John Richmond, Co-Founder and CEO
- March 23, 2026
After suffering injuries in a car accident, you may need help navigating the difficult times that follow. At Richmond Vona, we offer unwavering support and award-winning legal services, with a strong history of securing high-value case results for our clients. We are committed to helping injured individuals in Buffalo fight for fair compensation.
With over three decades of experience representing car accident victims throughout the Buffalo area, we know what steps to take to pursue the best possible outcome for your claim. Call (716) 500-5678 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with our Buffalo car accident lawyers.
- Why Richmond Vona Is the Right Firm to Handle Your Car Accident Case
- Compensation You Can Receive After a Buffalo Car Wreck
- How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
- How New York’s No-Fault Law May Affect Your Case
- What Are Important Timelines After a Car Accident in Buffalo?
- What if I’m Partially at Fault?
- How Should I Prepare for My Consultation?
- Let Richmond Vona Handle Your Car Accident Lawsuit
Why Richmond Vona Is the Right Firm to Handle Your Car Accident Case
As the fastest-growing personal injury firm in Western New York, we decided to step outside the box and do things differently. Rather than focusing on quantity, we take a limited number of clients and assign a small team of three to four legal professionals to each case, ensuring we provide the personalized attention they deserve.
We have secured more than $200 million in settlements and verdicts, helping our clients and their families move forward after an accident. If the insurance companies refuse to offer a fair settlement, we are serious trial attorneys who are prepared to take your case to court.
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:
- 2025 Super Lawyers: John Richmond, Keith Vona, Kristopher Schwarzmueller, Herschel Gelber
- 2025 Super Lawyers Rising Stars: Brian Alterio, Samantha Catone, Michaelangelo Cieri
- 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 landscape.
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 an unparalleled 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 concluding trial.
- $375,000 for a husband and wife who were struck by a drunk, uninsured driver while vacationing. The husband sustained severe nerve damage and needed cervical fusion surgery.
- $300,000 for a client who was struck head-on by a driver entering an exit ramp in the wrong direction. Our client suffered a traumatic brain injury that affected his ability to work and his quality of life.
- $250,000 for a client in Niagara Falls who injured his lower back when a driver pulled out of a parking lot directly in front of him. His existing back issues were significantly worsened by the crash, requiring surgery.
- $225,000 for a client who suffered serious head and neck injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Williamsville, NY. The insurance company settled after the lawsuit was filed.
- Our team represented a driver who was sitting in a parked car when she was suddenly struck from behind. The case was resolved in less than 6 months, resulting in a full policy limit settlement.
Our Experienced and Trial-Ready Team Is Prepared to Help
We leverage our experience in all areas of personal injury law to work toward the case results our clients need to rebuild their lives after an accident. We handle all kinds of auto injury cases, including those involving:
- Uber & Lyft accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Hit and run accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- PIP claims
Our team has extensive litigation and trial experience. While most cases will settle out of court, we have the skills, experience, and tenacity to go up against large corporations and insurance companies—in and out of the courtroom. Our attorneys prepare every case as if it’s going to trial and are prepared to take your case to court when necessary.
Compensation You Can Receive After a Buffalo Car Wreck
You will need comprehensive medical care and testing after a car accident. You won’t know the true extent of your damages without medical attention. Once we can calculate your full damages, our skilled Buffalo car accident attorneys will help you pursue full and fair compensation. Your compensable damages may include:
- Current and future medical and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages and future earnings
- Property damage
- Costs of in-home nursing care
- Cost of modifying your home or vehicle to accommodate your injuries
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Funeral costs, loss of companionship, and lost financial contributions if the accident resulted in a wrongful death
Insurance companies will use underhanded tactics, such as pressuring you to accept unfairly low offers and negotiating in bad faith, to protect their bottom lines. When an insurance company tries to take advantage of you, we will not hesitate to push back or take your case to court if needed to protect your rights.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Everyone deserves high-quality legal counsel and representation in their hour of need. Our Buffalo car accident lawyers are standing by to make sure you are not left out. We offer free consultations and take our cases on a contingency basis. That means we pay the upfront cost of investigating and litigating your case. Ultimately, you pay nothing unless we secure compensation on your behalf.
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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.
How New York’s No-Fault Law May Affect Your Case
All motorists in New York are legally responsible for carrying minimum auto insurance coverage. Car accident victims should know that New York is a no-fault car insurance state. This means that injured auto accident victims must first seek compensation through their no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) coverage after a crash.
When Can You Step Outside of the No-Fault System?
Again, you must first turn to your no-fault PIP coverage after a crash. However, if you suffer more than $50,000 in basic economic losses or a “serious injury” as defined by statute, you may turn to a personal injury lawsuit or auto liability claim against the at-fault party. Unlike PIP, these options allow you to seek compensation for your pain and suffering, which can significantly increase the value of your claim. Serious injuries include those that lead to:
- Death
- Dismemberment
- Significant disfigurement
- Fracture
- Loss of a fetus
- Permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function, or system
- Permanent consequential limitation of a body organ or member
- Significant limitation of use of a body function or system
What Is the 90/180 Day Rule?
Another way to meet the “serious injury” requirement is by suffering a non-permanent injury or impairment that prevents you from engaging in your regular day-to-day activities for at least 90 of the 180 days immediately following the crash.
You will need compelling medical evidence showing that the accident significantly disrupted your life for that period. Our car crash lawyers can help you gather the evidence needed to substantiate your claim.
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.
What if I'm Partially at Fault?
Because New York follows the doctrine of “pure comparative negligence,” you can recover compensation following a car accident even if you were partly to blame for the wreck. For example, if you suffered $1 million in damages but were 30 percent responsible for the crash, you can collect up to $700,000.
How Should I Prepare for My Consultation?
Preparing for your free consultation will ensure a productive meeting and help our lawyers assess your case effectively. To prepare for your car accident consultation, take the following steps if possible:
- Gather all relevant documents, including the police report, medical records, insurance policies, and any correspondence with insurance companies.
- Make a detailed account of the accident, including the timeline, location, and circumstances.
- List any witnesses and their contact information.
- Document your injuries, treatments, and any impact on your daily life.
- Prepare a list of questions and concerns you have about your case.
Our compassionate attorneys understand that handling the aftermath of a car accident can be difficult on your own. If your injuries or other aspects of your situation make it difficult to take these steps, don’t worry. We are here to support you and ensure you understand your full legal rights and options.
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
Let Richmond Vona Handle Your Car Accident Lawsuit
Even a minor car accident can be difficult to handle. No matter the circumstances of your case, we are here to help. If you were injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s carelessness, you deserve a Buffalo car accident lawyer who will fight for every penny you deserve.
Richmond Vona will stand by your side throughout the life of your case. Call (716) 500-5678 or reach out online to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. You pay nothing unless we secure compensation on your behalf.