and then fall. Eventually, the snow will melt and form ice, then it can be covered again with more snow. You may think it is safe to walk on, but it is actually not. Business owners are required to maintain their premises and keep ice off their pathways. As people get older, a fall on gravel or the pavement can cause serious bone injuries.

Make sure you always have the proper snow footwear, walk slowly, and hold on to railings when they’re available to avoid accidents.

Winter Sports

Sports that require snow include sledding, skiing, snowboarding, tubing, etc. Although they are very fun, they can also be very dangerous and cause severe injuries. Before going out to partake in a winter sport, make sure you know what you’re doing. Avoiding obstacles such as trees or other people can be difficult due to a lack of experience.

Avoid injuries by wearing the safety gear required and having trained people around you that know what to do in case of an emergency.

Fireplace Fires

Wintertime is often the only time of the year that people use their fireplaces. Fires can be dangerous because they can quickly spread if you’re not careful. Not only can fires cause indoor home damage, but it can also injure people inside with burns and breathing issues.

To avoid injury, make sure your fireplace and chimney are clean and well-maintained. Also, make sure you keep your fire under control by keeping fires small and have a nonflammable guard panel around them. If you have young children, make sure you warn them of the dangers as well so that they do not play near it.

Contact Us

If you are involved in a snow-related accident, you might be able to be compensated when someone else was at fault. No matter the season, O’Brien and Ford will be available for advice, guidance, and to fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us today at: (716) 330-2901.

Can And Should You Sue For Wrongful Death?

When a family member passes away because of the fault, negligence, or recklessness of another person, the decedent’s named personal representative can sue on behalf of the decedent in a civil wrongful death lawsuit. It is understandable to want a defendant to be held responsible for the loss of your family member and damages that you have suffered. Spouses, children, and parents of deceased family members can ultimately receive monetary compensation including:

Funeral and burial costs
Healthcare and pain and suffering costs related to the cause of death
Lost wages and income
Reasonable value for the support and care that the decedent gave to close family members
Inheritance
Punitive damages in certain circumstances

Past Cases

In New York, The Estate Powers and Trust Law in the State Constitution lays out the rules for wrongful death. Courts have given verdicts in favor of plaintiffs for deaths that have occurred in fatal car accidents, poorly maintained premises, medical malpractice, and deaths at work, for example. Each case is unique but depending on the facts of your case, a New York licensed attorney will be able to tell you what you might be able to recover. Additionally, experienced attorneys will know exactly how to pursue your case and answer any pressing questions that you may have.

Courts may also award more or less money depending on what happened. If the deceased was partially at fault, courts will typically award less but if the defendant acted maliciously, you could be awarded more. Even though an attorney will not be able to give you an exact dollar amount of what you will receive, attorneys can still tell you whether you likely have a successful case on your hands, what you can potentially recover, and guide you along the way.

Statute Of Limitations

The statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim in New York is two years. This means that a decedent’s personal representative will only have two years following the death to pursue a lawsuit. Waiting past the statute of limitations will result in a court not hearing the wrongful death claim unless there is a rare exception. Contacting an attorney as soon as possible will ensure that your case a filed in time.

Even when you are still deciding whether you should sue or not, an attorney will be able to explain what the likely outcome is. After all, it is never too early to get the ball rolling, but it can get to be too late. Even if you think it might be too late, an attorney will also be able to let you know if you fall under any few exceptions that could allow suit.

Contact Us

We always give free initial consultations so if you’re thinking about filing a lawsuit, we can discuss what happened and let you know what we can do for you. We will not charge you anything until you win your lawsuit, so there are no obligations. Our attorneys at O’Brien and Ford know that you are going through a difficult time after the death of a loved one, but we will do anything possible to make this an easier time for you.

Call us at your earliest convenience: (716) 330-2901.

Victim of a Hit and Run? Five Steps to Take…

No one leaves the house planning on getting in a car accident. Even dealing with a minor car accident with minimal damage requires time and effort.

A hit and run accident, where the driver of one car leaves the scene without stopping, can feel even more overwhelming.

Whether you are in a car, on a bicycle, or a pedestrian, here are five steps to take if you are the victim of a hit and run.

Assess Yourself and Others for Injuries

Being hit by a car or truck can be alarming. With the extra adrenaline in your system, you may not immediately feel pain. This is not necessarily a true indication of whether or not you have been injured. Take a few moments to check for bleeding, bones at odd angles, strained muscles, and the like. Once you have assessed your own self for injuries, check on those around you who may also have been affected.

If you or someone else has sustained injuries, seek medical help immediately. The rest of this checklist, while important, is not nearly as important as your own health and safety.

Clear the Roadway

Once assured you do not need immediate medical attention, clear the roadway if you are able to do so. Pull over to the side of the road. Retrieve your bicycle from the intersection. Gather your things. Clearing the roadway helps reduce the potential for subsequent accidents caused by unsuspecting motorists.

Call the Police

Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime. If you are the victim of a hit and run, this should be reported to the police as soon as possible. Law enforcement will likely come to the scene to interview you and file a report. This may seem like a waste of time, particularly if you don’t think you sustained injuries. However, some injuries take longer than others to present themselves. Calling the police is an important step in documenting the accident took place.

Document the Scene

The police will likely document some of the accident scene, but this does not prevent you from taking a few pictures of your own. Consider taking both close ups and distance photos with your phone. Obviously, if there are any skid marks or other evidence of the crash, such as paint transferred to the guardrail, this should be documented. Photos documenting the intersection, the parked cars on the side of the street, and other information which informs a fact finder may prove helpful later on.

Contact an Attorney

At O’Brien & Ford, we offer free consultations in every case. You are never under any obligation. Whether or not you have a personal injury claim is based on a number of factors. There is no need to guess whether or not you may have a claim. Our attorneys are happy to speak with anyone after a hit and run accident about the facts of their case. Call us today at (716) 330-2901. We look forward to answering any questions you may have.

A Personal Injury Diary: What is it and Why Should You Keep One?

Maintaining a Personal Injury Journal

Sometimes, people are injured through no fault of their own.

When this happens, they may have a claim for compensation.

In other words, they may be entitled to collect money for things related to the accident, such as:

Lost wages for missed time at work
Lost overtime wages
Medical bills
Transportation to and from medical treatments
Prescription costs
Physical therapy
Durable medical equipment and
Other costs related to the injury.

Out of pocket costs can be recovered in a personal injury suit.  However, one can only receive money for proven expenses.  In addition, one can recover for pain and suffering.  When lawyers ask a jury to determine the proper amount for pain and suffering, each case is judged on the individual facts and circumstances.  As such, it is a good idea to maintain a personal injury journal after an injury.

Understanding What a Personal Injury Journal Is

A personal injury journal is a place for recording all information related to an injury.  Ideally, this includes, but is not limited to:

each day of work missed
each overtime opportunity missed
all medical visits and treatments, as well as
how one feels each day.

With all the information related to the injury in one place, a fact-finder can easily review the information. This allows for a reasonable calculation of the consequences of the injury.  A personal injury journal helps a fact finder understand the injured person’s experience.  This puts the fact-finder in a better position to consider what dollar amount might be appropriate for compensation.  In most personal injury cases, the damage cannot be completely undone.  How much, for example, is the pain of a torn muscle or a broken bone worth?  However, when fully informed a fact finder can decide on a fair and reasonable dollar amount.

What a Personal Injury Journal Looks Like

The are several areas where a personal injury journal is useful.  One can monitor ongoing medical treatment.   One can also document the body’s response to treatment.   Finally, a personal injury journal can track healing.  What the personal injury journal looks like is up to the individual.  Ideally, a personal injury journal works for the user.  A notebook works just fine.  However, if someone is on crutches, a regular sized notebook may not be easy to transport back and forth to the doctor.  A smaller notebook may be more appropriate.  Some people prefer to keep their personal injury journal in a book designed to be a journal or journal.   Still others prefer to record the doctor visits and other data on their phone.  The key is to find a system that works for the person hurt.  An empty personal injury journal doesn’t help anyone.

What a Personal Injury Journal Should Contain

Medical Visits and Lost Work

A personal injury journal should include all information relating to the injury.  Obviously, a personal injury journal should include all doctor visits.  If the Doctor recommends a certain treatment, such as exercises, or seeing a specialist, the personal injury journal should document these recommendations.  The journal should also document following those recommendations to the letter.  For example, if the doctor recommends doing a certain set of exercises three times a day, each time the person performs the exercises, they should record this in the personal injury journal.

Each day of work missed should also be documented in the journal.  In fact, the journal should include any time taken off work, even if only 30 minutes, to go to a doctor’s appointment, physical therapy visit, or other visit relating to the injury.

The journal should include costs of prescriptions.  In addition, one should document any costs for durable medical equipment.  This might include a back brace, crutches, or items to assist in the shower.

Pain and Suffering

Make certain the personal injury journal documents pain experienced.  First, figure out a scale, such as a scale from 1 to 10.  In this example, 1 means feeling fine, while 10 means experiencing extreme pain.  5 represents an ability to do daily tasks, but not without significant pain.  An entry may look like this:

Woke up at 6:00 am with leg throbbing.  Pain level is a 7.
Took pain meds before getting out of bed.  Pain level at 7:00 am is a 4.
Could not drive children to school due to pain meds.
leg pain increased to an 8 at 3:30 pm.  
Took more pain meds.  Pain reduced to 5. 
Iced leg as Doctor ordered for 20 minutes.  Pain reduced to 3.

A personal injury journal should reflect the pain experienced at least daily during the healing process.  However, often people note their pain levels more than once a day in the beginning. This is because, when taking pain meds, the level of pain can vary quite a bit over the course of a day.

Quality of life issues often present themselves while one is recovering from an injury.  For example, one might miss out on coaching their daughter’s soccer team due to an injury.  Or a parent may not be able to physically pick up their child.  Memory issues may make it impossible to work the way someone used to work.  All of these events have a place in a personal injury journal.

Mistakes People Make

Two frequent mistakes people make when dealing with a personal injury are overstating their pain,and understating their pain.  This is understandable.  However, for the purposes of obtaining compensation for actual pain and suffering, an accurate record of one’s experience is critical.

When recording pain, take some time to consider the scale in place.  Not every day is going to be “horrible pain,” but some might be.  Remember, healing isn’t always linear.  Even if you feel fine for a few days, continue scoring your pain in your journal until you are certain you have healed.  If your injury is limiting your ability to live a full life, document this in great detail.  These details provide the fact finder with the information they need.

The other most common mistake is not keeping up on recording ongoing hassles related to the injury.  If a family member or friend enters the information for you, this is perfectly okay, as long as they are writing down your thoughts and experiences.  The important part is recording the information in real time.

Injured?

If you are a loved one is hurt, contact O’Brien & Ford.  We are happy to meet with you and your family for free to discuss whether you might have a case.  We maintain regular office hours.  However, we can also meet you at a place convenient for you. Call us today at 716.330.2901.

Common Wrongful Death Questions

What Is A Wrongful Death Claim?

When a person passes away because of the negligence of another person, the appointed personal representative can sue on behalf of the decedent. The personal representative is often a family member, but a neutral third party may also be appointed.

If the claim is successful, the personal representative will hold the money in trust to distribute to the heirs of the decedent. The heirs of the decedent will typically be the decedent’s spouse (if married), children (if a parent), parents (if no spouse or children), or siblings (if there are no surviving spouses, children, or parents).

How Much Can You Receive?

In New York, while you cannot receive monetary awards for your own personal pain and suffering, you can recover for any pain and suffering that the decedent suffered. Additionally, you will be able to recover funeral and burial costs, medical costs contributed to treating the decedent up to his or her death, lost income, and the loss of value for the services, support, and parenting to close family members due to the death.

Punitive damages (to punish the defendant) are only imposed in rare cases, typically where the facts show that the defendant acted with extreme recklessness or malice.

While you may be able to receive monetary relief for your loss, an experienced personal injury attorney will need to review the relevant facts surrounding your case to let you know whether it is worth it to sue and how much you could earn. Dollar amounts are based on the facts surrounding the death. An attorney experienced in wrongful death suits will be able to determine an estimate, as each case is different.

Specifically, cases surrounding wrongful deaths of children or elders may be more challenging because the factors that determine the amount of compensation are difficult to accurately put a dollar amount to. These factors include life and work expectancy, age and health, and reliability.

How Long Do You Have To Sue?

Each state has enacted a statute of limitations for when a plaintiff can file suit for different causes of actions. The reasoning behind these is to ensure that defendants are able to defend themselves without the risk of lost evidence or memory.

When too much time has surpassed, the claim is considered “stale.” Presumably, if a plaintiff has a case, he or she needs to file suit within a reasonable amount of time, which is why states have enacted these limitations to depict when a claim becomes stale.

In New York, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death action is two years from the day of the decedent’s death. Therefore, if you think you may have a successful wrongful death claim, you should not delay reaching out to an attorney so that your case is timely and properly filed within the time limitation.

New York has allowed for narrow exceptions to the two-year rule, so even if you have surpassed the two-year limitation, you should contact an attorney to see if you fall within one of these few exceptions, as you have nothing to lose. However, it will always be beneficial for you to timely file rather than try to fall under an exception.

Contact Us

The attorneys at O’Brien & Ford are skilled and experienced in the realm of personal injury law including wrongful death claims. We understand that this is a difficult time for you, but we will be there to help you every step of the way. Do not wait or hesitate to call us at (716) 330-2901 today.

Common Mistakes People Make Following A Car Accident

A car accident is clearly a very stressful situation for anyone to go through. You will have many questions and worries going through your mind.

Before acting (or not acting), you should keep in mind the consequences of everything and be proactive. Here are some of the mistakes that many people make following a car accident.

Legal Representation

After you are involved in a car accident, you should contact a personal injury attorney right away. Insurance companies will try to contact you and receive a personal statement from you. This could be detrimental to your case because you could inadvertently waive your compensation. An attorney will read and analyze anything that an insurance company sends you and translate what it means. Furthermore, an attorney will be able to fight for you and make sure that you receive the monetary compensation that you deserve. Additionally, an attorney will be able to guide you through this process.

Posting On Social Media

Social media can often be used against you. Photos and statements can always be misconstrued and weaken your claim. While you should take photos and write everything down that you remember from the accident, you should refrain from posting anything on social media. Such photos can ruin your chances of a successful claim. Additionally, your friends and family can repost your photos and updates which could also be used against you.

Not Calling Authorities Or Exchanging Information

The first thing you should do following a wreck is to call the police. They can delegate what you need to do and report what happened. Furthermore, no matter what the situation is, you need the information of the person that you were involved in a car accident with. You never know what can happen in the future or if they will use facts against you. Make sure you know who the person is and how to reach them.

Not Seeking Medical Health

Medical care can be crucial to your claim. Showing that you have suffered injuries will prove that you need compensation. Most importantly, following the shock and stress of your car accident, you may not even realize that something is wrong. A professional doctor will be able to look at you and determine if you have been injured. You may need much more health care than you initially realized, and some injuries can be permanent. Many people want to just go home, but the smartest thing to do is going to the hospital.

Waiting Too Long

Each state has a statute of limitations to file a car accident claim. After that certain statutory time lapses, you will no longer have a case. Therefore, it is imperative to file within the time allotted so that you can be remedied. Otherwise, the court will bar your claim without even hearing your case. An attorney can inform you on the statute of limitations of your state and whether you still have time to sue, but it is always prudent to file a claim as soon as possible.

Contact Us

Do not wait to contact our experienced team of attorneys to represent you. Our attorneys at O’Brien and Ford are ready and capable to take on your case and make sure that you receive the compensation that you deserve. Please call us at (716) 330-2901 to receive a free consultation.