Car accidents are a distressing reality, and in a bustling city like Buffalo, NY, they are unfortunately not uncommon. If you’ve been involved in a car crash, you’re likely facing a whirlwind of challenges – from dealing with injuries and vehicle damage to navigating complex insurance claims. During this stressful time, understanding your rights and options is crucial. This is where a car accident lawyer in Buffalo, NY can be an invaluable asset.
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At William Mattar, we are dedicated to assisting car accident victims. With years of experience serving the Buffalo community and surrounding areas, our legal team understands the unique challenges you face after a collision. We focus exclusively on accident claims, and our experienced car accident lawyers are committed to helping you secure the best possible outcome for your case.
Buffalo, and Erie County in general, sees a significant number of traffic accidents each year. According to the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee data from 2012, Erie County witnessed over 16,000 traffic accidents, resulting in more than 8,000 injuries. Within Buffalo itself, over 3,000 individuals were injured in motor vehicle crashes. Adding to these statistics, Allstate’s “Best Drivers” report in 2018 ranked Buffalo as the 144th safest city out of 200 largest U.S. cities, indicating a higher likelihood of accidents compared to safer cities nationwide. The report further suggested that, based on claim data, a driver in Buffalo is statistically likely to experience a collision every 7.4 years, which is more frequent than the national average of once every 10 years.
Why Choose a Car Accident Lawyer Focused on Buffalo?
Navigating the aftermath of a car accident requires specific knowledge, especially concerning New York State laws and local Buffalo procedures. At William Mattar, car accident law is our primary focus. We understand the confusion and uncertainty you may be experiencing, because we assist car crash victims in Buffalo and across New York State every single day.
Whether you are a driver, passenger, pedestrian, motorcyclist, or bicyclist injured in a Buffalo car accident, our experienced attorneys are prepared to help you with your injury claim. The sooner you reach out to us, the better we can begin working on your behalf. Our dedicated legal team will diligently pursue the injury settlement you need to cover your losses and facilitate your recovery. We can expertly guide you through the complexities of the New York no-fault insurance system to ensure your medical bills, including Medicaid, and lost wages are appropriately addressed.
Over the years, our law firm has successfully recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We leverage our in-depth knowledge of New York car injury law to maximize your chances of achieving the best possible results in your claim. Choosing a law firm that specializes in motor vehicle accidents, like William Mattar, means you have a dedicated advocate to protect your best interests, whether through skillful negotiation for a fair settlement or, if necessary, through litigation.
Are you searching for the best car accident lawyer in Buffalo, NY? Before you accept any settlement offer from an insurance company, we encourage you to speak with a member of our experienced team. With over 30 years of dedicated experience fighting for the rights of car crash victims throughout New York State, William Mattar is a name you can trust. Contact us now for a free consultation with a knowledgeable Buffalo car accident attorney at 844-noswap444-4444.
Essential Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Buffalo
Being involved in a car accident can be disorienting and overwhelming. Taking the right steps immediately following a crash is vital to protect your health and strengthen any potential legal claims. Here’s a guide to follow:
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Prioritize Medical Attention: Your immediate priority after a car accident should be your health. Seek medical attention as quickly as possible, even if you don’t feel severely injured immediately. Some car crash injuries, such as internal injuries or whiplash, may not present immediate symptoms. Delaying medical evaluation can not only worsen your condition but also complicate your injury claim. Seeking prompt medical care establishes a crucial record of your injuries, linking them directly to the accident.
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Contact the Buffalo Police Department: It is essential to call the police to the scene of your car accident. The responding Buffalo Police Department officer will create an official police report documenting the critical details of the crash. This police report is a valuable piece of evidence and can contain information vital to your case, such as the officer’s assessment of fault, witness statements, and accident details. Obtain a copy of this report for your records and for your Car Accident Lawyer Buffalo Ny.
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Gather Information at the Scene: If you are able to do so safely, collect pertinent information at the accident scene. This includes:
- Contact Information: Obtain names, phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, and insurance details from all drivers involved in the accident and any passengers.
- Witness Information: Gather contact details from any witnesses to the accident. Witness testimonies can be crucial in establishing the sequence of events and determining fault.
- Vehicle Information: Record the make, model, and license plate numbers of all vehicles involved.
- Photographs: If possible, take photos of vehicle damage, accident scene, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Statements: Carefully note any statements made by other drivers or witnesses at the scene. These statements can sometimes indicate fault or provide valuable insights.
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Notify Your Insurance Company: Promptly contact your own insurance company to report the car accident. They will initiate a claim file for your accident. Be prepared to complete necessary forms and documentation within specified deadlines. It is crucial to be cautious about signing any documents from any insurance company without first consulting with an experienced car accident lawyer in Buffalo, NY. Insurance companies may attempt to minimize payouts, and legal counsel can protect you from inadvertently undermining your claim.
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Consult with a Buffalo Car Accident Lawyer: Engaging a car accident lawyer in Buffalo, NY, like William Mattar, is one of the most crucial steps you can take to protect your rights and maximize your compensation. A skilled attorney can guide you through the complexities of insurance claims, handle communication with insurance adjusters, and ensure all necessary paperwork is correctly filed. Insurance companies often offer initial settlements that are significantly lower than what you are rightfully entitled to. A car accident lawyer can assess the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and negotiate for a fair and just settlement on your behalf. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will be prepared to litigate your case in court to protect your rights.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Buffalo, NY
Several factors contribute to car accidents in Buffalo. Understanding these common causes can highlight the risks on Buffalo roads:
Drunk Driving
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Driving under the influence of alcohol is a reckless and dangerous act that tragically leads to numerous car accidents in Buffalo and Western New York each year. Despite public awareness campaigns and legal consequences, drunk driving remains a persistent problem, causing serious injuries and fatalities. Drunk drivers are responsible for hundreds of crashes annually in our region, devastating families and communities.
If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, you have the right to seek financial compensation for your losses. This can include compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other accident-related damages. A car accident lawyer in Buffalo, NY, specializing in drunk driving accidents, can help you pursue the full compensation you deserve from the negligent drunk driver.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Exceeding speed limits and driving recklessly are other major contributors to car accidents in Buffalo. Speed limits are carefully established to ensure safety, considering factors like pedestrian traffic, residential density, and business presence. When drivers disregard speed limits and engage in reckless behaviors, they significantly increase the risk of accidents for everyone on the road.
High-speed car accidents often result in severe injuries requiring extensive and long-term medical treatment. If you have been injured due to a speeding or reckless driver, a car accident lawyer in Buffalo, NY at William Mattar can handle all aspects of your case. We will manage all paperwork, navigate court processes, and fight to ensure you are not burdened by the stressful consequences of another driver’s negligence.
Hazardous Weather Conditions
Buffalo and its surrounding suburbs are known for experiencing frequent and often unpredictable weather changes. Inclement weather, such as rain, ice, snow, and sleet, dramatically increases driving hazards. Slick roads and reduced visibility due to weather conditions are significant factors in many Buffalo car accidents. “Lake effect snow,” a common phenomenon in Buffalo, can rapidly transform dry roads into treacherous, snow-covered surfaces, often catching drivers unprepared. Extreme weather events, including high winds and ice storms, can also create additional hazards by leaving debris like tree branches and power lines on roadways. Drivers must adjust their driving habits to account for these frequently changing and challenging weather conditions to prevent accidents.
Types of Car Accidents and Potential for Serious Injury
While any car accident can result in injuries, certain types of collisions carry a higher risk of serious harm. Factors like speed, airbag deployment, seatbelt use, collision angle, and vehicle type all influence injury severity. Two particularly dangerous types of car accidents are head-on collisions and T-bone (side-impact) collisions:
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are among the most devastating types of car accidents, especially when vehicles are traveling at high speeds. The force of impact in a head-on collision is often extreme, leading to severe injuries. Common injuries resulting from head-on collisions include:
- Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Fractured Bones
- Internal Organ Damage
Even at lower speeds, head-on collisions can cause whiplash, a painful condition involving strain and inflammation of neck and upper back muscles. Whiplash symptoms can include intense neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and a burning sensation. Beyond physical pain, whiplash can also lead to insomnia, fatigue, memory issues, and muscle spasms.
T-Bone (Side-Impact) Collisions
T-bone car accidents occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, often at intersections when a driver disregards traffic signals or stop signs. T-bone collisions are particularly dangerous because the side of a vehicle offers less structural protection compared to the front or rear. Common injuries associated with side-impact collisions include:
- Neck and Back Injuries
- Head and Brain Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Internal Injuries
Victims of T-bone car crashes can also experience emotional trauma, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Understanding the Statute of Limitations in New York for Car Accidents
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The statute of limitations is a critical New York State law that sets a time limit for filing a lawsuit after a car accident injury. This time limit is not indefinite, and failing to file a lawsuit within the specified period can permanently bar you from seeking compensation.
The statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits in Buffalo, NY, can vary based on the specifics of the case. For most personal injury lawsuits arising from a car accident (involving drivers, passengers, pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists, etc.), the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident.
However, there are exceptions:
- Minors: If the injured party is under 18 years old, the three-year statute of limitations is tolled (delayed) until their 18th birthday.
- Wrongful Death: In cases involving fatalities, the family or representative of the deceased has two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit in New York.
- Government Entities: If the accident was caused by a municipality or government agency (e.g., a poorly maintained road), the statute of limitations is significantly shorter, potentially one year or less. Furthermore, there may be an even shorter “notice of claim” requirement, demanding you notify the government entity of your intent to sue within a very brief timeframe (e.g., 90 days).
Given the complexities and potential exceptions, it is imperative to consult with a car accident lawyer in Buffalo, NY, as soon as possible after an accident to determine the applicable statute of limitations in your specific case and ensure you do not miss critical deadlines.
Contact Experienced Buffalo Car Accident Lawyers at William Mattar
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in Buffalo, don’t hesitate to seek legal help. Call William Mattar. Our attorneys possess extensive legal experience and a deep understanding of New York car accident laws. Let us be your advocate and protect your rights. Put our knowledge and dedication to work for you today. Get a seasoned personal injury lawyer from William Mattar on your side.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car crash, contact our personal injury attorneys at William Mattar today. Call us at 844-noswap444-4444 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. You can also easily reach out by filling out our free initial consultation form online – it’s quick and convenient. We are here to help you navigate this challenging time and fight for the compensation you deserve.
