Economic & Non-Economic Damages in Buffalo Personal Injury Cases

The Fight You Never Asked For

Getting hurt in an accident isn’t just painful—it turns your world upside down. 

Bills pile up. Your job’s on the line. Sleep? Forget about it. And while you’re drowning in stress, the insurance company is scheming to pay you as little as possible.

You didn’t ask for this fight, but here you are. And if you’re not careful, you could walk away with far less than you deserve. The Buffalo personal injury lawyers at Horn Wright, LLP, make sure that doesn’t happen. 

As a trusted law firm in Buffalo fighting for residents’ rights for decades, we go after every dollar you’re owed, from medical bills to the pain that keeps you up at night. Because  justice isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about making you whole again.

Dollars and Desperation: What Economic Damages Really Mean

Let’s talk about the money. After an accident, the costs hit fast and hard. They don’t just stop at hospital bills—your entire financial future is on the line. If you’re facing a growing pile of expenses, here’s what’s at stake:

• Medical expenses – A single ER visit at Erie County Medical Center can cost thousands. Add in surgeries, rehab, prescriptions, and follow-up appointments? You’re looking at a financial nightmare. If you need lifelong care, those costs can climb into the millions.
• Lost wages – Can’t work? That paycheck disappears, but the bills don’t. And if your injury is permanent? You’re losing not just wages but an entire career’s worth of income. The average salary loss from a disability? Around $42,000 a year.
• Property damage – Car wrecks on I-190 aren’t just scary—they’re expensive. Repairs can run between $3,000 and $10,000, and sometimes, replacing your vehicle is the only option.
• Future financial strain – What happens next year? Five years from now? Home modifications, mobility aids, in-home care—it all adds up. Some spinal cord injury victims end up with over $1 million in lifetime care costs.

Insurance companies love to downplay these numbers. 

They’ll argue some of your costs aren’t “necessary.” That’s why you need a rock-solid claim, backed by every receipt and future expense. 

You’re not just fighting for today—you’re fighting to secure your financial future.

Pain, Trauma & Sleepless Nights: The Damages No One Sees

Not all injuries show up on an X-ray. Some haunt you in ways no doctor can fix. 

Maybe you flinch every time you hear brakes screech. Maybe you can’t stand to get behind the wheel. Maybe the pain is so bad you can’t pick up your kids.

These kinds of damages don’t come with a price tag, but they’re real. 

• Physical pain and suffering – Chronic pain is a life sentence. Nearly 50 million Americans deal with it, and if your accident left you hurting every day, you shouldn’t have to just “tough it out.”
• Emotional distress – Anxiety. Depression. PTSD. Over 40% of car crash survivors develop PTSD, and it can wreck your ability to live a normal life.
• Loss of enjoyment of life – Used to love hiking at Delaware Park? Playing with your kids? What if you can’t anymore? That loss is worth something.
• Loss of companionship – When injuries change how you connect with your spouse, kids, or friends, it affects your relationships in ways no one prepares you for.

Insurance companies hate these claims because they’re hard to quantify. But just because your suffering isn’t on a spreadsheet doesn’t mean it isn’t real. 

We make sure they take every ounce of your pain seriously. If you’re looking for car crash legal representation in Buffalo, we’ll fight to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.

The Insurance Game: How They Trick You Into Taking Less

So how do they decide what your pain is “worth”? Two ways:

1. Multiplier Method – They take your medical costs and multiply them by a number between 1.5 and 5, based on how bad your injury is.
2. Per Diem Method – They assign a daily rate for your suffering and multiply it by the number of days you’ve been hurting.

Sounds fair, right? Except they’ll always try to lowball you. They’ll argue your pain isn’t “that bad.” That you’ll “recover quickly.” That your pre-existing condition is to blame.

This is where having the right personal injury law firm makes all the difference. We push back on their tactics, bring in experts, and make sure your losses are valued correctly. You deserve every penny—not just what they’re willing to give you.

Fast Cash vs. Fair Compensation: Don’t Settle for Less

Insurance companies love one thing: fast, cheap settlements. They’ll dangle a check in front of you, hoping you’ll grab it and walk away. But here’s why you shouldn’t:

• Early offers rarely cover long-term medical expenses – That “quick” settlement? It won’t be enough when more medical bills roll in.
• You don’t fully understand the emotional toll yet – PTSD, anxiety, and depression often surface months after the accident.
• You waive your right to future claims – Once you take their offer, you’re stuck. Even if new complications arise, you can’t ask for more.

You get one shot at this. Don’t let them cheat you out of what you’re truly owed.

Your Secret Weapon: The Experts Who Prove Your Case

Winning isn’t just about telling your story—it’s about proving it. That’s where expert witnesses come in. These professionals back up your claim with hard facts:

• Medical experts – They document your injuries and confirm your need for ongoing treatment.
• Economists – They calculate lost wages and future earnings, making sure your financial losses are fully accounted for.
• Mental health professionals – They provide proof of PTSD, anxiety, or depression resulting from your accident.
• Accident reconstructionists – They piece together exactly how your accident happened, shutting down any attempts to blame you.

With the right experts, your case becomes undeniable. Insurance companies can’t argue with hard facts. If you’re dealing with medical negligence, a medical malpractice attorney in Buffalo can help you navigate the legal system and fight for what’s rightfully yours.

Your Fight, Your Future: Why Horn Wright, LLP, Has Your Back

We know the system isn’t built for victims—it’s built to protect profits. That’s why the legal team at Horn Wright, LLP, fights hard. For every dollar, for every ounce of suffering, for every piece of your life that was stolen.

This isn’t just about money. It’s about making sure you get what you need to rebuild. It’s about holding those responsible accountable. And it’s about giving you the peace of mind to focus on healing while we handle the battle.

Because in Buffalo, justice isn’t a privilege. It’s your right. For the best legal representation, you deserve support from one of the top law firms in America. With the right personal injury attorneys by your side, you have a fierce advocate.

Contact our Buffalo office today for your free, confidential consultation.