John Richmond, Co-Founder and CEO
- September 4, 2026
A car accident can leave you facing painful injuries, unexpected bills, and an insurance company already looking for ways to limit what it pays. A Buffalo car accident lawyer at Richmond Vona can protect your interests, deal with the insurer, and pursue the compensation you deserve.
We’re a veteran-owned personal injury firm built here in Western New York. Every client works with a dedicated legal team that keeps the case moving and provides updates before they have to ask. That combination of personal attention and serious preparation has helped us recover more than $250 million for injured clients. Call 716-500-5678 or contact us online for a free consultation.
- Richmond Vona at a Glance
- Richmond Vona Is a Premier Buffalo Car Accident Law Firm
- Causes of Buffalo Car Accident Cases
- Common Car Accident Types
- Damages Buffalo Car Accident Victims Can Recover
- How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
- Buffalo Areas We Serve
- What Are Important Timelines After a Car Accident in Buffalo?
- How New York’s No-Fault Law May Affect Your Case
- How Should I Prepare for a Consultation With a Buffalo Car Accident Lawyer?
- Richmond Vona Is Here to Handle Your Car Accident Claim
Richmond Vona at a Glance
- Proven results: More than $250 million recovered for injured clients.
- Recognized attorneys: Members of our team have earned recognition from Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, and Avvo.
- Local and veteran-owned: Richmond Vona was founded in Western New York by attorneys John Richmond, a Western New York native who is heavily involved in the community, and Keith Vona, a former Buffalo police officer and U.S. Marine veteran.
- Proactive communication: We provide regular updates, so you aren’t left wondering where your case stands.
- Small legal teams: Each client works with a dedicated two- to three-person team that knows the case and is available when questions come up.
Richmond Vona Is a Premier Buffalo Car Accident Law Firm
At Richmond Vona, being a premier law firm means delivering strong legal work without losing sight of the person behind the case. You’ll work with a dedicated two- to three-person team that knows the details, keeps your claim moving, and provides updates before you have to ask.
Every case is prepared with the possibility of a trial in mind, giving us the leverage to push back when an insurance company undervalues a claim. If going to court becomes necessary, our personal injury attorneys are ready.
Our Award-Winning Team Has Local Roots in Buffalo
Our passion for justice and our client-centric approach are reflected in the awards and recognition our team has earned, including:
- 2026 Super Lawyers: John Richmond, Keith Vona, Kristopher Schwarzmueller, Brian Alterio, Herschel Gelber
- 2026 Super Lawyers Rising Stars: Rebecca Postek, Danielle Bruno
- Inc. 5000 List: Named the 20th fastest growing law firm in 2026 after being recognized for the third consecutive year, and one of the only Buffalo businesses recognized
- Best Lawyers: Regional Tier 1, Buffalo, Personal Injury Litigation—Plaintiffs
- 2025 Crisp SELECT Firm of the Year
It is our privilege to serve the community of Buffalo and the surrounding areas. Co-founder and CEO John E. Richmond grew up in Western New York and is intimately familiar with the local legal processes.
Keith R. Vona, co-founder of our firm, is from Lovejoy and spent nearly a decade as an officer in the Buffalo Police Department, instilling in him a strong sense of discipline and dedication that he brings to our legal practice.
Practicing in our hometowns gives us a unique understanding of the people we represent and how best to assist them.
Our Car Accident Case Results
Our Buffalo car accident lawyers have developed a strong reputation for securing high-value case results for our clients. Some examples include:
- $4.2 million for a client who suffered severe back injuries in a Rochester car accident.
- $1.2 million for a client hurt while driving in Hamburg, NY, on a major roadway. Another driver ran a red light and turned in front of our client on a green. Our client was seriously and permanently injured. His dog was also killed in the accident.
- $950,000 for a passenger in a work truck that was clearing snow in Orchard Park. The client sustained lower back injuries that required major operations, resulting in significant financial losses and suffering.
- $825,000 for a client who was injured while driving down a residential street when a snowplow truck backed out of a driveway and hit him. Our client suffered serious injuries, including a neck injury requiring surgery. The defendant settled before the trial concluded.
Causes of Buffalo Car Accident Cases
Most car accidents are preventable. They happen because someone looks away from the road, drives too fast for the conditions, or makes a decision that endangers others. Common causes of Buffalo car accident cases include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding, tailgating, and other aggressive driving
- Drunk or drug-impaired driving
- Failing to yield
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Unsafe lane changes
- Driving too fast during snow, ice, or poor visibility
Sometimes, several factors contribute to the same collision. Our attorneys investigate what happened and look for evidence that shows whose actions caused the crash. For a closer look at the risks drivers encounter locally, read our guide to the top causes of Buffalo car crashes.
Common Car Accident Types
No two crashes raise the same questions. A rear-end collision may appear straightforward until the other driver disputes fault, while a rideshare or commercial vehicle accident could involve more than one insurance policy. Richmond Vona represents people injured in:
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on and side-impact collisions
- Multi-vehicle crashes
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bus accidents
We investigate how the collision happened and handle the related PIP claim. If the insurer won’t make a fair offer, we’re prepared to present the evidence in court.
Damages Buffalo Car Accident Victims Can Recover
A car accident claim should account for more than the bills already in front of you. Depending on your injuries and available insurance coverage, you could recover compensation for:
- Emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, and follow-up appointments
- Physical therapy, medication, medical equipment, and future treatment
- Lost wages while you’re unable to work
- Reduced earning ability if your injuries affect your career
- Vehicle repairs or replacement and other damaged property
- Pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Help with household tasks you can no longer manage
- Permanent scarring, disfigurement, or disability
The value of a claim depends on how the crash has affected your health, work, and daily life. Richmond Vona documents those effects carefully and pursues the full compensation available under New York law.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
"*" indicates required fields
This law firm goes above and beyond to fight for you. Their entire team treats you with respect and truly cares about your well-being. Look no further if you need a personal injury lawyer.
John Richmond and the team at Richmond Vona did an incredible job with my complicated personal injury case. They made sure no stone was unturned and got me the settlement I deserved for my situation. They treat you well, explain everything you need to know and more so you are always in the loop about the status of your case. John was easy to get in touch with anytime during the process and made signing paperwork easy and understandable. Their entire staff is professional and helpful throughout the process These guys are fair, trustworthy, and will stand up for you!
This firm’s attention to detail is second to none. It’s evident that they are true professionals and really care about their injured clients. This is the firm to call if you have been seriously injured due to someone else’s negligence.
Buffalo Areas We Serve
If you or a loved one were injured in a traffic collision, we have experience handling car accident cases throughout Buffalo, including in:
- Amherst
- Tonawanda
- Cheektowaga
- Lancaster
- Kenmore
- Depew
- Williamsville
- West Seneca
- East Aurora
- Hamburg
- Orchard Park
- Niagara Falls
- And more areas throughout Western New York
What Are Important Timelines After a Car Accident in Buffalo?
There are several important timelines to be aware of after a wreck in Buffalo, including the following:
- Filing an accident report: If the accident resulted in injuries, a fatality, or property damage valued at more than $1,000, you must file an accident report with the DMV within 10 days of the accident.
- Insurance timelines: When filing a PIP claim, you must give notice within 30 days after your accident.
- Deadline to file a legal claim: In New York, the statute of limitations for personal injuries gives car accident victims three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation.
What Is the New York Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims?
The New York personal injury statute of limitations normally gives you three years from the date of injury to file your formal lawsuit seeking compensation. If your loved one was killed in a car accident, the deadline for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is shortened to two years from the date of their passing.
Do not wait to reach out to our Buffalo car accident lawyers. Remember, failure to file your case before the correct deadline will most likely result in it being dismissed in court. Getting started on your case as soon as possible is also essential because crucial evidence can quickly disappear, and witness memories will start to fade.
How New York’s No-Fault Law May Affect Your Case
After most New York car accidents, no-fault insurance pays certain losses regardless of who caused the crash. Basic coverage provides up to $50,000 per person for qualifying medical expenses, part of your lost earnings, and certain other necessary costs. It does not pay for pain and suffering.
The 2026 “Money in Your Pockets” legislation did not eliminate no-fault coverage, but it changed the rules governing some claims against at-fault parties. Those changes make the severity of your injuries and the evidence of fault even more important.
When Can You Step Outside the No-Fault System?
You could pursue the at-fault party for economic losses that exceed the benefits available through your PIP coverage. To recover for pain and suffering, however, your injury must satisfy New York’s serious injury threshold.
Meeting that threshold does not automatically guarantee compensation. Under the 2026 “Money in Your Pockets” reforms, an injured person could be barred from recovery if their share of fault is greater than that of the defendant or the combined defendants they sue.
How Has New York’s Serious Injury Threshold Changed?
New York eliminated the former 90/180-day category in 2026. An injury no longer qualifies solely because it prevented someone from performing most normal activities for at least 90 of the 180 days following a crash. Under the current serious injury definition, the remaining categories include:
- Death
- Dismemberment
- Significant disfigurement
- A fracture
- Loss of a fetus
- Permanent loss of use of an organ, member, function, or system
- Permanent consequential limitation of an organ or member
- Significant limitation of a body function or system
Many catastrophic injuries, including paralysis, amputation, and severe brain or spinal cord injuries, could fall within these categories. Other injuries require detailed medical evidence showing the nature and extent of the limitation.
How Should I Prepare for a Consultation With a Buffalo Car Accident Lawyer?
You don’t need to prepare a complete case file before speaking with an attorney. If they’re available, bring or gather:
- The police accident report or report number
- Photos or videos of the crash scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries
- The other driver’s contact and insurance information
- Your auto insurance policy and any letters from the insurers
- Medical records, bills, and a list of the providers treating you
- Recent pay stubs or other proof of missed work
- Witness names and contact information
- A brief account of what happened and how your injuries are affecting you
If you don’t have some of this information, that’s okay. A Buffalo car accident lawyer can investigate the crash and help collect the evidence needed to support your claim. Bring what you have, along with any questions you want answered.
Richmond Vona Is Here to Handle Your Car Accident Claim
The insurance company will protect its bottom line. Richmond Vona will protect you. Our Buffalo car accident lawyers will investigate the crash, calculate what your injuries have truly cost, and demand full compensation from those responsible. If the insurer refuses to make a fair offer, we’ll be ready to take the case to court.
Don’t give the insurance company more time to build its defense. Call 716-500-5678 or contact Richmond Vona online today for a free consultation. You pay nothing upfront, and we collect no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you.