Auto Accident Injury in Buffalo, NY
Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Buffalo? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Buffalo, NY that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Buffalo, New York
For the year 2023, very grave traffic incidents were logged in Buffalo. That is indicative of the city’s usual challenges correlated with road safety. There are thousands of reported auto accidents within the city, with major intersections like Delaware Avenue and Chippewa Street, and Main Street and Bailey Avenue recognized as dangerous points due to heavy traffic and pedestrian activity.
Recent data included multiple severe crashes, including one where a tractor-trailer crashed into an overpass on Clinton Street and another deadly wrong-way collision on Route 33. These statistics underline the need for infrastructure improvements, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, and public awareness campaigns.
What to Do After an Auto Accident
It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.
Receive Immediate Medical Attention
What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.
File a Police Report
Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked-for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police reports. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.
If you were in an accident in Erie County, New York, and filed a report with the sheriff’s office, you may obtain a copy of the report through a third-party vendor. To do so, you must provide your name, accident date, and report number. You typically must pay a fee to receive a copy of the report. If you reported your accident to the Buffalo, New York, police department, you may request a copy from the department.
Gather the Appropriate Documentation
While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:
- Full name, address, phone number and email address
- Driver’s license state and number
- Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number
Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle, and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.
Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury
After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.
Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:
- Burn injuries
- Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
- Brain and head injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Laws in New York
Liability Laws for Buffalo
When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.
New York is a no-fault state for the purpose of compensating car accident victims. Consequently, if you have an injury or property damage after a crash, insurance should pay regardless of who was at fault. If you choose to bring a legal claim, New York’s comparative negligence statute may apply. This statute allows you to recover financial damages, but they may be lower if you are partly to blame for the crash.
Statute of Limitations in Buffalo
Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. With most car accidents, New York’s statute of limitations is three years. While there are exceptions to this rule, you likely must bring your legal claim within three years of the date of your crash.
This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.
Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Buffalo, NY
After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in New York!
Do you need help with another area of Buffalo, NY law? Check out the links below.