Car Accident Lawyers Geddes, NY

We Stand with Crash Victims When It Feels Like No One Else Does

Getting rear-ended near West Genesee Street or clipped while exiting Route 695 can throw your entire day off track. 

Maybe your kids were in the car. Maybe your plans just got pushed aside by a driver who wasn’t paying attention. Now you’re left figuring out repairs, juggling time off work, and trying to make sense of insurance paperwork.

Our car accident attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, have worked with crash victims in Geddes and throughout Onondaga County who didn’t ask for any of this, but still had to deal with all of it. 

We understand the pressure that follows a serious collision. Our personal injury law firm is here to help you push back when the system feels stacked against you.

Let’s talk about your next steps and how we can help make this process easier. Call (855) 465-4622 today to schedule your complimentary case review.

Don’t Downplay That Pain, Even a ‘Small’ Crash Can Leave Serious Injuries

It doesn’t take a high-speed wreck to cause real damage. In fact, some of the most painful, life-altering injuries come from crashes that didn’t even look that bad at first. Maybe your car doesn’t look totaled, but your body’s telling a different story.

• Neck and spine injuries. These injuries can creep in slowly, starting as stiffness or soreness. Before long, you’re having trouble sleeping, working, or even bending down to tie your shoes. Left untreated, some of these issues can lead to permanent nerve damage.
• Head trauma. Even if you didn’t black out, that ringing in your ears or that pressure in your skull could signal a mild traumatic brain injury. These injuries affect concentration, memory, and mood. And they’re often missed if you don’t get checked early.
• Soft tissue damage. Bruises fade, but torn ligaments or strained muscles can linger for months. These “invisible injuries” are often dismissed by insurance companies. But their impact on your daily life is very real.

Don’t assume it’ll get better on its own. Document everything, secure important diagnostic scans, get evaluated, and keep track of how your body feels in the days and weeks after the crash.

Dealing with Insurance Adjusters in Geddes: Don’t Let Them Spin the Story

Once your accident is reported, expect a call from the other driver’s insurance company. They’ll sound concerned, polite, and eager to “get things resolved.” But make no mistake. They’re trained to lower your payout, not to help you recover.

You might hear:

• "We just need a quick statement.” Sounds harmless, but anything you say can be twisted later. They’re hoping you admit fault or downplay your pain.
• "This is our best offer.” Early settlement offers almost never match the full cost of your care. They’re counting on you needing fast cash and giving up future rights.
• “You don’t need a lawyer.” That’s the biggest red flag. If they really wanted to help, they wouldn’t discourage legal advice.

We step in to shield you from all of this. Once you hire Horn Wright, LLP, the calls stop going to you and start coming to us. Our experienced legal team takes over the conversations, so you don’t say anything that could hurt your case.

What Damages Can You Claim in a Geddes Car Accident Case?

In New York, personal injury law allows crash victims to recover more than just car repair costs. If you’ve suffered losses, you can be compensated for every part of your life that’s been disrupted.

Here’s what that can include:

• Medical treatment and care. This isn’t just hospital bills. It’s also surgeries, physical therapy, chiropractic visits, medical equipment, and prescriptions. All accident-related health expenses count.
• Missed wages and reduced earning capacity. Even a week off work can leave a family scrambling. If you can’t return to your old job, or any job, those lost paychecks should be covered.
• Physical and emotional suffering. From anxiety behind the wheel to long-term pain, these non-financial losses matter. You deserve to be compensated for how the crash affected your quality of life.
• Loss of consortium or household help. If your injuries affect your relationships or ability to care for your home or children, that has value. New York law recognizes those disruptions as part of your damages.

If your injuries qualify as “serious” under state law, you may also file a lawsuit. That includes:

• Broken bones. Whether it's a fractured wrist or a shattered leg, these qualify you to sue beyond basic insurance.
• Long-term disability or impairment. This includes loss of use, limited mobility, or permanent damage to any body system. Medical records and expert opinions are key.
• Visible disfigurement. Large scars, burns, or facial injuries can have a lifelong psychological impact. These injuries often increase the value of your claim.
• Extended inability to function. If you’re significantly impaired for 90 out of 180 days after the crash, you meet the threshold. That could mean needing help to bathe, drive, or cook.

We’ll help build the medical and legal documentation needed to support each category.

Shared Fault in Geddes: Even If You’re Partly to Blame, You Can Still Win Compensation

Let’s say you were texting at a red light. But the other driver ran the red and hit you. You’re not perfect, but neither were they.

Under New York’s comparative fault rules, you can still recover compensation. Your payout just gets reduced by your percentage of fault. So if you’re 25% at fault, you still get 75% of the total value of your claim.

That’s why you should never admit fault without speaking to a lawyer first. We can examine skid marks, street cameras, vehicle damage, and witness reports to fight for your share of the truth and your share of the compensation.

In many cases, the other driver’s insurer may try to exaggerate your share of the blame to reduce what they have to pay. That’s where strong legal advocacy matters most. We push back against assumptions, challenge biased reports, and make sure your version of events is heard loud and clear. 

Why Acting Fast Matters More Than You Think

New York gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. That sounds like plenty of time, until you start dealing with injuries, appointments, and the fallout of a totaled car. That clock can run out faster than you think.

If your crash involved a town vehicle—like a public bus, snowplow, or sanitation truck—the rules are even stricter. You may only have 90 days to file a Notice of Claim. Miss that deadline, and you’re likely out of options.

Acting fast also protects evidence:

• Crash debris is cleaned up quickly. Skid marks fade, damaged signage gets fixed, and roadways change. If investigators can’t see the scene as it was, your case loses impact.
• Witnesses forget. Names are lost, phone numbers change, and memories blur faster than you'd expect. Their testimony becomes less reliable with every passing day.
• Video footage may be deleted. Security camera systems loop and overwrite data, sometimes within days. Once it’s gone, there’s no way to get it back.

Calling a lawyer early lets us preserve all of that. We can send evidence preservation letters, collect statements, and get your medical care moving.

Understanding the Legal Process After a Car Crash in Geddes

From First Call to Final Result: What to Expect

When you first reach out to a personal injury attorney, you don’t need to have every detail figured out. We’ll help you understand whether your case qualifies, gather information, and explain what your next steps look like. From that first conversation, our job is to reduce confusion and bring you clarity.

After we agree to work together, we begin a deep dive into the facts. That includes requesting your medical records, examining police reports, pulling insurance documents, and collecting witness statements. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way so you never feel in the dark.

Filing Your Claim and Negotiating a Settlement

Once we have the evidence, we’ll send a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company. This outlines your injuries, damages, and how much compensation you deserve. From there, negotiations begin.

Most car accident claims settle out of court, but not all. If the insurer refuses to offer something fair, we’re not afraid to escalate. We’ll talk to you before every big decision, so nothing moves forward without your approval.

When Court Becomes Necessary

If your case goes to trial, we’ll represent you in court and argue your case before a judge or jury. Trials take time, but they also give us the chance to show the full story. Sometimes, it’s the only way to get justice when the other side refuses to play fair.

We prepare every case as if it might go to trial. That way, whether we’re at the negotiating table or in front of a jury, we’re ready to fight for what you’re owed.

We Help You Move Forward with Strength, Not Fear

Motor vehicle collisions bring pain, confusion, and financial stress. But they don’t have to take everything from you. With the right help, you can start rebuilding, piece by piece.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we fight for Geddes crash victims every day. Our car accident lawyers don’t back down from tough insurance companies, and we don’t settle for less than you deserve. 

If you’re ready to talk, one of the country’s most trusted law firms is here to listen and take action. Contact our office today to arrange your free consultation.