How Can You Tell Who Hit Who in a Car Accident?
When in an accident it can get really difficult to tell which vehicle was at fault for the collision that occurred. In case there are two or more vehicles involved determining who is responsible for the accidents gets extremely important as the other party is then liable to pay compensation. There could be a situation where there is more than one party that shares fault. If you or someone you know has been in a car accident then you will need to know who hit who. The other party involved in the accident could be negligent and thus legally responsible for the injuries caused to you. Every car accident is different and complex. There could be some underlying causes for the accident which could need investigation. In many cases it has also been seen that the car first hits a stationary object which then causes a chain reaction of collisions. Also in case of a traffic jam, several cars might collide with each other, in such a situation figuring out who hit who can get tricky. So how do you find out? Fortunately, in case of confusion, there are several ways to find out who is responsible for the accident. Here are some of those:- Testimony of Eyewitnesses Those who saw and were present near the scene of the accident are called eyewitnesses. The potential eyewitnesses could include bystanders, passengers, pedestrians, or even other drivers on the road. An eyewitness’s account is very valuable in piecing together who-hit-who in a car accident. It is essential that you and your lawyer talk to the witnesses as soon as possible because then for them to recollect what happened can be easy, as memories can fade. Footage from Surveillance Cameras In several public places, especially at certain traffic intersections surveillance cameras have been installed. These cameras record each and every moment that occurs on the road. It is not in your control that whether the place where the collision of your car occurred was covered by a surveillance camera or not, but you should always check if a camera was able to capture it. If there was a camera that captured the collision then there is no better evidence of who-hit-who than the video of the mishap itself. Report of the Police After every accident the police conduct a preliminary investigation of the possible causes of the accident. They examine the vehicles that were involved in the accident and also look for clues on the road. Seeing the damage, point of angle, the location where the vehicles ended up after the collision and the road condition all can help police to come to a rough conclusion as to who was responsible for the accident. By examining the cars and the drivers the police can also determine whether the drivers involved in the accident were intoxicated or broke any laws, etc. Your Injuries Soon after the collision, the drivers should get their injuries recorded by medical personnel. Your injuries could also be recorded and can be used as evidence later when you put in a claim for compensation. If there is a dispute in the who-hit-who case then the doctor’s testimony also holds quite a lot of importance as it can help determine the truth. How can a Personal Injury Attorney Help? Who-hit-who is the first and the most crucial question that is asked after a car collision/accident. This question must be answered as it will help decide the responsible party for the collision. Contact a Personal Injury lawyer such as the Siler & Ingber team of attorneys who are the best in New York to help you with any complications in your legal fight for compensation. They will make sure you don’t end up jeopardizing your legal rights. To prove your claim against the other driver, get in touch with the Siler & Ingber team of lawyers.
Blood Alcohol Level & DWI
Drunk driving is a serious offence not just in New York but all across the globe. If you are caught ‘driving while intoxicated’ (DWI), you will have to face several penalties, including jail time and also substantial fines. Not just these, if you cause an accident while drunk driving, the injured victim may sue you for the damages caused to them by the DWI accident. New York Alcohol Laws New York is a city that never sleeps but what you wouldn’t want to do is wake up in jail because you were too high on alcohol and decided to drive home yourself. New York could be a dream city for many but just one night of drunk driving can make New York City a nightmare for you. Each and every state in New York has its own DWI laws but the punishable blood alcohol content (BAC) levels for all states are 0.08, also the punishments vary everywhere. If you are getting behind the wheel while intoxicated, there are a few things that you must know about alcohol offences in the city of New York. Chemical Test Refusal The driver who is suspected of driving intoxicated and refuses to take a chemical test, such as a breath, blood or urine test, can be charged with the crime of chemical test refusal. You will be charged with a penalty of $500 and in the case of commercial drivers, it is $550. In the chemical test refusal, there is no jail time but the license of the driver could be revoked for at least 1 year. For a commercial driver, the license could be revoked for 1 month. If you have any subsequent offences, your fines and suspension increase accordingly. Zero Tolerance Law New York City has absolutely no tolerance for underage drinking or the use of illegal or prescription drugs while behind the wheel. If there is a driver who is under the age of 21 years and whose BAC is between 0.0 – 0.07, he/she violates this zero-tolerance law. The penalties for breaking this law are $125 and $100 extra to terminate the suspension. For this violation, there is no jail time but the license of the driver would be suspended for at least 6 months. Any other offence would only increase the suspension and the fines. There could be other consequences that the offender might have to face, such as increased insurance rates. Driving a vehicle in New York under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be an extremely dangerous crime. The law system of the city is very strict about penalizing offenders. Even a first-time offence can burn a hole in the pocket of the driver. If caught, the lawbreaker may have to pay $10,000 in legal fees and fines. If you or your loved one was in a car accident which was caused by an intoxicated driver, you can file for a claim or even sue the driver. Siler & Ingber’s attorneys will give you the right legal advice which would help you get the compensation that you are entitled to. Get in touch with the expert today for any kind of personal injury legal assistance.
Who Pays for My Injuries After A Car Accident In New York?
Every car manufacturer now is looking to develop cars that have self-driving capabilities but the fact remains that the self-driving cars today are far from perfect. While these cars have been widely publicized as ‘self-driving’, they still do require an attentive driver at all times behind the wheel. The question might come to your mind that, in a situation where a self- driving car has been in an accident, who is liable for the injuries of the victim? Let us answer this question with reliable information from a car accident attorney in New York in this blog. There are many autonomous vehicles out there on the street and like any other vehicle that is not self driven, these autonomous vehicles also get involved in accidents. For a car which has no driver, who is to blame if someone is injured? So, well – the parties that could be typically liable for such accidents include:- The Person Sitting on the Driver Seat The fact that a self-driven car can be involved in the accident proves that you can’t fully trust the vehicle to sense and react to sudden and unexpected dangers on the road. In such an accident also the negligence of the driver can still be a potential factor. The driver can be held liable for placing too much reliance on the autonomous capabilities of the vehicle and taking risks like sleeping behind the wheel, watching a movie, etc. The Manufacturer of the Vehicle While in most cases the owner of the vehicle/driver is held responsible due to negligence but at times with the help of a good car accident attorney the manufacturer could be held liable for the injuries or death of the victim which resulted from vehicle defects. In this situation you will need to prove the defect in the vehicle and that the defect was responsible for the accident. If the accident was caused due to the negligence of the driver as well as a defect in the vehicle then both the driver and the manufacturer may have to share the legal responsibility for the collision. Manufacturer of the Defective Part of the Vehicle A vehicle is made when different components come together and mostly each component is manufactured by different companies. If you have been in an accident that utilizes technology from a third-party software company or a car hardware supplier, then you may hold the company that made the faulty part responsible for the crash along with a claim against the vehicle manufacturer. A Third Party Like Road Construction Contractor or Vehicle Repair Shop Poor road conditions can also be a cause of the crash, which makes the contractor of that road construction responsible for the accident. Any other third party such as a negligent vehicle repair shop owner could contribute to the car accident as well. Whether you got the repairs done from an independent repair shop or the authorized dealer, if the negligent repair is the cause of the mishap, then you deserve full compensation for your accident-related losses. Who is to be held responsible for an autonomous vehicle crash can be a tricky thing to deal with. There could be several factors that could have led to the accident, hence if at all you have been involved in such a situation then all you need to do is, get in touch with an experienced lawyer who can study the whole case properly and help you get the compensation you deserve, Siler & Ingber have a group of brilliant car accident attorneys in New York who are not only skilled but have years of experience in this field. With Siler & Ingber team, you are surely in good hands. Contact the team today for a free evaluation of your case.
Who Is Liable When An Autonomous Vehicle Crashes?
Every car manufacturer now is looking to develop cars that have self-driving capabilities but the fact remains that the self-driving cars today are far from perfect. While these cars have been widely publicized as ‘self-driving’, they still do require an attentive driver at all times behind the wheel. The question might come to your mind that, in a situation where a self- driving car has been in an accident, who is liable for the injuries of the victim? Let us answer this question with reliable information from a car accident attorney in New York in this blog. There are many autonomous vehicles out there on the street and like any other vehicle that is not self driven, these autonomous vehicles also get involved in accidents. For a car which has no driver, who is to blame if someone is injured? So, well – the parties that could be typically liable for such accidents include:- The Person Sitting on the Driver Seat The fact that a self-driven car can be involved in the accident proves that you can’t fully trust the vehicle to sense and react to sudden and unexpected dangers on the road. In such an accident also the negligence of the driver can still be a potential factor. The driver can be held liable for placing too much reliance on the autonomous capabilities of the vehicle and taking risks like sleeping behind the wheel, watching a movie, etc. The Manufacturer of the Vehicle While in most cases the owner of the vehicle/driver is held responsible due to negligence but at times with the help of a good car accident attorney the manufacturer could be held liable for the injuries or death of the victim which resulted from vehicle defects. In this situation you will need to prove the defect in the vehicle and that the defect was responsible for the accident. If the accident was caused due to the negligence of the driver as well as a defect in the vehicle then both the driver and the manufacturer may have to share the legal responsibility for the collision. Manufacturer of the Defective Part of the Vehicle A vehicle is made when different components come together and mostly each component is manufactured by different companies. If you have been in an accident that utilizes technology from a third-party software company or a car hardware supplier, then you may hold the company that made the faulty part responsible for the crash along with a claim against the vehicle manufacturer. A Third Party Like Road Construction Contractor or Vehicle Repair Shop Poor road conditions can also be a cause of the crash, which makes the contractor of that road construction responsible for the accident. Any other third party such as a negligent vehicle repair shop owner could contribute to the car accident as well. Whether you got the repairs done from an independent repair shop or the authorized dealer, if the negligent repair is the cause of the mishap, then you deserve full compensation for your accident-related losses. Who is to be held responsible for an autonomous vehicle crash can be a tricky thing to deal with. There could be several factors that could have led to the accident, hence if at all you have been involved in such a situation then all you need to do is, get in touch with an experienced lawyer who can study the whole case properly and help you get the compensation you deserve, Siler & Ingber have a group of brilliant car accident attorneys in New York who are not only skilled but have years of experience in this field. With Siler & Ingber team, you are surely in good hands. Contact the team today for a free evaluation of your case.
Teen Drivers During Summer Time
The summer vacations have begun and there are many teens out there practising their driving skills on the road. It has been seen that teen drivers are at a higher risk of meeting with an accident than their adult counterparts and that too during the summers. There are many reasons that summers are the worst time to drive around for teen drivers. Let us have a look at the causes which make roads unsafe for teens during the summer season:- Distracted Driving Teens when around their friends are usually chatty or if not with friends they have other distractions like their cell phone. A teen’s mind is always up to something which makes for plenty of distractions on their mind. When driving with a distracted mind the teen can end up losing control of the vehicle at a critical moment. Parents should make their kids aware of such situations and keep them safe. Lack of Experience Teens are new to driving around and even their driving skills are not polished which increases the risk for teen drivers behind the wheel. School keeps the teens busy all throughout the year but during the summers the schools are closed which makes the teens do recreational driving. Teens want to have the freedom to drive around wherever they want which sometimes goes against their safety. Teens drivers have more passengers This is no surprise. For teens, there is no fun if they can’t take all their friends around for a drive. Each and every teen in the car increases the chance of a fatal crash by 44 %. It has been observed; that when teens are around their friends they become all the more irresponsible. Driving on Unfamiliar Roads It’s only during summers that the teens are able to move out with their friends to less-familiar locations. Round the year if your teen is driving, they are only restricted to familiar places like school, work, market etc. On the other hand, during summers the teens may find themselves on unfamiliar roads which significantly increases the risk of an accident. Travel Greater Distances Your teen might know how to drive well but they must have only driven short distances. During the summers your teen may be excited to drive and travel greater distances. When driving long distances everyone feels fatigued but because the teens are new to this feeling they might keep going. In such a situation the odds of having a car collision may rise. Increased Road Construction Everyone is aware that during the summer months the cities take on the much-needed, long-pending road construction projects. Although these projects do improve the condition of the roads but they also serve as short-term hazards for inexperienced drivers like the teens. The teen drivers find it difficult to navigate the obstacles on the roads which therefore increases the accident risk. If your teen has been in a road accident and was injured because of someone else’s negligence, you might need some legal advice from the experienced Siler and Ingber team. They can get you the compensation that your teen deserves for their injuries. Tarry no longer. Get legal help from us. Call today for a free evaluation of your case.
Mistakes after an Auto Accident
When you are injured in an auto accident, you under a lot of suffering, be it physical, emotional, mental or even financial. If the accident is due to the other person’s negligence then the law allows you to claim compensation for your suffering and the losses incurred during the accident. After the accident how you respond to the complete situation decides whether you will be able to receive a fair recovery of your damages or not. In most cases, victims make certain mistakes which prevent them from getting the compensation that they really deserve. You might be well aware of the things you need to do after an auto accident but what you might not know is what you should not do after an accident. Here are a few mistakes we have listed that you would want to avoid if you’ve been in an auto accident. These mistakes might just jeopardize your car crash claim and reduce the amount you could have recovered as compensation. Not Seeking Medical Help Immediate medical attention is important so that you can heal quickly and properly from your injuries. Also, going to a physician is vital as to document your injuries. The treatment you take from the doctor is a piece of evidence in your auto accident claim. Just saying that you got hurt is of no use in a lawsuit. Your injuries need to be verified by a doctor. Delay in visiting the doctor might make the negligent driver claim that you didn’t get hurt in the accident and the injuries you tell about later after the accident happened elsewhere. Visiting a doctor as soon as you can after the mishap will prevent such bogus claims. Not Approaching the Police The report filed by the police can be of great value for your claim for recovery. The police officer that arrives at the scene might collect some valuable evidence that might be in your favour, which later can be used by your lawyers. Not calling the police might indicate that you are the one at fault for the crash. Accepting a Settlement Swiftly The first settlement that comes from the other side is not usually the best. Most of the times the victim has already been through so much that they are tempted to resolve it quickly. If you pursue the case a little more there are chances that you will get a fair settlement. Hire a lawyer to handle all these settlements and you’ll be freer mentally and would be able to pay more attention to your recovery. Missing out Parts of the Story Skipping parts of the whole crash can worsen things for you. The attorney you hire is your teammate and hiding anything from them will only take you away from recovering compensation from the other party. Honesty with your attorney is important, share all, good, bad, ugly with the lawyer so they can help you in the best possible way and prepare a strong case on your behalf. Get a Car Attorney’s Help! Auto accidents can be traumatizing and at any stage the car accident lawyers in new york can help you dodge errors. The sooner you get a lawyer involved in the case, the better it is as they can start work on your case and come up with the best possible decisions for your case. Siler & Ingber are brilliant lawyers who ensure they get you a fair settlement so that you can recover quickly from your injuries and carry on with your life. Avoid making these mistakes mentioned in the blog as they can lower your chance of getting the compensation you need to recover completely. With the team of Siler & Ingber, you can rest assured; your case is in good, experienced hands. For a free evaluation, get in touch.
Red Traffic Light means Stop – Do Not Run a Red Traffic Light
Red Light collisions are the types of traffic accidents that can be easily prevented and are also the most common kind of accidents that happen in an intersection. The purpose of traffic lights or red lights is to manage traffic and keep the ones on the road safe. There are quite many drivers who adhere to the rules of red lights and stop at the traffic signals but there are also motor vehicle drivers who do not stop at the red light and end up causing serious injuries to others and sometimes even lead to fatalities. Typically it is the driver running the red light who is held responsible in this type of crash. Just about everyone has run a red light sometime or other. Skipping a stop light cannot just be hazardous for you but for others too. Don’t be a driver who disregards their own safety and also the safety of others on the road just because they are in a hurry to reach osomewhere. Most accidents occur when a driver speeds up to avoid stopping at the red light. Such accidents cause serious or even fatal injuries to both parties. Why do Drivers feel the Need to Skip a Red Light? Drivers ignore the red light signal because they are:- In a hurry or are impatient Distracted by something or someone – like say a call or a text on the phone Running late for an appointment or work Driving intoxicated highly emotionally charged or angry and end up driving recklessly How dangerous is it when someone skips Red Light? Maximum numbers of car collisions that occur at road intersections are usually caused because the driver did not stop at the red light. With the increasing crowds on the road, we are more dependent on the traffic lights to control the traffic at the intersections so that everyone is able to cross through safely. It will only take one mistake to cause a serious injury to the driver himself/herself and to others. Injuries suffered as a result of skipping Red Light Skipping a red traffic light can result in violet collisions because the vehicles involved are at a very high speed. These kinds of collisions result in major loss of property and severe personal injuries. Some of the common injuries that people suffer from after a red light crash include whiplash, neck, shoulder and back injuries. Multiple fractures are also possible along with brain and spinal cord injuries. An accident can be traumatizing and we understand that there will be medical expenses, loss of wages, etc which would put you in a tough financial position. Regardless of the reasons for running the red light, if you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident that was caused due to the negligence of another person, get in touch with Siler & Ingber. You can trust them to make certain that the driver does not go unpunished. The team of personal injury lawyers here ensure that justice is served and you receive the compensation that you rightfully and legally deserve.
Distracted Driving – The Major Reason of Many Accident Injuries
The cars nowadays are becoming more and more digitally advanced with the passing of time. As interactive technology finds its way into the cars that we drive, the probability of getting distracted while driving increases. In New York the vehicle accidents caused by distracted driving injures hundreds and thousands each year and claims the lives of more than 3,000 people. Fiddling with the cell phone, texting, taking to someone on the cell phone, using navigation system and even changing the radio station channel are distracted driver behaviours which can have serious consequences. What is meant by Distracted Driving? Being attentive and alert while driving is very important to prevent accidents and crashes that lead to unintentional injuries and death. In most cases, cell phones and navigation devices are the culprits in distracting the driver but conventional distractions such as eating or interacting with passengers, also contribute majorly to crashes. Distracted driving is an activity that takes the attention of the driver away from driving and in turn increases the chances of crashing into a stationary or moving object. The distractions are categorized into 3 different kinds:- Manual Any activity that requires the driver to remove one or both his hands from the steering wheel are called Manual Distractions. These include dialling a phone number on the cell phone, texting, eating, doing makeup in the car etc. Visual Any activity that requires a driver to take his/her eyes off the road is termed as a Visual Distraction. These include checking e-mails on the cell phone, watching videos on the car screen or on the phone or even checking the GPS device. Cognitive Any activity that leads to the driver taking his mind off the act of driving or focusing the attention elsewhere is termed as Cognitive Distraction. These include taking on the phone or even with a fellow passenger while driving. There are several activities that can distract a driver from keeping his or her attention on the road. It is at these times when you are not mentally or physically ready that crashes and accidents can occur. Distracted Driving is Dangerous, Why? Quite a lot of people who drive distracted don’t think that their behaviour could be dangerous for them and for others. They are extremely confident about their ability to multitask and because it takes only a few minutes or seconds to drop a text to someone, answer a call or change the radio station, they feel that it won’t do any harm to anyone. However, the human brain is designed to perform only one task at a time. When you multitask, the brain starts to switch focus rapidly from one task to another. While driving if you are taking over a call or eating, it leaves you vulnerable and increases the likelihood that you will get involved in a serious crash. Who can help you in a Distracted Driver Injury Case? Every other day there is some or the other case of injuries due to negligence or distraction during driving. Have you been injured in a car accident which has been caused by a distracted driver, if yes, then we at Siler & Ingber can help you. The accident could get you out of work for months and also might get you stuck under a mounting pile of medical bills. Contact Siler & Ingber’s law firm for a free legal consultation. All your questions will be answered and best course of action will be advised to you. They will stand by you 24/7 so do not hesitate to approach them for help at any time. A knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorney will be handling your case. Tarry no longer! Get the compensation you deserve for your injuries and sufferings.
T- Bone Accidents – New York Lawyers
T- Bone accident occurs when the front end of one vehicle crashes into one side of the other vehicle. These two vehicles collide perpendicularly, resembling the letter T; hence it is called a T- Bone accident. These kinds of accidents are also commonly called broadside or side-impact crashes. Accidents like these are often caused due to negligent actions or reckless driving and can result in severe injury or death. You are entitled to compensation for your injuries for which you will need the help of a car accident lawyer. How are T-Bone Crashes Extremely Dangerous? It is mostly at the intersections that the T-Bone accidents occur. It can often involve more than two vehicles as there is a high risk of a follow-up collision that can lead to further injury. It is not very uncommon in T-Bone collisions to push the vehicles into the oncoming traffic, into guardrails, off the road or even into other structures. These kinds of collisions are deadlier than rear-end or head-on collisions. Another reason for such accidents/crashes being fatal is that the safety features on the side of the vehicle are fewer, making the passengers in the car particularly vulnerable to a catastrophic injury or death in a side impact. Many new vehicles now are equipped with side airbags but these airbags are not strong enough to withstand the forceful blow of a side collision. A T-Bone accident can change your life and leave you scarred for life in mere moments. Even a small injury can keep you in the hospital for a long, affecting your work life, finances, etc and causing a lot of pain, distress, and substantial medical expense. What should you do after the T-Bone Collision? If you wish to file a claim with the car accident lawyer for your injuries in a T-Bone accident, you need to prove someone else’s negligence which requires strong evidence. The important information should be taken from the scene of the accident. The information should include:- Time, date, and exact location of the collision. Details regarding the direction of your car and the lane you were driving in Contact information of the other car driver with their car details. Pictures of the scene, injuries if any, and any other property damage. Contact information of witnesses. Traffic and weather conditions at the time of the collision. In the state of New York if you are even partly at fault, in that situation also you still have the right eligible for compensation. However, the damages may be reduced and will be based on your fault and actions that contributed to the accident. We Can Help T-Bone Accidents can be traumatizing. At Siler & Ingber we make sure that you don’t have to bear the burden of filing a claim alone. Our Personal Injury Lawyer studies your case deliberately and ensures that a negligent driver compensates for your injuries and trauma. Our skilled team of attorneys has years of experience in dealing with similar cases. We totally understand how to litigate such matters and make certain that the other side treats you fairly. Schedule a free consultation with us today.
What to do if you’re involved in a taxi accident in New York
Cabs/Taxis are the whole and soul of New York. Whether it is ridesharing apps such as Uber and Lyft or the old-school yellow cabs, they remain the go-to choice for people in New York. And, why not? A cab is definitely more convenient than the bus or the subway, and at the same time, it reduces the hassle of parking or navigating the traffic. However, accidents involving taxis are on the rise, as stated by car accident lawyers. A report by The Taxi & Limousine Commission in 2020 shares that New York City taxis were involved in 819 injury crashes per month in 2019. While there has been a decline in from an average of 883 injury crashes per month in 2018, these numbers remain very high. What should you do after the accident? If you’ve been involved in a car accident involving a taxi as a rider or the driver of another car, here are the steps you need to follow: Call 911 and the police: The first step is to call 911 and report the accident. It is also important to call the police as a police report is mandatory to claim insurance. Moreover, keep the following information about the taxi driver on hand: The taxi cab driver’s name and date of birth Address Email address and phone number Driver’s License Number and Expiration Date Insurance Carrier Taxi’s model The license plate number of the taxi Vehicle Identification Number Year of manufacture of the taxi cab The above information is important for claiming a personal injury lawsuit; hence, it is important to acquire this information. An auto accident lawyer can help. Seek medical care: The next most critical step is to seek medical care. Even if the injuries seem minor, make sure that injuries get proper care and treatment. Even if you think the injury is minor, it is a good idea to just get it checked out. Maintain records of all the receipts and medical expenses to claim compensation/settlement at a later time. A car accident lawyer can help. Collect evidence: Evidence in the form of photos, talking to witnesses, etc. can be very useful at the time of filing a personal injury claim. If you’re unable to do so, reach out to a lawyer or a friend/witness who can help. If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident involving a taxi, you need an auto accident 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 car accident lawyers. Our consultation is free and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
