Can I Sue Uber If I Have Been Hurt in an Accident?
Uber rides are an incredibly convenient option for getting around New York City. But this convenience could be coming at the cost of your safety. Every year, hundreds of people are injured in Uber accidents either as passengers, fellow motorists, or other individuals sharing the road. Uber drivers make their profit from accepting and completing as many trips as possible during a shift. This mounting pressure often leads drivers to swerve in and out of traffic, speed, drive up on curbs, and constantly look at their phones for trip requests while driving on congested city streets. Drivers who display these types of aggressive and reckless driving behaviors increasingly put the safety of others at risk. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (N.H.T.S.A) reports that aggressive drivers cause 66 percent of traffic fatalities on American roads. Aggressive driving can be defined as someone who does any of the following meanders: Speeding; Slamming on the breaks; Accelerating quickly; Failing to obey stoplights and stop signs; Failing to yield; Tailgating; Driving on the shoulder of a rod; Passing in no passing zones; Neglecting to use turn signals; and Changing lanes sporadically and often. While all drivers who share the roads in New York State have a responsibility to operate their vehicles with care, Uber drivers are the ones who are getting paid to safely transport riders. It is their job to make sure they are using caution and to prioritize the well-being of others. When an Uber driver’s negligence results in an accident or injury, the company and the driver should be held accountable. New York City and Long Island residents who have been injured as a result of an Uber accident may qualify for compensation outside of personal automobile insurance to cover damages sustained. In this article, we will cover the multiple in which Uber could be liable for your injuries and the critical information you’ll need to file a successful claim. When You Can File an Uber Claim When an Uber driver causes preventable injury to someone on the job, the victims of these accidents may qualify to file a claim against the company. There are several situations in which this might occur. Uber Passengers Passengers who are injured by Uber drivers may have several reasons why they are justified in filing a claim for damages. Uber drivers who display aggressive driving behaviors can give riders stress injuries such as whiplash, bumps and bruises, or even head injuries from quick turns or forceful stops. In the case of a serious accident, these injuries may be elevated to more severe damages such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries from forceful impacts. The condition of an Uber car may also come into question when investigating an accident caused by negligence. Cars that are not properly maintained or lack of required safety features (seatbelts or airbags) can fail to protect passengers in an accident. Documenting these variables can be crucial pieces of evidence to show how an injury could have been prevented, even when the driver was not outwardly reckless while driving. Occupants of other Vehicles Drivers and passengers sharing the road with Uber drivers can sustain traumatic injuries when an aggressive driving accident occurs. Fender benders, sideswipes, and left-hand collisions are the most common accidents occurring in the city when drivers neglect to use caution and follow basic traffic rules. Uber drivers who are looking down at their cell phone apps simultaneously at the time of a collision put occupants in other cars at even higher risk for serious injuries. Distracted drivers, who do no pay attention to the activity on the road, do not have a chance to slow down or swerve to avoid hitting other vehicles at full force. Bicyclists, Motorcyclists, and Pedestrians Uber drivers who are focused on picking up as many riders as possible often neglect to yield to other non-driving individuals sharing the road. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists bear little protection in the case of an accident. When Uber drivers swerve quickly, fail to yield, or drive up too close to curb, life-threatening accidents can occur. How To File A Successful Claim Regardless of how you were injured in an Uber accident, plaintiffs interested in pursuing a claim must be able to prove two conditions: that the Uber driver’s actions were directly liable for the accident that caused your injuries; and that the injuries and damages sustained were directly related to the accident. There are several steps you can take to gather the evidence needed to prove these circumstances, including: Medical Attention: Your health should always be the priority. Receive the appropriate medical attention directly after a motor vehicle accident to evaluate your health. Delayed treatments and regimens could result in more serious injuries down the line. Take Photos: If you are physically able to take photos of the accident scene, these images can be extremely helpful when it comes to backing up your claim. Photos should be taken before the vehicles are moved and include all physical damages done to the vehicle. Gather Documentation: Keep all documents, bills, reports, medical notes, prescriptions, or any other records associated with your injury. This documentation is key to showing the extent of the physical damages sustained and the considerable costs of recovery. Find Your Ride Receipt: Passengers who are riding in an Uber when they were injured should obtain the ride receipt as proof of when and how long they were in the vehicle. Find directions for accessing your trip ticket here. Gather Witness Information: If there were any witnesses to your accident, make sure you or someone you trust gathers their contact information before leaving the scene. Witness testimonials can be essential to providing a third-party perspective of the accident and show an unbiased opinion of liability. Obtain Your Accident Report: If your accident involves a police officer, make sure to obtain a copy of your accident report for your personal records. These accounts provide all the detailed information you will need about
Can My License Be Suspended After a New York Car Accident?
When it comes to license suspensions after a New York car accident, there are countless suspensions that go by unnoticed by many innocent citizens. There’s no doubt about it that an individual’s license will be suspended if they are found to be at fault for a hit-and-run accident, or any fatal collision, but even law-abiding New Yorkers will unknowingly have their licenses suspended after even rather minor car accidents. On this page, we’re going to go over what all New York drivers should do immediately after they’re involved in an auto collision of any kind, and the common scenarios that lead to license suspensions after car accidents in New York. Contact us today for a free case review so we can better determine your best course of legal action towards getting your license reinstated. What to do at the scene of the car accident First and foremost, you must always stop when you’re involved in any kind of collision, even if it’s rather minor. New York’s traffic accident laws always require drivers to stop their vehicles and remain at the accident scene in order to exchange information and obtain any necessary assistance in the case of injuries or severe property damage. Leaving the scene of an accident without the consent of all parties, and/or without going through the necessary steps of verifying information with all parties, can result in hit and run charges which definitely will result in a suspended license on top of many other severe penalties. What information do you need to obtain at a car accident scene? There are always going to be extenuated circumstances when it comes to obtaining all the necessary information at a car accident scene, because after all if you’re injured you should always remain still until the ambulance arrives! But if you aren’t severely injured you should be prepared to exchange a good amount of personal information with all the other involved parties. This information includes things like: Your name and driver’s license number/picture Your vehicle’s VIN number The car owner’s name and address Your insurance policy number Your insurance company’s contact information It’s also very important that you do your due diligence in terms of ensuring that the investigating police officers adequately record the necessary insurance information for the involved parties, and some other contact information you will want includes: The other car owner’s contact, vehicle and insurance information The contact and insurance information for the passengers in the other vehicle(s) The contact information for any witnesses to the accident Reporting the Car Accident to the DMV One of the most common ways that New Yorkers get their licenses suspended after a car accident is the fact that they failed to properly file a MV-104 report form with the DMV. The MV-104 form is always mandatory for each party to fill out when property damage exceeds $1,000 in any given collision, or if anyone is seriously injured or killed. This report has to be returned to the DMV within 10 days of the accident, so it’s important that you don’t wait to fill this out! What happens so often is that drivers fail to fill out this form and then have their license suspended even unknowingly, which can lead to much more serious legal consequences if you’re pulled over with a suspended license. So even if you don’t commit any serious crimes within the circumstances of your car accident, it doesn’t mean that you’ll ultimately be exempt from having your license suspended! Other Causes of a Suspended License The following are some of the more common ways in which New York drivers undergo a suspended driver’s license: Driving without proper insurance DWI/DUI 2 DWAI charges within 5 years of each other Having 11+ points on your driving record Abandoning your vehicle on a highway Fleeing police Being at-fault within any kind of fatal collision Hit and run Racing/Unauthorized willing speed competition Reckless driving Receiving 3 speeding tickets within an 18-month period There are also some non-moving violations that lead to license suspensions, including the following: Failing to file an accident report Failing to pay child support Failing to comply with any given Court Judgment Failure to pay/respond to a New York Traffic Ticket Failing to appear for a court appearance Getting Your License Reinstated There are many instances in which getting your license reinstated only requires paying a fine or fee, but there are also countless situations in which you’ll undoubtedly need experienced legal support to assist you with the negotiations and certain conditions that go with your reinstatement. There are many instances in which we’ll be able to help you reduce any fees, and even fight the reasoning behind why your license got suspended in the first place. When your license is revoked you’ll definitely need an attorney’s aid to get reinstated, and although suspensions are less serious than revocations it is still necessary to get legal assistance. Contact Our Team of Experienced Long Island Car Accident Attorneys for a Free Case Evaluation There’s no denying how stressful it is to be involved in a car accident, and dealing with injuries and liability issues on your own is an unnecessary endeavor that will ultimately leave you in an even tighter legal situation. If you or a family member finds themselves in a situation in which a license has been suspended after a car accident, the best thing you can do is contact us for a free case review. When we have a thorough understanding as to what happened at the scene of your car accident, we’ll be able to help you devise your best legal strategy towards reinstating your driver’s license and helping you obtain any rightful compensation if it’s legally possible.
How To Get A Rental Car After A New York Accident
There are many setbacks associated with car accidents, and one of your main concerns after your medical treatment will always be to have your vehicle repaired or replaced depending on how severe the sustained property damage was. Car repairs can end up costing a lot more than most people would assume, so it’s always alarming for accident victims to properly obtain a rental car and ensure that the at-fault party pays for it. The odds are that you need a vehicle on a daily basis, and on this page, we’re going to go over some of the finer details into properly going about your rental car acquisition. So if you or a loved one was involved in a car accident and you have questions about what you should do in terms of obtaining a rental car, contact us for a free case review so we can go over the details of your accident and help you navigate the proper channels towards getting your rightfully owed rental car and other damages. Common Ways to Obtain a Rental Car Post-Accident The State of New York has provided a list of tips associated with obtaining your rental car, and these pointers are many times very important when you’re looking into getting a rental car after being the victim of a car accident that wasn’t your fault. One of the first things you’ll need to do after your car accident is obtaining an accident report, which is typically produced by the local police officers that were at the scene of the collision. The police report will sometimes entail the details associated with who was the at-fault driver, which will subsequently allow the victim(s) of the accident to seek out their rightful compensation for any incurred damages, including rental car fees. The following steps are necessary when you choose to exercise your right to a rental car, and these steps begin immediately after an accident occurs: Get the at-fault driver’s information, which includes their license information, insurance policy information and personal information like phone number and address. Collect any statements or contact information to witnesses of the collision. Take as many photos/videos of the accident scene as you can. These images should include the sustained damages to all involved vehicles, and any visible injuries you sustained. File the accident report. Reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney prior to your insurance company. The reasoning behind this is that your insurance company may potentially try to take advantage of you after your accident, so you’ll want a legal expert on your side to represent your best interests. Where Can You File A Claim For A Car Rental? You’ll generally have two options when it comes to covering the costs of a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired, or when you’re in the process of negotiating a replacement car with insurance companies. Understanding who will pay for your rental car is sometimes a bit of a complex insurance issue, but in general, you’ll have the following options: At-fault driver’s insurance company: In this situation, your rental car will simply be a part of the overall compensation for your damages that you sustained in the car accident, which is the at-fault driver’s responsibility. The at-fault driver’s insurance company would cover your rental car fees as a part of your larger settlement. Your insurance company: There are many times in which an at-fault driver’s insurance company will refuse to pay for your car rental, and in this situation, you’ll have to go through your own insurance company to cover your costs (particularly if you have rental reimbursement coverage). Your insurance company may end up requesting reimbursement of these costs from the at-fault driver’s insurance company after your full settlement is negotiated. 5 Considerations When Obtaining Your Car Rental You’ll ultimately need to have a thorough understanding as to which insurance company to go through when obtaining your rental car, and here are 5 considerations to think about when choosing which company to file a claim with: Filing with your own insurance company will allow for a quicker process, which subsequently means you’ll obtain your rental car much faster. You’ll be covered for what you’ve purchased in terms of car rental insurance, which means you’ll have a maximum amount per day that your insurance company will pay or a set maximum amount of coverage. This may end up leaving you with added expenses that you’ll need to recover as a part of your case’s damages. Your daily rate under your own insurance policy may not be quite enough to properly assist you in obtaining the type of vehicle you want. An at-fault driver’s insurance company is ultimately responsible for covering your car rental fees while your vehicle is being repaired/replaced, so there will be no set day limit like you may have within your own insurance policy. An at-fault driver’s insurance provider will undoubtedly conduct a much more thorough investigation prior to authorizing your car rental purchase, so this will subsequently leave you without a vehicle for possibly a week or even longer while this convoluted process resolves itself. Obtaining a Comparable Vehicle to Yours Insurance companies will almost always try their hardest to limit their costs to a minimum, which may mean they’ll offer you the smallest, cheapest rental car that’s available. Your right to a rental car that’s comparable to your vehicle varies depending upon which company provides the car rental. An at-fault driver’s insurance company will be ultimately responsible for providing you with a similar vehicle to the one you currently drive, but your own insurance company is only responsible for providing you with a comparable vehicle to a certain extent. Your insurance provider will only be required to pay up to the limits within your policy, which may not allow you to get a high-quality rental car. How Long Can You Have A Car Rental? In general, you’re allowed to keep your rental car while your vehicle is being repaired or replaced.
New York Car Seat & Booster Seat Laws
Protecting New York’s youth is a primary concern for everyone, and on this page, we’ll discuss the laws you need to know about and other safety tips. It’s a very unfortunate reality that there are over 136,000 ER visits each year in the state of New York as a result of motor vehicle accidents, and there are many instances in which children are seriously injured in car accidents due to their lack of proper restraint. This is why the state of New York has established a whole array of very strict specifications for the child car seat and booster seat systems through the Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standard 213, but there are many other laws that New York parents and caregivers must know about. On this page we’re going to go over the important facets of New York’s child safety seat laws, and always feel free to contact us for a free case review if you have any further questions about these laws and how they may have played a role in a car accident that you or your loved ones were involved in. New York Car Seat Laws One of the more recent changes to New York’s child safety laws is that the state now requires all children eight and younger to always wear a safety restraint that meets the child’s specific weight and height requirements. There’s no doubt about it that New York is one of the pioneering states throughout the country when it comes to child car safety, and the following are some of the important laws all parents and caregivers need to know about: Starting on November 1, 2019, all children two years old and younger must utilize rear-facing car seats, until they exceed the car seat manufacturer’s weight and height suggestions. When a child is either two years of age or exceeds the manufacturer’s suggestions, the child can then use a forward-facing car seat. After the child turns four and the child exceeds the manufacturer’s height and weight requirements, he/she may use a booster seat that has chest and shoulder straps. A newer law established in 2017 states that all New York taxis must also comply with the above child safety laws. Public buses are exempt from the above laws. It’s not a requirement, but state authorities have made strong suggestions to parents to keep their children in the back seat until they reach twelve years old. The U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention has a great resource page that helps parents better understand what they can do to ensure they’re using car and booster seats correctly. There is also another great article within the New York State website that all parents and caregivers should take a look at, so there are a lot of online resources when it comes to child passenger safety. The Different Types of Child Safety Seats The CDC’s recent study indicated that about 46% of all car and booster seats are improperly installed or used, which is a serious concern for all parents. Every parent and caregiver should know that the seat must firmly fit within the vehicle and that the seat must adhere to the child’s age and size requirements. It’s important to understand the differences between the different types of child safety seats, so here is a brief list of seats that will help you choose the right type for your child: Infant Seats This child safety seat is typically used for infants that weigh below 22 pounds and are less than 25 inches in length, and these seats must always be rear-facing. A lot of infant seats are also carriers because they can be easily removed from the base that’s secured via a seat belt. Convertible Child Seats These seats are typically used for toddlers under 40 pounds, and these seats should also always be rear-facing unless the child is over two years old and meets certain height and weight requirements. It’s important that all parents and caregivers strictly follow the directions given by any car seat manufacturer because as the child gets older it will be important to keep these rules in mind to ensure the child is properly secured and restrained. There are many convertible child seats that can safely hold children that weigh up to 60 pounds, which is great for parents who are looking to save some money by getting a car seat that will be adequately safe for many years. New York Booster Seat Laws When children are too large to fit in convertible or infant seats they then will graduate to a booster seat that utilizes both lap and shoulder belts. Booster seats are typically designed for children between the ages of 4 and 8, or 40 to 80 pounds. The maximum height associated with booster seats is usually 4 feet 9 inches. Booster seats should be utilized until the child can safely fit into an adult seat belt without the booster seat’s support, which sometimes means children will use booster seats until they’re about 12 years old. It’s crucial that parents always ensure that their child’s booster seat is properly installed and safely secured before every car ride. Built-In Vehicle Child Seats There are some car models that come equipped with forward-facing child safety seats, but the main issue with these seats is that the height and weight limits will always vary between manufacturers. If you are interested in using one of these seats, you should always look into your car’s manual to determine whether or not your child meets the weight and height recommendations. Infants should never be placed in built-in vehicle child seats. Safety Tips for Parents and Caregivers There are many things that you can personally do to help keep children safe on New York’s roadways, including the following: Although it’s not illegal in New York, you should never let a child ride in a car or booster seat in the front seat near an airbag, because airbags have been known to lead to many serious/fatal
Average Car Accident Settlement in New York
Click Here To Calculate Settlement It’s always a natural reaction to think about your potential settlement expectations when you’ve sustained any kind of injury as a result of a car crash, but deciphering the exact value of any given car accident settlement is a lot more complicated than most people would think. There are several damages and factors that come into play when determining the value of any personal injury settlement, including the following: The severity of the sustained injuries The determined value of property damage Medical expenses Lost wages Pain and suffering The recklessness of the negligent driver Wrongful death And much more… There are many situations in which a car accident settlement’s value is determined by the general sympathy a plaintiff receives from a jury, which is where our team of personal injury specialists comes in to help clearly demonstrate your claim’s value by showcasing how any given negligent driver significantly impacted your life. New York’s No Fault and Comparative Negligence Rules New York is one of the only states that follow “no fault” insurance and accident compensation laws, which essentially means that you’ll have to initially go through your own insurance provider to file a claim for your injuries that result from a car accident. But there are certain circumstances that allow car accident victims to file a claim against another negligent driver’s insurance company, and even a lawsuit if necessary. Some of these circumstances include the following: Significant disfigurement Broken bones Permanent impairment of a limb or body organ Significant limitation of a body’s system or functionality Full disability for 90 days or more Any of these additional claims against a negligent driver usually will lead to more non-economic damages claims, but in order to be successful on these added claims the plaintiff will be required to prove the other driver’s level of culpability. This is because New York is a “pure comparative negligence” state, which essentially means that a jury or judge will always be comparing and calculating percentages of fault when a car accident case goes to trial. So, it’s crucial that all New Yorkers fully understand the fundamental process that goes into the establishment of a car accident settlement before understanding the overall factors that affect a settlement’s value, which we’ll discuss further below. Factors that Affect a Car Accident Settlement’s Value All car accident settlements that go to trial will consider both economic and non-economic damages, and sometimes a plaintiff will receive punitive damages as well. Punitive damages are viable when the negligent driver who caused the plaintiff’s injuries acted in such a reckless manner that they showed complete disregard for the plaintiff’s safety. Determining the average car accident settlement in New York is by no means easy, but we can fully acknowledge that the following questions are the bare minimum that a judge or jury will ask while deciphering a settlement’s value: Which party caused the accident? This may seem obvious to a plaintiff, but it’s important to remember the fact that New York is a state that follows pure comparative negligence laws. A judge or jury can ultimately reduce your settlement value by a certain percentage of blame that they say was your contribution to the accident’s occurrence. What is the exact amount of damage to your property? This will pretty much refer to the repair or replacement costs for your vehicle, as well as any personal items inside your car at the time of the crash. What are your medical costs? Your medical costs will literally mean everything that was associated with your car accident. This commonly includes an ambulance ride, doctor/surgeon fees, adaptive equipment, prescriptions, physical therapy and much more. What is the severity of your injuries? The amount of your settlement will largely depend upon how severe your injuries are, and if you’ve unfortunately suffered any kind of permanent injuries then you can expect to see a much larger value. Minor injuries typically will receive less, but there are some exceptions to this like chronic pain that requires long-term medical treatment. How much medical treatment is required? This is where it’s important to have a medical expert help your case by speaking on your behalf, because there are so many variables that come into play when it comes to the amount and overall length of medical treatment that’s necessary after a car accident. Sometimes a victim will only need to see a doctor a few times, while others have to undergo care for their whole lives. What are the monetary limits on the other party’s insurance policy? There are many instances in which an insurance company will claim that they don’t have the funds to pay the rightful settlement that you deserve, which is why all of our car accident specialists are trained and experienced in uncovering additional revenue sources that insurance companies typically don’t disclose. What treatments did you receive? There is a stigma that insurance companies will try to decipher what types of medical treatments are necessary, and what aren’t. This is particularly important when it comes to chiropractic care and other alternative medical practices. These are just some of the important factors that are associated with deciphering a car accident’s settlement value, and when you contact us for a free case review we’ll be able to delve deeper into the finer details of your case. Average Car Accident Settlement Amounts As you’ve probably gathered from the information within this page, it’s very misleading and almost impossible to calculate the average car accident settlement in New York because cases vary dramatically due to all sorts of significant factors. Over the past 20+ years, our team has been able to secure tens of millions of dollars in car accident settlements, including the following examples: $10,000,000 when an ambulance passenger was struck by an 18-wheeler and ended up losing two limbs $3,100,000 in a car accident in which a commercial vehicle rear-ended one of our clients, which required her to get a lumbar fusion surgical procedure
Child Passenger Safety Week
Car crashes are the number one cause of death for children. Between 2013 to 2017, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (N.H.T.S.A.) reported 3,313 children under the age of 13 died in car crashes. In 2017 alone, over 40 percent of children killed were not buckled in properly. Hundreds of parents and guardians every year skip the vital step of securing their children properly in the car. Most are simple mistakes, and without the knowledge that an error has been made. To help spread awareness and prevent further child fatalities on the road, the N.H.T.S.A. sponsors the annual Child Passenger Safety Week every September. From September 15 to 21, the N.H.T.S.A. along with countless other national organizations, launch active safety campaigns geared towards parents and guardians on the importance of car seat safety. Long Island families can access a bulk of community resources and events this week to assist them in properly choosing and installing their children’s car seats. To end the week, Saturday, September 21 is National Seat Check Day. Residents can visit several inspection stations in Nassau and Suffolk Counties to gain peace of mind that their little ones are safely secured. All New York parents can help spread awareness this week by staying informed on the facts. To help you get started, we’ve compiled some of the most crucial facts parents need to know about car seat safety. Car Seat Mistakes To Avoid Safe Kids Worldwide reports that for every 33 seconds, a child under the age of 13-years-old is involved in a car accident. Car seats are vital to protecting our children in the case of an accident, but only if they are being used properly. Unfortunately, most parents are not aware when they are making deadly car seat errors, leading to an increased chance of life-threatening injuries every time their child rides in the car. An article published in Fatherly highlights the seven most common car seat mistakes parents are making that could cause serious harm: Installing Car Seats Improperly:Common installation mistakes include wrong angles, using the wrong belt, not securing seat correctly, not following the manufacturer’s instructions. Turning Car Seat Too Soon:According to new recommendations released by the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents should keep their kids rear-facing as long as possible. Yet, a number of parents turn their kids around well before just because it’s easier. Not Fastening Seat Top Tether:The top tether of the car seat can keep children facing forward from toppling in a car accident. Fatherly reports more than 64% of parents don’t even use the top tether, and 50% aren’t attaching it correctly. Not Tightening Shoulder Harness Correctly:Leaving space in the harness is extremely dangerous and can cause your child to slip out of the seat and be ejected from the car. There should be no slack in the shoulder harness. Not Taking Off Winter Coats:Winter coats can cause a child to be loosely secured in a seat, even if it appears the straps are tight. There are an extra four inches of space between the coat and the child that can cause a child to fly out easily. Not Using The Right Seat:If children are in a seat that is too big or too small, they can be seriously injured in a car accident without the proper protection for their body. Missing Recalls:Not sending in the registration form for your car seat can cause parents to miss important safety recalls for their products that could put your kids in danger. The Worst Car Seats To Use Car seats are expensive. The cost alone of a modern-day car seat is enough to hinder a parent’s choice to purchase a new one. But holding on to subpar car seats or choosing cheaper options may not be a safer alternative. Here are the types of car seats parents should avoid: Expired Seats:Car seats have expiration dates for a reason. According to Consumer Reports, car seat components break down over time. This can lead to safety features failing in the case of a crash. Car seats that are typically over six-years-old should be replaced with newer models. Car Seats That Have Been In Accidents:Car accidents apply a large amount of force on objects inside the car, including the seats. Safety experts recommend replacing car seats after an accident due to the stress placed on the safety components. Keeping seats after an accident could result in life-threatening injuries or the product to fail in a crash. Second-Hand Seats: Parents who buy second-hand seats do not know the history of the product. These models may have been subject to recalls, accidents, and other types of mistreatment that compromise their integrity and durability. The cost reduction is not worth the risk. Walmart Trade-In Event Parents who are looking to purchase a new car seat or upgrade their current models will be excited about Walmart’s new Car Seat Trade-In Event. From now until September 30, Walmart will award customers a $30 gift card that can be used on any item in-store or online. The incentive is perfect to use on the next car seat you need for your little one. Here’s how to participate: Bring your car seat to the Customer Service counter from September 16 to September 30. Leave the car seat at the counter and walk away with a $30 Walmart gift card. There are only two-trade-ins allowed per household (booster seats are not eligible). For more information on the trade-in program, view Walmart’s policies here Long Island Child Passenger Safety Events Parents on Long Island should take full advantage of local resources and events available during Child Passenger Safety Week, including participating in National Seat Check Saturday. Making sure your child’s safety seat is properly secured and appropriate for their size could save their lives and protect them from permanent or disabling injuries. Nassau and Suffolk Counties both offer multiple sites for car seat installation assistance. Parents are required to make appointments before to ensure they have enough time to ask all
Drinking and Driving on Labor Day- Don’t Take A Chance
Labor Day weekend is only days away, and Long Island police departments are already on the prowl to catch drunk drivers in the act. Suffolk County police arrested eight motorists for impaired driving at a sobriety checkpoint in Huntington Station this past weekend as a part of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) campaign, “Saturation Saturday.” According to Newsday, this safety initiative is conducted annually on the Saturday before the upcoming holiday weekend to encourage motorists to drive sober by threatening hefty penalties. The drastic increase in drunk drivers on the road makes Labor Day one of the deadliest holidays of the year for car accidents. In 2017, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 376 traffic fatalities over this holiday weekend- 36 percent of these accidents involved a drunk driver. Law enforcement officers nationwide, including on Long Island, have joined organizations such as the N.H.T.S.A. in initiating a high-visibility enforcement campaign spanning from August 14 through September 2. The increased presence of officers on the road aims to reduce the number of drivers who drink and drive, and to spread awareness on the dangers alcohol can have on someone’s driving abilities. One Drink Could Be One Too Many Drunk driving takes the lives of over 10,000 Americans every year. Alcohol can impact a driver’s judgment, vision, color distinction, and reaction time; all factors which can lead to increased traffic accidents. Drunk driving accidents are entirely preventable, and it doesn’t take a large amount of alcohol for them to occur. Most drivers who choose to drink and drive give excuses such as “I only had one drink,” or “I feel fine.” The fact of the matter is that one drink does not make someone immune to the risks of intoxicated driving. A driver’s level of intoxication is based on several different factors which can all vary depending on the circumstances under which the drink was consumed. The Student Well-Being McDonald Center at the University of Notre Dame describes these as the most significant factors that can affect someones intoxication level and Blood Alcohol Content (B.A.C.), even from just one alcoholic beverage: Rate of Consumption Choosing to down multiple alcoholic drinks quickly because you have to drive later will always backfire. The quicker you consume an alcoholic beverage, the faster your B.A.C. will rise. Type of Drink One beer is not equivalent to one glass of hard liquor. Different types of alcohol have varying levels of alcohol content. Consuming stronger drinks will result in a higher B.A.C. High alcohol content drinks are also absorbed slower, which may delay the feeling of intoxication leading someone to drink more than they should. Size of Drink One drink of alcohol can vary greatly depending on how much is in your glass. One 12 ounce beer, one 4 to 5 ounce glass of wine, and one 10 ounce wine cooler all have the same alcohol content. Considering most people are not measuring how much alcohol they pour into their glass, it can be easy to consume more alcohol in one drink than intended. Mood Surprisingly, your mood can play a significant role in how intoxicated you become. If someone is experiencing depression, anxiety, or anger prior to drinking alcohol, the enzymes in their stomach will change the way their body reacts to processing the alcohol. Researchers found mood begins to deteriorate when B.A.C. is about .07, regardless of how happy you were when you started drinking. Food Drinking alcohol before you eat is a recipe for disaster. Someone who consumes alcohol on an empty stomach as opposed to a full stomach will become intoxicated much quicker. High Tolerance Having a high tolerance for consuming alcohol does not mean you can still drive. Someone who does not experience as many effects from alcohol may still have a B.A.C. over the legal limit, and make decisions on the road they might not have if sober. Illness Drinking while you are ill or in recovery from an illness can result in a higher B.A.C. and the feeling that you are more intoxicated after fewer drinks. This occurs because the body is typically dehydrated after being sick, which increases the effects of alcohol. Medications Adverse reactions to medications when drinking is more common than you might think. Mixing medications with alcohol is deadly on its own, but it can have serious consequences for an individual who is unaware before getting behind the wheel. Certain medications can cause the effects of alcohol to skyrocket after only one drink. Even some herbal medications can have adverse reactions when mixed with alcohol. Fatigue Consuming alcohol can cause you to feel fatigued, but drinking when you are already fatigued can intensify the effects of alcohol immensely. When someone is fatigued, their liver is less efficient and processes alcohol much slower, resulting in an abnormally high B.A.C. Weight The amount you weigh can determine how many drinks it takes for you to become intoxicated. Someone who weighs 185 pounds could have a B.A.C. of 0.025 after consuming two drinks in an hour, while their 130-pound friend could have a .053 B.A.C. after the same type and amount of alcohol in the same timeframe. The bottom line is there is no situation where driving after you consume alcohol is safe. There is no special math equation that can help you determine how many drinks you can have before you are too drunk to drive. Drinking any amount of alcohol is not worth getting behind the wheel or causing an accident that could alter someone’s life forever. Know The Signs Preventing drunk driving accidents starts with keeping drivers who are intoxicated off the road. When someone has been drinking, they have lost the ability for you to rely on their judgment. Being able to recognize the signs of a drunk driver can help you stop friends and family from getting behind the wheel and making a grave mistake they cannot take back. According to Healthline, here are the signs to look for that could
Car Accident Attorneys: When It’s Time To Call
Someone who is injured in a car accident is rarely thinking clearly. Between the stress of the accident and the physical pain of the injuries sustained, it can be difficult to determine what to do first. Without a doubt, your health and safety are a priority. Calling the authorities to report the crash and to seek medical attention for any serious injury should come immediately after an accident. Once these two critical steps are completed, the next challenge is deciding whether or not to call a lawyer. If you were injured in an accident, contacting a personal injury attorney could be extremely beneficial. An experienced lawyer can guide you through the tedious process of filing a successful insurance claim for the full benefits you deserve. In cases where your medical treatment exceeds the no-fault coverage amounts, a personal injury attorney can also help file a lawsuit if the accident was caused by the severe negligence of another driver. Car Accident Attorneys Will Fight The Insurance Companies New York City and Long Island car accident victims who attempt to file an insurance claim on their own after an accident can get themselves into immediate trouble. Insurance companies have teams of experts ready to fight claims and deny maximum rewards. Their resources include lawyers and adjusters who are only looking out for the best interests of their employers- not the victim of a crash. New York is a “no-fault” insurance state, meaning no matter who causes the accident, drivers who are insured can be reimbursed for expenses such as medical costs and other subsequent damages from an accident. The minimum amounts for liability insurance New Yorkers are required to purchase before registering a vehicle include: $10,000 for property damage; $25,000 to $50,000 for an injury; and $50,000 to $100,000 for a death. No-fault benefits could cover a variety of expenses for an individual after an accident, including lost wages, transportation, medical bills, prescriptions, and more. Drivers involved in an accident looking for these types of reimbursements must file a successful claim within 30 days of an accident to be considered. This can be easier said than done, especially if you have sustained serious injuries. Unfortunately, insurance reimbursements are not guaranteed; particularly when a claim is filed late or incorrectly. Car insurance claims are not always as straightforward as they appear to be, and missing information can get even the most catastrophic accident claims denied. Competent car accident attorneys understand the tricks insurance companies use to provide minimal compensation to clients who deserve more. With full knowledge of how to file a successful car accident claim in New York State, personal injury lawyers can help clients avoid the most common mistakes that lead to denied claims. Why Insurance Companies Can Deny Your Claim Insurance companies have complete control over determining the outcome after a claim is filed, and they are not in the business of handing out money. Some insurance providers will do whatever it takes not to provide full rewards to a customer, even if a person’s life depends on it. Representing yourself against large insurance companies after an accident will most likely not end well. A car accident attorney can help you provide the pertinent information your claim requires to receive the maximum benefit by focusing on these key factors: Accurate Accident Reports: Filing a police report for an accident is not as easy as you might believe. Attorneys often help their clients obtain accurate police reports of the accident that include all the details insurance companies are looking for when reviewing a claim. Picture Evidence: Pictures of the scene of an accident can be critical when it comes to proving fault when a serious injury occurs. If a driver ignored a right-of-way law or clearly marked traffic stop, photos will help in the case of a dispute. Proof of Expenses: Clients may not realize how many expenses they can claim from the injuries they sustained after an accident. An attorney will help tally up the cost for all medical treatments and damages from the accident to determine the necessary amount a client needs to get back on their feet. Ongoing Medical Treatment: Victims of accidents who are injured may not go to follow-up appointments out of financial fear. Car accident attorneys educate their clients on the importance of attending all doctors appointments to accurately support the injury claim. When Car Accidents Lead to Serious Injuries If you are seriously injured in an accident, your medical bills and treatments could meet the threshold for coverage. In these cases, personal injury attorneys are the best resources to use to file a lawsuit against a driver whose negligence was the cause of the accident. Serious injuries that could qualify for a lawsuit after an accident include: Brain Injuries; Spine Injuries; and Burn Injuries. Filing a claim against another driver in addition to filing a claim with your insurance company can become stressful. Keeping all the details and timelines straight is not easy, especially when you are in pain and possibly disabled after an accident. When you call a winning personal injury attorney, these professionals will take on the burden of keeping multiple claims organized. They understand the inner workings on what is required to successfully file different types of claims. Skilled personal injury attorneys possess the resources to represent your best interests, and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve when wrongfully injured. Finding The Best Attorney For Your Claim Finding the best personal injury attorney will take some time. Unfortunately, not all of them are equal. These are some of the red flags clients should be looking for when researching firms in their area: ’Settlement Mills’ Some personal injury attorneys are only out to settle, not to fight. These firms are called ‘settlement mills’, where the goal is to get as many cases as possible for any settlement amount. Non-Contingent Most personal injury lawyers charge a contingency fee allowing clients to pay nothing unless a case is won. Personal injury attorneys
These Fourth of July Accidents Can Be Deadly!
Independence Day is one of the most thrilling summer holidays. Between fireworks, barbecues, and pool parties, most Long Islanders will have their upcoming weekends packed with exciting events. Safety will be especially important to remember during this Fourth of July, no matter how you chose to celebrate. Sadly, seven people were killed on Long Island in less than 48 hours last Independence Day. The accidents included: A 25-year-old man who died after crashing his motorcycle into a guardrail on the Long Island Expressway; A 49-year-old man who died after crashing his motorcycle into a barricade on Veterans Memorial Highway; A 17-year-old who was killed when refusing to join a gang; The driver of a Jeep who was killed in a vehicle accident in Ronkonkoma when his car caught fire after crashing into multiple road hazards; A 47-year-old man who was killed when he struck a guardrail on the William Floyd Parkway; A 41-year-old man who drowned at a Mattituck beach when trying to save his child; and A 16-year-old died in New Cassel who died after suffering serious unknown injuries. Any Long Islander planning a getaway or even a small celebration at home should prepare for accidents this holiday. By familiarizing yourself with the most common Fourth of July injuries, you can decrease your family’s chance of injuries this weekend and focus on having a good time. Deadly Roadtrip Hazards Four of the seven Fourth of July deaths on Long Island in 2018 were the result of vehicle accidents. The AAA recently stated that 2-million more motorists could be on the roads this holiday weekend, putting the total of possible travelers up to 48.9 million and counting. Summer holidays increase the number of distracted, drunk, fatigued, and aggressive drivers on the road in addition to traffic congestion. With New York City ranking as one of the top tourist destinations this Independence Day, New York motorists are at an increased risk on the road. According to Finder, New York was the ninth deadliest state for traffic accidents between 2008 to 2017, with a total of 56 fatalities. How To Stay Safe Start your holiday trip off right by avoiding the most congested times on the road. The AAA predicts July 3 will be the worst day to leave this year for New Yorkers, specifically between the times of 1:45 to 3:45 p.m. when delays are expected to be 3.8 times longer than usual. Before you leave, ensure your car is in working condition. AAA rescues over 367,000 stranded motorists every Independence Day weekend. Cars and pedestrians on the side of the road can easily be hit by drivers who are not paying attention. Reduce your chances of a breakdown by taking your vehicle to a repair shop for any outstanding maintenance before your road trip. Motorcycle riders must use extra caution on the road this holiday. Keeping speeds low, staying vigilante, and avoiding rides in inclement weather are the first steps to reducing accidents. Never assume a car sees you coming or is paying attention. Using defensive driving methods is extremely important to protect riders when roads are busy and drivers are in a hurry. Drowning Horrors Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children in the summer. Newsday reports Long Island saw nearly 90 drowning deaths between 1999 to 2017. Children ages 1 to 4 have the highest rate of drowning across the country, but they are not the only ones in danger. One of the seven Long Island Independence Day fatalities in 2018 was a father trying to save his child from drowning. Other incidents of adults and older children drowning from sports injuries, rip tides, and boating accidents have also been reported over the years. How To Stay Safe Parents should always supervise young children in the water. Using swimming aids can help reduce the risk of drowning for children who cannot swim. However, swimming lessons are the most effective in the long run. If you have a pool, make sure to install a sturdy gate to keep unsupervised children away from the water. When swimming in the ocean, take note of the waves, rip-tides, and crowds before taking a dip. Freak Firework Accidents It wouldn’t be a Fourth of July celebration without fireworks. But these exciting explosives can lead to serious harm when missed. The National Fire Protection Association (N.F.P.A.) reports fireworks are responsible for an average of 18,500 fires and 10,500 injuries every year. Hand injuries accounted for over 36 percent of accidents, followed by head, face, and ears injuries (19 percent), eye injuries (19 percent), trunk injuries (11 percent), leg injuries (10 percent), and arm injuries (9 percent). While some people can get away with minor burns from sparkler flares, other individuals sustain traumatic injuries from firework accidents that can be permanently disabling, such as amputations, first and second-degree burns, bone fractures, and vision/hearing loss. How To Stay Safe The safest way to enjoy fireworks this holiday is to see a public show and leave the dangerous tasks to the professionals. There are several shows on Long Island your family can attend this year with spectacular displays. Click here to see a list of shows in your area. If you do want to take a chance with home fireworks this weekend, avoid products such as sparklers, firecrackers, reloadable shells, roman candles and illegal fireworks known for causing injuries. Always keep children far away from fireworks and never relight a firework that did not go off on the first try. To avoid house fires, keep all fireworks a safe distance from any homes and roofs. Heat Dangers Most New Yorkers are planning outdoor activities for the upcoming holiday. With temperatures predicted to remain high, Independence Day celebrators could be spending a lot of time in the heat. Prolonged exposure to the sun and heat without any way for the body to cool down is extremely dangerous. According to Mayo Clinic, heat illnesses such as heat stroke occur when your body temperature rises
April Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month!
In the United States, nine people are killed and 100 are injured every day from distracted driving-related accidents according to the National Safety Council (NSC). To spread awareness and help reduce the number of distracted drivers on our roads, April has been dubbed Distracted Driving Awareness Month. This united front by safety organizations and administrations nationwide was created to educate motorists on how to decrease the number of unnecessary accidents by recognizing their own distractive behaviors behind the wheel and encouraging others around them to drive alert. Distractions On Long Island Drivers on Long Island are just as guilty as the rest of the country when it comes to driving distracted. According to an article published by Long Island Streets, preliminary data from 2017 showed over 48,729 accidents, 147 fatalities, and 20,141 injuries were the result of distracted driving crashes in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Here is how the numbers broke down: Nassau County 24,582 total accidents 58 fatalities 10,054 resulting in personal injuries 14,470resulting in property damage Suffolk County 24,147 total accidents 89 fatalities 10,087 resulting in personal injuries 13,971 resulting in property damage The most common factors leading to distracted driving accidents in both counties included driver inattention/distraction, view obstructions, falling asleep, fatigued/drowsy, passenger distraction, outside distraction, and cell phone use. However, not all of these figures are an accurate representation of what was actually distracting a driver during an accident. In the case of accidents categorized under driver inattention/distraction, these drivers could have been using a cell phone or other electronic device directly before a crash but did not disclose this information to avoid heftier penalties. Three Types of Distracted Drivers There is an endless number of distractions that can take a driver’s attention off the road, but not all of them affect us in the same way. Esurance recognizes three different types of driving distractions that can equally put the lives of others at risk: Visual Distractions– These distractions occur when a driver physically takes their eyes away from the road to look at something in or outside of the car. Looking at electronic devices, cell phones, GPS’s, or passengers all fit under this category. Cognitive Distractions– These distractions occur when a driver is mentally focused on something other than driving. This could include talking with a passenger, thinking about work, or listening intently to a radio program or audiobook. Manual Distractions– These distractions involve a driver taking their hands off the wheel. Eating, putting on makeup, reaching for items, or putting coordinates in a GPS are all manual distractions. Texting is by far one of the most dangerous road behaviors because it involves all three types of distractions: you are looking at the phone, you are thinking about what you are texting, and you are taking your hand(s) off the wheel to type in your text. Tech Savvy Ways to Reduce Distractions Advancements in technology have significantly contributed to the increase in distracted driving. Some companies, however, are also using technology to help combat this deadly trend. According to Consumer Reports, these features and apps may help reduce the number of preventable accidents involving cell phone use behind the wheel: Cellular Provider Driving Apps: AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon all offer different features to help reduce driver distractions involving the phone. These apps limit user activity and hold calls and messages when the driving modes are activated. Phone Specific Features: Apple and Samsung phones both come with additions to their latest operating systems that include Do Not Disturb While Driving modes. These modes even send automatic replies to others who send messages or call while you are driving. CellControl DriveID: This device works by mounting to the windshield and connecting to your phone wirelessly through an app. The device will detect when the car is moving and block drivers from receiving and sending text messages- it also monitors accelerations, speed, and braking patterns! ly and Drivemode: To reduce the number of people glancing down at their phones, these apps help by reading the messages and email’s aloud. Drivemode also works with other apps to make navigating and programming music safer in the car. Drive Safe Mode: Parents love this app because they can see when their teen is not following the rules. This app alerts them as soon as their teen begins texting or browsing social media while the car is in motion. The Siler & Ingber Distracted Driving Awareness Pledge Our team at Siler & Ingber is dedicated to reducing the number of unnecessary fatalities and injuries on the road caused by careless acts of distracted driving. To show our commitment, we have created a pledge our entire team will be following for the month of April. We invite you to join us in taking the pledge as well, so that we can make New York roads safer together. Sign the Pledge In honor of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, I refuse to drive distracted in any way, shape, or form. I pledge to: Place my cellphone and all other electronic devices out of reach while behind the wheel Avoid participating in distractions such as watching a video, playing games, engaging on social media, taking photos or videos, and texting while behind the wheel Postpone any calls, even via a hands-free or Bluetooth device, until after the drive Wait to call or message someone I know is driving until after I believe they have arrived at their destination Avoid calling others as a passenger in a vehicle to avoid distracting the driver Encourage friends and family to avoid distracted driving as well Invite everyone in my circle to join me in taking the pledge Every individual that signs the pledge will be recognized and thanked on Siler & Ingber, LLP’s Facebook Page. [gravityform id =”19″ title=”false” description=”false”] Drive Safe To Save Lives Cell phones are not the only risk of distracting motorists on Long Island. All drivers on the road should be practicing these safe driving behaviors whenever behind the wheel: Eat before you
