Truck accident
Truck Accident Attorneys in Buffalo, New York
The firms in this guide
- Fromen Injury Law Call Fromen Injury Law: (716) 855-1222
- Cantor, Wolff, Nicastro & Hall LLC (Buffalo Injury Law) Call Cantor, Wolff, Nicastro & Hall LLC (Buffalo Injury Law): (716) 848-8000
- O'Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Call O'Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers: (716) 222-2222
- The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. Call The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.: (716) 839-3939
- William Mattar Law Offices Call William Mattar Law Offices: (844) 444-4444
1. Fromen Injury Law
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, big rig accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on truck collisions, cargo spill accidents, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving truck accidents, drunk driving truck accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, electronic logging device (ELD) data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims, punitive damage claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Over 60 years of experience helping accident victims recover justice and compensation. Firm has recovered more than $300 million in verdicts and settlements for clients. Experience handling complex trucking litigation throughout Buffalo and New York State.
Location: Buffalo, New York
Contact: (716) 855-1222 | https://www.fromenlaw.com/truck-accident-lawyer/
Consultation: Free case evaluation
2. Cantor, Wolff, Nicastro & Hall LLC (Buffalo Injury Law)
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on truck collisions, cargo accidents, brake failure accidents, driver fatigue accidents, speeding truck accidents, hours of service violations
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, trucking company record investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: More than 100 years of combined experience among the legal team. Reputation for winning cases at trial. Experience taking on trucking companies and their insurers. Provides one-on-one attention to clients throughout the claims process.
Location: Buffalo, New York
Contact: (716) 848-8000 | https://www.buffalolaw.com/truck-accident-lawyer/
Consultation: Free case review
3. O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on truck collisions, cargo accidents, brake failure accidents, driver fatigue accidents, FMCSR violations
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, black box recorder analysis, maintenance records review, hours of service logs examination, witness statements gathering, trucking industry expert consultation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, punitive damage claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Recognized as one of the Top 50 law firms in upstate New York by Super Lawyers. Over 80 years of combined experience. Firm has recovered over $100 million for clients. Knowledge of New York pure comparative negligence system and FMCSA regulations.
Location: 4549 Main St Suite 201, Buffalo, NY 14226
Contact: (716) 222-2222 | https://obrienandford.com/buffalo-truck-accident-lawyer/
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee structure, available 7 days a week from 7am to 7pm
4. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, Amazon delivery vehicle accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on truck collisions, driver fatigue accidents (falling asleep at wheel), hours of service violations, electronic logging device violations
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, logbook scrutiny, black box data analysis, ELD rule compliance investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Jed Dietrich, Esq. is founder and has settled many cases for $1 million or more for injuries caused by negligent truck drivers. Experience with ELD rule compliance issues that took effect December 2017. Knowledge of New York State truck accident statistics and trends.
Location: Buffalo, New York
Contact: (716) 839-3939 | https://www.calljed.com/truck-accident.html
Consultation: Available 24/7, no fee until winning the case
5. William Mattar Law Offices
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on truck collisions, cargo accidents, brake failure accidents, driver fatigue accidents, negligent trucking company accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, evidence gathering, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations with trucking companies and equipment manufacturers, government entity claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Years of experience working on behalf of victims injured by negligent truck drivers and trucking companies. Knowledge of complex vehicle accident case navigation. Team includes experienced attorneys and staff available 24/7.
Location: Buffalo, New York
Contact: (844) 444-4444 | https://williammattar.com/buffalo-truck-accident-lawyer/
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7, attorneys can meet at home or hospital
Driver Qualifications, Weekly Hours and Shared Liability in Buffalo Truck Crash Claims
In a Buffalo truck crash, the driver’s qualification file, the past week’s duty hours and the carrier’s records and inspections are federal questions. New York law then limits a less culpable defendant’s share of non-economic damages, caps non-economic loss for some at-fault injured drivers, and requires a notice of claim before suing the city.
Who May Drive
Except as provided in subpart G, 49 CFR 391.11(b) qualifies a person to drive a commercial motor vehicle only if the person is at least 21, can read and speak English sufficiently, can safely operate the vehicle by experience or training, is physically qualified, holds one currently valid commercial license, is not disqualified and has completed a road test or presented an accepted equivalent.
Weekly Hours, Records and Inspection
Under 49 CFR 395.3(b), a property-carrying driver may not drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days if the carrier does not operate every day, or after 70 hours in 8 consecutive days if it does; 395.3(c) allows a restart after 34 or more consecutive hours off duty. Under 395.8(k)(1), duty-status records are kept at least 6 months, under 390.15(b) the accident register is kept for 3 years, and under 396.17 each commercial motor vehicle must have passed a periodic inspection within the preceding 12 months.
More Than One Defendant
Under CPLR 1601(1), when two or more tortfeasors are jointly liable and a defendant’s liability is found to be 50 percent or less of the total, that defendant’s liability for non-economic loss may not exceed its equitable share based on relative culpability, subject to the exceptions in the article.
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.
Buffalo Truck Accident Questions
How long do I have to sue the carrier?
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 $180,000 in damages and 45 percent of the culpable conduct on the injured driver: the recovery would be $99,000. Subsection (b) has applied since May 26, 2026; ask counsel which version covers a crash before then.
What if a city truck or road was involved?
Under General Municipal Law 50-e(1)(a), a notice of claim must be served within ninety days after the claim arises, and under 50-i(1) the action against the city must be commenced within one year and ninety days after the event, after at least 30 days have passed since service without adjustment.