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.
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in New York
New York operates under a no-fault insurance system for car accidents. This means that regardless of who caused the accident, each driver’s own insurance company pays for their medical expenses and lost wages up to policy limits through Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.
Statute of Limitations: Personal injury lawsuits must be filed within three years from the date of the accident. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years from the date of death. Claims against government entities (such as the City of Buffalo) have shorter notice of claim requirements, typically 90 days, and shorter filing deadlines.
No-Fault Insurance: New York requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage with minimum limits of $50,000. This coverage pays for medical expenses, lost wages (up to $2,000 per month), and other reasonable expenses regardless of fault.
Serious Injury Threshold: To step outside the no-fault system and sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, the injured party must demonstrate a “serious injury” as defined by New York Insurance Law Section 5102(d). This includes death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, fractures, 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, significant limitation of use of a body function or system, or a medically determined injury that prevents the person from performing substantially all daily activities for at least 90 days during the 180 days following the accident.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: New York requires liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage (25/50/10). Additionally, $50,000 in PIP coverage and $25,000/$50,000 in uninsured motorist coverage are required.
Comparative Negligence: New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Injured parties can recover damages even if they are 99% at fault, though their recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault.
Labor Law Protections: New York Labor Law Sections 240 and 241(6) provide additional protections for workers injured in construction, demolition, and repair work due to elevation-related hazards and safety violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the deadline to file a car accident lawsuit in New York?
A: New York provides a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims from the date of the accident. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years from the date of death. Claims against government entities such as the City of Buffalo or New York State require a Notice of Claim to be filed within 90 days of the incident, and lawsuits must generally be filed within one year and 90 days. Missing these deadlines typically bars recovery.
Q: What is the “serious injury” threshold in New York car accident cases?
A: To sue for pain and suffering in New York (beyond no-fault benefits), you must prove a “serious injury” under Insurance Law Section 5102(d). This includes permanent injuries, significant limitations of use, fractures, disfigurement, or injuries preventing substantially all daily activities for 90 of the 180 days following the accident. Medical documentation is essential to establishing a serious injury. Without meeting this threshold, your recovery is limited to economic damages through the no-fault system.
Q: How does New York’s no-fault insurance system work?
A: Under the no-fault system, your own insurance company pays for your medical bills and lost wages (up to policy limits) regardless of who caused the accident. PIP coverage provides up to $50,000 in basic economic loss benefits. This system is designed to provide prompt payment without litigation for most accidents. However, if you sustain a “serious injury,” you can step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering and additional damages.
Q: Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident?
A: Yes. New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 40% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $60,000. Unlike some states, there is no threshold that bars recovery if you exceed a certain percentage of fault.
Q: What should I do immediately after a car accident in Buffalo?
A: Ensure safety and call 911 if there are injuries. Exchange insurance and contact information with other drivers. Document the scene with photographs. Collect witness information. Report the accident to police. Seek medical attention promptly, even if injuries seem minor. Report the accident to your insurance company to initiate your no-fault claim. Avoid admitting fault. Consider consulting with an attorney before providing recorded statements to any insurance company.