Buffalo Personal Injury Lawyers

Put a Proven Legal Team on Your Side

Accidents are an unfortunate reality, but when an accident happens because someone else was negligent or acted wrongfully, you shouldn’t have to shoulder the resulting costs, losses, and challenges on your own. Personal injury laws allow you to file a claim against the at-fault person or party and seek financial compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, and other damages.

If you were injured or if your loved one was killed in a preventable accident or after using a defective product, The Russell Friedman Law Group, LLP can help. At our Buffalo office, our personal injury team is well-equipped to help you navigate the legal process and fight for the justice you deserve. We handle a wide variety of personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning if we don’t win your case, you don’t pay.

To learn more, contact us online or call our Buffalo personal injury lawyers at (716) 335-9239 today to request a free, no-obligation consultation.

Personal Injury Claims We Handle

In order to have legal grounds to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit, you must prove that another person or party owed you a duty of care, meaning they had a responsibility to act within reason to prevent you from coming to harm. You must also show that they failed to uphold this duty of care and, as a result, you suffered injuries or losses, as well as measurable damages.

For example, a driver on the road has a responsibility to follow the law and avoid causing accidents. If a driver is speeding and driving recklessly, they are violating this responsibility by putting others on the road at risk. If the driver causes an accident, leaving another person injury or dead, the reckless driver can be held legally responsible.

At The Russell Friedman Law Group, LLP, we assist victims in all types of personal injury litigation, including but not limited to cases involving:

• Car accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck and commercial vehicle accidents
• Defective products
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Dog bites
• Bicycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Police brutality
• Civil rights violations
• Wrongful death

If you or someone you love was the victim of another person, company, or entity’s negligence, reach out to our Buffalo personal injury lawyers right away. In New York, there is a three-year statute of limitations on most personal injury cases, as well as a two-year statute of limitations on most wrongful death claims. If you fail to bring your case within the permitted timeframe, you will almost assuredly be barred from seeking compensation permanently.

New York Personal Injury Laws

New York is primarily a fault-based state regarding personal injury law. This means that to recover damages for injuries sustained in an accident, the injured party typically needs to establish that another party was at fault for the accident. In other words, the injured party must show that the other party's negligence or wrongful conduct directly caused their injuries.

Here are the elements you must prove to succeed in a personal injury lawsuit based on negligence:

1. Duty of Care: You must show that the defendant owed you a duty of care. This duty of care varies depending on the circumstances but generally means that the defendant had a legal obligation to act reasonably to prevent harm to others.

2. Breach of Duty: You must demonstrate that the defendant breached their duty of care by failing to act reasonably under the circumstances.

3. Causation: You need to establish a causal connection between the defendant's breach of duty and your injuries. In other words, you must show that the defendant's actions or negligence directly caused or contributed to your injuries.

4. Damages: You must prove that you suffered actual damages as a result of the defendant's breach of duty. Damages can include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses incurred due to the injury.

Keep in mind, New York is a "no-fault" car insurance state. This means that regardless of who was at fault for a car accident, each party's own insurance typically pays for their medical expenses and other financial losses up to a certain limit, unless the injuries meet the state's serious injury threshold.

New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This means that even if you are partially at fault for your injuries, you can still recover damages in proportion to the other party's fault. However, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Generally, for most personal injury cases, including those resulting from car accidents, slip and fall accidents, and medical malpractice, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the injury or accident.

Contact The Russell Friedman Law Group, LLP

Being injured in an accident or after using a defective product is a frightening experience. You are likely facing a number of new challenges and financial hardships, ranging from mounting medical bills to learning to cope with new disabilities. At The Russell Friedman Law Group, LLP, we understand the many hurdles you face, and we want to help you secure the justice and fair compensation you are owed.

We offer compassionate, one-on-one legal attention and personalized strategies for each and every client. We are driven by our passion for justice and our commitment to securing results—an approach that has earned us the respect of our clients and peers alike.

The first step in your recovery is scheduling a no-cost consultation and case evaluation with one of our personal injury attorneys. We are available 24/7 to assist you.

Call (716) 335-9239 now to get started.