Buffalo Car Accident Lawyer
Countless car accidents occur each year in Buffalo. These accidents can cause victims to suffer physical pain, emotional distress, and financial hardship. Many of these accidents occur because a driver was acting carelessly or recklessly behind the wheel.
New York is a no-fault car insurance state. Accordingly, victims will typically have to file a claim with their own insurance company to recover damages related to a car accident. However, in cases where victims suffered serious injuries, claims may be brought against at-fault drivers.
If you were injured because of a car accident in Buffalo, get help recovering the compensation you deserve. Contact our experienced Buffalo car accident lawyers by calling The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 for a free case review.
Calculating Damages in Buffalo Car Accident Cases
Car accident victims in Buffalo can suffer a wide array of injuries. Accordingly, there are multiple categories of damages available in Buffalo car accident cases. The type and amount of damages awarded will depend on the circumstances surrounding a crash.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are financial losses related to a car accident. Common examples of economic losses include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Out-of-pocket expenses like household help
- Property damage
In most cases, you may only pursue economic damages by filing a claim with your own insurance policy. However, if you suffered serious injuries, you may bring a claim for economic damages against the driver who caused the crash. Furthermore, any claim for property damage related to a car accident may also be brought against the at-fault driver.
Lost wages and medical expenses are typically proven through pay stubs and medical bills. Property damage caused by a crash is determined using the cost of repair or replacement for your vehicle. Our experienced Buffalo car accident lawyers can help calculate the economic damages available in your case.
Non-economic Damages
In a no-fault car insurance claim under your own policy, you cannot receive compensation for pain and suffering or other non-monetary losses related to an accident. In order to recover for the physical pain and emotional distress related to a car accident, you must have suffered a serious injury. Only victims who suffered serious injuries will be allowed to step outside of no-fault and bring a claim for non-economic damages against the at-fault driver.
Calculating noneconomic damages is complex. Putting a value on victims’ physical pain and emotional distress can be difficult and subjective. Furthermore, defendants’ insurance companies will likely dispute your claim. Our Buffalo car accident lawyers can help fight for non-economic damages in your case.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages do not seek to compensate the victim for a loss. Rather, punitive damages serve to punish an especially negligent defendant and discourage similar behavior. If a driver’s actions were egregious or especially reckless, punitive damages may be awarded. There is no cap on punitive damages in New York car accident cases. The amount awarded will be depend on the level of negligence exhibited by a defendant.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Buffalo
There are many forms of careless and reckless behavior that lead to car accidents in Buffalo. When drivers fail to exercise reasonable care or follow traffic laws, serious injuries can occur. The following are common forms of negligent behavior that lead to car accidents in Buffalo:
Speeding
Speeding is a common cause of car accidents. Drivers who operate their vehicles at excessive speeds are often unable to react to situations on time. For example, many accidents are caused by drivers who are travelling to fast to stop before hitting the vehicle in front of them.
Additionally, accidents that occur at high speeds can lead to more serious injuries. The increase force involved in high-speed crashes can cause catastrophic harm. Our Buffalo car accident lawyers can help recover compensation after accidents caused by speeding drivers.
Driving Drunk
The availability of rideshare services has made it easier than ever for motorists to avoid driving drunk. Unfortunately, many car accidents are still caused by impaired drivers. Drunk drivers will exhibit blurry vision, poor reaction times, and reckless decision-making abilities. Therefore, drunk driving is extremely dangerous and is a common cause of car crashes in Buffalo.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents. Distracted driving constitutes any activity that takes a driver’s hands off the wheel, eyes off the road, or mind off the task of driving. The following are examples of activities that distract motorists in Buffalo:
- Texting
- Talking on the phone
- Scrolling through social media
- Using a GPS
- Adjusting a radio
- Eating
- Talking to other passengers
Our experienced Buffalo car accident lawyers can help recover monetary damages if you were injured because of a distracted driver.
Running Red Lights
Running through red lights is another common cause of car accidents in Buffalo. Some drivers inappropriately speed up when a light turns yellow in order to catch it. This activity can lead to collisions with vehicles travelling the opposite direction.
Reckless Driving
New York defines reckless driving as an activity that unreasonably interferes with the free and proper use of a public highway or unreasonably endangers the users of a public highway. For example, a motorist driving the wrong way down a one-way street may be charged with reckless driving. Victims of car accidents caused by reckless drivers may also be entitled to monetary compensation.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Unsafe lane changes can also lead to devastating car accidents. When another vehicle fails to use their turn signal or attempts to pass another without leaving adequate space, serious injuries can occur.
Defective Parts
Some car crashes are caused by defective parts such as bad brake systems. In other cases, a victim’s injuries can occur because of defective safety equipment such as faulty seatbelts or malfunctioning airbags. Our Buffalo car accident lawyers can help recover compensation for injuries sustained because of defective parts.
If You Were Injured Because of a Car Accident in Buffalo, Our Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured because of a car accident in Buffalo, seek assistance from our experienced Buffalo car accident lawyers by calling The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 for a free case review.