Safety tips for Spring
Spring has sprung with full boom, the weather is nice and pleasant and everyone is setting out to enjoy their spring break. Each person is looking out to having great fun, but it takes very little time for a good time to turn into bad if you are not careful and adhere to some safety tips. There have been many cases where people tend to run into danger, whether through malice or accident. Here are some safety tips for this spring which will help you navigate safely and avoid being injured at any point of time during your memorable vacation. Stay Safe while Walking on the Road As everyone is having a spring break, the traffic on the road has also increased. Most of the injuries occur on the road, which is why it is very essential to take proper precautions while walking on the street. You should always cross at the marked crosswalks and make eye contact with the drivers before you cross the street to avoid any confusion. Watch out for vehicles at the intersections. Wear reflective or bright clothes when out on the road during dusk or night hours. Stay Safe at the Beach Beaches are the most popular vacation destinations during the spring holidays, but the sad part is that it carries its own set of hazards. It is advisable to look for beaches that have lifeguards present, to avoid the worst dangers while swimming. While out on the beach in the sun, make sure you are well hydrated. Drink plenty of water even if you are not feeling thirsty. Drink Responsibly Although drinking is a big part of the spring vacations, it is also a big factor in causing injuries and death during spring break. Car accidents that involve alcohol injure or kill someone every spring break. Promise yourself this spring break to never get behind the wheel if you are intoxicated. Keep yourself and others safe, this is the only way you can enjoy your spring vacations to the fullest. Wear Safety Gear When on vacation during spring, always make sure you wear safety gear like seatbelts, life jackets, helmets or any other appropriate protective gear that will save you from any kind of personal injuries. Regardless of how hard we try and follow these spring safety tips, accidents can still happen. None of us wants to get injured during the spring break, but if you do get hurt then there should always be a plan ready for it. If you get wounded during the spring break, let us tell you that you are entitled to financial compensation. You are lucky that you have Siler & Ingber by your side to help you with such cases of personal injury. Speak with our personal injury lawyer if you or anyone you know has encountered an injury during the spring holidays. The lawyer will help you understand your rights and assist you in getting the help you would need to recover from your injuries. Contact Siler & Ingber today to get a free evaluation of your case. Our personal injury law firm aims to serve the people of New York and get them the compensation they deserve. We advocate for clients throughout New York.
Some Common Injuries That You Can Avoid During the Spring Season.
Some Common Injuries That You Can Avoid During the Spring Season. Winters are gone and now the weather is starting to warm up a little. Everyone is excited to move outdoors again for fun activities. Besides fun, many people take this opportunity of good weather to fix up the part of their homes that had gone unattended during the cold months. Unfortunately, time spent gardening, at the playground or even on a vacation during the spring months can lead to dangerous injuries. You can avoid trips to the emergency room if you follow these essential spring safety tips. Car Accidents It has been observed that the rate of car accidents increases during the spring months, and this occurs because of:- Potholes Even though the snow and ice are gone, the winters have left their mark on the roads. During the winter months, plows are often used to remove snow and ice from the roads. During the process of snow/ice removal, the plow can gauge out chunks of roads. Even freezing and thawing of the road can contract concrete, resulting in massive potholes. During the cold months, snow and ice are filled inside the potholes, hence not affecting the drivers of their presence. Once the snow starts to melt, the deep holes are exposed which can cause significant damage to cars and can also contribute to some major accidents. Wet Weather The showers during the spring often bring dangerous road conditions. Those driving on these wet roads should be aware of the wet weather and its potential hazards on the road. The light showers in the spring can make the roads slippery. Sometimes during spring heavier precipitation can cause flooding on the roads and also loosen the debris on the sides of the road. Driving too fast in such road conditions can be very disastrous for you and your loved ones. Drivers need to take extra precautions while driving in the slippery springtime road conditions. House Work Home Maintenance As the weather gets better during the spring, everyone starts the maintenance of their homes. Some climb up the ladders to repair their roofs, some begin to mow their lawns, all these activities can lead to injuries if not carried out carefully. A lawnmower can cause cuts on the hands or feet and also burns. Before using the lawnmower, make sure the loose parts of the machine have been fixed, the blades are clean and the garden has no objects lying around. Outside home maintenance can be a daunting task but for how long can you skip it. Many homeowners use this pleasant warm weather for it. Some get so carried away with this whole task that they end up breaking their bones by falling or slipping, endure cuts etc. Before climbing a ladder always make sure that it is in a good condition and has not undergone weathering, otherwise all of the spring you will be spending in the hospital. Exercise Injuries in the Gym Beach season is just around the corner and many of us feel the need to shed those extra Kgs that we gained during the winters. Proper training by experts is very important because before beginning intense exercise, you need to prep your body. Without proper guidance and not knowing how to use the gym equipment properly you might end up with muscle pulls, ligament tears or even an injury that would stay with you for a lifetime. Treadmill Injuries Many of us have treadmills at home. As the weather improves the use of the home equipment also increases. The treadmill is very useful equipment, but it can cause major injuries. Cases of faulty treadmills have been heard where a child has been dragged under the treadmill causing his death. Don’t let your kids or pets near the treadmill as they are the ones who are more likely to get injured by it. As lovely as spring is, it brings with it some risks of injuries. Be careful and aware this spring. If at all you or someone you know has suffered from a personal injury due to the negligence of someone else, then Siler & Ingber are here to your rescue. They are the Personal Injury lawyers who can get you the compensation your rightfully deserve for your injuries. Why should you suffer because of someone else’s blunder? Get in touch with us for a free case evaluation!
Peloton Treadmill Death & Injury – Take Siler & Ingber Attorneys’ Help
Over the past decade, home gyms have gained immense popularity. Treadmills and exercise bikes are most associated with at-home injuries. Studies have found that at-home exercise injuries that resulted in a visit to the emergency room increased by more than 48% from 2019 to 2020. Half of all injuries occur when using the equipment, while other injuries occur when people fall into the equipment or when they come in contact with moving parts of the equipment. It has been estimated that every year, around 8700 injuries from home exercise equipment occurs in children in the United States. Sprains, strains followed by abrasions, contractions & fractures are most common in adults. Among children, abrasions, and contusions are very common and can also be followed by laceration or internal organ injury. Children fall near or while on a treadmill all the time. This was the unfortunate circumstance of the 6-year-old child that died after being pulled under the Peloton Tread+ treadmill. Peloton recalled its Tread+ and Tread treadmills after the U.S Consumer Product Safety (CPSC) released an ‘urgent warning’ about the potential dangers of the Peloton treadmills. These machines we tagged ‘dangerous’ as they were linked to the death of a child and have caused injuries to 29 others. The Peloton CEO John Foley has apologized for the recall of these machines and has offered a full refund for the treadmills which cost $4,295. The warning and recall request issued by the commission was due to 72 reports received by them of pets, children and other objects being pulled under the treadmill. 29 out of those 79 cases involved children who got cuts, broken bones and brain injuries. There was a video that surfaced on YouTube which showed a child being pulled from under a Peloton treadmill. For all of those who own a Peloton Treadmill and wish to continue using it, the company is here with a new feature called Tread Lock that locks the machine if it hasn’t been used for 45 seconds. To use the machine again you will have to enter a 4 digit passcode. This software update was made after Peloton recalled its treadmills. Along with this feature, the company has requested all its users to put their treadmills in a locked room. If you are someone or know that person who got injured because of a Peloton or any other treadmill, please get in touch with Siler & Ingber’s team of defective product attorneys. They will ensure that any clients with genuine treadmill injuries get compensation.
Hearing Loss as a Result of Hitting One’s Head
We have all heard that with age many people start losing their hearing power. This kind of deterioration is well anticipated as it occurs gradually. However, if you have suffered a head injury that results in hearing loss, you must be devastated. In such situations, many of us are ill-equipped to handle the impact it has on our health, finances, and our complete life ahead. Deafness affects almost every part of your life. You are unable to interact with family, friends, or co-workers. Accomplishing daily chores becomes extremely difficult. Sudden loss of hearing can occur due to many reasons and a few of those reasons could be due to a head injury at work or in a road accident. If you have lost your power to hear due to the negligence of another person, then you need to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who will thoroughly study your case and then help you receive the compensation that you deserve for your loss and which you are entitled. What could cause you a hearing loss? Accident in a Motor Vehicle Motor vehicle collisions can impact your hearing in many ways. If you or someone you know has experienced a blunt force blow to the head, it may have caused a traumatic brain injury which can lead to loss of hearing. A blow to the head can cause bleeding & infection of the ear and the ear canal which can make you lose your hearing temporarily. Such kind of trauma can also injure the cochlea, leading to permanent hearing loss. In case of such an incident, you can get in touch with a traumatic brain injury lawyer who will then make all the efforts to get you justice and compensation. Accident in a workplace Workplace hearing loss incidences due to head injuries have become very common nowadays. There are certain jobs that lend themselves more easily to such accidents. A slip, fall or a heavy machine falling can cause head injury which in turn can lead to ossicle dislocation resulting in loss of hearing. It can also damage the nerves of the cochlea or rupture the eardrum. Despite many rules and regulations for the safety of the employees, loss of hearing due to workplace conditions is heard often. Some Symptoms of Damage to the Ear include:- Pain or itching in the ear Ringing or buzzing sound in the ear Fluid or pus leaking from the ear Vertigo The ear is a very delicate structure and even a small amount of damage can majorly impact the quality of your life. In many cases the medical intervention is not always successful in treating the ear, if at all there is a cure for hearing damage, it is sure to burn a huge hole in your pocket. How to Pursue Damages? If you have met with an accident that has caused you to lose your hearing ability, you will incur significant medical expenses from the treatment that will work to cure the damage and the assistive technology. With the assistance of a personal injury lawyer, you will be able to hold the person whose negligence has resulted in your injury legally accountable. A claim to recover your past and future medical expenses can also be filed. The personal injury lawsuit may also help you to receive compensation for the wages that you have lost, as well as for the loss of your future earning capacity. Deafness causes physical, emotional and psychological pain & damage. Therefore, you can also sue for the suffering and pain. Hearing Loss lawyer New York In many situations, the loss of a sensory function is a result of an accident or some kind of a condition caused by another party or person. So, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses and the challenges you will face in the future. For any kind of help related to these types of accidents, get in touch with a personal injury lawyer who understands the legal issues associated with such cases. Siler & Ingber LLP, also a traumatic brain injury lawyer in manhattan has years of experience in dealing with such cases. Whether you are just getting started with the process or have already filed a claim and have been denied the benefits, we are here for you. We shall focus fully on your claim so that you can focus on your healing.
What is a Premises Liability Claim – All You Need to Know
When we are on premises that are owned by/belongs to someone else, the onus of ensuring that we are safe lies on them. For example, if we are in a mall and there is a wet floor, the responsibility of putting a “wet floor” sign lies on the management to ensure that no one slips or falls and injures themselves. But if they do, the victim can file a premises liability claim with support from a top injury lawyer. Essentially, premises liability refers to cover accidents that occur due to the negligence of the property owner to maintain safety. Here are some of the most common causes of a premises liability claim as seen in the United States, including New York. Slip and fall: A slip and fall can occur anywhere. But if it is a result of the negligence of the property owner in question (house, store, restaurant, mall, etc.), they are liable to pay compensation to the victim for their injuries, pain, and suffering. Wet floors, faulty/damaged railings/bars, inadequate lighting, slippery surface, etc., are some common reasons for slip and fall in premises. Animal assault/dog bite: Dog bites are common in America with nearly 4.5 million such cases every year. The dog owner is held liable if their pet attacks a visitor without any provocation or incitement. In some cases, even if the dog was provoked, the owner may be held liable as per the details of the case. Inadequate lighting: Improper lighting on the streets, building corridors, etc., can often cause injuries due to a slip and fall. This is a common problem across New York and the premises owner is required to provide bright and proper lighting. Inadequate security: If a property owner fails to maintain proper security at their property (lack of cameras, non-functioning security equipment) which leads to an injury, then the owner can be held liable. Defective elevator/escalator: Another common cause of premises liability injuries are elevator and escalator accidents that may be a result of negligence. Here negligence refers to improper maintenance, faulty equipment, lack of safety guards, among others. Filing a premises liability claim If you’ve been injured on premises due to the negligence of the owner, you’re owed compensation. It is best to work with a personal injury lawyer as these cases can be complicated to navigate in terms of proving negligence. If you or someone you know is injured at premises and need a top injury lawyer, contact Siler & Ingber today. Call us on 1-877-529-4343 or complete our online form on this page to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. Our consultation is free and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
SOCIAL MEDIA AFTER AN ACCIDENT? – WE SAY, STAY OFF IT!
It would be accurate to say that everyone is online. Information related to where we go, what we do, who we are with, and even what we ate is available at the click of a finger. Although our intentions are always to share our joys and sorrows with our online network, revealing information online has its pros and cons. It becomes even more important in case of a personal injury wherein a personal injury attorney may use social media content of the involved parties. In case of a personal injury case, the activity of the involved parties on social media may be considered an important piece of evidence. We know this might sound a little scary, but do not worry! It is important that you understand this scenario well. Let us understand the impact of social media on a personal injury claim through an example. For instance, say that you are a victim of a slip and fall seeking damages including medical expenses related to hindered or restricted mobility because of the accident. But the insurer of the at-fault party checks your social media and finds that you checked into a sports center for a game of basketball. In such a scenario, this could work against you. Alternatively, there could be cases where your personal injury attorney may find that the at-fault party posts something online that proves their negligence. Content before or after the accident may hamper the case especially in terms of settlement. Hence, we recommend that you stay away from social media and avoid posting any content until the case is closed. Additionally, here are some specific scenarios related to social media and their impact on your personal injury case. Contradicting the testimony: One of the most common outcomes of using social media may be that it contradicts your testimony as a victim, at-fault party, or even a witness. Hence, it is imperative that you are careful about you post especially in an ongoing personal injury case. Moreover, completely disclose all the information that is pertinent to the case to your personal injury attorney. Comments from friends: Often harmless comments by friends and family related to the personal injury case on your social media can have a negative impact on the settlement process, although that may not be the intention. Strengthening you claim: It is important to remember that social media is not all bad, it can also come in handy and play a positive role by strengthening your testimony, hence, full disclosure with your personal injury lawyer becomes even more important and even advantageous in some cases. Admissible evidence: In New York, social media content relevant to a personal injury claim is admissible evidence, that is, a personal injury attorney can use social media posts as evidence in a settlement case. Hence, everything you post online, regardless of timeline may be used. While it is not possible to complete eliminate your life online, it is highly advisable to refrain from posting during an ongoing personal injury claim. Moreover, when you hire a personal injury attorney to represent you, make sure you allow them to access your social media history so that they can find any relevant information that could have an impact, positive or negative, on your case. If you or someone you know has been injured due to someone’s negligence, you need the top injury lawyers, contact Siler & Ingber today. Call us on 1-877-529-4343 or complete our online form on this page to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. Our consultation is free, and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ELEVATOR ACCIDENT CLAIM AND SETTLEMENT
Elevators have become synonymous with buildings in New York. They are a part of the basic equipment and fundamental landscape. Moreover, people are so habitual of using elevators that they do not even think twice before stepping in or out. However, since elevators are eventually a piece of mechanical equipment, they pose a risk to its users and carry the risk of injuries. Some of the most common injuries caused as a result of elevator failure are damage to the feet, ankles, knees, legs, hips and spine. In fact, numbers as shared by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health show that over 10,000 people are injured in elevator accidents every year in the United States. Of these, 30 accidents result in fatality. But how do elevator accidents occur? Some of the most common causes are: Overweight in the car due to high load The door opening and closing too quickly so people may get injured Stepping on or off on an uneven surface or the gap between the floor and the door Mechanical or equipment failure or snapped cables causing the elevator to free fall Walking into an open elevator shaft Clothes or bags getting caught in the elevator door Who is responsible for an elevator accident? As compared to other personal injuries or accidents such as car accidents, etc., an elevator accident is often more complicated. It usually involves several parties including the injured party, the owner of the building where the elevator is installed, the elevator manufacturer, and the maintenance company required to maintain the elevator in terms of service. In such a case, it is pertinent to answer the question about who is really responsible for an injury and how to resolve the claim. An elevator accident lawyer or a personal injury attorney can help! To receive compensation after an elevator accident, the injured party must prove that the injury suffered was a result of another party’s negligence – whoever may be the negligent party. The injured party should be able to prove that the responsible party knew that the elevator was not functioning or had a history of problems that were not fixed. A personal injury lawyer can help claim settlement for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and lost wages should negligence be proved by the lawyer. Considering the complications involved, it is recommended to work with an elevator accident attorney. If you or someone you know has been in an elevator accident you need the top injury lawyers, contact Siler & Ingber today. Call us on 1-877-529-4343 or complete our online form on this page to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. Our consultation is free, and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
Only Pay If You Win: Contingency Fees Take the Risk Out of a Lawsuit
A lot of people do not like to file a lawsuit because of the time, money, and energy needed for it. Most New York City citizens have busy schedules that they do not wish to shift or alter because of a lawsuit. However, if there is a personal injury case that cannot be avoided, it is imperative to get compensation with the help of an experienced attorney. This is simply because an injury that affects an individual’s ability to lead a normal life should not be overlooked whatsoever. The parties responsible for such serious damage must be held responsible in front of the eyes of the court. So, a lawyer must be hired to fight the case who is ready to accept contingency fees. Mentioned below are details about this type of fees that people can opt for: What is a contingency fee? The basic definition of a contingency fee is an arrangement between an attorney and a client wherein the fee will be determined based on the settlement received after winning the case. In New York City, attorneys can only get a maximum percentage of 33.3 when a lawsuit is settled in favor of their clients. This is the only fee that the clients must pay after the judgment is given by the court. No payments are made during the course of the lawsuit to the attorney by the client. Who accepts a contingency fee? Only civil litigators accept this form of payment. This means that people who are involved in criminal cases do not have the option of paying a contingency fee to their attorneys. In most scenarios, personal injury attorneys are the ones who work on a contingency fee basis by taking one-third of the settlement expected in the lawsuit. Taking this into account, it is imperative to find an experienced personal injury attorney with a solid reputation. What are the types of contingency fees? Contingency fee has come into the picture for people who cannot pay their lawyers. An average New Yorker who has been injured in an accident will not have the resources to make payments till the time their health is not recovered. During the process, the lawyer will handle all the expenses related to the lawsuit. This ranges from paying expert witnesses, storage costs for evidence preservation, taking medical records from the hospital, court filing fees, subpoena fees, and retaining investigators involved in the case. When you think about it, there are a lot of expenses that the attorney will be managing on his own for this lawsuit. There are two ways in which s/he can expect contingency fee: Net Sum Recovered The fee will be calculated based on the net sum of money in a lawsuit after deducting all the expenses. 33.3 percent of the net recovery will be given to the attorney and the remaining amount is the rightful claim of the client. By choosing this type of contingency fee, the client’s share can be larger than expected because the attorney did not charge from the total amount of the settlement. Gross Sum Recovered In this type of contingency fee, the attorney can ask for payment made from the gross recovery amount. This is the total sum of money provided in the form of a check by the insurance company. One-third of this settlement money goes to the attorney before deducting the expenses that occurred during the lawsuit. How to find an attorney in NYC? If you are in search of a reliable attorney in the city who accepts contingency fees, then the following three tips will help you find one: Go through Client Reviews In today’s day and age, you can find reviews on possibly everything on the internet. An attorney is no exception! Research online and look for client reviews and testimonials of the most reputed attorneys in the city and then shortlist them accordingly. Focus on Prior Experience While looking for an attorney, you must find out her/his credentials. If they have experience in the type of lawsuit that you wish to file, then it will be the right fit. You can find out detailed information about their past clients on their official websites. Consult your Friends/Family You can get in touch with your friends or relatives who might have knowledge about the best attorneys in NYC. In fact, they can even guide you in steering clear from some attorneys who do not have a good reputation in the industry! In case you know someone, who has faced this legal issue, they can reach out to our personal injury experts at Siler & Ingber on 516-294-2666.
Trigger Fingers: 5 Common Causes and Symptoms
In today’s times, there are certain medical conditions that develop in people due to accidents or mishaps, exposure to toxins, and lack of proper protocols at workplaces and public areas alike. Trigger finger is a part of these health issues suffered by millions of people across the world. In its most basic form, the trigger finger is a condition in which an individual’s finger or thumb gets locked upon bending. The technical term for a trigger finger is stenosing tenosynovitis. The occurrence of a locked finger or thumb takes place when there is inflammation present between a finger’s tendon and sheath. As a result, the patient is unable to “unlock” their finger. It has been observed that trigger fingers are typically observed among people with hobbies or work that involves repetitive gripping motions on a regular basis. When it comes to an employee’s medical expense for treating her/his trigger fingers, the employer is responsible for ensuring that a smooth recovery can take place. This is mainly because the recurrent stress caused to their employee is a part of the job that they were assigned by the organization. This personal injury needs to be proved by the employee medically so that they are eligible for workers’ compensation. To have a better understanding of trigger fingers, mentioned below are its common causes, symptoms, and treatment: 5 Common Causes Trigger fingers can occur in people from all walks of life. Whether you are working in a construction company or suffer from a pre-existing medical condition, a digit of your finger or thumb can get locked. Here are the five most common causes of trigger fingers observed in human beings: Operating Machinery – Power tools used by workers in various industries can lead to the regular occurrence of contact friction. This vibration motion can cause an employee’s finger or thumb to bend and lock. Playing Musical Instruments – Drums, guitars, violins, and several other musical instruments are played by performing repetitive motions. People working with a music company, band, or orchestra can suffer from trigger fingers because of forced movement of their fingers and thumb. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – A very common medical condition, carpal tunnel syndrome can present itself in people who work on their laptops or PCs for long periods of time. The continuous typing on these machines can lead to pain and numbness in their hands. When this condition becomes severe, trigger fingers can be an added medical condition. Rheumatoid Arthritis – This autoimmune disease causes wear-and-tear injuries in a person’s joints. Since the patient’s immune system attacks itself, inflammation in any body part is possible. Trigger fingers occur in patients who have a severe attack of this medical condition. Diabetes – In this life-long disease, an individual’s blood sugar levels must be monitored on a daily basis. The bond between glucose and protein present in the tissues of a finger or thumb cannot be reserved. This leads to overgrowth of the tendon sheath that locks the finger in a bent position. Symptoms The signs of trigger fingers can progress from mild to severe over a short period of time. This is based on the recurrent finger movements of an individual who might not get worker’s compensation from her/his employer on time. The following symptoms are exhibited in 40- and 50-year-old patients: Formation of a lump on or near a finger Stiffness and loss of movement in the digit of a finger Popping/locking sound while making movement with a finger or thumb Inability to move fingers from a bent position, especially in the mornings Treatment Diagnosing trigger fingers can be done with a basic physical exam by a reputed health practitioner. There are no elaborate tests required to understand the severity of this medical condition. There are anti-inflammatory medications that can be prescribed to ease the patient’s pain. Along with this, the medical expert can advise the patient to wear a splint on the affected finger during the night. Therapy, in the form of stretching exercises, is provided in cases when the pain is unbearable. Patients who do not get relief from these treatments are advised to get surgery. Since the medical treatment and recovery process of trigger fingers requires a significant amount of expenditure, employees can seek worker’s compensation from their employer. This can be only possible for people who have trigger fingers caused by workplace stress or accident.
Halloween Safe Driving on Long Island
Swarms of trick-or-treaters will be roaming Long Island streets next weekend, and motorists planning to be on the road must stay alert. Children of all ages will be out knocking on doors, attending Halloween parties, and making up for lost fun last season due to the pandemic. While some motor vehicle accidents are unavoidable, most Halloween-related traffic accidents are preventable by following simple traffic laws that prove to keep pedestrians safe. Here are just a few Halloween accident stats you can share with your family and friends to help keep your community safe this October 31. Halloween Night Car Accident Statistics Halloween is supposed to be a holiday full of delicious treats and spooky tricks. But sadly, hundreds of people die every year on this holiday due to traffic accidents, and 18 percent of these fatalities are children. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, pedestrians out on Halloween are twice as likely to become victims of a motor vehicle accident than on any other day of the year. Traffic fatalities on October 31 fluctuate annually depending on the day of the week the holiday falls. A new study by AutoInsurance.org, analyzing Halloween-related accidents in the last 25 years, found that weekday holidays have higher traffic fatality rates. More residents are concentrated on their daily schedules on weekdays and forget to look for Halloween patrons. However, this trend doesn’t mean weekends are any safer. Such as this upcoming holiday, Sundays have ranked as the third deadliest day for Halloween to fall in the last two decades. One of the deadliest Halloween Sundays on record occurred in 2004 with 143 fatalities reported– the second most fatal Halloween in 25 years. Why Do Car Accidents Occur on Halloween There are more than enough factors to make Halloween one of the most dangerous holidays on American roads. For starters, children running around in the dark is a recipe for disaster. Between poorly lit walkways, uneven pavement, tripping hazards from costumes, and impulsive trick-or-treaters ready to bolt into the street, drivers must always be on their best behavior– unfortunately, this is not always the case. Most Halloween-related car accidents are preventable and occur due to reckless or aggressive driving behaviors that are especially dangerous when kids and families share the road. These behaviors include: Distracted driving; Drunk driving; Drowsy driving; Speeding; Failure to yield to pedestrians; Failure to stop at lights and signs; Failure to use turn signals; Illegal passing; and Accelerated starts. Pedestrian accidents due to reckless driving behaviors often result in severe and fatal injuries. It only takes a few seconds of looking away from the road to miss a trick-or-treater darting across the street. It’s even harder to see pedestrians when driving at night, leaving drivers even less time to react to road hazards. Safe Halloween Driving Tips To help keep our Long Island community safe, it is up to everyone to help keep everyone safe this Halloween. Whether you are a driver sorting through the Halloween chaos or a pedestrian venturing out on the streets, here are some safety tips from the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration to help reduce Halloween-related traffic fatalities this year. Safety Tips for For Drivers Keep your speed lower than usual in neighborhoods and on any street trick-or-treaters frequent; Watch the road at all times; Reduce distractions such as talking with passengers, talking on the phone, texting, or listening to loud music; Allow pedestrians the right of way; Stop at all stop signs and traffic lights; Use your turn signals; Keep your lights when trick-or-treat hours begin; Watch the crosswalks before turning; and Never drive under the influence. Safety Tips for Pedestrians Always supervise kids under the ages of 12 when trick-or-treating; Carry glow sticks and flashlights; Use reflective tape on dark costumes so cars can see you; Encourage kids to slow down and not to run into the road; If following in a vehicle, turn on your headlights to make it easier for kids on your street to navigate; Always cross at crosswalks when available; and Select costumes that do not cover a child’s vision or drag on the ground to prevent tripping. Have a fun, safe, and healthy Halloween, Long Island! Long Island Vehicle Accident Lawyers Our personal injury attorneys at the law firm of Siler & Ingber have over 20 years of experience representing accident victims on Long Island. We protect your rights by maximizing recovery and securing the financial support our clients need to succeed on their road to recovery. Our winning attorneys know how to navigate through the claim process using our experience as insurance defense attorneys. We are not afraid to fight and are fully prepared to take your case to trial to get a justified verdict over settling for less. If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle accident, our team at Siler & Ingber is here to help. With a 98% success rate, we have the experience and the know-how to help our clients achieve a favorable outcome. Contact us today at 1-877-529-4343, or schedule an appointment online anytime. We never charge a fee unless we recover money for you.
