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Choose The 2’s
Choose The 2’s
Pedestrian accidents have been increasing in number for decades. The chance that a pedestrian could be injured or killed in Buffalo, NY, is high. At O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, our Buffalo pedestrian accident lawyers are ready to fight for your rights. Call us at (716) 222-2222.
We represent injured victims and their families in personal injury claims seeking compensation for devastating injuries and wrongful deaths.
Our Buffalo personal injury lawyers have more than 78 years of combined legal experience handling personal injury cases. At O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, our lawyers utilize their experience and resources to recover life-changing settlements and verdicts. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients.
Learn more about how we can help you with a pedestrian accident claim in Buffalo, New York. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Buffalo pedestrian accident lawyers.
The GHSA estimates that 7,508 people were killed in pedestrian accidents in 2022, the highest number of annual pedestrian deaths since 1981. Pedestrian deaths are increasing faster than all other traffic fatalities combined.
When a pedestrian is struck by a car, the individual’s body receives the full force of the impact. There is nothing to protect the pedestrian from injuries. In many cases, the person is thrown or crushed beneath the vehicle.
As a result, pedestrian accidents cause catastrophic injuries and life-threatening conditions. In many instances, the victim sustains permanent impairments and life-altering disabilities because of the collision.
Pedestrians have a duty to follow pedestrian traffic laws and use reasonable care to avoid accidents. However, negligent drivers cause pedestrian accidents even when pedestrians take care each time they walk near traffic.
Common reasons for Buffalo pedestrian accidents include:
As the victim, you have the burden of proving the elements of a negligence claim to recover compensation for damages. You must prove that the driver had a duty of care and breached the duty of care. The breach of duty must have been the proximate and direct cause of the accident. As a result of the accident, you sustained injuries and damages.
Our Buffalo pedestrian accident lawyers at O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers have decades of experience building solid cases for fault and liability. We understand the rules of evidence and how to use evidence in a case to make a compelling argument for maximum compensation for victims.
In Buffalo, people walking on the streets are usually involved in accidents because they are more prone to get hurt. The most common injuries are:
New York State law grants pedestrians certain rights and responsibilities to ensure everyone’s safety, along with Buffalo’s local ordinances and regulations:
When determining responsibility in a pedestrian accident, the driver’s actions and those of the pedestrian are considered.
Consulting a Buffalo pedestrian accident lawyer is essential for managing this complex process and advocating for the victim’s rights.
The value of your pedestrian accident case in Buffalo, NY, will likely depend on the following:
A skilled pedestrian accident attorney can help you accurately assess what your case is worth and pursue all available compensation.
New York personal injury laws allow victims to seek compensation for their financial losses (economic damages) and their suffering (non-economic damages). In some cases, juries may award punitive damages to punish a defendant for their wrongdoing.
Examples of damages in a pedestrian accident claim include:
Our lawyers meticulously document your damages to ensure we seek verdicts and settlements for the total value of your claim. We often work with medical specialists, vocational experts, financial professionals, and other experts to estimate future damages when a victim sustains a life-long injury.
Comparative negligence is a legal standard for apportioning damages in a personal injury case. A few states bar victims from recovering any damages if they are in any way responsible for causing their injuries.
New York is not one of those states. Instead, New York’s comparative negligence statute states that comparative negligence does not bar recovery of damages. However, it does impact the amount you can recover for a personal injury claim.
If you are partially at fault for causing a pedestrian accident, your compensation can be reduced by your level of fault. For example, suppose a jury awards you $1 million for damages in a pedestrian accident lawsuit.
However, the jurors decided you were 50% to blame for causing the crash. Therefore, instead of receiving a million dollars, the court reduces the amount to $500,000 (50% of the total award).
Insurance companies often blame accident victims for contributing to their injuries. The company shifts the blame to the victim to lower the value of the claim.
Our Buffalo pedestrian accident attorneys are prepared for this common insurance tactic. We fight back with evidence and legal grounds to hold the driver responsible for all damages caused by their negligence and wrongdoing.
If you’re injured in a pedestrian accident in Buffalo, it’s crucial to take the following steps:
In New York, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including pedestrian accidents, is generally three years from the incident date. This means you have a three-year window to initiate legal proceedings; failing to do so within this period can result in losing the right to seek compensation.
However, certain circumstances can alter this timeframe:
If the accident involved a government vehicle or occurred on government property, a notice of claim must typically be filed within 90 days, and the lawsuit must be filed within one year and 90 days.
If the injured pedestrian is a minor, the statute of limitations may be extended until they reach the age of 18. Given these nuances, it is advisable to consult with a Buffalo pedestrian accident lawyer immediately to comply with all legal deadlines and preserve your right to compensation.
The New York statute of limitations sets the deadline for filing personal injury claims. Most car accident claims must be filed within three years from the accident date, including pedestrian accidents. Failing to file a claim before the time expires can result in a dismissal of your lawsuit. You would be unable to pursue a court claim for damages.
It is important to note that exceptions to the statute of limitations and factors in your case could change the filing deadline for claims and lawsuits. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you contact our office today to speak with our Buffalo pedestrian accident lawyers about your case.
Our attorneys at O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers take cases for a contingency fee. A contingency fee means you don’t pay anything upfront to hire our law firm. You only owe attorneys’ fees once we recover a settlement or jury verdict. Our fees are deducted from the amount we recover for your case. The contingency fee is based on a percentage we agree upon when you hire the law firm.
If you were hit by a car, you likely sustained severe injuries. You incurred medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering because of a negligent driver. New York’s personal injury laws allow you to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for damages. However, you have the burden of proving the driver was at fault.
Experience matters when you hire a Buffalo personal injury lawyer. Our exceptional legal team is dedicated to advocating for injured victims and their families. Our top-rated New York personal injury lawyers are recognized and highly rated by numerous legal organizations, including Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbel, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and Legal Elite. We have a perfect 10.0 Superb rating with Avvo.
When you hire our top-rated personal injury lawyers in Buffalo, NY, you can expect us to:
Our attorneys are seasoned trial litigators and skilled negotiators at O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers. We have the resources and experience to pursue complex personal injury cases. We leverage our decades of experience to get you the money you deserve after a tragic accident.
Let our Buffalo car accident lawyers handle the insurance company and the legal matters so you can focus on your recovery. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Buffalo pedestrian accident lawyer.
Common injuries our attorneys handle in pedestrian accident cases include:
Immediate medical treatment is often required when a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle. It is crucial to your case that you seek prompt medical care. Medical records are critical evidence in a pedestrian accident claim to prove that the crash caused your injuries. Also, delays in medical care could give the insurance company a reason to question your injuries.
Buffalo Personal Injury Lawyer. Choose the 2’s.
With over 80 years of combined experience, the Buffalo personal injury lawyers at O’Brien & Ford, PC are here to fight for the justice you deserve. Call us today at (716) 222-2222 to schedule your free consultation with one of our top-rated attorneys.
Call O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, to schedule a free case review with an experienced Buffalo pedestrian accident attorney. We proudly serve al throughout Erie County, New York and surrounding areas. We’ll fight to get you the compensation you deserve and need as you continue to recover from your accident.
O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers
4549 Main St Suite 201 Buffalo, NY 14226
Phone: (716) 222-2222
Opening Hours: From 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
7 days a week
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.
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.
Chris Pannozzo handled 2 consecutive cases of mine. He is very knowledgeable and thorough . Chris will not rush to settle a case. He makes sure everything is taken care of correctly, so you obtain the largest settlement.Chris is very down to earth and personable. Chris met with me near my home to sign paperwork and offered to come to my home. He responded to my text message on the weekend. This amazed me. I’ve had lawyers that don’t respond to messages on a weekd...
One of the best decisions I made was choosing O’Brien & Ford to represent me. A person can do no better than to have Chris and Anant and their wonderful staff working with you. From the moment we first talked with Chris at our home, my wife and I knew we needed to look no further for representation. At no point during the process of our case did this excellent firm disappoint nor steer us wrong. We trusted their opinions, guidance and ethics at all times throughout all...
Chris is a tireless advocate for his clients. He always goes above and beyond to ensure the best possible result.
Back in 2017 I was involved a major car accident that left me with back injuries. Afterwards, I went to a couple big name attorneys and they all denied my case for reasons unknown. This left me feeling down and out with amd in an unfortunate situation, but that was until I called O’Brian & Ford. My case was picked up and accepted by the wonderful, Mr. John Ford, and my lawsuit began. He fought for me for almost 3 years without giving up and my case was FINALLY sett...
Attorney Anant Kishore really pulled through for me after I endured a serious neck injury after being t-boned by a drunk driver. After such a traumatic event, Anant and his team compassionately guided me through the legal hoops I needed to jump through to get a very favorable settlement to help pay for my medical bills. I am not from the Buffalo area but was recommended this firm unanimously by my friends snd family in the area. I truly don’t know where I’d be today if i...
Chris O’Brien is a nationally recognized personal injury attorney with over 30 years of experience fighting for accident victims in Western New York. A founding partner at O’Brien & Ford, he has helped recover millions for clients and built a reputation as a top trial lawyer and educator. Chris is a Diplomate of the National College of Advocacy, a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and was named one of Western New York’s Top Ten Lawyers by Buffalo Business First. He lives in Amherst with his family and their Bernedoodle, Moose.
Years of experience: 33 years
Practice areas: Personal Injury Law, Car Accidents
Location: Buffalo, New York
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Attorney Chris O’Brien, who has more than 33 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below for your free consultation or call us at (716) 222-2222
716-222-2222