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…
Who is responsible for firework injuries?
For most Americans, the Fourth of July is one of the best days of the year. It has become synonymous with fireworks, barbecue and having fun with family and friends. This post isn’t another safety lecture, because I know you’ve heard the warnings, maybe so often you’ve become immune. I just want to provide some useful information for those out there who will be injured, and according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, there will be many. 230 people on average go the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday. That…
Driveway accidents involving children: who is liable?
We are all used to parking our car in the driveway, and we tend to think of it as a safe place. However recent studies have shown that driveways, particularly for small children, can be very dangerous places. A shocking 50 children per week in America are injured after being hit or run over by a car that is backing out of a driveway. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 42% of non-traffic related child deaths are due to back-over accidents. And what is more alarming is that the majority of children are injured by a…
10 insurance company tricks to watch out for when you’ve been injured
Anyone who has been seriously injured in an accident knows that the pain, suffering and financial loss are real. The law combined with insurance should protect all of us from losses incurred due to someone else’s negligence. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation being passed around that has led to some victims getting less compensation than they deserve, and some getting no compensation at all. Trick #1 – Encouraging you to not hire an attorney An insurance company’s first priority will be to try to convince you that you do not need an attorney on your side. They know…
Your attorney is on your side, tell him everything
In order to do the best job he can for you, an experienced personal injury attorney will ask you questions about your life. In some cases, questions may seem embarrassing or personal, and you may not want to answer. Keep in mind that your attorney is not asking because he wants to pry into your personal matters, but because his goal is to win your case. The purpose is to ensure that he is prepared for anything the defense might use against you and that he is aware of any factors which can improve your case. What type of questions…
Comparative Negligence: What happens when they try to blame you for your injury?
In New York State, an accident victim may receive less than 100% of their damages, even if they “win” their case. That is because New York State law allows for a defense called “comparative negligence.” What is Comparative Negligence? New York State is a pure comparative negligence state. That means that if both the plaintiff and defendant contributed to the accident, the court must determine each party’s percentage of fault and award compensation accordingly. This can mean that even if a party is almost entirely at fault for an accident, he may still receive compensation. How does Comparative Negligence work?…
Social Media is only free until it costs you your settlement
In recent years, it has become so commonplace to document our lives on Social Media, that sometimes we forget that it’s not the same as a private conversation with friends. When you file a personal injury or medical malpractice lawsuit, the insurance company will do everything they can to defend their client and themselves. First and foremost that means proving that their client was not at fault and second it means proving that you really weren’t injured. Things you may not even imagine to be a problem could be used to convince a jury that you are not really as…
What Does “No Fault” Really Mean for Accident Victims?
Most New York drivers have probably heard the term “no fault” at some point, but based on the calls I receive to my office, I know that this is a term that has led to a lot of confusion. Here are a few of the common questions I have received. What is no fault? Personal Injury Protection, commonly known as “no fault coverage” is included in every motor vehicle insurance policy sold in New York State. This applies to drivers and passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists, but specifically excludes motorcyclists. This coverage provides reimbursement for medical payments, lost wages and other…
Bullying can result in serious injury
As Putnam County students settle into their new routine and the excitement of a new school year, some of those students may also be forced to deal with something a lot less pleasant. We’ve all heard terrible stories of bullying and this year the problem will touch many local families. According to stopbullying.gov, Bullying is defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems. If…
- « Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- Next »