Millions Recovered in Personal Injury Cases
$2,500,000
Settlement at trial for negligent road design
$2,400,000
Settlement at trial for a construction worker
$1,750,000
For a student injured at school
$1,300,000
For a motorcyclist
$1,200,000
Verdict for Car Crash Victim
$1,000,000
For a motorcyclist
$950,000
For car crash victim
Types of Pedestrian Accidents We Handle in Amherst
In Amherst, pedestrian accidents often occur near major roadways and busy corridors such as Transit Road, Niagara Falls Boulevard, Maple Road, and around shopping plazas, restaurants, and school zones where foot traffic and vehicle traffic regularly intersect.
At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, we see firsthand how quickly these crashes can change a person’s life, even in a place as familiar as your own neighborhood.
Our Amherst pedestrian accident lawyers handle a wide range of injury cases, including:
- Crosswalk accidents
- Parking lot collisions
- Sidewalk accidents caused by vehicles
- Hit-and-run incidents
- Bicycle or scooter collisions with pedestrians
- Bus, truck, or taxi accidents
- Fatal pedestrian accidents (wrongful death claims)
Many of these cases involve preventable negligence, such as distracted driving, speeding through intersections, rolling stops at crosswalks, or failing to watch for pedestrians in busy commercial zones.
When pedestrians reach out after a serious accident, it is never just another claim to us. Each case reflects a real disruption to health, work, and daily life that deserves immediate focus. A pedestrian accident attorney in Amherst, New York, is ready to step in from day one to protect your rights and keep your recovery the priority.
Why Clients Trust Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law
While many firms simply process paperwork and wait for a settlement offer, we take a proactive stance. Our personal injury lawyers in Amherst strike first by identifying all sources of liability and uncovering hidden damages. We apply consistent pressure so you are never forced into accepting a lowball settlement.
Trial-Ready Strategy from Day One
We prepare each claim with the expectation that it will go to court. This high-level preparation forces insurers to offer more reasonable settlements and ensures that vital evidence is secured before it disappears.
Direct Access to Your Attorney
You will be partnered with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Amherst, NY, who stays with you throughout the entire process. Your attorney will keep you informed, so you always know where your case stands and what is happening with your recovery.
Comprehensive Legal Advocacy
When a pedestrian accident leaves you unable to work or causes a long-term disability, the impact often extends beyond the injury claim itself. Our firm will handle your Social Security Disability (SSD) claim and related benefits so you do not have to deal with multiple lawyers or separate processes.
We Have a No-Fee Guarantee
You never pay us upfront. We only get paid if we win for you, so our success is directly tied to yours.
Free Case Evaluation
Speak with a lawyer at no cost. We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and help you understand the best path forward.
You’re More than a Case
We treat every client like family, taking the time to understand your story and guide you through every step with care and compassion.
What Damages Can You Recover in an Amherst Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Under New York law, the compensation you can recover in a pedestrian accident claim depends on two things: what no-fault insurance covers and whether your injuries meet the legal threshold to pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Most pedestrian accident claims start with New York’s no-fault system, which pays certain basic losses regardless of fault:
- Medical expenses: This includes emergency treatment, hospital care, surgery, prescriptions, physical therapy, and necessary follow-up care related to the accident.
- Lost wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, no-fault benefits may cover a portion of your lost income, subject to statutory limits.
- Out-of-pocket costs: Certain necessary expenses tied to your treatment, such as transportation to medical appointments or medical equipment, may also be covered.
If your injuries meet New York’s serious injury threshold, you may also pursue compensation from the at-fault driver for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the long-term impact the injury has on your daily life and ability to work.
In fatal pedestrian accident cases, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim through the victim’s estate for losses such as funeral expenses, financial support, household contributions, and, in some cases, the victim’s conscious pain and suffering before death.
An Amherst pedestrian accident attorney can evaluate every available category of damages and build a claim that reflects the full impact of the accident, not just the initial medical bills.
"We fight for our clients as if they were family—taking cases to trial when necessary to ensure they receive the justice and financial recovery they deserve."
How a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Amherst Can Help
In the aftermath of a collision, many victims inadvertently jeopardize their legal rights. Common pitfalls include missing strict filing windows, failing to secure immediate medical evidence, or providing recorded statements that insurance adjusters later use to shift blame. These insurance carriers are experts at finding reasons to minimize your payout.
Your pedestrian accident lawyer acts as your defensive shield and offensive strategist by handling the following:
✓ Securing Total Insurance Benefits: No-Fault PIP benefits are handled to cover initial medical bills while a liability claim is built for damages beyond those limits.
✓ Exhaustive Evidence Collection: Police reports are only the starting point. We secure surveillance footage, vehicle data, and witness statements to lock in the facts.
✓ Uncovering Every Liable Party: Fault is traced beyond just the driver to include employers, vehicle owners, or government entities where applicable.
✓ Meticulous Medical Record Management: Medical records are organized to clearly link injuries to the crash and prevent insurers from downplaying severity.
✓ Future-Proof Financial Modeling: Case value includes future care, possible surgeries, equipment needs, and long-term loss of earning capacity.
✓ Aggressive Litigation and Trial Prep: Every case is prepared for court, and if insurers refuse fair payment, we are ready to litigate before a jury.
✓ High-Stakes Negotiation: Trial readiness strengthens leverage, allowing us to push for full-value settlements instead of low initial offers.
Working with our personal injury law firm means more than having someone speak for you. It means having a focused legal team that understands how these cases move through local courts, how insurers handle claims in this region, and what it takes to build pressure from the very beginning.
What Injuries Qualify for Compensation in a Pedestrian Accident?
Under New York law, compensation is available when injuries are tied to the crash and, in some cases, when they meet the state’s “serious injury” threshold for a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Common injuries that may qualify for compensation include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Head and brain injuries
- Spinal cord and back injuries
- Internal injuries
- Severe soft tissue injuries
- Long-term disability or impairment
The value of a personal injury claim is not just the diagnosis, but how the injury affects daily life and work over time. A pedestrian accident lawyer can document those long-term effects and build them into your claim so it reflects the full impact of the accident, not just the initial treatment.
Ida and Stephanie were great! They kept me posted about my case. They provided documents for my doctors to fill out so I had as much medical records as I could! Stephanie represented me in the Judge appeal and was great asking me questions about my disability and helping me convey those disabilities to the judge! I’m so grateful ☺️ for their help! Highly recommend them!
Working with Hiller Comerford was easy. They took care of everything and their communication was exceptional. I’ve already referred others to them.
Seriously grateful to my attorney, Ryan Taylor. I spent years trying to navigate VA disability on my own and they managed to finally make headway where I could not.
Everyone I spoke with and worked with was extremely kind and had great communication also they were compassionate,they worked very diligently to help me and kept me well informed throughout the process I couldn't thank them enough.
I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law for their exceptional support and guidance throughout my disability benefits process. Their expertise and dedication made an overwhelming situation feel manageable, and they ensured every step was handled with care and clarity. I am truly grateful for their assistance and highly recommend their services.
My lawyer RyanTaylor was amazing. He told me exactly how the process goes, what to expect and how long it realistically would take. He was able to get for me exactly what I had tried twice to do myself but was rejected by the VA for. I will recommend all my Veteran friends to him.
Hard workers, always looking at the positive side of the case and always listening to the client. Only down remark is hard to get calls back.
Hiller Comerford have been amazing. They got me a fully favorable decision on my disability claim, I could have never been able to do that on my own. Everyone in their office is so kind and so knowledgeable. They really helped make a difficult time of my life a pleasure. Thank you so much Hiller Comerford!!!
The firm understands the situation, and are very acknowledged about the social security laws and guidelines. Staff were very friendly. The attorney that represented me was Charles Gaughan and the case manager was Olivia Fritzen. They did a wonderful job with my representation for my case. I would highly recommend The law firm of Hiller and Comerford.
Deadlines to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Amherst
New York statute of limitations sets strict time limits for pedestrian accident claims, and missing them can permanently prevent recovery. In most Amherst pedestrian accident cases, a lawsuit against the at-fault driver must be filed within three years of the crash.
Shorter deadlines apply in some situations:
- claims involving a government agency, such as unsafe road conditions or traffic signal issues, often require a Notice of Claim within 90 days, along with additional filing requirements
- wrongful death cases generally must be filed within two years from the date of death
An Amherst pedestrian accident lawyer at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law can make sure every deadline is tracked and met while the case is being built, so your claim is not lost because of a procedural mistake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our pedestrian accident attorneys answer common questions to help you understand what comes next. If you were hurt in an accident, contact our firm to get help with your case.
What should I do immediately after a pedestrian accident in Amherst, NY?
Get medical attention right away, even if injuries seem minor, since some conditions appear later. Report the accident if possible and preserve photos, witness details, and location evidence. Avoid speaking with insurance companies before getting legal advice, as early statements can harm your claim. An Amherst pedestrian accident attorney can step in quickly to protect your rights.
What happens if the driver flees the scene (hit and run)?
Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents are handled through a combination of police investigation and uninsured motorist coverage under New York law. Compensation may still be available even if the driver is never identified. These claims often depend heavily on prompt reporting, available surveillance footage, and insurance policy review.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident?
New York uses a pure comparative negligence rule, so you can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault. Any award is simply reduced by your percentage of responsibility, meaning a 20 percent share of fault would reduce recovery by 20 percent. A pedestrian accident lawyer in Amherst works to challenge unfair fault arguments and protect the value of your claim.
Where do most pedestrian accidents happen in Amherst, New York?
Many pedestrian accidents in Amherst happen on busy roads like Transit Road, Niagara Falls Boulevard, and Maple Road, as well as near shopping centers and school zones. These areas see constant traffic and pedestrian activity, especially at intersections and parking lot entrances where visibility is often limited.
How much does it cost to hire a pedestrian accident attorney in Amherst?
There are no upfront legal fees. Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law works on a contingency fee basis, which means payment is only collected if compensation is recovered. This allows injured pedestrians to pursue a claim without financial risk while the case is pending.
