If you have been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, like a car collision, a slip and fall in a parking lot or medical malpractice you may be entitled to claim compensation from the person or organization which caused your accident. A personal injury compensation claim helps to ensure you aren’t financially disadvantaged due to your accident. The payment normally comes from the insurer of the person or agency that caused your accident. However, the process isn’t always straightforward and help from a personal injury attorney ensures you get the compensation you are entitled to.
Choosing a Personal Injury Attorney in Buffalo
You have many options when it comes to the presence of personal injury lawyers in Buffalo, as there are over 600 who specialize in this type of legal work. You must ensure that the one you choose is licensed to handle personal injury claims.
Typical Injuries in Buffalo
Injuries in Buffalo are most likely to be caused in a motor vehicle accident. Personal injury attorneys handle more auto accident claims and lawsuits than any other type of accident. The other causes of accidents and serious injuries are motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, construction site accidents, pedestrian accidents and accidents involving trucks and buses.
The injuries from these sorts of accidents can be anything from whiplash to spinal injuries that can cause lifelong dependency on others. Auto accidents are typically caused by driver negligence, such as using a cell phone, being intoxicated, running a red light and eating and drinking.
The Personal Injury Claim Process in New York
New York State is a no-fault car accident state. This typically means if you sustain an injury in an auto accident in Buffalo, you are only entitled to file a personal injury claim with the insurer of the person who caused the accident if your injuries are serious.
The amount will be calculated based on medical expenses, loss of earnings, and other costs, such as home care, regardless of who caused the accident. The insurance company must pay up to $50,000 for any economic losses like medical bills, loss of wages, and any other expenses due to the accident. It is essential to file a no-fault application with the insurer as soon as possible. This is because the statute of limitations for this type of claim is no more than three years.
The first step to a personal injury lawsuit is to lodge a summons and complaint with the court and pay the filing fee of $210.00. The court issues a unique index number which is used by it to keep track of each case. The defendant is informed that he has to appear within 20 to 30 days to address the plaintiff. In the meantime, negotiations may occur between the parties to agree on an out of court settlement.
The court in Buffalo that handles personal injury lawsuits is Erie County Court, Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, which is open weekdays until late afternoon.
Use a Free Claim Evaluation to Find a Suitable Personal injury Attorney
It can be unnerving when you have to choose a suitable lawyer, even when you know that you should use a lawyer with personal injury experience. You can use our free claim form which is available to complete below. The choice of a suitable attorney should be made early on, if possible, bearing in mind the time limits imposed in New York on compensation claims.
Additional Resources
New York Personal Injury Attorneys
Personal Injury Claims in New York
