The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found in a recent survey that newly licensed teenage female drivers are about twice as likely to use cellphones and electronic devices while they drive as teenage boys. This is particularly concerning when teenage drivers in general are more likely to be involved in traffic accidents due to their lower level of driving experience.
]]> Regardless of age, though, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that 3,000 highway deaths in 2010 were attributable to distracted driving. While New York currently has a state law that bans the use of cellphones while driving, the National Transportation Safety Board has recommended expanding the ban to all electronic devices -- handheld or not.Drivers have a responsibility to be completely alert and aware of their surroundings when they are driving on roads in New York and anywhere else. While cellphones have certainly become a reality of everyday life, it's important that drivers recognize that using them while operating a vehicle can put themselves and others who are on the road in serious danger.
Source: Forbes, "Distracted Driving Kills; Teenage Girls Are Especially At Risk, AAA Says," Jim Henry, March 28, 2012
]]>The day appears to have started off fairly average. The Brewster man, just 26-years-old, was driving his vehicle to work southbound on a local road during his routine morning commute. He was about two miles from his place of work when an SUV crossed the center line into his lane and slammed directly into his vehicle. The young man died at the scene of the crash.
]]> The full details of the fatal car accident remain unclear. The driver of the SUV was treated for minor injuries and was released from a local medical center. The Putnam County Sheriff's Office is investigating the accident, though the chief investigator stated that there were no indications that alcohol or drugs were a factor in this accident.For the victim, there are no words to describe the loss that his family and loved ones must experience with his death. His employer described him as a tremendous asset to their organization. He had a good sense of humor and was described as someone who was moving up within his company, at which he had been employed for 10 years.
As the cause of this accident comes to light, the family may consider filing a claim for wrongful death. If the results of the investigation show that the car accident was due to negligence of the SUV driver, New York law provides for the right of survivors to seek monetary compensation for damages suffered as a result of the collision. Though nothing can ever make up for the loss of the young man's life, a successful claim may help pay financial obligations arising from the crash and perhaps replace lost income that the victim would have continued to generate had he survived.
Source: LoHud.com, "Brewster crash victim Adam Sechny recalled with 'high praise'," Marcela Rojas and Terence Corcoran, March 27, 2012
]]>The site of the Four W.T.C. construction apparently has stringent safety rules, which were said to help ensure the minimal harm done by this crane accident. Even so, an investigation has been undertaken concerning the malfunctioning crane to determine the precise cause of the accident. A caution has been sent out to operators of this crane model to reduce their loads in case a deficiency is found, so as to prevent further possible injury.
]]> New York construction sites come with an inherent level of danger with the significant amounts of dangerous equipment and heavy machinery. This makes it even more important to follow safety regulations to prevent injury. It is also important for victims of accidents of these sites to be aware of whether their accident may have been caused by a negligent property owner, negligence in following safety regulations or negligence by a third party responsible for the manufacture or upkeep of the equipment.Those workers injured in a construction accident are often covered by workers' compensation insurance. If it is found that a construction site injury was caused by the negligence of a third party, the injured employee may have legal redress to file a claim against the outside party. In addition, passersby injured by falling construction debris may have legal basis for a premises liability claim against all parties whose negligence caused or contributed to the injuries sustained.
Source: Downtown Express, "Crane accident could stall completion of Four W.T.C.," Aline Reynolds, March 21, 2012
]]>Investigation into the incident has revealed that a key component to the elevator's safety mechanism was disabled at the time of the accident, after being bypassed half an hour before the accident to enable work on the elevator, despite conflicting claims that the safety system was fully operational during the incident. The mechanic who had previously bypassed the system gave what he said was the bypass wire mechanism to investigators, claiming he had it on his person during the incident. However, investigators suspect this wire wasn't used for the purpose of bypassing the security system.
]]> While the wrongful death of the woman in this accident is tragic, elevator malfunctions are rare in New York. In 2011, only 43 accidents were reported, and in 2010, 53 were reported. Still, a person harmed or killed in such a manner is one injury or death too many. While it remains to be seen how any criminal or civil proceedings in connection with the fatality are resolved, the case demonstrates the immense devastation that can occur when maintenance protocol isn't followed properly.Source: Huffington Post, "New York City Elevator Accident: 5 Transel Employees Fired After Suzanne Hart's Death," Jennifer Peltz, March 1, 2012
]]>Recently, a car accident resulted in the death of a young woman. A PT Cruiser was traveling north on Route 32 when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The car spun into the opposite lane and collided with a Jeep Liberty before landing in a ditch on the southbound lane. The car accident victim was sitting in the passenger side of the PT Cruiser.
]]> The other vehicle involved in the car accident contained a driver and two passengers. They were each transported to medical facilities and treated for non-life threatening injuries.The police investigation of this car accident will continue. As of now, no charges have been filed. However, the driver of the vehicle at fault for the accident may still be at risk for further ramifications due to this incident.
The family of the car accident victim may feel that they have a case against the driver. It's also possible that the occupants of the other vehicle involved with the car accident have grounds for filing complaints against the driver. In any case, drivers in Poughkeepsie should be aware of their legal rights should they find themselves in a similar situation. Although weather conditions can contribute to accidents, it's important that drivers remember to slow down and focus on the road.
Source: Poughkeepsie Journal, "Plattekill teen killed in car accident," Feb. 29, 2012
]]>New York State Police are currently investigating a crash involving two vehicles that resulted in the death of a 6-year-old passenger in Milton. The car accident victim's 34-year-old father was travelling through the intersection of New York State Route 29 and Murray Road when he apparently neglected to yield the right of way, according to the initial reports from the police. He struck another vehicle driven by a 21-year-old Johnstown man. The impact of the crash caused serious injuries to the 6-year-old, who was later pronounced dead. There were five others involved in the multi-vehicle car accident, all of whom were treated for injuries characterized as non-life threatening.
]]> Alcohol was not a contributing factor to this accident, according to authorities. Currently no charges have been made against any of the parties, but the investigation is said to be ongoing. If the preliminary indications withstand further inquiry, those injured in the car accident may decide to pursue personal injury claims to recover monetary damages against any and all negligent parties.Unfortunately, this tragic case clearly emphasizes the fact that negligent driving can cause serious harm to not only the driver, but others who may be on the road. Hopefully this accident and others like it will serve as somber reminders to New York drivers to keep both hands on the wheel, both eyes on the road and to follow traffic laws. It could go a long way toward keeping our roads safe.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, "Boy killed in upstate NY car accident," Associated Press, Feb. 19, 2012
]]>Purportedly, the police officer struck a car transporting five women in October of 2009. He then fled the scene of the crash. Four of the five women victimized in the accident were injured -- one of them suffering permanent disability as a result. After fleeing the scene of the Marlborough accident, the man contacted the New York State police to falsely report that he had been involved in a car-deer collision. He later filed a car insurance claim to the same effect, in order to repair the damage to his vehicle.
]]> Thankfully, the truth of the car accident was eventually brought to light. In addition to prison time, the former Newburgh officer has been ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,000. Cases like this can be frustrating for car accident victims who are long awaiting the outcome of an investigation. However, it is possible that these victims and their families may find some solace in obtaining both education and information on the options available to them through the legal system.Source: YNN, "Officer sentenced for ties to hit and run crash," Feb. 10, 2012
]]>The fatal accident happened in Hyde Park around 11:05 p.m. on Feb. 11 along Crum Elbow Road. A 23-year-old man was walking alongside the road when a driver struck him and then fled from the scene. Hours later at 7:55 a.m. the next day, a man came forward to officers in Hyde Park to say that he thought he hit a deer "or some other object" the previous night on the same road. At this time, police have not made any arrests, and an investigation continues into the accident.
]]> Here, if the man who believed he had struck a deer was the same man who struck the 23-year-old man, then he may still be liable for the accident regardless of the truth of his story. Moreover, because this accident resulted in the death of a young man, the driver could face a wrongful death suit from the victim's family.A wrongful death is a legal term referring to the type of death caused by the negligent or willful conduct of another, and that may well be the case here. For the family, their loss is enormous, and New York law can certainly not provide them with any amount of amends to make up for the loss of this man. However, through a wrongful death suit, they may be able to recoup compensation for funeral expenses and other damages as well as send a message that negligent driving will not be tolerated on New York roadways.
Source: Poughkeepsie Journal, "Hyde Park man, 23, killed in hit-and-run accident," Feb. 12, 2012
]]>Recently one motorist rear-ended a vehicle that was waiting to make a left turn. The accident reportedly happened in Ulster Park on Jan. 28 during the morning hours. The 31-year-old woman who rear-ended the other vehicle claims that she was blinded by the sun at the time.
]]> The woman was subsequently taken to an area hospital in Poughkeepsie, but the accident also left the three occupants of the rear-ended vehicle with personal injuries. No further information about their current condition was available in a local news report. However, the woman is now facing charges for aggravated unlicensed operation, as she was driving with a suspended license.When victims in New York and elsewhere are injured through no fault of their own and as the result of another's negligent or willful conduct, they may be entitled to compensation for their injuries. Here, the 31-year-old woman may have been negligent in rear-ending the other vehicle. If the three victims decide to file a personal injury claim, they may find it helpful to seek advice from an experienced New York personal injury attorney.
Source: Mid-Hudson News, "Four injured in sun glare accident," Jan. 31, 2012
]]>Pets are even more dangerous when their owner is negligent, fails to properly restrain them or does not abide by animal laws. Innocent and unsuspecting bystanders can be harmed by a dog bite quite easily, especially with a powerful breed of dog - like a pit bull.
]]> Just such a scenario has left people in some neighborhoods in the New York borough of Brooklyn fearful to walk the streets. There have been at least six incidents of pit bull attacks since April 2011 in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn, according to a spokesman for Animal Car and Control. Some of the victims have been children, and at least one of the pit bull attacks resulted in the death of a young dog.A Brooklyn assemblyman has called for the removal of any stray or dangerous pit bulls in the area. "These pit bulls are dangerous when they attack people, when they're roaming in the streets. We need to remove them," he said. The assemblyman also added that the ACC seems unprepared and understaffed to deal with these attacks, saying that "they only have one or two vehicles in the entire city."
The case of stray dogs attacking people is a matter of public safety, but when a dog owner fails to protect others from a pet that may have vicious or violent tendencies, the owner can be held liable for any medical bills or pain and suffering dealt to the injured party.
Source: CBS 2, "Stray Pit Bulls Terrorizing Residents In Midwood And Borough Park," Jan. 25, 2012
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