Accident in Queens Causes Motorcyclist’s Death

Posted on June 28, 2016September 23, 2020 by one400-dev

Accident in Queens Causes Motorcyclist’s Death

Motorcycle ridership is on the rise across the country, and New York City is no exception. While motorcycles can offer an unrivaled sense of freedom, they also pose some serious risks to riders. Every year, thousands of riders are injured or killed in motorcycle accidents, often through no fault of their own.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a shocking 80% of motorcycle accidents result in injury or death. The good news is, there are steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of being injured in an accident while riding your motorcycle in New York City.

Left Turns by Cars a Common Hazard for Motorcyclists

This collision between the motorcycle and the van is unfortunately an example of an all-too-common risk that motorcyclists face every day. One of the most common types of motorcycle accidents is where, as was the case here, a motorist turns left at an intersection and into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist. According to reports, over 40% of collisions between motorcyclists and cars involve the car turning left into an intersection.

While we don’t know what the exact circumstances of this particular accident were, in many cases it is the driver who negligently fails to notice the oncoming motorcyclist or to provide sufficient space. Drivers reportedly often tell the investigating police that they did not see the oncoming motorcyclist.

Safety courses for motorcyclists suggest that they approach intersections with caution, keep their eyes down the road for potential turning cars, and position themselves at the left of the lane to provide room to swerve to the left of the oncoming car if need be.

Recovery is Available For Injured Motorcyclists and Their Families

When a car turns left into an intersection and collides with a motorcycle, it is nearly always the automobile driver who will found to be at fault. In some cases where the motorcyclist is speeding, the motorcyclist may be at fault as well, but this does not necessarily mean the motorcyclist is barred from recovery. Injured motorcyclists (or their families where the motorcyclist has died in the accident) can bring a personal injury lawsuit to recover the damages they have suffered in the accident, including: medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and related costs. In many cases, defendants and insurers will settle the claims and trial can be avoided.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in New York, motorcycle accident attorney Justin Brandel can help you obtain the recovery you deserve under New York law. Contact The Law Offices of Justin D. Brandel to set up a free consultation.

June 28, 2016
6:50 pm

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Midtown Taxi Accident Leaves 67-Year-Old Woman Dead

Posted on June 22, 2016September 23, 2020 by one400-dev

Midtown Taxi Accident Leaves 67-Year-Old Woman Dead

A SUV registered with the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) failed to yield a pedestrian and struck her earlier this month, killing the pedestrian and leading to the driver’s arrest. The accident occurred at 38th Street and 8th Avenue in midtown Manhattan during busy rush hour traffic. A pedestrian death caused by a taxi is sadly an all too common event in NYC, and the 67-year-old pedestrian’s death is a reminder of the danger that pedestrians and riders face from taxis every day in the city.

Good Samaritans Could Not Save the Pedestrian

Yuenei Wu of Brooklyn worked in the area where the accident took place, and was a common sight walking around the neighborhood. She was crossing the street at around 4:30 PM on Monday, June 6 when the SUV turned left into the intersection and struck her and dragged her for several feet. Good Samaritans that were nearby the scene actually worked together to lift the SUV up off of Wu in order to free her, but the damage had been done. The pedestrian was taken to Bellevue Hospital but did not regain consciousness and perished from her injuries.

The 39-year-old driver of the SUV was arrested for failing to yield to a pedestrian, which is only a misdemeanor. This is the second time that a car has hit and killed a pedestrian in the same south midtown area of Manhattan, and in both cases the driver was driving a livery cab registered with the TLC.

Recovery is Available for Taxi Accidents Victims and their Families

The driver of the livery cab that hit the pedestrian clearly acted negligently as evidenced by the arrest for failing to follow NYC traffic laws. When a taxi driver acts negligently and causes an accident as a result, the injured victim (or the victim’s family where the victim has died from the injury) can bring a personal injury action in state court against the driver and the cab operator for injuries, the cost of medical treatment, pain and suffering, and other costs brought on by the loss. The TLC requires all cab operators to carry insurance covering injuries to others for at least $100,000 per accident victim, and a plaintiff can sue the operator for any further damages in excess of that figure.

What to Do if You’ve Been in a Taxi Accident

Obviously, if you’ve been injured by a taxi, either as a passenger, pedestrian, or other driver, the first thing you need to do is secure medical attention. But it is also important to contact a taxi accident attorney as soon as possible to make sure that you are properly compensated for all of your injuries. The sooner you contact an attorney, the more quickly the investigation into the accident can occur, and a case can be put together for your recovery. To speak with a taxi accident attorney today, contact The Law Offices of Justin D. Brandel to set up a free consultation.

June 22, 2016
7:05 pm

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What to Do After You Have Been Hit By a Car Share

Posted on June 8, 2016September 24, 2020 by one400-dev

What to Do After You Have Been Hit By a Car Share

Getting hit by a car is sadly not that uncommon of an experience in New York City, especially at densely populated intersections throughout Manhattan and the other boroughs. With taxis, trucks, and cars (including Uber, Lyft, and livery cars) sharing the roads with dense masses of pedestrians and bicyclists, collisions are bound to happen. In the unfortunate situation you are hit by a car or other vehicle, here is a quick rundown of what to do after you have been hit by a car:

Secure Medical Attention

This should go without saying, but if you’ve been hit by a car you may be at risk of serious injury even if you feel like you are able to function properly. You may be suffering internal bleeding, a concussion, or some other serious injury. By calling 911 or your emergency health provider, you can speak with an operator who can assess whether you are safe to transport yourself to a medical facility or require an ambulance.

Contact the Police

A police officer should come to the scene of the accident to assess the situation, gather information you, the driver, and other witnesses might have, and file a report. Having such a report can be valuable for your own insurance needs and for collecting compensation from the driver and/or his or her insurer. A police officer can also assess whether the driver was intoxicated or otherwise acted illegally.

Obtain the Relevant Information from the Driver

If the driver has not left the scene, ask to see the driver’s telephone number, address, insurance information, license, license plate, and registration. Copy relevant information down if possible or, better yet, take a picture with your phone. If the other driver has fled the scene, attempt to recall as much information about the car and write it down as soon as possible: make, model, color, distinctive marking, and license plate number or partial number.

Do Not Accept a Settlement or Sign a Waiver

Some drivers may attempt to pay you cash on the spot, write you a check, or promise to pay you money at a later time. They may do this in an attempt to give you far less than you might get in court, to avoid effects to their insurance rates, or even to avoid being arrested for drunk driving or where they are engaged in a compromising position such as being with a prostitute or having contraband in the car. If you accept cash or other payment, you may well be giving up your right to collect greater damages later on and get full compensation for your injuries. Likewise, do not sign a waiver if presented with one.

Collect Info From Any Witnesses

If there are any witnesses to the accident, collect their telephone numbers and addresses so that they can be contacted to give their account of the accident at a later time if necessary.

Work with an Attorney Who Can Represent Your Interests

In most cases, a pedestrian hit by a car is entitled to compensation for medical bills and other damages related to their injuries. Collecting that compensation can be a confusing process of dealing with insurers and lawyers, so do not hesitate to work with a car accident attorney who solely represents your interests and will work to get you the maximum amount of compensation available. Attorney Justin Brandel represents victims of car injuries across New York City, and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call his office today to set up a free consultation.

June 8, 2016
7:10 pm

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Month: June 2016