New York Injury Lawyer Blog

As we prepare to head back to work at the start of the New Year, making some resolutions can be a good start to 2011. We urge you to make tackling the risk of multitasking part of the equation.

Multitasking and driving are not a good combination. Most drivers are guilty of it and attempt to justify why they think it is doable. Long commutes offer an urge to squeeze in some extra tasks while driving which is just too tempting to pass up. New York accident attorneys want to remind you that multitasking should be done at home or work, not in your vehicle.

A Nationwide Insurance survey wanted to know what task's motorists were doing while driving. Drivers found to be searching for music (82%), drinking a beverage (80%), talking on the phone (73%) and eating (68%) were most common. Other tasks may include grooming, holding a pet in their lap, reading, or yelling at their kids in the back seat. Though these common tasks that we all perform in a car may not seem like multitasking, they take away your full attention from the road and driving.

Respondents by an overwhelming margin wanted some kind of ban on cell phone usage while driving including texting and emailing. Two thirds of those polled also wanted talking on a cell phone banned. Four out of ten drivers admitted to being hit or almost being hit by a driver distracted by their cell phone.

With the techno savvy generation Y, multitasking while driving won't be slowing down. Only 2% of baby boomers use their cell phones while driving compared to 17% of generation X and 37% of generation Y. However, New York law prohibits all drivers from using handheld cell phones and texting while driving so there could be a consequence if caught performing these tasks on the road.

The Post Standard - Syracuse reported on a distracted bus driver back in September. The bus driver was looking at his GPS when the double decker bus crashed into a bridge. The crash killed 4 people and injured numerous others.

Syracuse will be one of two cities piloting a high visibility enforcement model for distracted driving. According to the government's distracted driving website the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will launch a distracted driving advertising campaign similar to its Click It or Ticket message promoting seat belt use.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in 2008 almost 6,000 people died from distracted drivers and half a million were injured. There has been a 3% rise in the amount of drivers that were distracted at the time of a fatal crash since 2004.

You may think multitasking in your vehicle saves time but saving a life is something you will never regret.

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Most people probably don't think that leaving a family gathering could end in tragedy. On the contrary, when you leave your family gathering this holiday season you should use extra caution due to the fact there are a lot more people, kids, and vehicles around attending your gathering or at a nearby neighbor's gathering.

New York car accidents occur daily but don't let someone you know fall victim because you forgot to look over you shoulder in a backover accident.

The Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act was passed in 2007, which directed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to gather data on motor vehicle incidents that are non-traffic related..

In January 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released its report, for the first time, documenting non-traffic related motor vehicle incidents. In the report 221 victims died in backover accidents and 14,000 people suffered an injury in 2007.

Understanding how these accidents occur is the first step in preventing them. Knowing that all vehicles have blind spots is the key to reducing back-over accidents. Consumer Reports recently measured several different types of vehicles blind spots. The best measurement was 7 feet and the worst was 50 feet. The test was done by placing a 28" traffic cone behind the vehicle, when the driver could see the top of the cone the distance was measured.

A new regulation proposed earlier this month by the U.S. Department of Transportation will help eliminate vehicle blind spots. This regulation will require all new vehicles by 2014 to have installed equipment that enables the driver to see into their vehicle blind spot.

Some safety tips whenever you are backing up a vehicle:

-Check the surrounding area before getting in your vehicle.

-If children are present make eye contact with them and keep them in sight at all times.

-Slowly start to back up and be prepared to stop.

Children need to be taught that playing under, in or around a parked vehicle is very dangerous and should not be done. Before you leave your holiday party this year, make sure all children are accounted for and walk around your vehicle before leaving.

Continue reading "New York backover accidents a concern at holiday gatherings" »

Watching a winter wonderland from your picture window can be quite breath taking but driving in it is a completely different story. The dangers of winter driving are upon us so it's time to take measures in an effort to ensure our safety on the roadways this winter season.

One common danger is the failure to remove snow and ice from our vehicle. Don't be the victim of a New York automobile accident by failing to clean your windows and lights properly before putting your car into drive this winter.

Last year New Jersey was the first state to pass a law that requires drivers to clean off their vehicle in wintery weather before they drive. As reported in the Cape May County Herald New Jersey drivers will now be fined if their vehicles are not cleared of snow and or ice. The fines will range from $25 to $75 for 'dangerous accumulations' of ice and or snow on your vehicle. With any luck, New York will follow legislation in hopes of reducing the risk of serious injury or fatality in winter weather car accidents.

Snow blowing off your windshield or hood can impair your vision while driving. Not to mention the danger you cause to other drivers when large chunks of ice and snow fly off of your vehicle directly into the car behind you. This can cause drivers to make a defensive maneuver like swerving off the side of an already slippery road resulting in a serious accident.

In 2009 the Fatality Analysis Reporting System from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 988 fatal crashes from snow/ice nationally. Last year in New York, there were a total of 52 fatal crashes related to winter weather during the months of December through March according the NHTSA.

Edmunds suggests you ask yourself the following before heading out in winter weather conditions:

-Do you have the right kind of tires for winter driving?

-Are your wiper blades in good shape and your windshield washer fluid full?

-Is your vehicle thoroughly cleaned off and your windows defrosted?

-Are your headlights clean and working properly?

Sometimes it is best to just stay home, but if you do venture out, keep your pace slow, your distance between other vehicles long and don't make sudden stops or maneuvers.

Continue reading "Winter driving increases risk of New York City car accidents" »

It almost seems impossible, but try to imagine traveling 2.8 million miles without a major auto accident and doing it all in the same vehicle. That is exactly what Irv Gordon has done and continues to do. This Long Islander holds the record for the most miles traveled in the same car. His 1966 P1800 Volvo is still going strong so Irv's goal is to reach 3 million miles by 2013.

Not only is the number of cars on the roadway a danger during the holidays but so is the number of miles traveled. New York City injury attorneys understand the increased risk of New York car accidents travelers face this time of year when travel is at a peak in and around the city.

Spoken like a true expert who knows what he is talking about, here are Irv's tips for a safe holiday trip:

-Vehicle maintenance is very important; check all fluids, tires, bulbs and brakes. If you know nothing about cars then before your trip have a mechanic give the vehicle a tune up.

-Regardless of the weather conditions prepare for the worst. Pack extra clothes and blankets, bring water and snacks, make sure you have a shovel, ice scraper, flashlight or emergency kit.

-Take breaks; if you are traveling alone stop every 90 minutes to stretch and have a snack. Rotate drivers every couple hours if you are driving with someone of legal driving age.

-If it needs a battery it goes in the trunk. MP3 players and cell phones are distractions and shouldn't be used while driving.

-Irv's final advice is to be courteous, don't tailgate, stay to the right and stay calm.

Nationally last year the Fatality Analysis Reporting System from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported a total of 1,719 fatalities: 640 on Christmas Day, 75 on New Year's Eve and 1,004 New Year's Day. The state of New York accounted for a total of 53 traffic fatalities in 2009, of which occurred on Christmas Day (22) and New Year's Day (31) only.

Do you part this holiday season and take some of Irv's advice in hopes of reducing the risk to you and your loved ones.

Continue reading "Holiday travel tips for preventing New York City car accidents" »

Even the friendliest dogs are prone to biting if they are put in the wrong situation. During the holidays, it's a good time to use extra caution in preventing New York dog bite accidents, whether walking on the streets or hosting holiday parties.

Holidays to our pet feels like complete chaos (and sometimes to us, too)! Pets are used to a routine but the holidays can typically expose them to a completely different routine in which eating, exercising, sleeping and protecting the house all gets thrown out of whack.

Changes in normal routines cause immense stress to a dogs psyche.

The Centers for Disease Control Prevention reports that 4.5 million people get bit each year by a dog and about 20% of those victims have to seek medical attention. Potential victims most at risk are children, males, and households that contain a family pet. Children are mostly in danger because they only see pets as playmates, not as life threatening creatures.

The dangers of hosting a holiday party with your canine friend present can be quite serious. A dog's first priority is to protect its family so if there is constantly visitors coming to the house it could be dangerous.

There are some things as a pet owner that you can do in and around the holidays to relieve the stress on your pet. Ehow.com offers the following suggestions to maintain a peaceful environment which can reduce the risk of a dog bite occurring:

-Teach your dog how to react when the doorbell rings or when there is a knock at the door. Practice sitting and staying while a friend helps by ringing the doorbell.

-Keep their eating and exercise routine as normal as possible. Lack of exercise can lead to penned up anxiety and aggression so make sure exercise is a priority everyday.

-If you expect high activity or unfamiliar children in your home put your pet in an isolated place with a bone to chew on somewhere remote in the house.

-Exercise your dog vigorously right before expected company arrives so that they are calmer and more relaxed when the visitors arrive.

-Instruct your guests of dog-related rules like no people food, jumping, excessive barking, etc. Feeding an anxious or aggressive dog can be dangerous and lead to a medical emergency.

Being a responsible pet owner can make a world of difference with an anxious or aggressive pet. Remember that you are responsible for their actions at all times so if you suspect danger remove them from the situation.

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During the holiday season and as the weather is changing it may be a good time to talk to your teen about the dangers of driving this time of year. Your biggest priority is to keep them safe but that may not always be the biggest priority of the teen. Cognitively teens don't always make the best decisions due to their driving inexperience. Our New York car accident attorneys want to urge parents to talk to their teens in an effort to help keep them safe..

New York State Department of Health reports that passenger vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for teens ages 15-19. Each year approximately 73 teenagers in New York are killed in motor vehicle crashes with the most probable cause being speeding or driving too fast in adverse conditions. Teen are also prone to not using their seat belt.

New York is one of 10 states targeted by the National Safety Council for a new teen driver safety program. TheNSC is teaming up with the Allstate Foundation in an effort to reduce teen driver fatalities in passenger vehicle crashes. In 2009, there were about 3,500 teens killed in car accidents, not to mention thousands who were hospitalized to treat serious injury.

The goal of the program is to change teen behaviors and attitudes about driving. The goal is to form groups consisting of family members who have lost a teen, health professionals, state and local officials, teens and their parents, and others who will go out and talk to the public about teen crash stats and safety issues when driving. Education is the first step in making a change for the better.

New York parents who automatically set rules and limitations on their teen's driving often find themselves in a predicament because the teen wants to rebel against them which in turn could increase the chance of getting into an accident. The New York Department of Health offers a suggestion to parents. Once your teen passes their driver's test sit down with them and design an agreeable contract between you. In the contract you can state the limitations you feel are most important like driving with a teenage friend, or driving at night is prohibited. Make it clear to the teen that with time and experience the limitations will be removed. Most importantly, draw a clear line of the consequences if the rules are broken so that the teen understands that good driving behavior leads to good things but breaking the rules only sets them back farther.

Continue reading "New York teen driver safety awareness a good gift for the holidays" »

As part of a massive expansion of its cycling infrastructure, the New York City Department of Transportation is seeking to establish a year-round bicycle sharing program of 10,000 bicycles at more than 600 stations throughout the city.

New York Bicycle Accident Attorney Nicholas Rose reminds you that cycling is a year-round activity in New York City. As the city becomes more bike friendly each year, more and more bikes are on the road, even during the winter months. Please do your part and avoid the tragedy of a serious or fatal bicycle accident this holiday season.

The city is seeking bids on the project by February with launch expected in the spring of 2012. Cyclists would be able to by passes for daily, weekly or yearly use. The number of daily uses under 30 minutes would be unlimited. The program is meant to encourage people to use bicycles instead of taxis and would include solar-powered stations every few blocks for pickups or dropoffs.

The bikes would be equipped with GPS tracking devices, lights and bells.

Last year, 5,620 New York bicycle accidents were reported, according to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Thirty riders were killed and more than 5,500 were injured. New York City bicycle accidents accounted for more than half the total, with the NYPD handling 2,804 crashes. Twelve riders were killed and more than 2,700 were injured as a result of bicycle accidents in the city.

The New York City Bicycle Master Plan identified a 900-mile bicycle network. In recent years, the city has improved or created hundreds of miles of bicycle lanes, installed hundreds of bicycle racks throughout the city and passed a law requiring employers to provide a safe place for bicycle parking.

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Most elderly drivers equate giving up their driver's license to giving up their freedom to come and go as they please. But there are alternatives and older drivers and their loved ones need to make periodic, honest evaluations of an elderly drivers skills in order to reduce the risk of their involvement in a serious or fatal New York City car accident.

This week is dedicated to elder drivers and their safety all over the country. It's important to point out that unlike most states New York has no restrictions on elderly drivers. Caregiving.com reports there is no age restraint or requirements in keeping your license renewed and it only has to be done every 8 years for successive renewals.

In November, there were two different accidents in New York made news on the same day and each involved elderly drivers. Neither accident had fatalities but both could have been tragic and did result in serious injuries to the victims.

There has been a downward trend in elderly traffic fatality rates over the last 10 years according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration going from a rate of over 20 per 100,000 in 1998 to a rate under 15 per 100,000 in 2008. In 2008, they found that most driver related fatalities in older drivers were male and alcohol was not usually involved.

There is a concern that as drivers get older their physical ability to drive and react to situations diminishes. As a result, mature drivers tend to change their behaviors, either consciously or unconsciously. In an article by USA Today they interview elderly drivers who change behaviors such as avoiding certain roadways, driving slower, or even decide to stay in when the weather is poor. Many drivers as they get older have health related issues that affect their ability to drive safely on the roads. In addition to physical inabilities like hearing and vision, they experience limb and joint immobility as well as memory loss.

Drivers who are aging may be able to use the following safety tips to maintain safety while they are driving:

- Adjust your seat, mirrors, and steering wheel on a regular basis so that they best suit your needs while you are driving.

-Keep both hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road at all times.

- Don't drive if you are tired, hurt, or don't feel well. There is always someone you can call to take you or come get you.

-Never multi-task when you are driving by eating, smoking, talking, adjusting your knobs, etc.

Continue reading "Older driver safety in focus in effort to prevent New York car accidents" »