Injured by a Dangerous Road in Buffalo? You Deserve Justice—Here’s How to Get It. 

Driving through Buffalo shouldn’t feel like dodging landmines. But potholes, broken signals, or crumbling roads can result in a crash, leaving you dealing with the painful consequences.  

You don’t have to take this sitting down. If a dangerous road caused your accident, you have legal options. Holding the government accountable isn’t easy, so you need to know what you’re up against.  

The Buffalo personal injury lawyers at Horn Wright, LLP, can help you figure out your next steps. As a trusted law firm in Albany, we commit to protecting people’s rights and serving justice.  

Contact our office today to request your free consultation.  

Who’s Really to Blame When Treacherous Roads Turn Deadly? 

Most people assume crashes happen because of reckless drivers. But sometimes, the real danger is the road itself. 

Buffalo’s streets can be a nightmare. Potholes deep enough to break an axle. Faded lane markings that make nighttime driving a gamble. Missing or hidden stop signs. It all adds up to a perfect storm for disaster. 

So, who’s responsible for keeping these roads safe? That depends. It could be the City of Buffalo, Erie County, or even the state of New York. Sometimes, private contractors hired for road repairs drop the ball.  

Figuring out who’s at fault is the first step toward getting the compensation you deserve. 

Can You Hold Buffalo or New York State Responsible for the Road That Ruined Your Life? 

Yes, but don’t expect them to roll over and admit fault. Government agencies have legal protections that make suing them much harder than going after another driver. 

Is Government Negligence to Blame? Here’s When You Can Sue 

New York law allows lawsuits against government agencies, but you have to prove they knew about the dangerous condition and did nothing to fix it. That means: 

• The city, county, or state had prior written notice of the problem. 
• They had enough time to fix it but didn’t. 
• That failure directly caused your accident. 

For example, if a massive pothole sat untouched on Elmwood Avenue for months, despite multiple complaints, and you hit it—leading to a crash—the city could be held responsible. 

Miss the Deadline, Lose Everything—The Strict Time Limits to Sue the City 

Don’t wait too long to act. When suing a government entity in New York, strict deadlines apply: 

• You must file a notice of claim within 90 days of your accident. 
• After that, you have one year and 90 days to file a lawsuit. 

Miss those deadlines, and you’re out of luck. The government won’t make exceptions, even if your injuries kept you from acting sooner.  

The Traffic Signal Malfunction That Almost Killed You—Here’s How to Prove It 

You’re driving through Buffalo, following the rules, when suddenly—BAM! Another car slams into you because the traffic light didn’t change when it should have. 

Faulty signals are more common than you think. If one played a role in your crash, you’ll need solid evidence to prove it. 

Caught on Camera? How to Gather Surveillance, Witnesses, and Experts to Win Your Case 

• Surveillance Footage: Many Buffalo intersections have cameras, either city-owned or attached to nearby businesses. Acting fast is key—most recordings are deleted after a short time. Buffalo's Department of Public Works and New York State’s Traffic Management Center may have useful footage. 
• Witnesses: Other drivers or pedestrians might’ve seen the light malfunction or experienced the same issue. Their testimony could be the proof you need.  
• Expert Testimony: Traffic engineers can analyze signal records to see if there was a mechanical issue or programming error. If Buffalo’s maintenance records show the city knew about the problem but failed to fix it, that’s your smoking gun. 

Gathering strong evidence isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. The government will fight your claim, and the burden of proof is on you. The more you can show, the better your chances of getting justice. 

Think Suing the Government Is Easy? Think Again—Here’s Why It’s a Battle 

If you think going after the city or state will be simple, think again. Government agencies are protected by layers of red tape, deadlines, and legal loopholes that make winning a case tough. 

They’ll argue they didn’t know about the problem, or that they fixed it “as soon as reasonably possible.” They might even blame you for the accident, claiming you should’ve been more careful. 

That’s why you need an airtight case, strong evidence, and a legal team that knows how to fight back. Whether you’re dealing with a road-related accident, a workplace injury that requires a workers' compensation lawyer, or even a hazardous fall that calls for a slip and fall attorney, having legal support makes all the difference. 

You deserve assistance from one of the best law firms in America. Experienced Buffalo personal injury attorneys can help you build a strong case. Get the car accident legal help you need from an experienced injury law firm and take back control. 

Get started today with a free consultation.