Car accident
Car Accident Attorneys in Buffalo, New York
The firms in this guide
1. Dietrich Law Firm P.C.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, construction accidents, nursing home abuse, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, intersection accidents, highway crashes
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident reconstruction, expert witness coordination, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, no-fault insurance claims (PIP)
Background: Jed Dietrich, Esq. has tried over 100 cases to verdict. Insurance companies have paid over $250 million to resolve personal injury claims handled by the firm. Firm serves Western New York and handles cases involving Labor Law Sections 240 and 241(6) violations. Works with accident reconstructionists and investigators to build cases.
Location: Buffalo, New York (serving Western New York)
Contact: (716) 839-3939 | https://www.calljed.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless recovery is made).
2. O’Brien & Ford PC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, brain injuries, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, sexual abuse
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, rear-end accidents, intersection accidents, highway crashes, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, rideshare accidents, commercial vehicle accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence gathering, medical records coordination, expert witness consultation, lost wage documentation, pain and suffering claims, no-fault claims
Background: Firm has served injured clients in Western New York for decades. Has recovered tens of millions in settlements and verdicts. Co-founding attorneys John E. Richmond and Keith Vona have combined experience in personal injury law. Seven attorneys named in 2025 editions of New York Super Lawyers or Super Lawyers Rising Stars. Keith Vona served as a police officer in Buffalo for more than a decade before becoming an attorney.
Location: Buffalo, New York
Contact: (716) 222-2222 | https://obrienandford.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis.
3. Andrews, Bernstein & Maranto, PLLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, dog bite injuries, construction accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, rear-end accidents, intersection accidents, pedestrian accidents struck by vehicles, bicycle accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence gathering, witness interviews, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: Firm established in 1999 and has focused exclusively on representation of persons injured in motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog bite injuries, and construction accident injuries. Located in the historic Allentown Preservation District. Consists of eight personal injury lawyers and support staff. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Location: Buffalo, New York (Allentown Preservation District)
Contact: Call or text for consultation | https://www.wnyinjurylawyers.com
Consultation: Free consultation with one of the firm’s dedicated attorneys.
4. Fromen Injury Law
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, construction accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, intersection accidents, highway crashes
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence preservation, medical records coordination, lost wage documentation, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Firm has been representing personal injury clients in Buffalo for more than 60 years. Achieved a landmark $43,025,000 settlement, which is the largest in the history of the 8th Judicial District of New York State, for a client struck in a multi-car accident involving a City of Buffalo Police Department SUV. That case resulted in an Appellate Court finding the officer reckless as a matter of law, overcoming the immunity defense.
Location: Buffalo, New York
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.fromenlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available.
5. Richmond Vona, LLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, construction accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, rear-end accidents, intersection accidents, highway crashes, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, rideshare accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence gathering, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, no-fault insurance claims
Background: Co-founding attorneys John E. Richmond and Keith Vona have over 30 years of combined personal injury experience. Keith Vona is a former Marine and spent more than a decade as a police officer in Buffalo. Attorneys Kristopher Schwarzmueller and Herschel Gelber have been named as Super Lawyers. Samantha Cantone previously worked for insurance defense firms, providing insider knowledge of insurance company evaluation processes.
Location: Buffalo, New York
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.richmondvona.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis.
The Serious Injury Threshold, the 2026 Fault Bar and City Claims for Buffalo Car Crashes
A Buffalo car crash claim between insured drivers runs through New York’s no-fault law, which allows recovery for non-economic loss only for a serious injury. Since 2026, state law also bars a claimant in those cases whose share of fault is greater than the defendants’, and a claim against the city requires a notice of claim first.
The Serious Injury Threshold
Under Insurance Law 5104(a), in an action between covered persons for injuries from negligent motor vehicle use in New York, there is no recovery for non-economic loss except in the case of a serious injury, or for basic economic loss, and the trier of fact decides fault before deciding whether the injury is serious. Under 5102(d), a serious injury is one resulting in death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, a fracture, loss of a fetus, permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function or system, permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member, or significant limitation of use of a body function or system.
The Fault Bar in No-Fault Cases
Under CPLR 1411(a), a claimant’s culpable conduct diminishes damages in proportion. Under 1411(b), added in 2026, in a personal injury action subject to Insurance Law article 51, the claimant’s culpable conduct bars recovery if it is greater than that of the person or persons against whom recovery is sought. For example, imagine $100,000 in damages and 40 percent of the culpable conduct on the injured driver: the recovery would be $60,000; at 60 percent against a single defendant at 40 percent, recovery would be barred. The new subsection took effect May 26, 2026; for a crash before that date, confirm with counsel which rule applies.
A Limit for Some At-Fault Injured Drivers
Under Insurance Law 5104(d), other than in an action for death, non-economic loss for a serious injury is limited to $100,000 for an injured person who is at fault, is not barred by CPLR 1411, and was operating an uninsured vehicle (except a lapse under 30 days), operating while impaired and convicted, or operating in the commission of a felony and convicted.
A City Vehicle or City Street
Under General Municipal Law 50-e(1)(a), a notice of claim against a public corporation must be served within ninety days after the claim arises, and under 50-i(1) no action may proceed against a city unless the notice was served, at least 30 days have passed without adjustment, and the action is commenced within one year and ninety days after the event.
Buffalo Car Accident Questions
How long do I have to sue the other driver?
Three years for personal injury under CPLR 214(5), except as provided in the sections it lists, and two years after the death for a wrongful death action brought by the personal representative under EPTL 5-4.1(1).
What coverage did the other driver need?
Under Vehicle and Traffic Law 311(4), an owner’s policy must cover at least $25,000 for bodily injury to and $50,000 for death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to and $100,000 for death of two or more persons, and $10,000 for property damage in one accident.
What must the other driver do at the scene?
Under Vehicle and Traffic Law 600(2)(a), a driver who knows or has cause to know of a personal injury must stop, show a license and insurance card, and give name, residence, insurer and policy information and license number to the injured party, if practical, and to a police officer, or report the incident to the nearest police station if no officer is nearby.