New York Injury Lawyer Blawg

Halloween is a fun time for our young ones to dress up as spooky ghosts and goblins, but only by practicing a few safe Halloween tips can we avoid a serious accident on All Hallow's Eve. During Halloween, your child's risks for an pedestrian accident in New York skyrocket. As a matter of fact, your child is most likely to be involved in a pedestrian accident on October 31st than during any other night of the year.

Our New York injury attorneys and the New York State Police Department are here to offer safety tips to parents to help keep their young ones safe. Parents are urged to discuss these safety tips before heading out the door for trick-or-treating adventures this year.

Halloween Safety Tips:

-Never allow young children to go trick-or-treating alone. Children should always be accompanied by an adult.

-Make sure children are accompanied at the door of every house they trick-or-treat at.

-Children should only use homes driveways and sidewalks. Never cut across someone's yard.

-Parents should be familiar with the places that they're taking children trick-or treating.

-Children should be warned to never go inside anyone's house without parental consent.

-Children should not approach the vehicle of anyone they don't know.

-Costumes should have reflective tape adhered to them to make them more visible to passing motorists. Consider giving your child a flashlight, too!

-Children should consider using face paint instead of wearing masks. Masks can obstruct a trick-or-treater's line of vision.

-Make sure that all costumes are marked as flame resistant or flame retardant.

-Trick-or-treaters should never approach a house that is not well-lit. Only trick-or-treat at homes that have a porch light or an "outside" light on.

-Do not hesitate to report any suspicious activity.

-Teach children to scream if anyone tries to grab them or is forceful with them in any way.

-Be sure to look over children's goody bags before over the candy to them. Dispose of open candy or candy that appears to have been tampered with. Only factory-wrapped candy should be consumed.

-Consider throwing a small party for your children and their friends at your home as a safe alternative to trick-or-treating.

-Make sure children have comfortable shoes on.

-Keep jack-o-lanterns away from children and never leave them lit and unattended.

Halloween is a fun time of the year for all ages, but it can quickly turn deadly. Motorists are also asked to be cautious on our roadways during this time of the year. Be extremely cautious when driving through residential neighborhoods. As the nighttime approaches, young ghosts and goblins will be flocking the streets in search of sugary goodies. Avoid a potentially fatal accident and be on the lookout for these goblins. Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Continue reading "Halloween: A Spooky Time for Child Accidents in New York" »

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recently announced the launch of Chuggington, a children's cartoon designed to help educate our young ones about how to be safe around cars. This safety campaign was designed for children ages 2- to 7-years-old. Parents can also access Chugginton's website for downloadable safety tips and activities to use to join in on the learning process to help children avoid a potentially fatal accident in New York.

This young age group is some of the most vulnerable in traffic accidents. Help them to fight against these risks with the proper safety knowledge.

"Educating children at an early age...leads to a lifetime of good traffic safety habits," said U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Ray LaHood.

Our New York child injury lawyers understand that traffic crashes are leading cause of death for children in the United States. In 2009, there were nearly 1,315 fatalities and almost 180,000 injuries that occurred to individuals under the age of 15 in the U.S. Pedestrian accidents alone accounted for a good portion of these accidents. In 2007, there were nearly 300 deaths and almost 120,000 injuries that happened among pedestrians in this same young age group. Chuggington is here to help to teach children how to be safe when riding a bicycle, when riding the school bus, when walking near traffic and when riding in a car. In all of these scenarios, children are at serious risks for accidents if they're not careful and not properly educated.

Children should be taught that they should always wear a bicycling helmet when riding a bike, that they should always look both ways before crossing the street and that they should always wear a seat belt, regardless of if they're in a child's seat or not.

Throughout the cartoon video series, children will be able to earn badges from Chuggington and his friends for learning the proper and safe behavior to practice when in each of these scenarios. Ultimately, children will be urged to obtain their "Think Safe, Ride Safe, Be Safe!" traffic safety badge, which they can get after taking the pledge to practice these safe traveling habits.

The Chuggington video series was released to coincide with National Child Passenger Safety Week. National Child Passenger Safety Week is used to urge parents to take their car and their child's seat to a certified car seat inspector to make sure that the devices are properly installed in the vehicle. In the U.S., it's estimated that about 70 percent of all child car seats are installed improperly. Parents should take their child's car seat to a certified inspector. Through numerous studies, children's seats have been shown to be effective in saving lives in the event of a traffic accident and for these devices to work, parents must know how to properly install them.

We're urging parents to get involved in Chuggington's efforts to make our children smarter and safer travelers. Let's teach our children these safe habits early to better ensure a lifetime of safe travels.

Continue reading "Chuggington Offers Safety Tips to Kids to Help Prevent Accidents in Manhattan and Elsewhere" »

As we recently reported on our New York Injury Lawyer Blawg, the new school year recently kicked off and school-aged children are gearing up to head to bus stops across the state. In addition to the bus riders, we would also like to draw attention to the number of teen drivers that will be hitting our roadways as well to make it to campus before the bell.

Teenage drivers are some of the most vulnerable drivers on our roadways. Car accidents in New York City and elsewhere continue to be the number one cause of death for teenagers. For this reason, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has been conducting numerous studies to get a glimpse into the driving habits of the young motorists to figure out exactly why they're at such high risks for accidents on our roadways. In the most recent study, AAA installed cameras into the vehicles of teen drivers in North Carolina to gather information regarding their driving habits in an attempt to create ways to help to better educate our young ones.

Our New York car accident attorneys understand that teen drivers need to be closely monitored by parents and guardians. Parents are some of the most influential people when it comes to educating young drivers. It's important for parents to get involved in their teen driver's learning process and to stay involved long after they've gotten their unrestricted license. Constant reinforcement of safe driving habits can help to reduce their risks of a potentially fatal traffic accident.

"The first six months after getting your license are the most important," said Vincent Payne of AGIC Insurance, Inc.

The recently AAA study determined that teen drivers are most at risk for an accident just 30 days after getting a full driver's license. Once a teen driver gains experience driving without supervision, their risks significantly decrease. Teen drivers are half as likely to get into an accident just a year after having unrestricted driving privileges.

Parents are urged to take hold of the following to implement with their newly-licensed teen driver:

-Practice. Practice. Practice! Teenagers can never get enough driving practice. Parents should ride along with their teen drivers as much as possible.

-Parents should limit the number of passengers that are allowed to ride with their teen at one time. The more passengers there are in a teen's vehicle, the higher the risks are for a serious accident.

-Teen drivers should be limited to their time spent behind the wheel at night. Consider setting a curfew. Teen drivers' risks for accidents increase significantly when the sun goes down.

-Create a parent-teen driving agreement to help lay down the rules of the road as a way to better enforce them in your household. Include consequences for breaking the rules in this contract.

Continue reading "Teen Drivers Back to School, Risks for Car Accidents in New York Increase" »

Distracted driving has become a serious problem on roadways across the country and these distracted drivers have contributed to far too many preventable car accidents in Manhattan and elsewhere. For this reason, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has decided to dedicate an entire week to help raise awareness and to educate drivers about the dangers that come along with driver distractions. The week-long campaign is called "Heads Up Driving Week" and is taking place from September the 26th through October the 2nd. Drivers across the country are encouraged to join the campaign's efforts and take the pledge to curb the distractions behind the wheel.

According to a recent study from the University of Utah, drivers just aren't wired to multi-task behind the wheel. Statistics reveal that roughly 8,000 car accidents happen every day because of distracted drivers. Still, far too many drivers are talking on the phone, sending text messages, applying makeup, surfing the web, eating, drinking and smoking, all while trying to drive.

Our New York car accident lawyers understand that a majority of drivers, 92 percent to be exact, feel that emailing or texting at the wheel is a completely unacceptable behavior. On top of that, roughly 80 percent of drivers say that they support anti-distraction laws, according to the AAA Foundation's 2010 Traffic Safety Culture Index. Still, drivers across the country are engaging in these dangers. Researchers point to the "do as I say, not as I do" attitude for these findings.

"Driving while texting, emailing or talking on the phone aren't perceived as egregious behaviors despite overwhelming scientific evidence of the serious crash risk these behaviors pose," said AAA Foundation President and CEO Peter Kissinger.

Dangerous driving facts:

-More and 1 million people have been killed in traffic accidents during the last 25 years. Nearly 35,000 people were killed in 2010 alone.

-Studies indicate that drivers spend at least half of their time driving while engaging in distracting behaviors.

-Drivers are four times more likely to get into an accident when using a cell phone behind the wheel.

-Distractions can include changing the radio station/volume, rubbernecking, emailing, surfing the web, talking on a cell phone, sending text messages, using a road map or a GPS device, eating, drinking and talking with passengers.

-Passengers are in fact the top reported cause of distraction-related car accidents.

In 2010, there were approximately 3,100 people who were killed in traffic accidents that involved a distracted driver. These types of accidents and fatalities are 100 percent preventable. The fight against distractions starts with you!

For "Heads Up Driving Week," AAA is asking all drivers to take the pledge to put down all distractions. AAA suggests you try it just for a week, and you're sure to see the real benefits of focus, uninterrupted driving. Drivers can take the pledge on the AAA website.

Continue reading ""Heads Up Driving Week" to Help Reduce Risks of Distraction-Related Car Accidents in New York and Elsewhere" »

On October 17, the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) will be hosting the 2011 Distracted Driving Summit. The Summit will be held in Washington D.C. and is funded through a grant from AT&T.

NOYS is a firm believer that teen-led and teen-informed programs are an effective way to raise awareness, educate drivers and prevent distracted driving-related teen car accidents in New York and elsewhere. The Organization uses its resources to empower, convene and train youth leaders to effectively address distracted driving among teen drivers.

NOYS reports that there were roughly 3,000 teens aged 15 to 19 that were killed in traffic accidents in the U.S. in 2009. The Organization estimates that another 350,000 individuals in this age group were injured in these types of incidents. While the deadliest months for teen car accidents (May through August) are over, parents, teachers and guardians are urged to refresh teen driving habits and skills as teens head to back campus to refresh their academic knowledge for the new school year.

Our New York car accident attorneys understand that car accidents are the number one cause of death for teens in the United States. The main reason for these fatal accidents is that these young drivers have much less driving experience than adult drivers.

For this reason, parents are urged to keep safe driving habits as a frequent topic of conversation. Parents are some of the most influential people in a young driver's experience behind the wheel. Even though this young age group only represents less than 15 percent of the population in the U.S., fatal accident involving these individuals account for roughly 30 percent of the total costs for traffic accidents. These accidents cost the U.S. nearly $30 billion every single year.

The 2011 Teen Distracted Driving Summit will consist of the following:

• Presentations from key national leaders from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and from the U.S. Department of Transportation.


• The announcement of the new NOYS Teen Distracted Driving Prevention Team (TDDPT) for the 2011-2012 year. This Team consists of 40 youth leaders and 10 advisers.


• There will be TDDPT training workshops, which will be conducted by some of the top traffic safety experts.


• Organizations and companies will be offered an opportunity to showcase products, programs and other resources that address distracted driving among teenage drivers.

Teens make up the age group that is most likely to be involved in a distracted driving-related car accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were nearly 200 teenagers killed in traffic accidents in New York that reported the involvement of a teen driver.

We can all do our part to help reduce the risks of these types of accidents by talking to the teens in our lives and helping them to understand the dangers of distracted driving and the importance of safe driving habits.

Continue reading "NOYS Hosts the 2011 Distracted Driving Summit to Help Reduce Risks of Teen Car Accidents in New York, Nation" »

Pedestrian accidents in New York City accounted for more than half of all fatal traffic-related accidents from 2005 to 2009, according to the New York City Department of Transportation.

The rest of the country is experiencing alarming rates of fatal pedestrian accidents as well. According to a recent study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety that looked at of 7,000 reports of accidents that resulted in serious injury or death to pedestrians, there were more than 4,000 pedestrians that were fatally injured in 2009 because of traffic-related accidents in the U.S. Close to 60,000 pedestrians were injured in these types of incidents.

The AAA study concluded that the risk of an accident is directly correlated with the speed of the vehicle. Therefore, the study has concluded that reduce the speed of motorists is one way to help decrease the risks of these serious accidents.

Our New York pedestrian accident lawyers understand that the New York City Department of Transportation is looking into ways to reduce these types of accidents as well. One of the ways that the DOT is approaching is the Pedestrian Safety Report and Action Plan. This plan started with the analysis of more than 7,000 accident reports in an attempt to find the underlying causes. The DOT is then using this information to find ways to make roadways safer for everyone.

Important findings of New York City's Pedestrian Safety Report and Action Plan:

• Traffic accidents in the City cost the local economy nearly $4.5 billion a year.


• Pedestrians are about 10 times more likely to be killed on our roadways than an occupant of a motor vehicle in the event of an accident.


• Driver inattention was a top contributor in nearly 40 percent of accidents in which a pedestrian was seriously injured or killed.


• Nearly 30 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents were the result of a driver failing to yield.


• Pedestrian-vehicle accidents are about twice as deadly as any other type of accident.


• Pedestrian accidents are about 70 percent deadlier on major street corridors in comparison to smaller local streets.


• Most drivers in New York are unaware of the 30 mph standard speed limit.


• Roughly 80 percent of pedestrian-car accidents that seriously injure or kill pedestrians involve a male driver.


• Nearly 80 percent of serious or fatal accidents that involve a vehicle and a pedestrian involve a private vehicle, not a bus, a truck or a taxi.


• Manhattan has four times more serious pedestrian accidents per mile than any of the other four major boroughs.


• More than 40 percent of pedestrians who were killed in Manhattan were residents of other boroughs or lived outside of the city.

Department of Transportation officials have analyzed the data and have a few different ways that they think they can help to reduce the risks of these serious accidents:

-Fix up approximately 60 miles of New York City streets and engineer them with more pedestrian-safe features. The selection of these areas will correspond with specific accident data.
-Pedestrian countdown signals will be installed at roughly 1,500 intersections.
-Twenty intersections will be reconstructed to increase safety for pedestrians.
-Pilot programs will be conducted to test out 20 mph speed limits in specific neighborhoods.
-Pilot programs will be conducted in an attempt to improve the visibility of left-hand turns for those along avenues in Manhattan.

According to Transportation for America, New York's most dangerous metro areas for pedestrians are as follows (from 2000 to 2009):

-New York/Northern New Jersey-Long Island: 3,485 deaths.
-Buffalo-Niagara Falls: 163 deaths.
-Rochester: 122 deaths.
-Syracuse: 93 deaths.
-Albany-Schenectady-Troy: 92 deaths.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Accidents in New York City Account for more than 50 Percent of all Fatal Traffic Accidents" »

Not only are members of Congress looking to standardize Graduated Driver's License Programs nationwide with the proposal of STANDUP Act 2011, but so are two former U.S. Department of Transportation secretaries, reports WFLX.

Two former Transportation Cabinet Officials, Elizabeth H. Dole (1983-1987) and Norman Y. Mineta (2001-2006) prepared and signed letters to Congressional leaders urging enactment of the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act as part of a movement to reduce teen car accidents in New York and throughout the country. Creating consistency statewide would ensure young and novice drivers are being trained and gaining knowledge about safe driving behaviors before they venture out on roadways alone.

New York personal injury lawyers know that more than 5,000 deaths occur every year and thousands more are injured in car crashes caused by a teen driver. Not only are teens at risk but so are the passengers who ride with them, other motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

As committees of the House and Senate are busy preparing their versions of multi-year transportation legislation authorizing funding for surface transportation programs, they are urged to consider the following points of the STANDUP Act as part of their proposal:

• GDL laws have proven to be successful in reducing teen car accidents in states with strong programs but some states are missing key components that would improve teen driver safety.


• Similar to the commercial driver's licensing law, 21 minimum drinking age law, zero tolerance BAC law for underage drinking, and .08 BAC law mandated from state to state, the STANDUP Act can reduce young driver accidents and reverse the negative threat these accidents have on our families and communities nationwide.


• All states would be required to impose three stages of licensing: a learner's permit, intermediate phase and the final full licensure stage.


• No young driver would be permitted to get a full license before age 18.


• Many teen-related crashes occur at night or with another young passenger in the vehicle so unsupervised driving in the dark and teen passengers would be restricted until a full license is acquired at age 18.


• No teen would be permitted to start the learner's permit process until age 16.

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles offers lots of useful information for parents and teens starting the learning to drive process. From regional restrictions to parental involvement to age requirements, everything you need to know about getting a driver's license in New York is at your fingertips.

Parents and teens can also obtain detailed facts and information for young drivers at Keys2Drive AAA Guide for Teen Driver Safety.

Studies have shown that 89 percent of teens respect their parent's involvement and influence during the process of learning to drive. Teach your teen to be a safe driver in order to reduce the risk of an accident when they start to drive solo.

Continue reading "Federalizing a GDL Law Could Mean Reducing Teen Car Accidents in New York" »

Most of us can only hope that as we get older our driving skills don't diminish too rapidly. Senior citizens are often involved in car accidents in New York City because they either don't see a hazard or can't react to a dangerous situation quick enough.

New York is a state that doesn't take your license away as you get older unless there is due cause that driving privileges should be taken away. According to New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, the driver re-evaluation program gives older drivers the flexibility and freedom to continue driving, no matter what their age, as long as another motorist, a doctor, or a police officer don't find a 'specific reason' related to driving performance to report to NYDMV.

Our Manhattan personal injury lawyers know that as drivers age, they can often become directionally challenged or have memory lapses on how to get to what used to be familiar territory. Aging drivers can become stressed or confused quite easily which puts them at a high risk of being involved in a car accident.

Some states offer a Silver Alert program which can help track a senior citizen while they go about their merry way on roadways. The Sun Sentinel reports that as many as 44 lost seniors have been found in Florida with the success of the Silver Alert program. There are also several new technologies being offered which can locate a lost or confused senior driver.

The Alzheimer's Association Comfort Zone offers several devices that can be installed or placed in vehicles to keep track of your elders. Families can automatically be alerted on an elderly's whereabouts when they have traveled outside a pre-determined area.

One device is called the CalAmp which is permanently installed, sells for $244 (with activation included) and charges a monthly fee of $39.99. This device can track an elder driver's vehicle within 2 minutes. The Sendum, which retails for $299 plus $45 activation, is a portable device that can locate a vehicle within 15 minutes. This device requires a monthly service fee of $44.95.

Cheaper models with fewer bells and whistles can also be purchased. For instance, the inGeo has a monthly fee of $14.95 and retails for less than $100, locates your loved one once a day. The device can be handheld or placed in a vehicle.

The New York State Office for the Aging offers the following tips to elders who venture out on roadways:

• Get routine vision tests and always wear your glasses as needed.


• Read labels on medication if you plan to drive after taking a dose. Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.


• Stop and stretch every 90 minutes on long trips.


• Make sure seat location and mirrors are comfortably adjusted before you start the engine.


• Travel at non-peak times and know your directions before you leave.

Tracking devices and Silver Alert programs can be beneficial in keeping track of your elder on roadways but if you suspect danger, offer to drive them in order to reduce the risk of a car accident.

Continue reading "Lost Elderly Drivers Can be at a High Risk for New York City Car Accidents" »

New York Senator Kristen Gillbrand has been advocating the need for uniformity nationwide when it comes to teen safety and young drivers learning safe driving skills. WAMC reports she has finally been heard by a key Senate committee and Gillibrand's Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act is moving ahead.

Much attention continues to be given to teenagers because this age group causes and are victims of more car accidents in New York than any other age group.

New York City car accident attorneys know that a teen driver safety plan is exactly what our state needs to keep roadways safer for all motorists. Politicalnews.me reports that from 2005-2009, 46,000 people were injured and 280 deaths occurred in New York car accidents involving a driver that was 16 or 17 years-old. Since 2000, 81,000 deaths have occurred nationally in car accidents involving a teen driver between the ages of 15 to 19.

The Senate Commerce Committee is including the STANDUP Act as part of the Motor Vehicle and Highway Safety Improvement Act, which will then be taken up by Congress later this year as part of the Transportation Authorization package proposal.

"For teens, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in every state. Every year, more than 5,000 people die in crashes involving teen drivers," said Jackie Gillan, vice president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. "Fortunately, a comprehensive Graduated Driver Licensing or GDL law is an effective vaccine that can help prevent teen crashes, yet not all states are using it."

The STANDUP Act proposes federal mandating of the following:

• Age 16 would be the minimum age to obtain a driver's license and age 18 would be the minimum age for an unrestricted license nationwide.


• Drivers with a learner's permit or restricted license would not be permitted to text or use cell phones while operating a vehicle unless it was an emergency situation only.


• Restrictions for driving at night would be placed on 16 and 17 year-old drivers.

According to saferoads4teens.org, if the STANDUP Act is passed, New York's current GDL program would need to make the following improvements to comply with the new law:
-Remove the exception that teens who complete driver education can obtain full licensure without a minimum age requirement.
-Prohibit the use of hands-free cell phones during the learner's permit and intermediate stages of learning to drive to accentuate the ban of non-emergency cell phone use.

Parents and teens should be familiar with the GDL program in New York by learning what to expect, what the law is and how to proceed when a teen becomes of age. For more information about the minimum age requirements in New York, visit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety online.

Continue reading "State to State Teen Safety Plan Aimed to Reduce the Risk of Young Driver Accidents in New York City, Nationwide" »

Our Manhattan car accident attorneys know that New York City is one of the greatest tourists spots in the country but when tourists visit and are unaware of distracted driving laws in our state, and local residents ignore the law it creates a high risk for car accidents in New York City.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, New York is one of only 9 states that considers driving with a handheld cell phone a primary offense and motorists can be ticketed without other cause.

New York also prohibits text messaging by all drivers. Knowledge of state laws and awareness that you can be ticketed are key components in reversing what has become a public health threat in our country with an average of 15 deaths caused by distracted driving every day.

A pilot study in New York and Connecticut has provided positive results in reducing the number of distracted driving accidents occurring in Syracuse and Hartford. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advertising, public awareness through campaigning and heightened law enforcement throughout the two cities has shown a reduction in cell phone-related accidents throughout the four phases of the program.

Each program was provided $300,000 in state and federal funding to resource towards enhancing law enforcement throughout the city as well as using public address announcements and other forms of advertisement to sway motorists from talking on their cell phone while driving. The "Phone in One Hand, Ticket in the Other" slogan was campaigned throughout each city to drive the point home to motorists that if they chose to talk or text they would be pulled over.

The New York results:
-High visibility enforcement resulted in a decline of one-third less handheld cell phone use and texting practices while driving.
-9,587 violations were cited to drivers during the four phases of the program.

"The success of these pilot programs clearly show that combining strong laws with strong enforcement can bring about a sea change in public attitudes and behavior," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. "We applaud the work of the men and women of the Syracuse and Hartford police forces, and call on state legislatures, law enforcement and safety advocates across the nation to follow their lead."

GHSA reports no state bans all drivers from using cell phones completely, meaning prohibiting both handheld and hands-free use of devices while behind the wheel. Instead, each state has addressed cell phone use and texting allowances on an individual basis.

This could all change very soon. According to an article in Auto Trends, the proposed Safe Drivers Act of 2011 is a bill that would call on the government to federalize banning cell phone use while driving nationwide. The only exception under the proposed bill would be to call for emergency help.

The downside if passed is that cognitive distractions would still exist because hands-free devices located in the vehicle would still be permitted. Once the Safe Drivers Act of 2011 is passed, states would need to mandate and comply with enforcing the law within two years or else risk losing considerable federal funding provided to the state.

A call for consistency is definitely needed to help motorists understand that distracted driving is not tolerated no matter where you live or where you visit. Finding a way to reduce deaths and injuries caused by distracted drivers using a cell phone is necessary and an important step in our future.

Continue reading "Enforcement and Awareness of Distracted Driving Laws Reduces the Risk of Car Accidents in Manhattan, Elsewhere" »

New York personal injury lawyers know that the popularity of motorcycle riding is on the rise, which increases the risk of injury in a Manhattan motorcycle accident. We understand how significant injuries from a motorcycle crash can be to the rider and his or her family, so we urge motorists to be aware that riders are out there and may show up seemingly out of nowhere.

A recent national report by the Governors Highway Safety Association showed that motorcycle deaths were down nationally 2 percent from last year. But in 2009, New York reported 136 motorcycle fatalities between January and September. In 2010, there were 180 during that same time period.

The message to motorists from state officials gathered at the Crossings Park in Colonie was to always be aware of motorcycle riders especially during the summer. Sharing the road is the best way to keep our highways safe.

"Motorcycling is more popular than ever," said state Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Barbara Fiala. "With this popularity comes an increase in crashes, injuries and fatalities." She also commented that motorcycle riders have the same right to the road as other motorists.

New York State during the past 10 years has seen a 28 percent rise in licensed motorcycle riders and a 76 percent growth in registered vehicles. There are currently more than 655,000 licensed riders in our state, according to an article in the Times Union. Sadly motorcycle riders are 37 times more likely to die in a crash than a motor vehicle driver.

Earlier this month in a span of about a week there were eight fatal motorcycle crashes throughout the state. The manager of the state Motorcycle Safety Program, Chris Connelly, shared these tips:

-Beginner riders should take advantage of educational programs and it doesn't hurt experienced riders either.
-Riders should wear protective gear at all times.
-Riders should never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
-Motorists should be aware of their surroundings looking for riders. They should never drive while distracted.
-Motorists should give riders plenty of room and they should never tailgate a motorcycle.

A lieutenant from the State Police, who is an avid motorcycle rider, demonstrated several ways riders can make themselves safer. He suggests wearing neon-colored clothes, an approved helmet and having a five-light array on your motorcycle offers the most visibility.

Mike Kuban, president of the local American Motorcyclist Association district commented that the leading cause of motorcycle accidents are drivers turning left into the path of the rider. Stanley Gee, executive deputy commissioner for the state Department of Transportation, cautioned riders to be careful in work zones where uneven surfaces can make riding difficult. He added that 20 percent of motorcycle accidents are caused by distracted drivers.

Continue reading "Increase in Registered Motorcycles Increases Risk of Motorcycle Accidents in Manhattan, Throughout New York" »

New York City Personal Injury Lawyers wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable Independence Day weekend.

With a little extra time off from work, perhaps, many New Yorkers will hit the roads, possibly traveling to the Jersey Shore or up to Connecticut or Upstate New York for some time away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

And they won't be alone. AAA predicts that some 39 million Americans will be traveling more than 50 miles from their homes this holiday weekend, which is actually down from 40 million in 2010. The organization predicts the drop because of an average $1 increase in gas prices nationwide.

What that says to our lawyers is that New Yorkers may be at any additional risk for car accidents in New York. Vehicle accidents can cause devastating injuries that cause hefty medical bills to pile up.

It is best to practice defensive driving techniques in order to keep your family safe if traveling this holiday season. Here are some common sense driving tips:

• Wear your seat belt
• Use your headlights
• Always use turn signals
• Look twice to make sure drivers aren't in your blind spot
• Keep your tires properly inflated
• Don't drink and drive

But if your family plans on sticking close to home this holiday season, keep in mind there are safety hazards even if you're not driving.

Swimming pool accidents: With the summer months here, children are probably clamoring to get into a pool, either at their own house or at a community pool. Keep in mind that running along the edges and slipping can cause brutal injuries, including broken bones and brain injuries. So, be safe at the pool.

And this especially goes for young children, who are most susceptible to drowning. From 1987 to 2007, there were 32 drownings at regulated swimming facilities in New York City. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that almost 30 percent of children nationwide ages 1 to 4 who died from unintentional injuries drowned.

Keep your child within an arm's length and never leave them unsupervised. Make sure children aren't able to wander near a pool that isn't secured by a fence or locked down. And keep emergency equipment and a phone nearby.

Fireworks injuries: Even though New York prohibits the sale of fireworks, people will surely go over state lines to purchase personal fireworks. New York Personal Injury Lawyers recommends watching an official fireworks display because even owning fireworks is a crime in New York.

Fireworks can cause injuries not only to those operating them, but also onlookers. The CDC reports that in 2007, 7,000 people were injured in fireworks accidents and seven people died. Eyes, hands, fingers and legs are most commonly injured and the injuries range from cuts to burns and even vision loss.

Continue reading "Stay Safe From New York Car Accidents and Have a Fun Fourth of July" »

As temperatures rise in the summer, maintaining your vehicle becomes more important to reduce the risk of a New York City car accident. The U.S. Department of Transportation is offering a consumer advisory for motorists to check their tires before traveling. Tread wear and improper tire inflation in extremely hot temperatures could cause a severe accident on U.S. roadways.

The week of June 5-11 is National Tire Safety Week. Our Manhattan car accident attorneys want to remind travelers to routinely check your tire pressure as it will keep you safer and could improve gas mileage as you travel across the state.

As fuel prices jump this summer, remember that properly inflated tires can put pennies in your pockets. U.S. Department of Energy's fueleconomy.gov reports that a fuel-economy rating of 30 miles per gallon and a 35 pound per square inch (PSI) is recommended for a vehicle. A 25-percent loss in tire pressure equates to an 8.8 percent loss in fuel economy or, 2.6 miles per gallon. In other words, tires that aren't properly inflated can decrease gas mileage by .3 percent for every one PSI drop in pressure for all four tires.

Hot temperatures make it even more dangerous for motorists to drive on worn or under-inflated tires. Older tires in hot temperatures are susceptible to heat stress, which causes the tire belt to break when a vehicle is moving. This can cause a driver to lose control or cause rubber debris to fly through the air, making it dangerous for a vehicle driving behind you.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is encouraging motorists to check tire pressure before long trips and to perform routine inspections on your tires throughout the year.

Your vehicle owner's manual will provide information on recommended tire pressure and tread depth, as well as how often to replace tires on your vehicle.

From 2005 to 2009, it is reported that about 116,000 people were injured and another 3,400 were killed in tire-related crashes on U.S. roadways.

Safercar.gov offers the following recommendations to improve tire safety:

-Obtain an accurate tire pressure gauge.

-Every vehicle has tire pressure and vehicle load requirements, which are the leading causes of tire failure. Consult your owner's manual to follow requirements made by your vehicle.

-Perform routine inspections monthly on your vehicle's tires to keep a handle on wear and overall condition.

-30 percent of cars and light trucks have at least one tire that is under-inflated by eight PSI or more. Visual inspections can be misleading, so always use a gauge for an accurate measure.

-Tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles for maximum mileage and symmetrical wear and tear on your tires.

For answers to frequently asked questions related to tire maintenance, visit the Tire Pressure Monitoring System website.

For information on National Tire Safety Week and results of the 2011 Tire Care Awareness Survey, visit betiresmart.org.

Continue reading "Worn Tires can Cause Manhattan Car Accidents in the Summer" »

GMAC Insurance partnered with one of the largest research groups for the seventh year in a row to conduct an online general driving rules test. The results were not good for New York drivers.

Our New York Personal injury lawyers know that understanding the rules of the road will reduce the risk of having a car accident in Manhattan or the surrounding areas.

Participants were given a 20-question test with many similar questions found on the state's test used to grant driver's licenses or permits. An objective sample representing U.S. individuals ages 16 to 65 was used for the study. Completed surveys totaled 5,130, and at least 100 surveys per state, including Washington, D.C., were used. The test results showed that 20 percent of drivers on the road today - nearly 37 million U.S. drivers - did not pass the test.

The test results:

-20 percent of drivers scored lower than 70, which is 2 percent more than last year.

-The nationwide average test score was 77.9 percent.

-For the second year in a row, Kansas scored the highest with 82.9 percent correct.

-Washington, D.C. had the lowest score of 73.9% correct.

-The best region was the Midwest with a score of 77.5 percent; the worst region was the Northeast with 74.9 percent.

-The most improved state was Colorado. Its score went from 77.8 percent to 82 percent.

-The least improved state was Arkansas. Its score dropped from 79.8 percent to 76 percent.

-Only one out of 20 drivers failed the test in Wyoming, and one of three drivers failed the test in New York and Washington, D.C.

-Men averaged 80 percent on the test, while women averaged 74.1 percent.

-Men had a fail rate of 13.6 percent; women had a fail rate of 27.2 percent.

GMAC Insurance administers the test because they feel everyone should keep the rules of the road fresh in their minds to maintain safe driving habits. Do you think you could pass the test? Click the link to view and take the test.

Here are the driving mistakes that cause the most crashes:

-Multi-tasking: Remember when you get in the car to turn off the gadgets. Nothing is more important than focusing on driving. Everything else can wait until you get out of the car.

-Tailgating: Always give yourself a two-second gap between your car and the one in front of you. In bad weather/road conditions, double or triple that time gap.

-Not yielding on a left-hand turn: A good rule to follow is to check the flow before you go. Make sure the street is clear of vehicles and pedestrians before turning.

-Merging incorrectly: Yield does not mean stop. Accidents happen when a driver stops instead of yields. Ramps are meant as a means for merging into traffic, so don't stop.

-Going in reverse: Don't just rely on your mirrors when backing up. Turn your head and look over your shoulder.

Continue reading "New York drivers at high risk of car accidents by motorists failing national "Rules of the Road" test " »

The U.S Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently announced that despite the significant increase in the number of miles driven by motorists in 2010, traffic fatalities dropped to their lowest level in over 60 years. New York car accident lawyers remain concerned, knowing that New York ranks near the top of deadliest states to live in when it comes to traffic fatalities each year.

Despite what is going on in the rest of the country, New York City car accidents still remain a public health threat for those who live in or visit our state each year.


Early projections made by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) based on recent statistics show that:

-In 2010, 10,722 fewer traffic fatalities were recorded than the reported number for 2005. This equates to a 25 percent drop over the last 5 years.

-From 2009 to 2010, there were 1,020 fewer traffic fatalities in the U.S., falling 3 percent overall for the year.

-An increase of almost 21 billion miles traveled took place in 2010 from the previous year.

-The fatality rate dropped from 1.13 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2009 to 1.09 in 2010.

The numbers look good, right? On the contrary, the numbers lead us into a false sense of security. In fact, the early projections indicate a quarterly increase in traffic fatalities for the last half of 2010. In other words, January through June numbers offered positive results when compared to 2009. But the number of traffic fatalities actually increased by almost 2 percent in the last two quarters of 2010 when compared to the same months of the previous year.

In a regional breakdown, the NHTSA reports a 2 percent increase in our region which consists of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Though certainly not the worst region when compared to the Northeast region which reported an 18% increase, we fail to compare to the Pacific Northwest states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska and Montana, which reported a decrease of 12 percent.

The recovering economy certainly plays a role in the increase of traffic fatalities in the last half of last year. The government feels their initiative to decrease traffic fatalities with public awareness, vehicle safety programs, strategic campaigns and stronger traffic safety laws has been a proponent in the overall decrease for 2010.

"The decrease in traffic fatalities is a good sign, but we are always working to save lives," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. "NHTSA will continue pressing forward on all of our safety initiatives to make sure our roads are as safe as they can possibly be."

Continue reading "Fewer Car Accidents Nationwide - New York reports year-over-year Increase" »