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Buffalo Car Accident Lawyers
A Dedicated Buffalo Car Accident Firm Ready to Serve as Your Advocate
The aftermath of a severe crash often leads to pain, medical bills, missed work and insurance calls. You may be facing uncertainty about whether the injuries will improve, and emotional trauma that can be utterly overwhelming. We’ve seen how all of this can impact a person and their loved ones. At O’Brien & Ford PC, our Buffalo car accident lawyers provide careful and strategic legal representation to those injured in crashes throughout Western New York.
We prioritize our clients’ well-being from day one. That’s why our policy is that if you call us, you will be on the phone with an attorney within two minutes. Our team works to make sure you feel supported, heard, and respected. Want to hear more about how our lawyers can help you? Just call today for a free consultation.
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More than $100 million recovered in verdicts and settlements for those injured in New York.
How We Can Help
- Why Choose O’Brien & Ford PC After a Buffalo Car Accident?
- What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Buffalo?
- How Can a Buffalo Car Accident Lawyer Help?
- What Types of Car Accident Cases Do We Handle?
- What Causes Car Accidents in Buffalo?
- What Injuries Can a Car Crash Cause?
- How Do New York’s Car Accident Laws Affect My Claim?
- Who May Be Liable and What Compensation Can I Recover?
- Do You Have a Car Accident Lawyer Near Me in Buffalo?
- Buffalo Car Accident FAQs
Why Choose O’Brien & Ford PC After a Buffalo Car Accident?
Our law firm doesn’t operate by getting as many cases in the door as possible. We actually limit the number of cases each lawyer handles because we want to make sure your case gets the attention and time it needs. When it comes to evaluating the success of our team members, we look at the impact we’ve had on actual clients, not the number of files we’re handling.
Founding partner Chris O’Brien has been selected to Super Lawyers every year since 2008 and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for plaintiffs’ personal injury litigation since 2012. Partner John P. Ford has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for plaintiffs’ personal injury litigation since 2019.
Here are a few specific reasons clients work with us:
You Can Speak With a Lawyer Quickly
When you call, you get to speak to a lawyer. Not tomorrow or sometime next week, but within two minutes. That first conversation allows us to look at issues like what happened, what injuries occurred, what treatment you received, and which insurance companies might be involved. After that call, we can decide whether you should come in for a longer and more in-depth consultation.
Your Lawyer Will Know You and Your Case
Because we limit attorney caseloads, we’re able to truly know you, your family, and your case. Your lawyer will remain deeply involved in the case strategy, client communication, insurance negotiations, settlement decisions, litigation and trial preparation. We’re not going to hand your claim off, even if it becomes challenging.
We Prepare Car Accident Cases for Trial
Our attorneys are trial lawyers, which means we prepare every case as if it’s going to go to trial. While most cases will settle before that, we understand that to get the best results, we must always be prepared to see each claim through to trial when necessary. Trial preparation may include:
- Collecting video and witness evidence
- Reviewing vehicle damage
- Obtaining electronic vehicle information
- Consulting medical or crash reconstruction experts
- Documenting future care and lost earning ability
When insurers know you’re ready to go to trial, they are more likely to make a strong settlement offer than they would be if they thought they could pressure you into taking a lowball offer.
We’re Native to Buffalo and Western New York
For decades, we’ve been representing local injury victims throughout Buffalo and the surrounding area. Our clients are our neighbors and fellow community members. We care about you and your family, and safety in the greater community.
Testimonials
What Our Clients Say About Us
“The O’Brien & Ford Firm were especially responsive to my well-being after my car accident. The legal advice they provided guided me through several years of recuperation. They took care of everything related to the resolution of my case, so I could focus on healing. If I had a concern, I only needed to reach out to them. The entire staff’s kindness and professionalism eased my mind.”
Lisa Jackson
“I was involved in a very bad car accident. Retaining a personal injury lawyer is something I never thought I would have to do. I was scared and didn’t want a large firm to represent me. Some people are put in your path for a reason. The O’Brien and Ford firm was recommended to me from another lawyer. When I met Chris O’Brien in person I immediately felt comfortable and confident that I wanted his firm to represent me. I sustained serious injuries and was in the hospital for a week. Chris and his team quickly began working on my case. They guided me every step of the way and explained the process as I was overwhelmed with the whole situation.”
Nicole K.
“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.”
Robert G.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Buffalo?
Car accidents are frightening and disorienting. Some of the steps to take in the aftermath include:
Get to a Safe Location and Call 911
Check yourself and others for injuries and get to a safe location whenever possible. You shouldn’t leave the scene unless it’s because of emergency conditions. When possible, wait for emergency responders, which may include the Buffalo Police, other local police or sheriff’s departments in surrounding communities, or the New York State Police for certain highway or Thruway crashes. There may be different agencies involved depending on the crash location; for instance, a collision on The 90 may involve different report procedures from one on Elmwood Avenue or Main Street.
Seek Medical Attention
If you need it, be sure to accept emergency transportation. Otherwise, still see a provider as soon as possible. Remember that in the aftermath of a collision, the adrenaline and shock may mask signs that your injuries are more serious than they initially appear. You should consider heading to a hospital like ECMC for major trauma, or Buffalo General Medical Center, another local emergency department, urgent care provider, or your own physician to get checked.
Exchange and Preserve Information
If you are able to, collect driver and insurance information, witness names, and photos of the vehicles, conditions, signs, and injuries.
Be Careful When Speaking With Insurers
While you should report the collision as required by your policy, be cautious with your communications with insurers, including your own provider. Never speculate about fault, and don’t sign any broad settlement release before you speak to a lawyer. Once you sign a settlement, you can’t reopen your claim to ask for more compensation, even if your injuries prove far worse than you initially expected.
Complete Any Required Accident Report
New York generally requires a written DMV accident report within 10 days when someone is injured or killed or when damage to any one person’s property exceeds $1,000.
Speak With a Lawyer Early
There are insurance and filing deadlines, but even beyond those factors, evidence becomes harder to find as time passes. Footage from local businesses that may have caught the crash can become overwritten. Vehicles might be repaired, masking the damage the crash caused. Witnesses can become more difficult to locate, and their memories start to fade. The sooner you reach out to us, the more we can do to preserve this evidence and protect your case.
How Can a Buffalo Car Accident Lawyer Help?
Your Buffalo car accident attorney can help you through the legal process in a variety of ways. Some of the tasks we can handle on your behalf include:
- Determining which insurance policies may cover your injuries.
- Obtaining official documents, like police or DMV reports.
- Visiting or otherwise documenting the crash location.
- Collecting surveillance, dashcam, and traffic-camera videos from the area.
- Interviewing witnesses.
- Reviewing the vehicle damage and event-data-recorder information.
- Examining phone records to determine whether distracted driving may be a factor.
- Coordinating medical documentation to build a strong claim that fully accounts for your losses.
- Calculating past and future losses, including those related to your medical care and lost earnings.
- Handling insurance communications to protect you from tactics meant to downplay your injuries and reduce the insurer’s financial exposure.
- Negotiating a settlement.
- Filing suit in Erie County Supreme Court or another appropriate court when necessary.
- Preparing you and any witnesses for depositions and trial.
Once we’re involved, we can stand at your side and protect your rights and interests.
What Types of Buffalo Car Accident Cases Do We Handle?
Some common types of cases we see include:
Rear-End Collisions
Common causes may include distracted driving, following too closely and stop-and-go traffic, especially on roads like Main Street, Walden Avenue, or Sheridan Drive. Resulting injuries may include whiplash, disc injuries, and aggravation of prior neck or back conditions.
Intersection and T-Bone Accidents
Intersection crashes are common, often due to issues such as failure to yield, red-light and stop-sign violations, or unsafe left turns.
Head-On and High-Speed Collisions
These dangerous collisions may occur for various reasons, including drivers drifting across the center line, improper passing, and fatigue or impairment. On high-speed two-lane roads around Lockport, Wheatfield, and South Transit Road, the risks of these collisions are relatively high. These may result in severe harm, including spinal, orthopedic, and brain injuries.
Highway and Multi-Vehicle Crashes
Local highways in the Buffalo area include:
- The 90
- The 290
- The 990
- The 33
- The 219
- The 400
Traveling on these roads often means reaching high speeds and dealing with motorists who make frequent, sometimes risky lane changes. Merging, confusion in construction zones, and other factors can make collisions more likely and lead to multiple-vehicle and chain-reaction crashes.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Hit-and-run crashes add a layer of frustration to an already stressful situation. However, just because an at-fault driver flees the scene doesn’t mean you’re out of luck when it comes to recovering compensation. Uninsured-motorist coverage may kick in, and other options can also potentially provide assistance. Contact us to determine which may be available in your case.
Rideshare Accidents
Uber or Lyft drivers provide rides throughout the Buffalo area, often offering a convenient form of transportation. When these vehicles are involved in crashes, complex liability issues come into play. Our attorneys can help you determine your options by reviewing key factors, such as the driver’s status at the time of the collision and whether their personal or platform insurance applies if the rideshare driver is at fault.
Uninsured and Underinsured Driver Claims
In addition to hit-and-run crashes, uninsured or underinsured drivers can leave injury victims feeling helpless. However, there are often solutions to these issues, including the possibility of filing an uninsured or underinsured driver claim.
What Causes Car Accidents in Buffalo?
Car accidents have many different potential causes. Some of the ones that we often see in our practice include:
- Distracted driving
- Texting or using a phone
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Failure to yield
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improper turns
- Impaired driving
- Fatigued driving
- Aggressive driving
- Snow, ice, fog, or reduced visibility
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Defective vehicle components
- Road-design or maintenance problems
Local weather, including lake-effect snow and rapidly changing road conditions, sometimes makes travel risky in Buffalo and the Southtowns, including on routes around Highmark Stadium and The 219. Additionally, congestion on roads such as Sheridan Drive, Main Street, and Walden Avenue can increase the risk of accidents. However, even if these issues affect road conditions, drivers are responsible for adjusting their speed and behavior to prevent crashes. Bad weather or heavy traffic won’t excuse driver errors. O’Brien & Ford PC’s attorneys can look at the factors and help you determine issues of fault and liability.
What Injuries Can a Car Crash Cause?
Car crashes can cause serious, often life-changing injuries. Some of the injuries you may face include:
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Fractures
- Shoulder and knee injuries
- Nerve damage
- Internal injuries
- Burns and scarring
- Amputations
- Psychological trauma or PTSD
- Fatal injuries
Although some symptoms may appear immediately, others become clearer after swelling, adrenaline, or shock subsides. Even if you think your injuries aren’t that severe, you should seek treatment at one of the local Buffalo medical providers, including ECMC, Buffalo General, or another local medical facility. Getting early treatment can improve prognosis and may create important medical documentation that will support your claim. Also, note that pre-existing injuries don’t automatically mean a crash didn’t cause a compensable injury. Worsening of an injury can also lead to a valid claim for compensation.
How Do New York’s Car Accident Laws Affect My Claim?
We’re here to explain your legal rights and options as they apply specifically to your case. However, it can be helpful to understand a few basics when it comes to traffic accident laws in New York.
New York No-Fault Insurance
In New York, no-fault benefits often cover qualifying basic economic losses, and they don’t rely on any analysis of liability. Basic economic loss at this level is generally capped at about $50,000 per person and can include medical care, a portion of lost earnings, and certain necessary expenses.
For these claims, you generally need to submit written notice within 30 days unless you can prove a clear and reasonable justification for the delay. Additionally, medical bills generally must be submitted within 45 days after treatment, and proof of lost earnings generally must be submitted within 90 days after the work loss is incurred. Remember that in many cases, no-fault coverage isn’t your only option after a serious crash.
New York’s Serious-Injury Requirement
A covered person generally must qualify under the state’s statutory definition of a ‘serious injury’ to recover non-economic damages from another covered person. Examples of serious injuries include:
- Death
- Dismemberment
- Significant disfigurement
- Fracture
- Loss of a fetus
- Permanent loss of use
- Permanent consequential limitation
- Significant limitation
New York’s Modified Comparative-Fault Rule for Car Accident Cases
New York law recently changed so that modified comparative negligence rules apply to cases that fall under Insurance Law Article 51 (if commenced on or after May 26, 2026). The updates to the law make it possible for a person to recover damages, even if they are partly at fault for their own injuries, as long as they are not more at fault than the defendant or defendants. If they are more at fault, they cannot recover anything. Those who are 50% or less at fault may recover, but any award they are eligible to recover will be reduced by their percentage of fault.
For example, let’s say you are 30% responsible for the crash that caused your injuries. In this case, you could receive 70% of the established damages. On a claim worth $100,000, you could recover $70,000. Alternatively, if you are 51% responsible, you would recover nothing in a covered Article 51 action.
There is some nuance involved, so be sure to reach out to us to discuss how the law might apply in your case.
Deadlines for Filing a Car Accident Case
There are also strict filing deadlines for car crash cases in New York. For personal injury claims, the statute of limitations typically allows three years to file. In wrongful death claims, the limit is generally two years from death.
If the claim involves a municipal defendant, notice of claim may be required within 90 days, and the suit may have to be filed within one year and 90 days. When a New York State vehicle or employee is involved, other rules and filing deadlines may apply. The statute of limitations makes it important not to wait to speak to a lawyer. However, even without the time limits, evidence becomes more challenging to locate the longer you wait. Your best move is to call us today and get started.
Who May Be Liable and What Compensation Can I Recover?
Depending on the facts of your case, there might be one or more parties who are potentially at fault.
Some possible liable parties include:
- The other driver
- The vehicle owner (for instance, in cases of negligent entrustment)
- An employer whose employee was driving in the course of work
- A rideshare company or applicable insurer
- A bar or alcohol provider in a qualifying dram-shop case
- A vehicle or component manufacturer
- A repair or maintenance business
- A municipality or state entity responsible for a dangerous condition
- Multiple drivers in a chain-reaction crash
Determining how to proceed isn’t just about who might be at fault; it’s also about which insurance policies may apply. Potentially, you might be able to recover for economic and non-economic damages.
Economic losses include the following categories:
- Medical expenses beyond available no-fault benefits
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Home or vehicle modifications
- Replacement services
- Property damage and rental costs
- Funeral and burial expenses
Noneconomic losses where legally available, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Permanent impairment
- Loss of consortium
The value of your case will depend on many factors, such as the injury, prognosis, breakdown of fault, available coverage, income loss, treatment, and supporting evidence. Our attorneys can look at your case in detail to start to understand its true value.
Visit Us
Do You Have a Car Accident Lawyer Near Me in Buffalo?
Yes, we have an office located at 4549 Main Street, Suite 201, Buffalo, NY 14226. Call us today at 716-222-2222 to schedule your free consultation. If you’re unable to make it to us, we can often come to you or find an alternative way for us to discuss your claim.
Buffalo Car Accident FAQs
Do I Have a Car Accident Case?
Not every crash results in a viable car accident claim. The good news is, you don’t have to know whether you have a claim when you call. We can review the facts to determine whether they involve negligence, serious injuries, and other relevant factors under New York law. If you don’t know, stop wondering, and call us to find out.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Buffalo Car Accident Lawyer?
How Long Will My Car Accident Claim Take?
Will My Car Accident Case Go to Trial?
Talk to a Buffalo Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you have questions about your car accident case, contact us today. When you call us, a lawyer will be available to answer questions within two minutes. Call 716-222-2222 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our lawyers, or fill out our online contact form. We’re ready to help you understand your legal options.