Car Accident Lawyers Onondaga, NY

Let’s Take the First Step Toward Justice

It happened on Route 173. Or maybe just outside the grocery store off West Seneca Turnpike. However it went down, you’re now left sorting through the mess. Insurance calls, doctor visits, and a body that doesn’t feel right. And none of it was your fault.

Our car accident lawyers at Horn Wright, LLP, have worked with crash victims across Onondaga who never imagined they’d need a personal injury attorney. We help you pick up the pieces, push back against bad offers, and fight for the full compensation you deserve. 

You don’t have to figure this out on your own. We’ve got your back. Call (855) 465-4622 today to request your free case review.

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

Let’s say the other car ran a red light, but you were going a little fast. Or maybe you forgot to signal. That doesn’t cancel out your rights.

New York follows comparative fault rules. That means you can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault. If the other driver is found to be 70% responsible and you were 30% at fault, you could still recover 70% of your damages.

Insurance companies know this law well and they use it to their advantage. They may try to exaggerate your portion of blame to pay you less. That’s why solid evidence, clear records, and experienced legal guidance matter more than ever.

We help uncover what really happened using:

• Scene photos, videos, and debris patterns. These visual elements help us recreate the accident step-by-step. They can reveal impact angles, point of contact, and roadway conditions at the time of the crash.
• Witness statements and police reports. Neutral third-party accounts and official documentation strengthen your version of events. This helps prevent the insurance company from rewriting the facts.
• Traffic signal data and dashcam footage. Timing data from traffic lights and visual recordings from vehicles often confirm fault. When available, this kind of evidence can stop disputes in their tracks.

You deserve a fair share, not the one the insurer decides to hand out.

Injuries Aren’t Always Obvious Right After a Crash

The adrenaline wears off, and now your neck’s stiff. You’ve got a headache that won’t quit. Maybe it took days, but something still isn’t right.

• Delayed-onset whiplash. It might feel like soreness now, but untreated whiplash can become long-term pain. These soft tissue injuries often don’t appear on scans but still impact your daily life.
• Back or spinal injuries. That dull ache may grow into something far more limiting. Herniated discs and nerve impingement often develop slowly.
• Concussions or mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). You didn’t hit your head hard, but now you’re forgetting things or struggling to focus. These subtle symptoms matter and they’re compensable.

Getting checked out early makes a difference. Medical documentation helps prove your injuries came from the crash, not something else later.

When the Insurance Company Starts Calling

Don’t let their polite tone fool you. Insurance adjusters have one goal: pay as little as possible. And they’ll use your own words to do it. 

They might ask vague questions that lead you into minimizing your injuries. What feels like small talk can be used to downplay the severity of your pain or medical needs.

They often try to rush you into accepting a fast settlement before you even know the full extent of your injuries. These early offers may sound tempting, especially when bills are piling up, but they’re almost always far lower than what your case is worth. 

In some cases, they’ll record your statements and twist your words to weaken your claim. Once you hire Horn Wright, LLP, that pressure disappears. Insurance companies stop calling you directly and communicate through us instead. 

Our personal injury law firm makes sure nothing gets misinterpreted, and we don’t let them lowball your recovery.

How Long Do You Have to File in Onondaga County?

In most New York car accident cases, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. But don’t wait. Important deadlines can be much shorter, especially if a government vehicle like a snowplow or school bus was involved.

Why does acting fast matter?

• Skid marks fade, vehicles get repaired. Evidence you could’ve used disappears quickly. Tire impressions on the pavement, broken glass, and debris are often removed within hours or days, making it harder to reconstruct the scene.
• Witnesses forget. Memories change, and people move away. Their testimony may become less reliable, or they may become unreachable altogether.
• Surveillance footage gets erased. Most cameras only store recordings for a short time. If not requested promptly, that footage could be gone before you even know it exists.

If your crash involved a town-owned truck or other municipal vehicle, you may need to file a Notice of Claim within just 90 days. Miss that and you might lose your right to recover.

What Counts as a “Serious Injury” in New York?

To file a lawsuit for compensation, your injury must meet New York’s “serious injury” threshold. It doesn’t need to be catastrophic, but it must impact your life in a meaningful way.

Here’s what qualifies:

• Bone fractures. Even a broken finger counts. Fractures often require immobilization, physical therapy, or surgery, and can limit your ability to work or perform daily tasks.
• Significant disfigurement. Visible scars or altered appearance from the crash. This can have lasting emotional and psychological effects, particularly when it affects the face or exposed areas.
• Permanent limitation. A body system, organ, or limb that can’t function like it used to. Whether it’s limited motion in your shoulder or nerve damage that causes chronic pain, these changes are lasting.
• 90 out of 180 days of disability. If your injury significantly limits your ability to function for at least 90 of the first 180 days after the accident. This could mean being unable to work, care for your family, or even perform routine daily activities.

We’ll help determine if your injury qualifies and make sure it’s clearly documented.

What You Might Be Entitled To

If your injury qualifies, you may be able to recover compensation for:

• Medical bills. From the emergency room to physical therapy, everything tied to treating your injuries should be covered. This includes future treatments, medications, surgeries, and even travel costs to appointments.
• Lost income. Whether you missed a few days or can’t return to work, we fight to recover lost wages. If your earning potential is permanently impacted, we’ll also factor in future losses.
• Pain and suffering. You’re allowed to be compensated for physical pain and emotional impact. That includes anxiety, depression, loss of enjoyment of life, and the day-to-day struggles your injuries have caused.
• Property damage. Your vehicle repairs, totaled car value, and any personal items damaged in the crash. We’ll also seek replacement value for items like phones, laptops, or car seats lost in the wreck.

We don’t let insurers decide what your pain is worth. We build a case that reflects the real impact on your life.

The Legal Process: What to Expect Step by Step

Calling a lawyer isn’t about lawsuits and courtrooms. It’s about clarity. Here’s what happens when you reach out to Horn Wright, LLP:

1. We listen. No paperwork, no pressure. Just a conversation to understand what happened.
2. We investigate. We’ll gather records, interview witnesses, and review your medical files.
3. We build your claim. This includes calculating damages, reviewing insurance policies, and preparing a demand.
4. We negotiate. If the insurer won’t offer a fair settlement, we’re ready to file suit and take your case to court.

You’re in control the whole way. Nothing moves forward without your say-so.

Let’s Get You Answers and Results

A car crash in Onondaga can make life messy fast. But you don’t have to fight the system all by yourself. Our car accident lawyers at Horn Wright, LLP, stand up for injured drivers every day and we know how to win the fights that matter.

Reach out today to one of the country’s top law firms, and let’s talk about what happened. We’ll give you answers, a plan, and the support you need to move forward with strength. Contact our office to schedule your complimentary consultation.