Car accident
Car Accident Attorneys in Rochester, New York
The firms in this guide
1. Faraci Lange, LLP
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, defective drugs and medical devices, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, no-fault insurance claims
Background: Faraci Lange has been serving Western New York since 1968 with over 50 years of experience. The firm has 12 lawyers selected for inclusion in the annual Upstate New York Super Lawyers list and 11 attorneys listed in Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury Law. The firm has been named a Best Law Firm in both Rochester and Buffalo for personal injury, medical malpractice, and product liability. Six attorneys have earned the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating. The firm operates as true trial lawyers fully prepared to represent clients through all stages of litigation.
Location: Rochester and Buffalo, NY
Contact: (888) 997-4110 | https://www.faraci.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee arrangement
2. Cellino Law
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, workplace injuries, slip and fall accidents, traumatic brain injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, no-fault insurance claims, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Cellino Law has a team of experienced personal injury attorneys dedicated to serving Rochester and ensuring justice for accident victims. The firm handles cases throughout New York State including Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany regions. The attorneys understand New York’s unique no-fault insurance system and serious injury threshold requirements, which affect when injured parties can pursue claims beyond no-fault benefits.
Location: Rochester, NY
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.cellinolaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
3. DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, product liability, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, defective product injuries, birth injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, no-fault insurance claims, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The attorneys at DeFrancisco & Falgiatano are passionate about advocating for accident victims throughout Rochester, Syracuse, and Upstate New York. Attorney Jeff DeFrancisco is a member of the Top 1% Trial Counsel and has extensive experience handling personal injury and medical malpractice cases. He has obtained some of the highest verdicts in Upstate New York. The firm provides personalized, results-oriented representation to help clients receive the compensation they deserve.
Location: Rochester and Syracuse, NY
Contact: (833) 200-2000 | https://www.defranciscolaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
4. John Wright Law Firm, PLLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, traumatic brain injuries, foot injuries, soft tissue injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, no-fault insurance claims, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: For over 20 years, attorney John K. Wright has fought and consistently beat insurance companies, recovering over $100 million for injured clients through trials and out-of-court settlements. John Wright has forced insurance companies to pay million-dollar trial verdicts and multi-million-dollar settlements after months of lowball offers. Notable results include a $2,100,000 recovery at trial for a teenager in a head-on car crash and a $1,100,000 recovery at mediation for a nurse injured in a T-bone accident. Attorney Wright has prior military law experience and provides personal attention to each case.
Location: Rochester, NY
Contact: (585) 632-2222 | https://johnwrightlawfirm.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
5. Friedman & Ranzenhofer, P.C.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, toxic exposure, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial vehicle accidents, nursing home negligence, construction accidents, defective product injuries, traumatic brain injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, no-fault insurance claims, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Friedman & Ranzenhofer has been representing Western New York clients injured in various types of accidents for over 70 years. The firm has over 30 years of focused experience in personal injury cases with notable success in maximizing settlements. The attorneys have an unparalleled reputation for aggressively assisting those injured as a result of medical malpractice due to errors by hospitals, nursing homes, doctors, and other medical staff. The firm represents individuals, stores, hotels, airports, businesses, drivers, property owners, and even governmental entities.
Location: Rochester, NY
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.legalsurvival.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless recovery is obtained)
The Serious Injury Threshold, State Claims and Scene Duties for Rochester Car Crashes
A Rochester 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 and limits that recovery for some at-fault drivers. A claim against the State over a state employee’s driving follows a ninety-day filing rule, and state law sets what the other driver had to do at the scene.
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.
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 State Vehicle
Under Court of Claims Act 10(3), a claim for personal injuries caused by the negligence of a state officer or employee acting as such must be filed and served on the attorney general within ninety days after accrual, unless a written notice of intention to file a claim is served within that time, in which case the claim must be filed and served within two years after accrual.
The Other Driver’s Duties 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. Under 600(1)(a), the same information is owed to the owner after a crash damaging property, or reported to the nearest police station or judicial officer if the owner is not present.
Rochester 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).
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, unless your share is greater than the defendants’. Under CPLR 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; otherwise, under (a), damages are diminished in proportion. For example, imagine $85,000 in damages and 35 percent of the culpable conduct on the injured driver: the recovery would be $55,250. Subsection (b) took effect May 26, 2026; for an earlier crash, confirm with counsel which version applies.
Is the car’s owner liable for the driver?
Yes, for a permitted driver. Under Vehicle and Traffic Law 388(1), every owner of a vehicle used or operated in New York is liable for injuries resulting from negligence in its use or operation by any person using or operating it with the owner’s express or implied permission.