Staten Island Personal Injury Law Blog

Alleged drunk driver kills pedestrian in Staten Island crash

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, June 21, 2018.

Regardless of how cautious Staten Island residents are when they are driving or are pedestrians, accidents will still happen. There can be many reasons for this including recklessness on the part of other drivers, distracted driving behaviors, negligence and drunk drivers. When the crash involves a pedestrian, their vulnerability can lead to catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. People who have suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a auto-pedestrian accident should be aware of the importance of accident investigations and they should consider their options following the crash.

A 32-year-old man who was crossing the street in the early-morning hours on Father's Day was hit and killed by an apparent drunk driver. The accident happened at around 4:40 a.m. He was crossing the road when a grey Nissan Altima hit him. After he was hit, he flew onto the windshield of a parked vehicle. Emergency personnel could only remove him after taking the roof off the parked vehicle. He was declared dead at the scene, not far from his residence.

Statistics show pedestrian accidents on the rise in Staten Island

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law posted in Pedestrian Accidents on Friday, June 15, 2018.

Pedestrians should be attuned to the possibility that they could be in an accident with a motor vehicle any time they head out their door. In Staten Island, the statistics show that there has been an increase in the number of pedestrian accidents from 2016 through 2017 after a sharp decline from 2013 through 2015. These numbers come from the Traffic Safety Statistical Repository (TSSR).

In 2015, there were 287 pedestrian accidents in Staten Island. In 2016, that rose to 369. By 2017, it was 396. With these worrisome numbers, authorities are giving advice on how to avoid being in a pedestrian crash. While this is obviously beneficial, it is also important to understand the statistics, the causes of these accidents and what one's rights are after being hit.

Weekends shown to have highest rate of fatal automobile accidents

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, June 6, 2018.

For Staten Islanders who keep track of car accident statistics, it is the details that can be key. For example, calculating the number of collisions with injuries and fatalities over the course of a week does not give the entire story as certain days and times might be more dangerous. Examining accident statistics over the course of a year may provide more information.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) examines this data and formulates reports that go into greater detail. The numbers were from 2016. One study shows that, nationwide, Saturday is the riskiest day to be on the road. Next on the list are Friday and Sunday -- in short, the weekend days. Statistics were used in combination with a study by a review website. There were slightly more than 6,800 fatal accidents on Saturdays. In total, there were 37,461 such accidents that year. On Fridays, there were 5,826 deaths. Sundays had 5,809. The safest time to be on the road was early Tuesday morning between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.

Common motor vehicle wreck injuries may be physical, mental

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law on Friday, June 1, 2018.

As you make your way to town, you feel as though life could not be better. You are off of work and are looking forward to meeting up with friends for the day. However, all of a sudden, you hear a large crash and simultaneously feel pain in your body. You have just been involved in a motor vehicle collision.

Car accidents in New York sometimes result from the carelessness of other drivers on the road, and unfortunately, they can lead to serious injuries. Here is a look at what types of injuries you may suffer in a motor vehicle wreck that are another driver's fault, as well as what your rights are in such a situation.

Woman hospitalized after 3-vehicle crash in Staten Island

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, May 30, 2018.

All car accidents in Staten Island are dangerous and have the potential to cause serious injuries and death. These crashes can happen for many reasons, and the accident investigations are vital to determine their cause and who was at fault. Some of the most dangerous types of crashes are when a vehicle overturns. This leaves the occupants vulnerable and susceptible to major injuries.

A three-vehicle accident in Staten Island led to one of the vehicles flipping over. The accident occurred in the mid-afternoon. After the incident, bystanders ran to the scene and helped the woman who was in the flipped vehicle by removing her. She was brought to the sidewalk as they waited for emergency responders to arrive. A local resident stated that she heard the collision and went outside to see the vehicle flipped. When the fire department came to the scene, they treated the woman and transported her to the hospital. Her injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

Six people suffer injuries after taxi crashes into New York deli

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, May 24, 2018.

Because New York is so busy and there are a seemingly endless number of vehicles on the road, auto accidents will inevitably occur. Some of these accidents can go beyond happening in the street and send vehicles onto the sidewalk and even into establishments. This can be exceedingly dangerous as pedestrians who are walking and people who are inside a store or restaurant can be hit when they are least expecting it. After a crash of this kind, those who were injured must remember the importance of accident investigations from their perspective and consider seeking compensation in a legal filing.

An accident between a taxi and a for-hire cab happened in the Chelsea section of Manhattan. After the collision, the taxi was run onto the sidewalk and then hit a delicatessen. The accident occurred at shortly before 7:30 p.m. Six people were injured and taken to the hospital for treatment. None of their injuries were said to be life-threatening. The injured included three pedestrians, two workers inside the deli and the cab driver. It is not yet known which vehicle was responsible for the crash. The investigation into the case is ongoing.

Pedestrian accident statistics show increase in recent years

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law posted in Pedestrian Accidents on Thursday, May 17, 2018.

The danger for pedestrians in New York is inherent. The number of vehicles on the road and the frenzied nature of the city make it common that there will be crashes between vehicles and pedestrians. The statistics, however, indicate that the problem might be worse than initially thought.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) states that in 2016, the number of pedestrian fatalities has risen by 46 percent from the low in 2009. In its study, IIHS is unable to discern the cause for the increase. It is believed that the greater number of miles that people are driving, an increase in speed limits, more SUVs being on the road, a lack of maintenance for traffic lights and neighborhoods being devoid of sidewalks are all factors.

Number of pedestrian accidents near New York schools problematic

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law posted in Pedestrian Accidents on Wednesday, May 9, 2018.

Pedestrian accidents are a constant risk for people as they cross the busy New York City streets. This is a part of life in the city, and it often stems from drivers who are reckless, negligent, intoxicated or for many other reasons. People can suffer serious injuries when they are pedestrians and are hit by a motor vehicle. Some of the most vulnerable of these victims are children, and a new study shows that there are a troubling number of crashes outside New York City schools. When there are pedestrian accidents, the long-term problems should be considered when thinking about a possible legal filing.

The study, done by Localize.city, states that there were 84 accidents with pedestrians and bicyclists within 500 feet of one school in Greenwich Village over the last five years. This website accrues data to give neighborhood profiles. Many teens have anecdotal evidence of accidents between cars, pedestrians and bicyclists. On 14th Street and Fifth and Sixth avenues, the numbers indicate that this area ranks ninth and 10th as being in the top 10 most dangerous areas for intersection accidents.

Hit-and-run accidents increasing across the nation

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, May 3, 2018.

In New York, when there is a car accident, the people who are involved are expected to stop. This is to call for assistance if it is necessary and to exchange insurance information with the others in the crash. It is against the law to flee the scene after a car crash. However, despite the legal ramifications, hit-and-run accidents still occur on a regular basis.

A new study from AAA shows just how prevalent this problem is. It is something that drivers who are victimized by it must be aware of if they are in a crash. In its study, AAA says that the number of hit-and-run crashes is rising by an average of 7 percent annually. Overall, there have been approximately 682,000 hit-and-run accidents in the United States since 2006. 2,049 people died in hit-and-run accidents in 2016. This is the highest total since the numbers began being tallied.

You could suffer debilitating complications from broken bones

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law posted in blog on Saturday, April 28, 2018.

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your car accident, you may feel lucky to be alive even though you suffered injuries. One of the injuries you could suffer and count yourself lucky for suffering is a broken bone. What you may not realize is that broken bones are sometimes much more than just simple injuries.

In addition to the break requiring a cast, you may also require surgery in order to set the bone properly. The bone could shatter, which would more than likely require an extended recovery time. In fact, you could need several surgeries in order to fix a broken or shattered bone. However, these are not the only downsides of a broken bone. You could also suffer from additional complications that could have life-threatening and lifelong implications.