Next week we celebrate the Fourth of July, and with that brings street fairs, parades, and fireworks. As we enjoy all of these outdoor activities, let’s be mindful of how to stay safe as we’re walking, biking and traveling throughout public venues. Each year, about 20,000 people come out to celebrate the 4th at the […]
Tag Archives | personal injury
Municipalities Must Address a Pattern of Speeding Drivers or Possibly Face Liability
A 12-year-old boy was struck by a car driving 25 miles per hour over the speed limit. The area where the boy was struck is known for speeding drivers. The municipality has received many complaints about this danger, but did nothing to prevent its reoccurrence. Can the municipality be held responsible for the boy’s injuries? […]
Runners, Bikers, and Pedestrians: Watch out for Distracted Drivers!
We’ve all seen distracted or impaired drivers like this person, weaving in their driving lane or driving on the shoulder of the road. New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1131. Driving on shoulders and slopes reads as follows: Except for bicycles and those classes of vehicles required to travel on shoulders …, no […]
Why Car “Crash” Instead of Car “Accident”
In the last 50 years, automobile fatalities have increased year after year. The National Safety Council reported that deadly incidents rose by nearly 8% in 2015 alone. Despite the severity of these events, many still label these as car “accidents.” Now more than ever before, there is a large push from safety advocates, federal officials, […]
Car Accident or Car Crash?
The phrase “car accident” has been around as long as cars themselves. The term is used freely to describe any type of vehicle collision and is typically more popular than “car crash.” With “accident” bearing a dictionary definition of “an event that is not planned or intended,” can we really consider all collisions an accident? […]
Pokémon GO: Pedestrians and Drivers Put Safety at Risk to “Catch ‘Em All”
The game that was once thought to be past its time has now made a miraculous come back and has not only taken over the United States, but the world as well. Pokémon, once played on cards or as a video game on Gameboys, has now been converted into a phone app called Pokémon GO. […]
Protecting Children from injury: Helmet v. Seatbelt laws
New York State law aims to protect children who ride a bike and are passengers in motor vehicles from injury through helmet and seatbelt laws. The problem is there may be a bigger push to wear seatbelts than helmets. The law in New York State says that children under the age of 14 are required […]
State Plans to Invest $110 Million to Improve Pedestrian Safety Following the Death of 16-year-old
Following the tragic death of 16-year-old Brittany Knight, the residents of Cohoes petitioned for better pedestrian safety. Now, these residents appear to have accomplished their goal. On June 20, 2016, Mathew Driscoll, the Commissioner for the State Department of Transportation, announced that they will invest $110 million over the next five years to improve pedestrian […]
Pedestrian Accident Involving Tragic Death of 16-Year-Old on I-787 Leads to Call for Pedestrian Bridge
Brittany Knight, a 16 year-old high school sophomore, was killed on Thursday, June 16, 2016 along Interstate 787 in the City of Cohoes. The young pedestrian was attempting to cross the street at the intersection of Bridge Avenue and I-787 in Cohoes, when she was struck by a vehicle late at night. The small community […]
Q: Are bicyclists allowed to wear headphones while riding?
A: Bicyclists are only allowed to use one earphone for audio devices, including telephones. It is important to be able to hear your surroundings while riding a bicycle. The same New York law prohibits the use of earphones or headphones in more than one ear by automobile drivers and motorcyclists on public highways. Violation of New York […]
