New York Injury Talk Blog

"Operation Hang Up" in New York City resulted in nearly 1,000 citations in a four-day period. New York police reported over 9,000 cell phone citations have been issued over the last year alone. According to a Straus News report, New York officers are cracking down on cell phone use because it is a distraction for drivers and a safety risk for all motorists on the road. Using a hand-held cell phone while driving in New York could result in a fine of up to $100 and texting or playing a computer game while driving may result in a fine up to $150.

Distracted and inattentive driving in New York is a serious problem that leads to numerous New York car accidents every year. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicle’s 2008 Statewide Statistical Summary, 448 accidents involved hand held cell phone use. Smart phones are a booming industry right now. So it is entirely possible that cell phone related car accidents in New York increased in 2009 despite the new law.

Victims of distracted drivers have it in the best interest to contact an experienced New York personal injury attorney. A skilled lawyer will know how to investigate cell phone records and police reports to prove that the distracted driver was responsible for the crash.

The reputed New York car accident lawyers at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro represent car accident victims who have been hurt by others' negligence. If a distracted driver has hurt you or a loved on in a New York car crash, please call 212-986-7353 today to discuss your legal rights and options.

If you have been involved in a New York auto accident, one of the first steps you should take is inform your auto insurance company about the accident and provide them with all the details about how and when the accident occurred. However, when you talk to an adjuster, it is very important to be aware that the insurance company is not your friend. Insurance companies are in business for profit and it is beneficial for them to not pay you. Even though you may have been paying your premiums on time, when it comes time for a payout by the insurance company, it is going to be challenging.

Here are five tips to help you deal with your insurance company in the aftermath of a car accident in New York:

1. If you have been seriously injured in a New York car accident due to someone else's negligence, talk to a personal injury lawyer before you talk to an insurance adjuster. An experienced injury lawyer may be able to help you prepare to have a conversation with the adjuster. Remember that the adjuster's job is to minimize the money their company pays out. What you say can be used against you.
2. Remain calm and collected when you talk to an adjuster. You are likely to be emotional and confused in the days following the New York auto accident. But it is important that you gather your thoughts and remain coherent when you talk to the adjuster. By all means, be polite. Don't answer questions that you are not comfortable answering.
3. Tell the truth and do not exaggerate or embellish.
4. Do not provide copies of medical records or any other paperwork even if you are asked. Talk to your lawyer first.
5. Insurance companies are notorious for rushing you into settling. It is in their best interest to settle a claim as quickly as possible – not yours. Some of your injuries may not even surface for days or weeks after the accident. If you rush to settle, you may not be completely compensated for all your damages.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a New York car crash, it would be in your best interest to seek the counsel of the experienced New York auto accident lawyers of Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro at 212-986-7353. We always offer free consultations and case evaluations.

An 82-year-old woman was critically injured after she was struck by an unregistered and uninsured car. According to The Staten Island Advance, the elderly woman was attempting to cross Forest Avenue in West Brighton when she was struck by the car. One vehicle stopped for the pedestrian but a second vehicle, driven by a 20-year-old man with a history of license suspensions, failed to stop. The elderly woman is in critical condition from the New York pedestrian accident and the driver has been charged with driving with a suspended license.

While it is unclear what caused the driver to fail to yield right-of-way to the pedestrian, it is clear that the driver previously had his license suspended 16 times and was driving an uninsured vehicle. Victims of accidents involving uninsured drivers face complications when pursuing compensation for their injuries and losses. An experienced Staten Island pedestrian accident attorney can help accident victims understand their legal rights and what compensation may be available to them.

Victims of accidents involving uninsured and underinsured motorists may be able to seek compensation for damages from their own insurance company. In such cases, it is in the best interest of Staten Island injury victims to contact a skilled New York injury attorney to ensure that their rights are protected and that they receive adequate compensation for their losses.

The New York auto accident attorneys at Wingate, Russotti & Sapiro LLP understand how to deal with insurance companies following a car accident. If you have been injured as a result of a negligent driver, please call our offices at 212-986-7353 for a free consultation and comprehensive evaluation of your case.

A motorist is in critical condition following a New York truck accident on Interstate 684 in Bedford. The Journal News reports that the crash occurred on the interstate on Route 172 near exit 4. The car was crushed against a guardrail by a tractor-trailer and the driver of the car was critically injured. Police are trying to determine what may have caused this serious New York truck accident.

Victims of New York tractor-trailer crashes often sustain catastrophic injuries. It is important that the victim or their family contact an experienced New York big rig accident attorney to discuss their case right away. Insurance corporations that represent truckers and shipping companies often work toward fast and cheap settlements that do not fully cover the expense of a serious injury. A skilled truck accident lawyer will work with investigators and medical professionals to determine the actual cost of the injuries and damages suffered.

The New York personal injury lawyers at Wingate, Russotti & Sapiro, LLP have successfully represented numerous truck accident victims. We understand the financial and physical strain an injury accident can cause. We routinely help clients deal with insurance companies that play hardball and fight for our clients' right to fair compensation. If you have been hurt in a New York truck accident, please call 212-986-7353 today to discuss your legal rights and options.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation announced the recall of Evenflo Maestro Combination Booster Seats on October 15. The recall is for products whose model numbers begin with 310 and were built from November 2009 through April 2010, which are about 13,792 booster seats.

The voluntary recall of Evenflo Maestro Combination Booster Seats is a response to cracks in the child restraint system that occurred in laboratory test simulations where high-impact frontal vehicle collisions were performed. This crack increases the risk of injury for the child within the seat and also prevents the child from being properly restrained.

No consumers have reported the crack occurring or child injuries.

Evenflo Company, Inc. has said all products affected by the recall will be immediately removed from store shelves. They will provide owners of the Maestro Combination Booster Seats affected by the recall a bracket to reinforce the seat free of charge.

If you have purchased the Maestro Combination Booster Seat and believe your child care product is defective, you are encouraged to visit the Evenflo website for more information or call 800-233-5921.

The New York product liability lawyers at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro represent families of children who have been injured by a defective product. If your child has been injured by a defective product such as the Maestro Combination Booster Seat, please call us today at 212-986-7353 for a free consultation.

A 75-year-old man was killed when a van collided with an ambulance in Queens and crushed him on the sidewalk. According to The New York Daily News, the fatal New York motor vehicle accident occurred the morning of September 15 near the intersection of 76th Street and Woodside Avenue. Authorities believe the ambulance had its siren on and began to cross a red light at the intersection when a construction van crashed into the ambulance, then into the elderly man who was on the sidewalk. The man was fatally injured. The EMTs and their patient sustained minor injuries. It is not clear if either driver will be cited for the fatal New York vehicle collision.

According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 302 fatal pedestrian accidents that resulted in 304 fatalities in 2008.

The family of someone killed in a wrongful death New York auto accident may pursue compensation for their losses and hold the negligent driver civilly liable for damages with a wrongful death claim. Compensation may be sought for hospital bills, funeral costs and lost future income.

The experienced Queens wrongful death attorneys at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro have a long history of protecting the rights of families who have lost a loved one in a New York car accident. We understand the complexity of wrongful death claims and the various forms of compensation that may be available to the family of victims. Please call us today for a comprehensive consultation at 212-986-7353.

A 13-year-old girl was killed when the vehicle in which she was a passenger crashed into a telephone pole. According to a CBS News report, the fatal New York car accident occurred on October 3 on East 23rd Street. The police have stated that the 16-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle while traveling at a high rate of speed. The 13-year-old was fatally injured while her 16-year-old brother and the driver sustained minor injuries. The young driver is facing charges of criminally negligent homicide, driving without a license and speeding.

According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, 1,224 people were killed in 1,160 fatal New York car accidents in 2008. Unsafe speeding caused 31,581 New York motor vehicle accidents the same year, which resulted in 368 fatalities and 13,870 injuries.

Negligent drivers who cause fatal accidents may be held criminally accountable for their actions. Under New York Penal Code Article 125, criminally negligent homicide is a Class E felony that involves criminal negligence, which results in the death of another person. The at-fault driver could also be held civilly responsible for the wrongful death of the victim.

The New York wrongful death car accident attorneys at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro represent the families of those wrongfully killed in various accidents caused by another person’s negligence. We provide free consultations to anyone who has lost a loved one in a fatal New York car accident. Please call us today at 212-986-7353 to find out how we can help.