Useful tips for talking to your kids about back-to-school safety.
As we approach the beginning of a new school year, it’s easy to get caught up in all the things that you need to do. New clothes and school supplies are important, but even more important is having a talk about safety. I often write about safety, because as a member of the Putnam County community, my first concern is always for my neighbors and friends. If you read through my blog, you’ll find posts on keeping your kids safe on the school bus, bullying, and swimming pool safety, among other topics. In this post, I’m sharing three useful resources…
Don’t ignore injuries from a “fender-bender”
Most of us know the term “fender-bender,” and many of us have been in one ourselves. The term seems accurate, since on the surface it seems like the only damage from the accident is a small dent. In the 40 years I’ve been helping injured people, I have all too often seen people lose their right to fair compensation because they assumed that it was just a minor accident. Unfortunately, the bodily injury suffered in a minor accident often won’t present its full effects until some time has passed. It’s about fairness Some people have the wrong idea as to…
Preexisting injuries don’t automatically dismiss your accident claim
If you are involved in a car crash and are injured, you may believe that a preexisting injury or health condition means you are not entitled to receive compensation. Insurance companies will often claim that your pain and suffering was due to a preexisting condition in an attempt to avoid paying you fair compensation. It’s important to know that if your existing condition is worsened or aggravated by an accident, you can, and should, seek compensation. Never take the insurance company’s word for it, always talk to an experience personal injury attorney to find out the facts for yourself. Seeking…
Pedestrian accidents, are you covered?
We often see or hear about car crashes in the news, and we all know someone who has been involved in a crash, but you rarely hear about a pedestrian accident. Nevertheless, they are probably more frequent than you think, approximately 15,000 pedestrians in New York are injured each year in motor vehicle related accidents. What are the causes of pedestrian accidents? There are various types of pedestrian accidents caused by the negligence of a driver, the pedestrian himself, or even the party responsible for maintaining the roadway. Unsurprisingly alcohol involvement for the driver and/or pedestrian was reported in nearly…
Drone related injuries are becoming more common
In 2015 a drone accidentally crash landed on the White House lawn as a drunken operator lost control of the unit. Drone injuries these days are becoming more common, here are some of the more noted accidents which occurred in 2016/17: A small drone crashed outside a hospital building at the Northern Westchester Hospital Center in Mt. Kisco, NY, almost striking an employee. A small drone flew around Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, and crashed into an empty seat in the upper deck. A small drone shooting video of a wedding crashed into two guests in Windham,…
Driver and Family Protection Act…it’s about time!
There is a simple and inexpensive option available on every auto insurance policy that protects you and your family, but many people have never heard of it. It’s so important, that I personally have dedicated my own time to achieving a change in New York State law by joining many of my fellow attorneys on lobbying trips to Albany. I have also written on the subject to raise awareness and pressed our elected officials to take action. I am pleased to say that our voices have been heard and last month New York State passed the Driver and Family Protection…
An injury at a Black Friday sale may entitle you to more than a discount
The holiday season is a wonderful time to break the routine of our daily lives and enjoy time with our families. With Thanksgiving behind us, we are now looking forward to Christmas and the New Year. Tradition has it that Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. It is known as the busiest shopping day of the year and brings in around $50 billion of sales for stores. Black Friday dangers Retailers offer huge discounts and people get very excited about picking up a bargain. Sometimes this excitement can turn into a frenzy,…
Gym waivers don’t always prevent you from seeking compensation for your injury
Keeping fit is very important for your health, and as a result 52.9 million Americans are gym members (according to the latest IHRSA annual report) The benefits of working out are well known, however there is also a high risk of injury . People may be out of shape or careless when working out, not stretching muscles beforehand or using equipment improperly. Falls, sprains, strains and broken bones can happen frequently and it is usually the gym-goers fault. Gym owners know this which is why they require members to sign some form of waiver of liability or “assumption of risk.”…
Dash cams: the perfect eye witness
Many people associate dashboard cameras with the police. Police departments across the nation have adopted dash cams as a way to protect both the officer and the public. What some people don’t know is that this technology has been falling in price and has reached the point where many private citizens are installing them in their vehicles. Should you install a dash cam? You might be wondering why you would want to install a camera in your car. There are several ways that you can benefit from having a visual and audio record of everything happening, particularly in the case…
Helmets protect you and your compensation
One of the best things about riding a motorcycle is the feeling of being free and unrestricted. Some riders feel that a helmet takes away that feeling, and therefore avoid wearing one. Even on short trips around your neighborhood, it’s illegal to ride without a helmet in New York State, and even more important than that, it’s always a risk that’s not worth taking. A report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that as recently as 2015, 36% of motorcyclists do not use DOT-Compliant helmets. If you or someone you know is one of those people, I have…