New York Injury Lawyer Blog

The more passengers riding along with your teen driver the higher their risks are for car accidents in New York City and elsewhere. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), drivers in the state of New York with an intermediate or a restricted driver's license are not allowed to have more than one passenger under the age of 21 with them. Sill, young drivers who have their unrestricted driver's license are serious risks for accidents with passengers present.

According to recent studies, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, parent involvement can help to reduce these risks. One of the recently-released studies analyzed the driving habits of 200 teens. These young drivers who had parents and guardians who were involved in their driving practices were more likely to be a safer driver. They were more likely to be aware of the dangers on the road and the ways to take the necessary precautions.

Our New York City teen car accident attorneys are parents, just like you. We have teen drivers and worry about their safety on our busy roads. With these findings, we urge parents to become more involved in their teen's driving. Know where they're going, when they'll be home and who they're driving with. It's also a good idea to hop in the vehicle with them every now and then to get an idea of their driving progress. Teens have the highest risks for car accidents, and parental involvement can be one way to make them safer. With parents who monitor their driving, teens are more likely to accurately perceive roadway risks and less likely to act out behind the wheel.

The first study published in the journal looked at how passengers affected teenage driver's habits behind the wheel. Experts at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia determined that both male and female teen drivers are at higher risks for traffic accidents when passengers are present. Boy drivers are more likely to speed and to drive aggressively when passengers are present, while girl drivers are more likely to drive while engaging in distractions like talking to their passengers, making phone calls and sending text messages while passengers are present.

In the study of nearly 700 teen drivers, it was obvious that in a majority of accidents, teens driving with their peers were more prone to distractions, which happened just seconds before collisions. Accidents were far less likely when teens were driving solo.

"One in five females and one in four males who were driving with friends were distracted by something inside the vehicle just before they crashed," said Allison E. Curry, Ph.D., MPH, with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

New York is one of the forty-five states that restrict teen drivers from transporting too many passengers at a time. Even when teenagers complete the graduated driver's licensing (GDL) program, parents are asked to stay actively involved in their teen's driving career to help to mold their child's safe driving habits for life.

Continue reading "Teens Facing Dangerous Risks for Car Accidents in New York, Nation" »

New additions have been made to the Move Over law in New York which took effect the first of the year.

Do you know what they are?

Our New York car accident attorneys are here to tell you about the revisions and how to make sure you're safe and following the law when traveling near vehicles now covered under the updated law.

Now, instead of simply moving aside for police cruisers and ambulances, motorists will be required to move over when they see a tow truck, maintenance crew or road construction. The new laws can help to avoid a car accident in New York, especially for those who are responding to a car accident or working to make our roadways safer.

The law requires motorists to change lanes when approaching a vehicle that has flashing amber or red lights. The amber light is an addition to the law. Previously, only red lights had been covered.

The commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation, Joan McDonald, says drivers need to be aware of the additions and to keep an eye out for maintenance crews, construction areas, tow truck drivers and police officers. By moving over when traveling down the roadway and providing an extra lane of space, we can all do our part to help to reduce the risks of car accidents involving these workers.

Roadway construction crews work in dangerous conditions just to help to make the roads safer for all of us. This law is the least we can do to help protect them. It's time to give them some room to do their job.

Tom Brennan, President of the Empire State Towing and Recovery Association, says he's already been personally involved in two accidents while sitting on the side of the road helping stranded motorists. He says the first accident ended up seriously injuring one of his customers. He says towing industry employees were in dire need of additional protections. He expressed gratitude for this law and congratulated tow truck drivers, hazard vehicles and enforcement cars on their step towards safer roadways.

Covered under the new Move Over law:

-Construction vehicles.

-Highway maintenance vehicles.

-HELP trucks.

-Tow trucks.

-Police vehicles.

-Hazard vehicles.

If you don't move over for one of these vehicles and provide them with ample space to do their job, you could face a fine of nearly $300. This is in addition to about $85 for a court surcharge and potentially 15 days in jail. That's not all! You could also receive three points on your driving record, too.

Over the last few years, officials with the New York State Troopers, at the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, at the Westchester County Sheriff's Office, at the Erie County Sheriff's Office and a man who was part of a lane striping crew in Erie County have been killed because motorists failed to move over.

Continue reading "Move Over Law Upgraded to Help Reduce Risks of Car Accidents in New York" »

Recently, the preliminary statistics of 2011 car accidents in New York City were released. These statistics illustrate the fewest number of traffic accident-related fatalities since 1910. As of the Dec. 27, there were about 240 fatalities resulting from traffic accidents in the city. While this is 40 percent fewer than the number of fatalities in 2001, it is still far too high.

Included in this number are the 134 pedestrians who were killed in accidents involving a motor vehicle. This represents a more than 30 percent decrease from statistics recorded in 2001. The number of bicyclist fatalities remained about the same over the last decade.

Our New York City car accident attorneys understand that the Department of Transportation is congratulating itself for the record low and credit the safety engineering initiatives and public education efforts along with the NYPD and its pursuit of aggressive enforcement efforts. Yes, the NYPD has made increased enforcement efforts to bust drivers who speed and drive drunk. But the congested traffic on our city's roads still took the lives of nearly 240 people in 2011. With that many traffic-related deaths in a year, it's no time to be celebrating.

The announcement of these new statistics was made by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in Brooklyn at the Grand Army Plaza. This location is where the roadway was recently redesigned to enhance safety. Some of the most recent improvements are expected to decrease the number of accidents in the plaza, adding to the approximate 40 percent reduction that has already been seen in the last three years.

"This will be the city's safest traffic year in the more than 100 years since records were kept," vowed Mayor Bloomberg.

Bloomberg says he and Transportation officials are making strides to make further reductions in traffic fatality figures. He says the city is looking to redesign numerous areas and to push aggressive traffic enforcement to get there. He says the city wants its roadways to be safe for everyone, regardless on the desired mode of transportation.

The Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, Janette Sadik-Khan, says that the redesigns have helped to save an estimated 300 people. She says that the recent accomplishment is something to be proud of. Still, she says the DOT isn't done just yet. She says DOT officials are working in the five boroughs in an effort to make our streets even safer.

The fatality rate in the City fell from about 5 fatalities per 100,000 residents back in 2001to about 3 in 2011.

Still, consider the fact that 240 people died on the City's roadways in 2011. Yes, that's a reduction from previous years, but the number is still far too high. Officials shouldn't throw in the towel until that number is zero. More needs to be done to make our roadways safer for everyone.

Continue reading "Fatal New York Car Accidents Down; Still Too Many Deaths" »

The big game -- Super Bowl XLVI -- is this weekend when our very own New York Giants take on the New England Patriots. The game is at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday the 5th. While this is an exciting time for residents throughout the state, it's also a dangerous time to be driving. Super Bowl Sunday brings significantly higher risks for car accidents in New York. As a matter of fact, statistics have shown it is one of the deadliest times to be on our roadways.

To help to combat the dangers of drunk driving on New York roadways, New York State Police will be conducting weekend-long enforcement efforts. Police in Troop D recently announced their three-day effort to bust these drivers over the entire Super Bowl Weekend. The campaign starts Friday the 3rd and will continue through Sunday the 5th, according to Madison County New York News.

Our New York drunk driving car accident lawyers are asking all football fans to plan their Super Bowl events before the big game starts. This means that those who intend to drink need to find a designated driver to get them home safely or they need to find a safe place to stay. Whatever you do, we're asking you not to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. State officers will be looking to nab you before you cause a potentially fatal accident. In 2010, there were more than 10,225 people who were killed in drunk driving accidents across the country. These accidents accounted for more than 30 percent of all traffic fatalities. On Super Bowl Sunday, drunk driving accidents typically account for more than 50 percent of all of the accident fatalities.

Officers throughout the state will be looking for drunk drivers this weekend. To avoid an arrest or even an accident, plan ahead and find a safe and sober way home.

"I commend our partners in the law enforcement community for their commitment to ensuring the safety of all motorists in New York State," said Commissioner David J. Swarts with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC).

This year, there have been more than 175,000 people who have vowed to be a designated driver over the football season, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While more than 130 million people are expected to gather in front of a television set for the big game, that's not enough designated drivers to cover everyone. For the remainders, we're asking that if you're going to drink that you get a taxi cab, stay at a friend's house, call a sober family member to get you or grab a hotel room. Your decision can help save lives.

We'd like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Super Bowl Sunday. And one more thing -- GO GIANTS!!!

Continue reading "Giants Face Off Against Patriots, Officers Face Off Against Drunk Drivers in New York" »

Alarmingly, about 75 percent of children are improperly buckled in their car seats every day. Although child car seats are one of the best defenses against child injury in Manhattan and elsewhere in the event of a traffic accident, many parents continue to put their kids at risk and fail to properly buckle in young ones. To help to get more parents to buckle in their children correctly during every car ride, the "Car Seat Safety For Kids" website has been launched by The Children's Hospital and the Center for Injury Research and Prevention (CIRP). This website is parents' one-stop shop to access all kinds of information regarding child passenger safety (CPS) information.

As we recently reported on our New York Injury Lawyer Blog, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released new child car seat recommendations last year. Parents were urged to review these new recommendations to help keep children safe while riding in a motor vehicle.

"CPS technicians loved the old videos but they were a little out of step with the 2011 recommendations," says Gina Duchossois, the Coordinator of Trauma Prevention.

The new website provides parents with a series of new video clips to help illustrate these new recommendations. Parents are also urged to visit a car seat inspection location in New York to make sure that your child's car seat if properly installed. There are 223 car seat inspection locations throughout the state of New York.

According to CIRP, this new website brings together practical experience and research expertise. With this new child-safety tool, more parents are expected to safely and correctly buckle in children during every car ride.

SafeKidsUSA.org reports that traffic-related accidents are the number one cause of death for our young ones ages 3- to 14-years-old. Child car seats that are installed correctly can reduce the risk of injury and death to your child in the event of a car accident by more than 70 percent. Recent statistics report that about half of all motorists under the age of 14 who are killed in car accidents are completely unrestrained.

There are a number of child seat check-up events in New York already scheduled for 2012. Parents are urged to check out these safety events to help ensure that their children are safe in their car seats and properly protected in the event of a motor-vehicle accident.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2009 there were more than 400 people under the age of 12 who were killed in car accidents while they were restrained. There were an additional 200 people in this young age group who were killed in car accidents during this time who were unrestrained. There were more than 50 additional deaths in which restraint status was unknown.

Continue reading "New Resources to Help Reduce Risks of Child Injury during Car Accidents in New York, Nation" »

Drivers across the country say they want safer roadways. However most aren't willing to make the changes to get them. They support government action to get safer roadways, but won't to abide by the rules themselves. According to a recent study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drivers nationwide have the "do as I say, not as I do" attitude, meaning they want other drivers to practice safe driving habits behind the wheel, but they feel exempt.

Until drivers take the first step towards safe roadways and alter their own driving habits to be safer, car accidents in New York City and elsewhere will continue to plague the streets.

Our New York City car accident lawyers and AAA are challenging drivers to take a look at their own driving habits and to make a resolution to drive better in 2012. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), there were more than 32,880 people who were killed in traffic-related accidents in the U.S. in 2009. This may be the lowest record on the books in the last 60 years, but it's still far from indicating "safe" roadways. Car accidents are in fact preventable accidents. Still, accidents remain as the top killer for people between the ages 4- to 34-years-old.

"Even one death on our roads is unacceptable," says AAA President and CEO Peter Kissinger.

Someone is killed in a traffic-related accident on our roadways every 16 minutes, says Kissinger. The goal of AAA is to get that number down to zero - but there's a long way to go for that.

Drinking and Driving: Although more than three fourths of drivers say that drinking alcohol and driving is an inexcusable habit, more than 20 percent say they've driven when they thought they're blood alcohol concentration may have been close to 0.08 percent, making them legally drunk.

Distracted Driving: About 94 percent of drivers who were surveyed by AAA say that distracted driving, or the use of a text messaging device or a cell phone while driving, is a serious and dangerous problem. Despite these views, roughly 35 percent said that they text while driving, while another 70 percent said that they've talked on their cell phone behind the wheel in the last month.

Speedy Drivers: Nearly three quarters of surveyed drivers say that it's far too dangerous to travel more than 15 miles per hour over the speed limit on a freeway. Still, there were more than 50 percent of drivers who said that they've done it at least once in the last month.

Red-Light Running: Almost 40 percent of drivers admitted to running through a red traffic light that they thought they could have safely stopped at. Despite these dangerous drivers, nearly 95 percent of people say that no driver should ever pass through a red traffic light.

Continue reading "Dangerous Drivers Pleading for Safer Roadways to Reduce Risks of Car Accident in New York and Elsewhere" »

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that about 20 percent of all deadly car accidents in Manhattan and elsewhere involve an non-licensed driver. A new study was recently released, examining these dangerous drivers, sorted through information gathered from 2007 through 2009. Researchers predict that about 3 percent of all drivers likely didn't have a valid driver's license during this time.

Nearly 88 percent of drivers who were involved in a deadly car accident from 2007 to 2009 reportedly had a valid driver's license. Unfortunately, statistics reveal that more that about 18 percent of deadly accidents involved a driver who didn't have a valid driver's license. Of these accidents, more than 6.5 percent were driving with a revoked or suspended driver's license, 1.1 percent were driving with a canceled or an expired license and about 5 percent were completely unlicensed.

Our Manhattan car accident lawyers understand that more than 21,000 people died in these car accidents that involved improperly licensed drivers during this time. Experts report that there was an increasing trend in the number of improperly licensed drivers from 1990 to 2007, but reports indicated that from 2007 on, that pattern has begun to reverse. They're planning on studying future stats to see if this trend continues.

Some age groups are more likely than others to be improperly licensed drivers. Statistics revealed that drivers aged 21- to 34-years-old are most likely to be behind the wheel with a suspended or revoked driver's license. About half of all the people who were involved in accidents that were improperly licensed were in this age group.

To make matters even worse, in about half of the fatal accidents involving an improperly licensed driver during this timeframe, the driver had alcohol in their system. About 25 percent of these accidents involved an improperly licensed driver who was drunk behind the wheel.

A driver with an improper license or no license at all almost assuredly is also without insurance. That means you may have a leg up on the case if an unlicensed and uninsured driver stops after being involved in an accident, statistics show that nearly more than 51 percent of drivers who were improperly licensed fled the scene of the fatal traffic accident.

The bottom line in this study is that improperly licensed drivers are more likely to be involved in a deadly accident than drivers who obtain a valid driver's license.

Of the drivers involved in fatal car accidents from 2007 to 2009:

-There were more than 151,800 drivers involved in deadly accidents.

-Nearly 130,860 had valid driver's license.

-Nearly 9,400 had a revoked or suspended driver's license.

-More than 6,700 were completely unlicensed.

-Nearly 1,500 possessed a driver's licensed that had either been denied or canceled.

-The driver's license status or nearly 3,900 drivers was unknown.

Continue reading "Unlicensed Drivers Causing Alarming Number of Car Accidents in New York and Elsewhere, says AAA Report" »

Our state has already been hit with some wicked winter weather, and more is expected. Unfortunately, with winter weather comes dangerous roadways and increased risks for car accidents in New York City and elsewhere throughout the state. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drivers are urged to be prepared and cautious in such dangerous driving conditions and to get their vehicles checked before it's too late.

"It's not uncommon for families to travel long distances or through inclement weather to celebrate the holidays or visit with loved ones," said NHTSA Administrator David L. Strickland.

Our New York City car accident lawyers ask that drivers keep their vehicles properly maintained during the winter season and always drive safely and responsibly. A well-maintained vehicle will lessen your chances for an accident or a breakdown in the coldest of weather conditions. It's most important for drivers to curb the distractions and to keep full attention on the roadway, as well as to always buckle up. Seat belts can save lives in car accidents.

The NHTSA is here to offer some beneficial tips to help drivers throughout the state to make it to their destinations safely through the wicked winter weather.

Safe Winter Car Maintenance Tips:

-Have your car checked out by a mechanic to make sure that it's fit to handle the dangerous winter driving conditions. Make sure that there are no bad hoses, leaks or any other type of parts that need to be replaced or repaired.

-Take a look at your car's battery. When the temperature drops, so does the power of your battery. Make sure it has sufficient voltage.

-If you have an electric vehicle, make sure that the gas backup system is working well. It's a good idea to always keep fresh gas in the tank, too.

-Make sure that you have freeze-resistant coolant. When coolant freezes, it expands and could cause some severe damage to your engine block.

-Consider flushing your coolant system before the winter weather strikes.

Safe Winter Driving Tips:

-Slow it down. Remember that it's more difficult to stop on wet, icy and snowy roadways.

-Never tailgate. Tailgating reduces your ability to react to a potential roadway danger.

-If you feel uncomfortable driving in the current weather conditions, pull over in a safe area and wait it out.

-Always keep nonperishable foods, bottled water and a first-aid kit in your vehicle.

-Be cautious near bridges. Black ice commonly forms first in these areas.

-Give snowplows plenty of room.

-Leave with plenty of time to reach your destination to avoid rushing.

-Put away all of the distractions and keep your attention on the road.

-Slow down! Posted speed limits are for ideal weather conditions.

Be safe out there and keep your eyes on the road. Winter weather traffic accidents can be prevented with the proper safety precautions!

Continue reading "Winter Weather: A Continued Threat Causing Car Accidents in New York City" »

As we previously reported on our New York Injury Lawyer Blog, all drivers in the state of New York were banned from using any type of portable electronic device while operating a motor vehicle as of July 12th of 2011. Drivers who are caught by law enforcement breaking this law can get 3 points added to their driver's license and can potentially face a fine of nearly $200. This is considered to be a primary offense, which means an officer can pull you over for this dangerous behavior alone. There's no need to find additional violations to justify a traffic stop.

This type of law is exactly what the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is trying to get all states to enact to make our roadways safer. The NTSB recently announced a nationwide proposal for an overall ban on portable electronic devices for all drivers. This dangerous habit is taking the lives of far too many people. In 2010, there were an estimated 3,100 people killed because of distracted-driving traffic accidents in the U.S.

Our New York car accident attorneys understand that a vital component of any type of law is enforcement. For this reason, the NTSB is also making a recommendation that in addition to banning portable electronic devices for drivers, that state governments also adopt high-visibility enforcement campaigns to supplement the new measures. Under the new proposed law, drivers would only be able to use a portable electronic device in the event of an emergency.

"This is a growing public safety threat that needs to be addressed by...every person who operates a motor vehicle on our nation's roadways," says Janet Froetscher of the National Safety Council (NSC).

The NSC recently announced its support for the NTSB and for the recent recommendations it made. The NSC recognizes that there are no safety benefits from allowing drivers to use hands-free devices behind the wheel because they still serve as cognitive distractions. Some argue that hands-free is in fact safer than hand-held, but previous studies have debunked that theory.

According to the NSC, there are more than a million accidents every year because of drivers on cell phones. These types of accidents account for about a quarter of all traffic crashes in the country. Because not all accidents caused by cell phones are actually attributed to the proper cause, officials believe that the actual number of distraction-related accidents involving cell phones is much higher.

Drivers in the state of New York are asked to be cautious and considerate behind the wheel. Even though driver distractions are prohibited by law in this state, the truth of the matter is that many drivers on our roadways still call and text while driving. Remember: no phone call or text message is worth losing a life. Drive safely and curb unnecessary distractions!

Continue reading "NSC Supports Recommendation to Help Reduce Risks of Distraction-Related Car Accidents in New York, Nation" »

The National Safety Council (NSC) has recently announced the initiation of the HEARTS Network. The council is asking teens and family members to offer their personal stories of survival or tragedy following a car accident in Manhattan or elsewhere to help create awareness for the seriousness of this public health threat nationwide.

Queens teen car accident lawyers understand how parents want to keep their children safe from these tragedies. Losing a loved one is difficult under any circumstance, but the loss of a child in a tragic accident can be devastating.

There have been several recent teen car accidents in New York. Your News Now reports a car full of teens crashed in Johnstown recently, killing a 19-year-old passenger and seriously injuring his sister. The driver of the vehicle was going too fast to come to a halt at a stop sign while showing off the speed of his Ford Mustang. He passed through the intersection, hit an embankment and struck a pickup truck, which caused his Mustang to flip over to the other side of the pickup truck. The car landed wedged between the small truck and a house. The 19-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene while his sister was fighting for her life with severe head and spinal injuries. The teen driver sustained minor bruises.

Syracuse.com reports of a separate accident that has landed a 17-year-old female driver in the hospital with serious injuries after being involved in a two-car crash. The teen driver was struck in an intersection by a crossing vehicle as she passed through in Onondaga County. Rescue crews had to extricate the teen from her vehicle and transport her to Upstate University Hospital with multiple serious injuries.

These and other stories are why the NSC has partnered with The Allstate Foundation to create the HEARTS Network. HEARTS stands for Honoring Everyone Affected, Rallying the Survivors.

"Sharing these stories also can be of great benefit to people working through grief or recovering from a serious injury," said David Teater, NSC's senior director of Transportation Initiatives. "Trying to make something positive come out of a tragedy can be very helpful to survivors."

Teen car crashes are the number one cause of death for this age group. But, it is not only teens that are affected in these crashes as roughly two-thirds of victims killed in these crashes are not between the ages 15-20. Passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists and other motorists of all ages are often killed in a crash involving a teen driver.

Participants of the HEARTS Network are encouraged to work within their communities to share stories of survival and tragedy. Participants can create awareness about the dangers teen drivers face when they speed or drive distracted through stories of personal tragedy and can also relate stories of recovering from a serious accident.

New York is one of 10 states that receives funding from The Allstate Foundation and support from the NSC for advocacy groups like Teen Safe Driving Coalitions. Members of the HEARTS Network are encouraged to get involved and advocate for traffic safety groups to get the message out and help reduce teen tragedies nationwide. Other states receiving funding include California, Texas, Minnesota, Tennessee, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

If you want to connect with survivors, share your personal story involving a teen-related car crash or educate your community on the life-long impact these tragedies can have on families visit NSC HEARTS Network online to learn how to become a participant or get more information about this important movement.

Continue reading "New York Teens Share Stories of Tragedy and Survival Following a Car Accident" »

New York motorists were warned that we could be in for a rough winter when it comes to storms and dangerous driving conditions. So far we have been lucky but it could just be the calm before the storm, so to speak. Manhattan car accident attorneys want to remind motorists to prepare for the worst so that you aren't taken off guard when the snow and sleet start to fall.

Winter driving conditions put motorists at risk of a car accident in Manhattan, Queens or elsewhere because it takes many drivers out of their comfort zone. Sliding on snow and ice or losing control of a vehicle can very easily put most motorists in a panic mode.

The New York State Department of Transportation offers an interactive website to help drivers in difficult driving situations like summer driving, construction zones or winter driving. New York motorists are encouraged to bookmark this page on their browser so that you can be reminded of valuable tips and check back occasionally as new safety experiences are added.

The safe winter driving icon can be clicked and launched to an interactive site which offers tips on how to be prepared, users can take a quiz, view a detailed movie of a skid\ and view a snowplow cam. It also offers a link for kids only.

Be Prepared: encourages motorists to be prepared for all conditions at any time. Plan ahead by knowing when winter weather is about to hit and making sure your vehicle is in good condition to handle it.

Take the Quiz: is a series of questions about driving in winter weather conditions and how to handle certain situations.

Anatomy of a Skid: users can watch a movie that shows what happens when a vehicle skids from the front or rear wheels and what can be done to counteract the loss of control.

Snowplow Cam: puts users right inside the cab of a snowplow truck and lets you see how blinds spots affect vision and weather conditions make it difficult to operate and maneuver a much larger and less mobile plow truck.

Kids Only: is an animated display of facts and safety tips for kids.

NYDOT also offers these safe driving tips to motorists:

-Allow enough of a cushion between you and a snow plow to stop safely in an emergency if needed.

-Let someone know where you are headed or what time you think you will return when a snow storm hits.

-Only travel as fast as the weather conditions allow.

-Stay alert for black ice or a wintery mix under snow-covered roads. Unexpected patches of ice can cause a vehicle to lose control.

-Keep an emergency supply kit in the vehicle throughout the winter months.

-If you drive into a snow bank, wait for help to arrive rather than risk getting out and getting hit by another motorist passing by.

-Keep a cell phone handy for emergency situations.

When forecasters predict a snow storm, visit Winter Travel Advisory before you travel to get the most up-to-date weather predictions, maps of cleared roadways and weather-related road conditions.

Continue reading "Winter Weather Puts Motorists at Risk of a Car Accident in New York City, Elsewhere" »

The American Automobile Association (AAA) is estimating that 42.5 million holiday travelers will be visiting loved ones this Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Almost 90 percent of these travelers will be reaching their destinations via U.S. roadways. Motorists who don't use a little extra caution during the holiday travel period could be at considerable risk of being involved in a car accident in New York City or elsewhere in the country.

Manhattan car accident attorneys know that Thanksgiving is a time to count your blessings and quite understandably a time to give thanks for loved ones in your life. However, traveling to family gatherings is not the only thing that makes our illustrious city dangerous on this particular holiday. The 2011 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will draw all sorts of motorists and pedestrians out to New York City roadways to celebrate its 85th anniversary this year. Over 2.5 million viewers are expected to come out and line the streets to watch floats, novelty balloons, character balloons and marching bands among others in the 10,000 estimated participants.

With so many people populating the City this weekend, it makes sense for pedestrians and motorists to be extra careful as you mill around Central Park, Manhattan and the surrounding areas. The National Safety Council is predicting over 430 deaths nationwide this Thanksgiving holiday period which runs from 6:00 p.m. Wednesday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday. In addition, another 43,400 people are expected to be injured and need medical attention from traffic accidents throughout the weekend. When comparing similar non-holiday periods in recent years, the average number of traffic fatalities for Thanksgiving holiday periods was more than 10 percent higher.

Holiday travelers can help the cause and reduce the risk of injury by using some of the following safety tips this Thanksgiving weekend.

Parade tips for pedestrians:

-Arrive early to get a good viewing area and avoid walking amongst a large mass of people.

-Walk with the flow of pedestrian traffic to reduce the risk of fall accidents. Walking against the crowd on over-populated sidewalks can be detrimental if a slip or fall accident occurs.

-Keep children close by holding their hands at all times. Getting separated can not only be dangerous but it can be frightening for both parent and child.

-Stay away from moving floats or parade marchers by remaining on the sidewalk.

Travel tips for motorists:

-Focus your attention on driving rather than other distractions inside the vehicle like children, pets or radio dials.

-Buckle up. It is not only the law but it will reduce the risk of driver or passenger injuries when an accident occurs.

-Exercise defensive driving not aggressive driving skills by remaining patient and alert at all times.

-Take breaks frequently on long trips to stay refreshed.

Continue reading "NYC Motorists at Risk of Car Accidents with More Families Traveling this Thanksgiving" »

New York City pedestrian accidents took the lives of more than 3,200 people from 2000 to 2009. These types of accidents are expected to increase as we are now in Daylight Saving Time, which brings earlier sunsets and increased risks of pedestrian-car accidents.

Even drivers with 20/20 vision experience a reduction in visibility after the sun sets. Unfortunately, drivers don't always adjust their habits behind the wheel to accommodate these changes. It takes time for motorists to adjust to the low-light environment. During nighttime driving, motorists are urged to take notice of their surroundings instead of focusing on the lane in front of them.

Our New York City car accident attorneys understand that about 50 percent of fatal accidents occur during the evening hours. This is relatively high considering that about a quarter of travel takes place during this time. To help reduce the risks of these accidents, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is providing motorists and pedestrians with a few simple safety tips that can help save lives. With a conscious effort from all travelers to navigate our roadways safety and more alertly, we can all do our part to reduce these accidents.

The U.S. lost nearly 4,100 pedestrians in traffic-related accidents in 2009. Another 59,000 were injured throughout the year. About 25 percent of these accidents happened between the hours of 4 and 8 p.m. and another 15 percent occurred between 4 and 8 a.m.

While driving at night or early morning twilight, our eyes have a more difficult time focusing on objects when compared to daytime driving. That's why drivers are urged to keep an extra-watchful eye on their entire surroundings when driving at night, not just on what's directly in front of them. Drivers are also urged to eliminate driving while doing distracting tasks, such as using a mobile phone. Drivers need to place their full attention on the roadway.

Nighttime safe driving tips for motorists:

-Driver slower. You need more time to react to dangers at night with the decreased visibility. Driving slower will allow you with that time.

-Remember that pedestrians oftentimes wear headphones, meaning they are unable to hear your vehicle approaching.

-Keep your windshield, mirrors and windows clean to maximize visibility.

-Make sure your defrosters work and that you have enough windshield wiper fluid.

-Allow pedestrians the right-of-way.

Nighttime safe walking tips for pedestrians:

-Walk with a flashlight. If you choose not to walk with a flashlight you should wear fluorescent tape on your clothing to make yourself more visible to motorists.

-Walk cautiously. Don't depend on traffic signs and signals to direct drivers. Distracted drivers can easily miss these devices.

-Never jaywalk. Always cross at a crosswalk or at a street corner.

-Walk along a sidewalk when one is available. If there's no sidewalk and you must walk along the roadway, do so facing traffic.

Continue reading "Daylight Saving Time Change Increases Risks for Car-Pedestrian Accidents in New York" »

"The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that each year 100,000 crashes reported to police are caused by drowsy driving or driver fatigue, resulting in an estimated 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and $12.5 billion in monetary losses," says Commissioner David J. Swarts of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

Too many car accidents in New York and nationwide are caused by drowsy drivers. We all probably know of someone who has continued to drive even though he or she was sleepy and drowsy. We urge you to take the time to recognize this dangerous behavior and help us all put an end to it because drowsy driving comes with some serious consequences. What's most unfortunate is that most drivers aren't even aware of their drowsy symptoms and continue driving in a sleepy state, which could be the worst and most dangerous move on our roadways.

Our New York car accident attorneys bring up this topic as Drowsy Driving Prevention Week comes to an end tomorrow. During this time, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the National Sleep Foundation and other safe-driving advocates around the country are raising awareness about this dangerous driving habit. But we encourage you to help prevent drowsy driving all year long.

Drowsy driving is so common that a recent National Sleep Foundation study concluded that about 30 percent of drivers admit to falling asleep at the wheel. More than 50 percent of surveyed drivers said they've driven while drowsy. These statistics don't add up considering more than 95 percent of drivers say that this driving behavior is completely unacceptable.

Run-off-road accidents are a likely outcome of a drowsy driving accident. Drowsy driving-related accidents account for about 50 percent of these types of accidents. They also account for about a third of all accident fatalities across the country and about 70 percent of traffic deaths in rural areas.

Recent studies indicate that staying awake for about 20 hours causes a person to show show some of the debilitating characteristics as someone who is legally drunk.

Signs that you may be a little too drowsy while driving:

-Feeling irritable, restless or aggressive.

-Rubbing your eyes a lot or yawning excessively.

-Daydreaming or experiencing wandering thoughts.

-Having a hard time keeping your head up.

-Missing traffic signs, traffic lights, turns and exits.

-Having a difficult time remembering the last couple of miles you've driven.

-Drifting or swerving on the roadway.

-Having a tough time focusing on the roadway.

-Blinking a lot.

-Feeling heavy eyelids.

To help reduce the risks of a drowsy driving accident, you're urged to get plenty of sleep (at least seven hours) before hitting the road for a long car ride. Drive with a passenger whenever possible on long trips to help keep you awake and share driving duties if you feel sleepy. By following these few safety tips, we can all be a little bit safer on our roadways and potentially avoid a drowsy driving car accident.

Continue reading "Drowsy Drivers Causing Car Accidents in New York a Top Concern" »

Amateur boxing champ, Pedro Luis Sosa, was sent to the hospital and was listed in critical condition after a recent New York car accident. The boxer and his 20-year-old sister were traveling in a vehicle along the Cross Bronx Expressway during the early-morning hours when the multiple-car accident unfolded, according to Reuters. The accident happened on what was left over from that brutal Saturday snowstorm.

The slippery road caused the two siblings to slide into a number of vehicles. As the two stepped out of their vehicle to look over the damage, another vehicle plowed into them. They were knocked over the expressway's barrier and down 75 feet below. The two were taken to Jacobi Medical Center. Sosa's sister was pronounced dead on arrival. The boxer was listed in critical condition.

Our New York car accident lawyers understand that our busy state roadways can be a lethal place to travel, especially with the congestion of holiday traffic and poor weather conditions. As we round out the rest of the year, motorists are asked to drive cautiously and defensively to help to avoid any serious accidents on our roadways.

Officials blame the accident and other pileups on the icy roadways.

"He's got tremendous talent," said Joe Zanders, the USA Boxing national coach. "He's world class, there's no doubt about it."

Sosa just recently missed making it on the U.S. Olympic team for the games in London in 2012. The boxer won the USA Boxing national championship for the 141-pound light welterweight weight class.

Medical personnel at Jacobi Medical Center reported that the boxer was in stable condition after undergoing a five-hour surgery. The New York car accident put the boxer into a coma. His trainer reports that he is still unconscious but says that the surgery went well. Everyone is hoping that the boxer will regain his consciousness within the next few days.

In the accident, he also damaged his lungs, liver and broke a few ribs. Family members and boxing fans were relieved to see the results of the CAT scan and to see that the boxer suffered from no brain damage. Doctors report that there were no serious injuries to his spine and that he should be able to move normally once he recovers from his surgery.

Sosa was scheduled to sign a professional contract just two days after the accident with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions.He was going to sign that professional contract in the company's Manhattan office. His trainer reports that he would have been fighting in his first profession match by the end of the year.

"The most important thing is his health then God willing he can start little by little maybe in a year or two to train as a boxer," said Zanders. Zanders has been the boxer's trainer for the last 10 years.

Continue reading "Pedro Luis Sosa, Amateur Boxing Champ, Seriously Injured After New York Car Accident" »