In a matter of seconds, a car accident can change lives forever. Despite increased warnings about safety measures, such as wearing seat belts and avoiding cellphone use while driving, drivers continue to act negligently and car accidents continue to be far too common on the streets and highways of Western New York.

Gelber & O’Connell, LLC is a law firm committed to obtaining the best possible recoveries for the victims of car accidents. In our decades of practice, our car accident attorneys have consistently obtained maximum compensation for injured clients and families.

The Many Causes of Car Accidents

A car crash or accident can occur any time for any number of reasons. Some of the most common causes of car crashes that result in injuries are:

• Drunk driving/DUI
• Driver fatigue
• Texting while driving and other forms of distracted driving
• Defective car parts, such as brakes or tires
• Reckless or inattentive driving

No matter what type of negligence caused the crash, the last thing you should have to worry about is paying medical bills and making ends meet after an injury. Make the call to Gelber & O’Connell, LLC, so our experienced car accident attorneys can make sure that you timely file the necessary paperwork with your No-Fault carrier, who should cover these types of expenses. We will also handle the investigation and all the requirements of your personal injury claim so you can focus on healing.

Moving from Causes to Solutions

Ultimately, when pursuing compensation for a car accident, a lot comes down to gathering evidence of others’ negligence. That means digging deep into the details of what happened in order to build your case.

The investigation needed to do this effectively varies greatly from case to case. Head-on collisions, hit-and-run accidents, rear-end or side-impact accidents — each type of accident has its own fact pattern and indicators of negligence to be explored and documented.

For example, let’s say that a pothole or other dangerous road condition was a factor in the crash that injured you. In a case like that, there might be evidence that other accidents have occurred in that area. If that is so, one of the parties responsible for the accident may be the government entity that was supposed to maintain the roadway. Alternatively, there could be some defect in your vehicle or another vehicle involved in the collision. If so, one of the parties potentially responsible could be the car manufacturer, who has the obligation to make sure vehicles they put on the road are safe to drive.

Therefore, when our car accident attorneys investigate your case, we don’t stop at merely cataloging what went wrong. We conduct the investigation with a practical eye, looking to identify who, in addition to the driver and/or owner of the vehicle, might be responsible and able to compensate you financially for your injuries.

Why Hire a Car Accident Attorney?

Car accidents in the Western New York area are unfortunately common due to factors such as the weather, traffic, and other considerations. If you have been in an accident due to someone else’s reckless or inattentive behavior, hiring a car accident attorney can make a big difference to your case. If you are on the fence about whether to consult a lawyer, there are a number of reasons to consider it:

• Legal Understanding: Most people don’t have an in-depth understanding of the laws and regulations surrounding motor vehicle accidents. We have years of experience in this area and are well-equipped to guide you through the process.
• Control of Damages: Between personal injury claims, property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses, the financial damages from a single car accident can become overwhelming very quickly. A car accident attorney can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
• Optimize Your Chances: If insurance companies are being uncooperative or have offered you a lower amount of compensation than you deserve, hiring a car accident attorney can make a difference. We can help negotiate and mediate on your behalf, diligently representing your interests throughout the process to get you the best possible.
• Provide Peace of Mind: If you are injured in a car accident, you have more immediate things to worry about than seeking compensation – but that compensation is vital. Working with our team can provide peace of mind and allow you the time to focus on your recovery.

If you have questions or would like to schedule a consultation, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team today! We serve clients from Clarence, Amherst, Lancaster, West Seneca, and the surrounding areas.

The Car Accident Attorney Who Will Handle Insurance Issues Effectively

Holding these responsible parties accountable often means handling insurance issues. Our skilled car accident attorneys have not only the experience but also a proven track record of dealing with insurance companies with skill and persistence, always making sure to protect our clients’ interests.

Of course, it’s a very different case when the driver who injured you either doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough of it to cover the claim in your case. In that circumstance, it is necessary to pursue the rights you have under the uninsured/underinsured (UI/UIM) (and if purchased, SUM) coverage under your own insurance policy.

SUM coverage is inexpensive coverage you can add to your own insurance policy. It allows you to protect yourself and your family in the event that other drivers do not maintain more than the minimum limits required by New York state ($25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident).

We have extensive knowledge with insurance matters that, in the hands of less experienced car accidents attorneys, might otherwise limit potentially available coverage. We can guide you skillfully through the resolution of both common and unusual insurance issues so that you have access to the maximum amount of insurance available for your injury claim.

Being Prepared to Go to Trial with a Trusted Car Accident Attorney

Of course, all the preparation in the world doesn’t mean much if you’re not prepared to go trial. Insurance companies and opposing parties need to know that your attorney is aggressive and ready to try your case so they have the proper incentive to take your case seriously and negotiate a maximum settlement.

This is why, as trial lawyers, our car accident attorneys always prepare each case right from the start as if it will go to a jury. We are proud of our case results and our ability to satisfy our clients’ needs, both in the courtroom and outside of it. We are also proud and able to be members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum because of the results we have achieved.

In short, our reputation and track record gets the respect and attention of the other side. Opposing counsel and insurance adjusters know we are willing and able to go to trial when that is in our clients’ interest. This awareness often provides the incentive for them to extend a legitimate settlement offer without the need for us to go to trial.

Although there are no guarantees, our pledge to you is that we will pursue your claim for rightful compensation with proven skill and complete determination and, if necessary, take your case to trial for the maximum recovery. Trust our car accident attorneys to recover the compensation you deserve.