Rochester, NY Car Accident Attorneys

One of the Best Law Firms in America Fighting for You

Being injured in a car accident is the last thing you expected, especially one that wasn’t your fault. In a matter of seconds, your life is turned upside down. On top of painful injuries, you're faced with medical bills, lost wages, and being bombarded with phone calls from insurance companies. Your day is now filled with thinking about how you’re going to pay those medical bills, how you’ll pay your bills at home being out of work, and if the pain from your injuries is ever going to go away. 

You're not an attorney. You don’t fight against the insurance companies and their tricks day in and day out. We do. How much easier would your life be right now knowing you had a firm of car accident lawyers in Rochester fighting for you? Imagine the only thing you need to worry about is getting treatment for your injuries while we fight the insurance companies to get your medical bills and lost wages paid and pursue those responsible for the pain and suffering they caused you. 

At Horn Wright, LLP, we help remove the stress after a car accident so you can focus on getting your life back on track. Whether it's a rear-end accident on I-490 in downtown Rochester, an intersection crash on Route 104, or a side-swipe impact on Ridge Road in Webster, our auto accident lawyers are ready to help guide you through every step of your car accident situation. Our comprehensive understanding of state laws provide invaluable support for your journey towards stability.

Call our Rochester car accident attorneys now at (855) 465-4622 or contact us online for a FREE consultation.

Car Accident? Our Rochester Attorneys Handle Them All

The experienced car accident lawyers at Horn Wright, LLP, are ready to handle any type of car accident you've been injured in. There isn't one we haven't seen, and one we're not ready to fight to get you justice.

• Distracted Driving Accidents: If a distracted driver caused your crash, we’ll help you hold them accountable and recover damages for your injuries.
• Drunk Driving Accidents: Drunk driving accidents are preventable, and we’ll fight to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.
• Rear-End Accidents: Rear-end collisions can leave you with injuries and expenses, and we’ll work to ensure the responsible party covers it all.
• Rideshare Accidents: Accidents involving Uber or Lyft can be complex, but we’ll simplify the process to get you the compensation you need.
• Speeding Accidents: When speeding leads to a crash, we’ll make sure the reckless driver is held accountable for your injuries.
• Sideswipe Accidents: A sideswipe collision can cause serious damage, and we’ll help you recover what’s rightfully yours.
• T-Bone Accidents: Side-impact collisions can cause serious injuries, and we’ll fight to ensure you receive the compensation and justice you deserve.
• Intersection Accidents: Intersection accidents can be chaotic, but we’ll sort through the details to prove fault and secure your compensation.
• Hit and Run Accidents: If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run, we’ll explore every avenue to get you justice, even if the driver isn’t found.
• Head-On Accidents: Head-on collisions are some of the most serious, and we’ll work tirelessly to support your recovery and claim.
• Left Turn Accidents: When a left turn leads to a crash, we’ll help you navigate the legal process and seek compensation.
• Low-Speed Accidents: Even minor crashes can cause significant injuries, and we’ll work to hold the responsible party accountable for your losses.
• Parked Vehicle Accidents: Damage to your parked car shouldn’t be your responsibility, and we’ll fight to hold the other driver accountable.
• Rollover Accidents: Rollover crashes are severe, and we’ll work to ensure you get the compensation you need to recover.
• Tailgating Accidents: Tailgating often leads to dangerous crashes, and we’ll help prove fault and recover damages.
• Wrong Way Accidents: Wrong-way drivers cause devastating accidents, and we’ll ensure they face consequences for their negligence.
• Snowplow Accidents: Collisions with snowplows can lead to complex claims, and we’ll navigate the challenges to secure the compensation you deserve.
• Backing-Up Accidents: Reverse collisions can happen in an instant, and we’ll help you prove fault and recover the compensation you’re entitled to.
• U-Turn Accidents: Unsafe U-turns often lead to serious crashes, and we’ll fight to hold negligent drivers accountable for your injuries and damages.
• School Zone Accidents: Crashes in school zones endanger the most vulnerable, and we’ll fight to protect your rights and seek justice.

Know the Basics: New York No-Fault Insurance Benefits

New York operates under a No-Fault insurance system for car accidents. This means that after an accident, each driver’s insurance company will cover their medical expenses, lost wages, and other economic damages, regardless of who was at fault. No-Fault insurance benefits are designed to ensure that accident victims receive immediate compensation for their basic economic losses without having to prove fault or go through a lengthy legal process. 

Under New York’s No-Fault insurance laws, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage will typically pay for:

• Medical expenses: Covers necessary and reasonable medical bills related to your injury.
• Lost wages: Reimburses up to 80% of your lost earnings (subject to policy limits) if injuries prevent you from working.
• Other expenses: Coverage may extend to other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

The No-Fault insurance system is designed to quickly compensate car accident victims for economic losses, but it has limits. It does not cover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering or property damage (like repairs to your vehicle). Additionally, your No-Fault insurance benefits are capped at a certain amount. The minimum amount of required No-Fault coverage in New York is $50,000 per person. Understanding these limitations and knowing the need to seek a car accident lawyer, even for an accident that wasn't your fault, will increase your odds of recovering the full amount of compensation you're entitled to.

Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Rochester Car Crash?

Not every car accident requires legal assistance. Minor fender-benders where everyone agrees on what happened with no injuries might not warrant hiring an attorney. But what if things get complicated? Hiring a lawyer even for an accident that wasn’t your fault becomes essential.

There are several signs that you should consider hiring legal help:

• Severe injuries: If you or a loved one suffered broken bones, disc herniations, head trauma, or other serious injuries, the stakes are too high to go it alone.
• Disputed liability: When the other driver’s insurance company tries to pin the blame on you, having an attorney ensures your side of the story is heard.
• Insurance claim challenges: Let’s face it, insurance companies don’t always play fair. They might delay processing your claim or offer a settlement that’s far too low.

Benefits of Hiring a Rochester Car Accident Attorney

So, what makes hiring a lawyer such a game-changer? The benefits go far beyond just having someone else deal with paperwork.

• Protecting Your Rights: Car accident laws in New York are complex. While the state’s No-Fault insurance system covers basic medical expenses, securing compensation for pain and suffering or getting your lost wages paid can require an attorney to do correctly.
• Navigating Legal Complexities: From dealing with insurance adjusters to interpreting medical reports, the legal side of a car accident claim can be downright confusing. A lawyer understands the system and can guide you step by step.
• Maximizing Your Settlement: Insurance companies often try to lowball accident victims with quick settlements. A lawyer knows the true value of your claim.

How a Rochester Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

After a car accident, it’s easy to feel lost. That’s where having one of the best law firms in America can make all the difference. They handle the nitty-gritty details so you can focus on what matters most: your recovery.

Legal Representation: If the case goes to court in a civil lawsuit, you’ll want someone on your side who knows the ropes. Attorneys handle everything from preparing legal arguments to presenting evidence effectively.

Evidence Gathering: Winning a car accident case often hinges on evidence. Your lawyer will get a copy of the police report, witness statements, photographs of the accident scene, and even surveillance footage if it’s available.

Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company’s bottom line, not yours. They have their own way of figuring out who was at fault for the crash. A lawyer negotiates on your behalf, pushing back against lowball offers and ensuring all your damages. 

Cost of Hiring a Rochester Car Accident Lawyer

One of the biggest concerns people have about hiring a lawyer is cost. Fortunately, most car accident attorneys, including Horn Wright, LLP, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay anything upfront. Instead, your lawyer only gets paid if they win your case.

How Contingency Fees Work: With a contingency fee arrangement, your attorney takes a percentage of your settlement or court award. The beauty of this system is that it aligns your lawyer’s goals with your own—they’re motivated to secure the best possible outcome for you.

Additional Costs: While the contingency fee covers your attorney’s services, there might be additional expenses for things like expert witnesses or court filing fees. 

Personal Injury Claim: When No-Fault Benefits Aren't Enough

While No-Fault insurance benefits provide immediate coverage for basic economic losses, there are situations where you may step outside the no-fault system and file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. You may pursue a personal injury claim if your injuries are deemed serious under New York law or if your economic damages exceed your PIP policy limits. 

In New York, serious injuries are defined as:

• Bone fractures
• Significant disfigurement
• Permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function, or system
• Significant limitation of a body function or system
• Full disability for at least 90 days following the accident

If your injury meets this threshold, you can file a personal injury lawsuit to seek additional compensation, including damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other non-economic losses. Additionally, if your medical bills or lost wages exceed the limits of your no-fault coverage, you may also be eligible to pursue a claim for these excess damages. 

Our Rochester, NY car accident attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP can help determine if your injury qualifies as serious and guide you through the process of pursuing a personal injury claim. Let us assess your case's unique merits and develop a strategy to pursue just compensation for your injuries!

Determining Liability in New York Car Accident Cases

When you can pursue a personal injury claim outside of New York's No-Fault insurance, you’ll need to establish fault and liability. This means proving that the other driver’s negligence caused the accident. 

Liability can be based on factors such as the following:

• Traffic violations: Was the other driver speeding, running a red light, or violating traffic laws? 
• Distracted driving: Was the other driver texting, eating, or otherwise distracted? 
• Drunk driving: Was the driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol? 

Our team of Rochester auto accident attorneys conducts thorough investigations to determine liability, using evidence like accident reports, witness statements, and any available video footage. 

Common Car Accident Injuries 

Car accidents can lead to many injuries, some of which may not be immediately visible. 

Common injuries include the following:

• Whiplash: A soft tissue injury common in rear-end collisions. 
• Fractures and broken bones: Caused by the force of impact or being thrown inside the vehicle.
• Head and brain injuries: Brain injuries can result from striking your head or from the violent motion of the crash.
• Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spine can lead to long-term complications, including paralysis. 
• Cuts and lacerations: Caused by broken glass or metal in the vehicle. 
• Internal injuries: Damage to internal organs may require emergency surgery and can have long-term consequences. 

Process for Filing a Car Accident Claim in New York

Filing a car accident claim in New York begins with notifying your no-fault insurance provider, which will cover your medical bills and lost wages up to a certain limit. If your injuries exceed New York’s no-fault threshold, you can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. 

Here’s a general overview of the process:

• Report the accident: You must notify your no-fault insurer within 30 days of the accident.
• File your no-fault claim: Your insurer will cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other economic losses up to the policy limits.
• Step outside the no-fault system: If your injuries are “serious” (such as fractures, disfigurement, or long-term disability) or your medical costs exceed the no-fault limit, you can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance.
• Gather evidence: This includes police reports, medical records, and any documentation that proves fault and the extent of your damages.
• Negotiate or litigate: Most cases settle through negotiations, but your case may go to trial if a fair settlement isn’t reached.

Damages Available for Car Accident Claims in NY

If your car accident situation qualifies for compensation outside the no-fault system, you may be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages, such as the following:

• Medical expenses: Covers past and future medical costs, including surgeries, therapy, and medications.
• Lost wages: Compensation for income lost due to your injury and future earning potential if you’re unable to return to work.
• Pain and suffering: Non-economic damages for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
• Property damage: Compensation for repairs or replacement of your vehicle or other damaged property.
• Loss of consortium: Compensation for the impact the injury has on your relationship with your spouse or family.

FAQ About Car Accidents

How Does the No-Fault Insurance System Affect My Ability to Recover Damages?

Under the no-fault insurance system in New York, your insurance covers health care expenses and lost earnings, which speeds up the benefits process without establishing who caused the accident. However, this system caps coverage, and you might not receive compensation for pain and suffering unless you meet specific injury criteria or exceed your policy's coverage limit. Consulting with our auto accident lawyer in Rochester can help clarify how this affects your specific circumstances and ensure all available avenues for further claims are comprehensively pursued.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Rochester?

The immediate steps following an accident are crucial. Start by ensuring everyone is safe and contact law enforcement to file a report. Document the scene thoroughly—take photos of the damage, gather witness information, and note weather and road conditions. It's also vital to seek medical attention promptly, even if injuries seem minor. These actions not only prioritize health but also strengthen any future legal proceedings. 

Can I Receive Compensation for a Car Accident If I Was Partially at Fault?

Yes, in New York, you may still be able to recover damages even if you are partially at fault due to the state's comparative negligence laws. Compensation will be awarded based on the degree of fault assigned to each driver. For instance, if you are found to be 30% at fault, you would be eligible to receive 70% of the awarded damages. 

Call for a FREE Consultation: (585) 245-0255

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, navigating New York’s no-fault insurance system and determining liability can be overwhelming. At Horn Wright, LLP, we leverage years of dedication to help individuals make sense of these processes and advocate for the restitution they deserve.

Our Rochester car accident attorneys are available 24/ to help. Call (585) 245-0255 now