Staten Island Personal Injury Law Blog

Distracted drivers a legitimate fear during the holiday season

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, December 5, 2019.

In New York and throughout the Metropolitan Area, the roads are constantly busy and crowded with automobiles, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians. With that, the inherent dangers are apparent.

Distracted drivers is one such danger. However, during the holidays, those issues are exacerbated with bad weather, street closures and holiday travelers added to the mix. When there is an auto accident, it can be due to many factors with distracted driving a common one. These accidents can cause significant damage. Those effected must remember the potential aftermath.

Serious injuries can result from needless heart surgery

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law posted in Medical Malpractice on Wednesday, November 27, 2019.

When a New Yorker and people across the nation are suffering from heart disease and other heart-related issues, they will take advice from their physician to address the problem. This can include many strategies including medication and surgery. However, while surgical procedures can be effective, there are dangers with them such as hospital-related infections and other serious injuries. Recent research indicates that people with certain heart issues who had surgery to treat it might not have needed to do so. For those injured or who died because of any potentially unnecessary surgery, it might be wise to file a legal claim for compensation.

A significant study suggests that people with heart disease that is severe but stable due to clogged arteries will not have a much better chance of avoiding a heart attack or death if they have surgery when compared to the results from medication. In addition, bypass surgeries and stents could put the person at risk. It is important to note that this information is applicable for people who have not had a heart attack.

Elderly man on bicycle dies after colliding with minivan

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law posted in Pedestrian Accidents on Thursday, November 21, 2019.

In New York City, if it seems as if there are an inordinate number of stories about bicyclists being hit by an automobile, suffering serious injuries and dying, it is no mistake. Bicyclists and pedestrians have grown more and more at risk in recent years. This is ongoing despite law enforcement and legislators seeking ways to make the roads safer for everyone to share them without worrying about a collision. Still, the accidents are continuing to a troubling degree and those who are affected should remember they have rights.

An elderly Brooklyn man died as he rode his bicycle and was hit by a minivan. The rider, 87, was at an intersection in Midwood when a Cadillac hit him from behind. The accident occurred at around 10 a.m. The driver, a 36-year-old male, stayed at the scene. Emergency crews arrived and brought the elderly rider to the hospital. He was in critical condition and later died. Investigators suggested that the rider went through a red light, but witnesses contradicted that story, saying the vehicle came from nowhere. The driver was given a field sobriety tests. The investigation is continuing.

If only all motorists would be mindful to avoid drunk driving

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law on Sunday, November 17, 2019.

You might be one of many New York residents who are getting excited about the upcoming 2019 holiday season. Have you already started planning your Thanksgiving menu? From the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade to many other festive events throughout the state, thousands of full-time residents, as well as many tourists and visitors are gearing up for a fun and hopefully, safe holiday season.

Even if you typically only imbibe alcoholic beverages on occasion, you might find yourself wanting a bit of spiked eggnog or glass of wine during the holidays. It's common for holiday party hosts to serve alcohol right alongside hot cider, cocoa or fancy coffees and lattes. The problem is that not everyone remembers to keep helpful tips in mind to avoid drunk driving. You might make responsible choices, but if a drunk driver hits you, your holiday joy might come to a screeching halt.

Pedestrian dies after being hit by turning school bus

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law posted in Pedestrian Accidents on Wednesday, November 13, 2019.

The dangers faced by pedestrians throughout New York City has garnered significant attention as lawmakers and safety advocates seek strategies to reduce pedestrian accidents. Unfortunately, these accidents continue to occur and people are seriously hurt and even lose their lives on a regular basis. Many of these accidents involve vehicles that fail to yield or that hit a pedestrian in crosswalk accidents. Due to their vulnerability, pedestrians can suffer long-term damage and death in these collisions.

According to a recent report, a rush hour accident claimed the life of a pedestrian. The man and his wife were crossing the street shortly after 8:30 a.m. when a turning school bus hit the 83-year-old man, killing him. The couple was in the crosswalk at the intersection when the 56-year-old bus driver turned left. The driver remained at the scene and was said to be disconsolate due to the accident. The victim had major trauma all over his body and was not responsive. The investigation is continuing and it is not known if there will be citations or arrests.

Danger of auto crashes increases with daylight saving

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, November 6, 2019.

Daylight saving is an annual occurrence in New York and across the nation. People expect it and might be under the impression that they can make a seamless transition without significant risk accompanying it. However, there are statistical and practical dangers that people will face on the roadways when there is the "fall back" in autumn. Changing the time might make it feel as if a person is getting an extra hour of sleep, but there are still inherent dangers on the roads. Understanding these can be critical to avoiding auto collisions.

According to a recent report, a survey about the time change shows that people are uncomfortable with adjusting to the new routine. One-quarter said that it had a negative impact on their daily commute and other regular activities. Driving to get to work can have increased dangers. 16% stated there was a greater likelihood that they would eat while commuting. While texting and driving is viewed as a common source of distraction, eating is also a distracting activity and can lead to danger.

New steps designed to prevent auto-bicycle crashes in New York

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, October 31, 2019.

The dangers to bicyclists in New York City are well-known. As more people have taken up bicycle riding and are using it as a common method of transportation, it has increased the danger of catastrophic injuries and death in bicycle-auto accidents. To improve the landscape for riders, legislators and transportation staff are making various attempts to ensure safety. Still, these accidents are likely to occur no matter what and people who have been hurt or who have lost a loved one should be mindful of what they should do to attempt to recover compensation in a lawsuit.

Transportation officials have unveiled what they refer to as the "green wave." This is a plan to alter the timing of traffic signals to allow riders to have consecutive green lights and keep them from needing to stop and be aware of vehicles coming from various directions at intersections. Folded in with the "Vision Zero" initiative that was implemented to make riding safer, green wave is meant to go further to help riders avoid crashes. These decisions happen as bicyclists are more vulnerable than they have been in years. So far in 2019, there have been 25 bicyclist deaths. This is a rise from 10 in 2018 and is the most in 20 years.

Medical issues after an uneven pavement fall

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law posted in Premises Liability on Thursday, October 24, 2019.

When people think about injuries due to premises liability in New York, one of the most common issues is if a property owner has failed to maintain a safe area as required by law. When there are broken sidewalks, uneven pavement, dangerous objects on the property and other factors, it can cause people to fall and become injured. These injuries can result in medical costs and long-term injuries. After a fall, it is imperative to know how to attempt to recover compensation from the property owner for all that was lost.

These accidents and injuries can happen on residential and commercial properties. A residential homeowner must make sure that the area is safe for passersby. Failure to do so can warrant a lawsuit. If, for example, a person is walking on the sidewalk and the pavement needs repairs that were not done in a timely fashion and there is a fall, the owner may face a legal filing. The same is true for commercial property. Many might be under the impression that a fall will not lead to severe injuries, but that is not accurate.

A picture is worth a thousand words following a car accident

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law on Saturday, October 19, 2019.

Your day starts out as any other ordinary day. You make your way to the office, hoping for a smooth commute and workday. Unfortunately, your commute ends up being anything but smooth when a car suddenly strikes your vehicle and causes you injuries. And your workday? Well, you probably won't be going to work today after all.

The good news is that if the accident was the result of the other driver's negligent behavior, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries in civil court. To get the results you want, however, you need to be able to prove the damages you have sustained. This is where photos can be highly effective.

Child dies in auto-bicycle accident, driver arrested

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, October 17, 2019.

There is significant attention being paid to bicycle accidents throughout New York. With the increasing number of people who are riding bikes, crashes with catastrophic injuries and fatalities have been rising commensurately. While adults are taking to bike riding more, it is an activity that has always been popular with children. If the auto-bike accident involved a child, the injuries and long-term consequences can be worse.

According to reports, a collision between an automobile and a child on a bicycle led to the child's death. The accident happened in the mid-morning at around 10:30 a.m. The child was in the crosswalk when a 2002 Ford Explorer made a left turn and hit him. The accident happened a short distance away from where the child lived with his family. He was taken to the hospital with severe bodily injuries and later died. The driver, a 29-year-old man, stayed at the scene and was arrested. He did not have a driver's license. He faces charges for the license violation, not yielding to a bicyclist and not exercising due care. So far in 2019, there have been 23 bicycle deaths in New York. That is twice the number from 2018.