Accident attorneys in Buffalo NY can assist individuals in grasping their legal choices following an accident, injury or any other accident. It is crucial to find the right lawyer, as an accident case can involve insurance companies, medical costs, lost wages, property damage, and a person’s day-to-day lifestyle for such a long time afterward.
Reliable is a term that has different definitions for different people. Others would prefer a car accident attorney with extensive experience in handling auto accidents. Others may require the assistance of a bicycle accident lawyer, truck accident lawyer, or personal injury attorney who has experience in coping with serious injuries. Typically, it’s about the type of accident, extent of the injuries, evidence available, and the lawyer’s experience in handling comparable cases.
The following 20 Buffalo-area law firms and legal practices are options to research when looking for representation. This list is not a legal ranking or a guarantee of results. Before hiring anyone, review their current practice areas, experience, fees, communication process, and whether they handle cases similar to yours.
1. Legal Assist
Legal Assist is a Buffalo-based law firm that claims to assist with accident and personal injury cases. According to its website, it specializes in car accident law, personal injury law and accident claims, and it claims to serve Buffalo and Western New York. The company claims that it is able to provide case evaluations free of charge for personal injury and accident cases.
If an individual is looking for lawyers for accident claims, Legal Assist will be one of the firms to reach out to for a consultation regarding the event of an accident. Inquire about the kind of lawyer that would be working on your case, how the investigation would work, and the fee arrangement.
2. Cellino Law Injury Attorneys
Cellino Law has offices in Buffalo and works with personal injury cases, such as those arising from automobile or truck accidents. As detailed on its listing at Buffalo, it offers claims for personal injury and motor vehicle accidents and offers information on free consultations.
Inquire about a person’s personal interest in managing the case with the firm’s experience with other car accident attorneys in Buffalo. Compare the firm’s experience with other attorneys in Buffalo and ask who will personally be handling the case.
3. William Mattar Law Offices
William Mattar Law Offices’ primary practice is motor vehicle accident cases and they are based in Buffalo. The Buffalo profile lists the following practice areas: car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, rideshare and motor vehicle accident.
The focus could lead someone to the firm that they are specifically looking for, which handles car accident cases, truck accident cases, or lawyers who specialize in other motor vehicle-related injuries.
4. Faraci Lange, LLP
Faraci Lange is a Buffalo personal injury firm dedicated to a wide spectrum of accidents. Some of the practice areas mentioned on its website are bicycle accidents, car accidents, construction accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, slip-and-fall claims, and wrongful death.
The firm boasts a decade-long history of representing injured patients in Buffalo and the rest of New York. It also includes information regarding free, confidential consultations and contingency fees.
5. Collins & Collins
Collins & Collins is an other broad practice, Buffalo-based personal injury firm. On its motor vehicle accident page it says that they are able to assist with car, truck, motorcycle, rideshare, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents.
It is also featured as construction accidents, workers’ compensation, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death and slip and fall cases on its practice information pages.
This is a range that can be helpful if there are multiple legal concerns in an accident.
6. Sullivan & Brill, LLP
Sullivan & Brill has offices in Buffalo and serves clients in personal injury cases throughout Erie County and Western New York from Fountain Plaza. It has a Buffalo practice with a focus on car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle and bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, construction accidents, premises liability and wrongful death.
The firm claims that it’s attorney-led in Buffalo and that you won’t be required to pay any fee to the attorney if they aren’t able to secure compensation for you. The prospective customer should check with the firm on the terms and fees currently in effect for any given case.
7. The Barnes Firm
The Barnes Firm has a Buffalo injury practice that handles motor vehicle accidents and other injury cases. According to its Buffalo car accident page, its lawyers will defend those who have been involved in an automobile, truck, motorcycle and bicycle accident.
It also provides bicycle accident legal representation and accident scene investigation, handling insurance claims, and litigating these accidents as appropriate.
Therefore, searchers for a Buffalo car accident attorney may wish to consider the firm in their list of choices.
8. Rosenthal, Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP
Rosenthal, Kooshoian & Lennon has an office in Buffalo and is able to manage personal injury situations related to accidents. It has a dedicated bicycle accident page where it spells out representation for bicyclists injured by drivers as well as its broader Buffalo car accident and personal injury services.
The firm is also listed on its published website at 80 West Huron Street in Buffalo. If injured while riding a bicycle, request that the attorney’s practice experience include bicycle crashes, insurance claims, and bicycle/vehicle evidence.
9. Andrews, Bernstein & Maranto, PLLC
Andrews, Bernstein & Maranto is located on Franklin Street in Buffalo and works with personal injury and auto accident cases. Car, Truck, Motorcycle, Bicycle, Bus, and Pedestrian Accidents are featured in Legal Directories under the firm’s practice areas.
The firm also works on other injury-related issues such as construction accidents, product liability, premises liability, and dog bite lawsuits. This is a more general experience which may be useful if the accident is comprised of several possible sources of liability.
10. DeFrancisco & Falgiatano LLP
DeFrancisco & Falgiatano has a Buffalo office, and they have been registered to deal with personal injury and motor vehicle accident cases. An up-to-date legal directory will outline automobile accidents, motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents, and also other areas of personal injury among the services.
When comparing this firm with other Buffalo injury attorney options, inquire if the attorney has experience in your accident type, and if the attorney routinely files injury cases in litigation.
11. Mazzu Law PLLC
Mazzu Law is a Buffalo personal injury law firm located in Fountain Plaza. As of this writing, its legal directory profile includes practice areas of construction accidents and car accidents and states it offers free consultations.
If you were injured in a vehicle accident in addition to having a legal question or issue, inquire about how the firm would handle liability, insurance, and damages.
12. The Law Office of John V. Elmore, P.C.
The Law Office of John V. Elmore is located at Main Street in Buffalo, New York and is included in legal directories for personal injury and auto accident cases. Its directory listing also notes that it specializes in motor vehicle accidents and wrongful death cases.
If the incident is serious, potential clients should enquire about who will be involved in negotiations, whether litigation will be handled, and how the firm will keep them informed about the case.
13. Feroleto Law
Feroleto Law is a personal injury law firm in Buffalo, NY, with a focus on a variety of accident cases. Some of the current legal-firm information provides practice areas of car and truck accidents, traumatic brain injuries, bicycle accident injuries and other personal injury practices.
The firm says it has experience handling injured persons and families and will consult with medical experts, investigators and other consultants in the course of building cases.
14. The Small Law Firm
The Small Law Firm has offices in Buffalo and handles personal injury cases. For example, motorcycle accidents are listed as cases on the current legal-directory information, as are car and bicycle accidents, and other personal injury cases like medical malpractice and nursing home abuse.
Should you be searching for a bike accident lawyer or car accident attorney, you can inquire with the agency how often they deal with issues similar to yours.
15. Edelman, Krasin & Jaye PLLC
Edelman, Krasin & Jaye PLLC is included in the list of Buffalo personal injury law firms. Its current legal directory suggests practice areas such as car accidents, truck accidents, and personal injury.
When choosing any lawyer, be sure to ask questions, such as how often the lawyer represents clients in cases involving serious injuries, insurance issues, and litigation.
16. Bailey & Galyen Attorneys at Law
According to their listings, Bailey & Galyen serves both Buffalo and Erie County and is a personal injury attorney. It currently has an automobile accident and truck accident profile in its personal injury practice areas.
When looking for an attorney to help with a car accident involving a commercial vehicle, you can compare the attorney’s experience with commercial vehicle cases, how they investigate them and the fees they charge.
17. Chelus, Herdzik, Speyer & Monte, P.C.
Chelus, Herdzik, Speyer & Monte has an office on Main Street in Buffalo and is in the directory for car accidents. Its legal-directory profile identifies automobile accidents along with numerous other areas of law.
Firms may specialize in different areas of practice and an injured party should check with the attorney he or she sees regularly to determine whether he or she works primarily with plaintiff-side accident cases.
18. Pillinger Miller Tarallo, LLP
Pillinger Miller Tarallo is one of the Buffalo-based firms that are handling cases concerning an auto accident or a personal injury. Just its legal-directory profile points to automobile accidents, construction and labour law, premises liability and more.
This may be something to investigate if the incident involves a workplace, construction site, property owner, or other potential liable party as well as the vehicle driver.
19. TopDog Law
TopDog Law’s Buffalo office is on Delaware Avenue. It currently has a legal status of personal injury lawyers covering car accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death cases and brain injuries.
The company has a wider network and should thus be assessed on the basis of the attorney and representation structure which is provided for your specific situation. Discuss with them who will be your primary point of contact, and who will do negotiations or litigate.
20. Buffalo Law
Buffalo Law offers personal injury coverage for injury victims in New York and has a number of services listed that cover personal injuries. According to its website, its lawyers help those who have been injured in an accident with issues like medical providers and communication with insurance companies.
If you are looking at one Buffalo injury attorney compared to another attorney or two, ask the attorney about his/her specific experience with your type of accident, and what services they will include in your representation.
How to Choose Buffalo NY Lawyers for Accident Claims
Several names are just a first step in the process. You still need to decide on which lawyer is right for you.
1. Match the Lawyer to Your Accident
Find a lawyer who specializes in the type of case you’re dealing with.
For example:
- Car crash → car accident lawyer
- Commercial vehicle crash → truck accident lawyer
- Bicycle collision → bicycle accident lawyer
- Pedestrian collision → pedestrian accident attorney
- Workplace accident → personal injury and workers’ compensation experience
- Serious injury → injury attorney with relevant litigation experience
- Fatal accident → wrongful death attorney
An attorney who specializes in a particular type of case may have a different perspective on your case than a general practice attorney.
2. Ask About Similar Cases
Don’t be afraid to ask the lawyer how often he or she has dealt with an accident similar to yours.
If you have been in a truck collision, inquire about commercial vehicle cases, for instance. Extra evidence may exist in a truck accident case, and there could be more than one at fault, including the driver, trucking company, vehicle owner, maintenance company, or insurance company.
Similarly, bicycle accidents may present some other concerns than standard auto accidents.
3. Understand the Fee Arrangement
A lot of personal injury lawyers charge on a contingency fee basis, and it’s all if they agree to this kind of arrangement.
Ask:
- Is there an upfront attorney fee?
- What percentage is charged?
- Are expenses deducted separately?
- What happens if the case is unsuccessful?
- Who pays litigation expenses?
- Are there additional costs for expert witnesses?
- When are fees collected?
Avoid only verbal explanations. Do read the agreement in writing before signing.
4. Ask Who Will Handle Your Case
A firm can employ more than one attorney, paralegal, investigator, and case manager.
Inquire about who your first point of contact will be and if you’ll have the ability to contact an attorney directly.
This is particularly relevant when it comes to a complex accident claim that could take months or even years to be resolved.
5. Check Communication
However, with good communication the legal process may be easier to understand.
At your first consultation, see if the lawyer is able to clearly communicate and respond directly to your questions.
Inquire about the frequency of updates and if they will be sent over the phone, email, online portal, or other communication.
6. Review the Evidence
A lawyer should be familiar with the evidence that could be helpful in the case of an accident.
This may be any of the following or other types of evidence:
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Photographs
- Video footage
- Witness statements
- Vehicle damage
- Accident-scene evidence
- Insurance documents
- Employment records
- Expert opinions
- Electronic or vehicle data
Do not delete photos, text, videos, or other information about the incident.
What Types of Accident Claims Can a Lawyer Handle?
There are many situations in which a lawyer is dealing with an accident claim.
Car Accidents
A car accident attorney can assist with car accidents between two passenger vehicles, traffic intersections, rear-end collisions, distracted driving, and more.
Truck Accidents
A Buffalo auto accident lawyer search may result in lawyers who deal with commercial vehicle collisions. In cases of these accidents, other parties may be involved, and evidence may be more extensive than in a typical car accident.
Bicycle Accidents
A bicycle accident lawyer can help injured cyclists with claims regarding bicycle accidents involving cars and other causes. Bicycle accident attorneys in Buffalo can also have to manage New York no-fault insurance matters and liability matters.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians can suffer serious injuries when involved in vehicle collisions. An attorney can examine the driver’s actions, traffic, crime scene evidence, and insurance coverage.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accident claims may involve serious injuries and disputes as to how the accident occurred. Don’t assume that all personal injury attorneys are experienced in motorcycle cases; look for an attorney who has experience in motorcycle cases.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Not all accidents are car-related. Under certain circumstances and laws, property owners could be held liable if they are responsible for the injury due to unsafe conditions.
Workplace and Construction Accidents
Workers’ compensation, third-party liability, or other legal issues may arise from construction and workplace accidents. Depending on the circumstances of the accident and its location, the proper attorney could vary.
What Should You Do After an Accident in Buffalo?
Safety and medical help are the first considerations after an accident.
If injured, obtain proper medical attention. Take pictures of the accident if possible and obtain the other party’s contact and insurance information.
Don’t make a statement to an insurance company before knowing what has happened. You can fill in the necessary details, but more complex claims may require legal advice.
Maintain medical records, bills, repair estimates, photographs, correspondence, and other documents pertaining to the accident.
If you decide to speak with a Buffalo car accident attorney or another injury lawyer, bringing these documents to the consultation can make the conversation more productive.
What About Lawyers for Veterans?
Veterans can also find a different section of the law in which lawyers in the same category can offer help.
In Buffalo, veterans might require veterans benefits attorneys, disability lawyers, military lawyers, or other veterans law attorneys. Attorneys and firms providing Buffalo legal assistance for veterans benefits and military law cases are currently listed in legal directories.
When a veteran is injured in an accident involving a car, it’s crucial to recognize the personal injury claim from any VA or military benefits claim. A lawyer who’s working with the accident might not work with veterans’ benefits.
Therefore, question each attorney on whether they are able to deal with both concerns, or if a different professional might be needed.
Final Thoughts
Finding Buffalo NY lawyers for accident claims requires more than searching for the first law firm that appears online. Start by identifying the type of accident and injury, then compare attorneys who regularly handle similar cases. Whether you need a car accident lawyer, truck accident attorneys, bicycle accident lawyer, or general lawyer for personal injury, ask about experience, fees, communication, evidence, and the expected legal process. Legal Assist is one Buffalo option to research first as requested, while the other firms listed above provide additional options for comparison. Before signing an agreement, make sure you understand the attorney’s role, fee arrangement, and the services included in your representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When should I contact Buffalo NY lawyers for accident claims?
Contacting an attorney early can help preserve evidence, understand insurance requirements, and identify important deadlines that may affect your claim.
2. What does a car accident attorney actually do?
A car accident attorney can investigate the crash, communicate with insurers, evaluate damages, negotiate claims, and represent you if litigation becomes necessary.
3. Do I need a lawyer for a minor car accident?
Not every minor accident requires an attorney, but legal advice may help if injuries, disputed fault, or insurance problems develop.
4. How do I find a truck accident lawyer Buffalo residents can contact?
Look for attorneys who specifically handle commercial truck crashes and ask about their experience with trucking companies and complex accident evidence.
5. Can a bicycle accident lawyer help if the driver denies fault?
Yes. A lawyer can investigate available evidence, including photographs, witnesses, traffic information, vehicle damage, and other relevant records.
6. What should I bring to an injury attorney consultation?
Bring accident reports, medical records, photographs, insurance information, bills, witness details, and correspondence related to the accident.
7. Can an attorney negotiate directly with the insurance company?
Depending on your representation agreement, your attorney can generally handle communications and negotiations with insurers on your behalf.
8. What is a contingency fee?
A contingency arrangement generally means attorney fees depend on recovering compensation, but the exact percentage and expenses vary by agreement.
9. Can I change lawyers during an accident claim?
Changing attorneys may be possible, but the consequences depend on your representation agreement and the stage of the case. Obtain legal advice first.
10. What if the other driver has no insurance?
An attorney can review your insurance coverage and the circumstances to determine what potential sources of compensation may be available.