Posted on 08/04/25
Driver and vehicle records can make a bigger difference in your Buffalo car accident claim than most people realize. These details can either support your version of the car accident events or raise questions that slow everything down. If something in your record or the other driver’s history comes into play, it may affect how the insurance company handles the claim.
A Driver’s History Can Raise Questions About Fault for the Accident
Insurance companies often review past driving records when deciding how to handle a car accident claim. Even in smaller crashes, past behavior behind the wheel can shift how blame is assigned. When the accident involves injuries or property damage, the history of both drivers usually gets a closer look.
Traffic Tickets and Moving Violations
A history of speeding, red light violations, or reckless driving can work against someone involved in a crash. These records may lead an insurance company to assume that driver was more likely to cause the accident, even before hearing every detail.
DUI or Distracted Driving Records
Previous issues like drinking and driving or texting behind the wheel can be hard to separate from a current claim. Insurance companies may use that history to challenge someone’s version of events or question their judgment during the crash.
Maintenance and Inspection Records Can Affect What Happens Next
If your car was overdue for service or had mechanical issues, someone may claim the accident could have been avoided under different conditions. That kind of argument carries more weight in Buffalo personal injury cases involving serious harm, especially under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 375. Here are a few examples of what can raise red flags or support your side of the story:
- Missed brake inspections that could have caught early warning signs
- Bald tires that made it harder to stop in time, especially in wet weather
- Ignored recall notices from the manufacturer that were never scheduled or fixed
- Repairs were done incorrectly by a local shop, which left the car unsafe to drive
- Aftermarket parts that failed during normal use or did not match factory standards
- Warning lights left on for weeks without follow-up or documentation
- A broken headlight that makes your vehicle harder to see at night or in low-light conditions
- Lapsed inspection stickers that suggest general neglect or skipped maintenance
Medical and Damage Records Can Support Your Claim if Used the Right Way
Driver history matters, but your medical and repair records help tell the rest of the story. These documents show how serious the car accident was and what you went through afterward. Gaps in treatment or missing paperwork can slow things down, even when the injury is real.
Repair Estimates and Vehicle Damage Photos
Photos of your vehicle and repair shop estimates can help connect the crash to your injuries. If the damage looks severe, insurance companies may be more likely to take your claim seriously. However, even if the vehicle does not show severe damage on the exterior, that does not mean your body did not experience serious injury.
Follow-Up Care and Diagnoses
Keeping up with treatment and attending every appointment helps support what you are going through. In serious cases involving catastrophic injuries, consistent records can be just as important as what happened on the day of the crash.