More than $100 million recovered in verdicts and settlements for those injured in New York.
Local Buffalo Serious Personal Injury Attorneys Who Will Know Your Name
A serious injury can be life-changing. In an instant, your health, income, independence, family responsibilities, and plans for the future can be altered drastically. Before you’ve grasped the full impact, you may be forced to face insurance negotiations, piling medical bills, and other consequences. But you don’t have to face it alone. At O’Brien & Ford PC, we offer legal advocacy for Buffalo personal injury victims throughout Western New York. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries, call us today. We guarantee that you will be talking with a lawyer within two minutes.
Free Consultation
Why Us
Why Those Seriously Injured in Buffalo Choose O’Brien & Ford
At O’Brien & Ford, our lawyers focus on the value we provide each client, not on how many cases we’re handling. We want each person or family we represent to know that they’re important to us and that we’ll take the time and put in the effort to understand their case. Some of the ways we show our clients that they matter include:
Our two-minute guarantee
When you call us, your call doesn’t go to a call center overseas. We promise that you’ll be on the phone with an attorney in two minutes. We take the time during that initial call to learn about what happened to you, how it happened and what the next step should be. Then we can arrange for a no-fee no-obligation meeting in person to explain your rights and to carefully review your legal options.
Your lawyer will know your case
We place strict limits on the number of cases our attorneys handle because we want to give every client the careful attention they deserve. Your lawyers will be involved in your case strategy, client communication, settlement decisions, and preparation for trial, if necessary.
We prepare cases for trial
While more than 98% of our cases settle before trial, we believe it is because we put the time and effort into preparing every case as though we will be going to trial. We are not a settlement factory—we are dedicated to giving every client the preparation and focus that will allow us to go to trial if necessary. The insurance companies know that we are not afraid to go to trial, because of that, we believe that we are able to achieve significantly higher recoveries
Decades of Western New York experience
We are Buffalo through and through; we’ve spent decades fighting for people injured on many different streets in WNY, whether it’s Transit Road in Amherst or Abbott Road in South Buffalo. Our clients come from across Buffalo, Amherst, Williamsville, Lockport, Wheatfield, Niagara Falls, Tonawanda and other communities in Erie and Niagara counties.
Results in high-stakes claims
We’ve successfully achieved more than forty seven- and eight-figure settlements and verdicts in past cases. While prior outcomes cannot guarantee future recoveries, we’re proud of our past results, which show that we handle the serious and life-changing injuries that can result from someone else’s negligence.
If you want to know more about our firm and whether we’re a strong fit for your serious injury case, don’t hesitate to reach out. We offer free initial consultations with prospective clients. There’s no risk and no obligation created by sitting down for a case evaluation. If we take on your case, we work on a contingency basis, which means our attorney fees come from any recovery we make in your case. If we’re not successful, there is no fee.
Practice Areas
Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Buffalo
Our team handles various types of personal injury claims in the Buffalo region.
Some of the cases we often take on include the following.
Car Accidents
Whether you suffered injuries in a rear-end, intersection, head-on, distracted-driving, impaired-driving, or multiple-vehicle crash, you may need someone in your corner to help you determine who is at fault and to learn more about available coverage. We handle crashes on The 33, The 290, Sheridan Drive in Amherst and Williamsville, South Transit Road in Lockport, and all the other roads and highways across Western New York.
Truck Accidents
Commercial truck claims often involve severe injuries, especially for those traveling in smaller vehicles. These cases also tend to have complicated insurance and liability issues because the driver, truck company, maintenance company, loading company, or other involved parties could be at fault. We can help collect evidence to show who may be responsible for damages by looking at electronic logging information, inspection records, driver files, maintenance history, dispatch communications, and onboard data. In these types of claims, early intervention is critical because it allows us to collect and preserve evidence. Truck crashes in the Buffalo area, including on The 90 and The 990, may involve multiple companies and layers of commercial insurance coverage.
Pedestrian Accidents
Drivers have a responsibility to look out for people in crosswalks, at intersections, in parking areas, and anywhere on neighborhood streets. Injuries in these cases can be life-altering, and may include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and brain damage. The injured person may not remember the details following a traumatic event like a pedestrian crash, so it’s important that someone can step in to collect available evidence like witness statements, video from any cameras, and other available sources that may help piece together what happened. In Buffalo, that can mean a crosswalk on Main Street, Elmwood Avenue, or another busy neighborhood corridor.
Bicycle Accidents
Cyclists often are forced to share the road with drivers. Those behind the wheel don’t always respect the space and right-of-way of people riding bikes, and the consequences tend to fall squarely on the cyclists. Whether you were injured because of a failure to yield, a dooring incident, an unsafe turn, distracted driving, or a crash in a bicycle lane, we can review both the driver’s conduct and applicable insurance sources.
Motorcycle Accidents
While riders have equal rights to use the road as drivers, those in larger vehicles often fail to recognize a motorcycle’s presence or to appreciate its speed. Unsafe lane changes, turning in front of oncoming motorcycles, and rear-end collisions are common – and the motorcyclist is typically the one who will face the most severe injuries in such crashes. The resulting harm may include severe orthopedic, neurological, and spinal injuries that can drastically change the course of your life. We can help you explore all legal options in such devastating collisions. Serious motorcycle crashes also happen on The 400, The 219, and many of WNY’s two-lane roads.
Construction Accidents
Construction is known to be a dangerous vocation. Workers often use heavy machinery, ladders, scaffolding, and work from dangerous heights. Falls, being struck by objects, and other work-related injuries can leave a person suffering severe injuries that make it so they’re unable to work and perform other tasks, hobbies, and even everyday activities. While workers’ compensation benefits may apply in many of these cases, some workers overlook the possibility of third-party claims that could allow them to recover additional compensation. If you were severely injured in a construction accident, we can help you fully understand your legal rights.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Buffalo is no stranger to inclement weather like snow and ice, which can make walking dangerous. A slip and fall or trip and fall can result in serious harm like spinal cord injuries or even brain damage. Some hazards that are often involved in these claims include wet floors, uneven pavement, broken stairs, inadequate lighting, debris, and unsafe walkways. We can review your case to identify who owned, occupied, maintained, or created the condition and determine whether they may be liable for the harm you suffered. These claims may arise at a neighborhood business, apartment complex, or a crowded parking area near Highmark Stadium or Walden Galleria.
Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
While dogs are often friendly to humans, in the wrong circumstances they may present serious dangers. A dog or other animal attack can result in puncture wounds, scarring, infections, nerve damage, and lasting emotional trauma. Our attorneys can look for evidence that the dog’s prior behavior included aggression and that the owner had knowledge of such risks. This might be critical to a strict-liability claim, although an ordinary-negligence claim may also be available.
Sexual Abuse Claims
At O’Brien & Ford PC, we provide confidential consultations to those harmed by sexual abuse. Our team can investigate who may possibly share responsibility beyond the individual perpetrator. We understand that speaking out in these cases is extremely difficult. If you’re ready to talk, we’re here to listen and support you.
Know Your Rights
New York Laws That May Affect Your Buffalo Injury Claim
In New York state, there are several laws that frequently come into play and might impact your case. It can be useful to understand a little about how they might apply to your personal injury claim in Buffalo.
Comparative fault
New York generally follows a pure comparative-fault system, which allows recovery even if you are partly, or even mostly, at fault. However, personal injury actions subject to New York’s no-fault law that commenced on or after May 26, 2026, follow a modified comparative-negligence rule. In those cases, a claimant cannot recover if their share of fault is greater than the fault of the defendant or the combined fault of all defendants.
If you remain eligible to recover but are partly at fault, your damages will be reduced based on your share of fault. For example, a $100,000 award would be reduced to $75,000 if the claimant were found 25% responsible.
New York no-fault insurance and the serious-injury rule
New York is a no-fault insurance state, which means that no-fault insurance often initially pays qualifying basic economic losses without deciding who caused the crash. A covered person generally must meet New York’s “serious injury” threshold to pursue noneconomic damages from another covered person. For actions commenced on or after May 26, 2026, the serious-injury definition no longer includes the former 90/180-day category, and the factfinder must determine fault before deciding whether the claimant sustained a serious injury. Remember that written no-fault notice generally must reach the insurer within 30 days unless a sufficient justification for delay applies.
Construction-worker protections
Labor laws address several issues, including:
- A general duty to provide reasonable and adequate workplace protection.
- Special provisions regarding liability after injuries from gravity-related hazards involving enumerated construction activities and safety devices.
- Labor laws requiring reasonable protection during construction, excavation, and demolition.
Under these laws, owners and contractors may face a nondelegable form of liability when a statutory violation proximately causes an elevation-related injury, like if a worker fell. There are certain exceptions, such as when a worker’s conduct defeats the claim because it was the sole proximate cause.
Filing deadlines
It’s extremely important to understand that when it comes to filing a lawsuit, time is of the essence. Most negligence-based personal injury lawsuits are subject to a three-year time limit under CPLR § 214. In wrongful death cases, the decedent’s personal representative generally has two years from death under EPTL § 5-4.1 to bring their claim. Municipal claims may require a notice of claim within 90 days under General Municipal Law § 50-e, followed by suit within the applicable period (stated in § 50-i). New York laws also have strict rules that determine filing deadlines and requirements for claims against the State.
Common Questions
Buffalo Personal Injury FAQs
Do I have a personal injury case?
In order to have a valid negligence claim, you must show several factors, including that another person or entity owed you a legal duty; that person or entity failed to act with reasonable care or violated another applicable duty; that they caused compensable harm; and that the harm is the result of their breach of duty. Note that not every accident creates liability. If you’re unsure whether you have a case, don’t hesitate to call so we can discuss it in detail.
What happens when I call O’Brien & Ford?
How much does it cost to hire a Buffalo personal injury lawyer?
How much is my personal injury case worth?
Will my case go to trial?
Visit Us
Do You Have a Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me in Buffalo?
Yes. You can meet with O’Brien & Ford PC at our office, located at 4549 Main Street, Suite 201, Buffalo, NY 14226. Our Snyder-area office is near Harlem Road and accessible from The 290 and The 90. We serve Buffalo, Amherst, Williamsville, Lockport, Wheatfield, Niagara Falls, and communities throughout Erie and Niagara counties. If travel is difficult, call us. We can often arrange other meeting options. Our two-minute commitment is designed to quickly put you in touch with a lawyer.
- Buffalo
- Amherst
- Williamsville
- Lockport
- Wheatfield
- Niagara Falls
- Erie County
- Niagara County
Our Team
80+ Years of Combined Experience
Chris O’Brien
Attorney
John P. Ford
Attorney
Anant Kishore
Attorney
Christopher Pannozzo
Attorney
Kevin J. Keane
Attorney
Danielle D’Abate
Attorney
Client Reviews
What People Are Saying About Us
The professionalism I received from the entire staff was great. Christopher Pannozzo, Annat and John worked tirelessly to get me the justice I deserve. Even Patrice the receptionist was professional and always a joy to talk to. Thank you guys for the hard work and taking my case.
I highly recommend O'Brien & Ford, P.C. to anyone who has been injured and needs someone they can trust. I’m extremely thankful for everything Anant and his team did for me and for the way I was treated throughout the entire process. They were professional, knowledgeable, and always took the time to explain things clearly and answer my questions. I would highly recommend this law firm.
Best firm ever, very smart and knowledgeable law firm. I always felt in great hands through out the entire process, Specal thanks to my Attorney Anant Kishore, couldn’t ask for a better outcome, thanks again guys ,
The team at O'Brien & Ford were incredible! Chris O'Brien showed the utmost patience & care with my case. I had so many questions & concerns and everytime I called I was treated with value & respect. Everyone on the team was helpful & kind. Do yourself a favor & choose the 2's!!
When I unfortunately was in a car accident I called on Chris O’Brien and his law firm. They not only took care of everything and answered every question I asked, Chris and his law firm treated me like family. I would not think twice to use them again, if you are ever in need of a excellent law firm that treats you like actually matter, go with Chris O’Brien and his law firm.
The whole staff at O'Brien and Ford are amazing. Anant Kishor is considerate I felt like my needs always came first, my time was valued. When meeting with him and speaking with him on the phone I felt like I was in good hands and that he was for me. I would 100% work with them. Thank you.
Chris and his staff are top notch professionals that you definitely want in your corner if you are injured and in need of an attorney . 10 years later and I’m still thankful daily that I contacted Chris for his representation. Keep fighting the good fight. R Herline
John Ford is the definition of professional, knowledgeable, and compassion. His instincts and attention to detail are second to none. He treats you like a family friend not just a client. I would recommend O'Brien & Ford to anyone who wants results.
I was looking for the best car crash lawyer in Buffalo and was referred to Chris O’Brien by numerous colleagues. Was very impressed with the outcome and professionalism. After a life altering injury you really need to lock down an attorney ASAP. The O’Brien & Ford team really pulled through for me and my family!
This firm was recommended to me from a friend and I couldn’t be more pleased with them. They are very knowledgeable with the entire processes, your rights and the laws! I highly recommend them and guarantee you you will not be disappointed.
The O'Brien Firm handled my difficult case with attention, creativity and compassion. I was always kept informed as my case progressed and reached the best outcome possible. I highly recommend their firm.
I reckon myself fortunate to have engaged the law firm of O'Brien and Ford. I found them to possess a remarkable combination of probity and candor, as well as a gratifying degree of expertise and common sense. I was completely satisfied with their handling of my injury case. This is a top quality practice in all respects, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking first rate representation.
Talk to a Buffalo Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you have questions about your personal injury case and you want a team that will never treat you like a case number, reach out to us today. One call and you’ll have a lawyer who is ready to listen to what happened and explain your available options. To get in touch, call O’Brien & Ford PC at 716-222-2222, or fill out our online form. Your consultation is free, and you won’t face any obligations by speaking to us.