Automobile Accident

After a long winter and a cool, rainy spring, you may be anxious to get your motorcycle out of storage and onto the road for your first warm weather outing. Prior to your first ride, the motorcycle accident injury attorneys at New York’s Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb & Green recommend that you perform a spring safety check on both your ride and its systems. A thorough safety check will help keep you and your bike on the road throughout the entire riding season.

Talk with an experienced personal injury attorney for a free consultation!

Inspect the Bike’s Battery and Electrical System

If you do not have a multimeter or you are not familiar with your bike’s electrical connections, ask your mechanic to check its battery, electrical connections, and harnesses. A dead battery can strand you far away from your destination. Change your battery if it is more than a few years old, and install a battery tender to give you a self-contained jump if your battery runs down due to a system short or some other electrical fault. Wires and connections that run under seats and through other stress points can become frayed or corroded. Replace any worn wiring and verify that headlamps and turn signals are fully operational.

The Bike’s Tires and Brakes are Crucial Control Elements

Worn tires and brakes increase a bike’s stopping distance. Our motorcycle accident lawyers have seen multiple bike crashes where a quicker stop could have prevented serious injuries. Replace your bike’s tires if they are worn or have uneven tread wear. Check all parts of your braking system, including hand levers, cables, and pads. Take a close look at your wheels. Small nicks and dents in the rims can lead to low tire pressure. Verify that the bike’s throttle, clutch, steering, and suspension are fully operational.

Add Fresh Grease and Check the Bike’s Fluid Systems

Fuel lines and fittings will degrade over time, even if you drained all the fuel from your bike when you put it away for the winter. Make sure your bike isn’t leaking fuel. Add fresh grease to all bushings and bearings to assure top-notch performance. Get a grease gun and use the proper type of grease that works best with your bike’s swing arms and suspension pivots. Consider installing an oil cooler if your bike does not already have one to increase the lifespan of its lubricants

Talk with an experienced personal injury attorney for a free consultation!

Take a Good Look at Your Riding Gear

Start with your helmet. New York State requires riders to wear helmets, but the State’s laws say nothing about how often those helmets should be replaced. Over time, solar radiation, road dirt, and general age will reduce the protection that a helmet provides. If more than seven years have elapsed since your helmet was manufactured or if you have been using the same helmet for more than five years, get a new one. Have it professionally fitted to ensure your comfort during longer rides. Replace any riding jackets and pants that are worn or that no longer fit properly. Clothing that limits your mobility or flexibility on a bike can be a safety hindrance. Focus on your comfort over style or your image.

Make Sure That Your Bike Is Still the Right Bike for You

If your bike puts you into a forward or aggressive riding position, make sure you are still comfortable in that position and that you will not experience back pain or any other fatigue on longer rides. Even if you are comfortable, pay attention to other elements that might cause fatigue, particularly your grips. If your hands get tired or your seat is too stiff, replace them with more comfortable upgrades. Verify that your rear-view mirrors reflect the full scope of traffic behind you. More than one rider has been rear ended on a motorcycle where the rider’s mirrors were improperly positioned or did not give the rider enough information about rapidly approaching vehicles. 

Do an Honest Assessment of Your Riding Skills

The rider is always the most important safety system on every bike. All riders can benefit from regular coaching and safety instructions. Some instructors, for example, are now cautioning riders not to rely on loud pipes and bright clothing to make them visible to motorists, but are instead training bikers in new defensive riding styles. Bikers who take their own safety seriously can enjoy thousands of miles on their rides by focusing on their own skills and riding abilities first.

Call Friedman Levy When You Suffer Injuries in a Motorcycle Accident in New York

Regardless of your riding and safety skills, when you are riding you will always face the risks of encounters with distracted and negligent motorists. If you have suffered losses and injuries in motorcycle crash, call a NY motorcycle accident lawyer at New York’s Friedman Levy Goldfarb & Green. We will fight to get you the maximum damages that you deserve and need, and we will help to get you back on your bike as soon as you recover from your injuries.

Auto accidents are an everyday reality in the greater New York City area – within the city alone, there were more than 228,000 car crashes 2018. Not every accident causes personal injuries, but more than 44,000 were reported in 2018.

Sometimes the injuries are immediately obvious, like broken bones, cuts, or paralysis. Other times, the injuries may not be apparent until days or weeks after the accident. In either case, the pain after a car accident may linger far longer than expected. It is important to take these facts into consideration when assessing injuries, and also when negotiating a personal injury settlement.

Assessing injuries after a car accident

Too often, accident victims refuse medical attention at the scene. Sometimes they do not realize they are injured at all, and sometimes they just wrongly assume that the injuries are not that serious. Unfortunately, many injuries can become more obvious later on as pain and inflammation increase.

Waiting to see a doctor can cause a few problems. First, it prevents early treatment that could lessen the pain in the long run. Second, it can give the false impression that the injuries and accompanying pain are exaggerated or otherwise not honest. The best course is to see a doctor as soon as possible after the accident, even if it does not seem that bad. It also helps to speak with a personal injury attorney to understand your rights and responsibilities going forward.

Common latent injuries

Due to changes in velocity that occur during a crash, even a low-speed impact can cause damage. Often the result is soft tissue injuries – injuries to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, such as sprains and strains. Sometimes these heal on their own. Sometimes they need treatment in order to lessen the severity and duration of suffering.

After a car accident, neck pain may indicate a condition like whiplash, which is one of the most common injuries following a rear-end collision. Surprisingly, most cases of whiplash occur in low impact crashes. Whiplash can lead to long-term dizziness, headaches, and difficulty sleeping. Some of these conditions may be improved with physical therapy.

After a car accident, back pain may be a sign of strains or sprains in the spine, herniated discs, or even fractured vertebrae. Many of these injuries can cause serious, even permanent, impairment, yet go undetected for days or weeks after the accident. Seeking medical attention early on can limit the long-term damage.

Settling a car accident claim over lingering pain

Insurance adjusters strive to close files as quickly as possible, limiting the amount their companies pay on claims. If you have been injured and the crash was someone else’s fault, you can bet that the other driver’s insurance company will call quickly and offer you a low amount to settle quickly. Unfortunately, insurance settlements include releases of liability – you cannot go back to ask for more money later if the injury turns out to be more serious.

Before even thinking of entering a settlement, see a doctor and speak with a personal injury attorney. Your attorney will advocate for you to see that any settlement accounts for the costs of treatment and any suffering that your doctors reasonably anticipate in the future.

Speak with a NY car accident attorney

The first days after an accident can impact the coming years of your life. If you have been injured, promptly seek medical care and discuss your situation with a car accident lawyer at Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb & Green. From our Manhattan office, we passionately advocate on behalf of injured clients throughout New York City, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, all five boroughs, Westchester and Long Island. Call today to set up a free, confidential consultation.

When a quick errand run turns treacherous because of another driver’s inattention, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. After any type of traffic collision where property damage and physical harm occurs, establishing liability is one of the most critical steps needed when it comes to securing damages for your claim.  

Various factors will ultimately determine which individual (or parties) is liable for the accident. For example, a driver is seriously hurt after another motorist cuts in front of her without signaling the move. The victim may be held partially responsible for the collision if it can be proven that she made an illegal lane change or was speeding at the time of the crash.

It can be challenging to prove fault in an accident, especially when who caused the accident is disputed. Proving fault requires hard evidence, ranging from police reports, eyewitness testimony and photos of the accident scene.

Determining accident liability and filing insurance claims in New York City’s five boroughs can be especially complex. For this reason, it’s crucial to seek legal advice as soon as possible. A lawyer will answer questions about your eligibility for legal recourse and begin a proper investigation into potential liable parties.

Who may be held accountable for car accident injuries?

While reckless or negligent driving behavior is a common allegation in car accident claims, there are other situations where liability may fall elsewhere. Take for instance an auto part manufacturer that distributes a defective ignition switch which causes a motorist to lose control of their vehicle and crash. Or, consider an SUV that is equipped with a faulty airbag that deploys randomly, causing severe injury.

Unfortunately, there are millions of cars and vehicle parts that have been recalled for defects and safety concerns over the years. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, vehicle defects were a factor in nearly 50,000 accidents last year.

Automobile manufacturers and makers of vehicle parts have a duty to design and manufacture products that are reasonably safe for their intended purpose. Depending on the unique circumstances of the accident, a product liability claim may be filed against the manufacturer of a faulty vehicle part, the automobile manufacturer or even the company that distributed the vehicle.

Discuss your case with NYC car accident lawyers

The law firm of Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb & Green has successfully taken on complex accident cases stemming from negligent driving, cell phone use, vehicle defects, equipment malfunction, and driver impairment, among other factors. Our veteran attorneys have a reputation for pursuing maximum compensation and achieving outstanding results for our clients. Determining fault in a motor vehicle collision requires in-depth investigations, supporting evidence and a thorough understanding of negligence and product liability laws. Establishing liability is not always cut and dry, particularly in multiple-vehicle crashes, where victims can benefit immeasurably from a trusted legal advocate.

Most personal injury cases arising from auto accidents in New York are resolved out-of-court, but a skilled car accident lawyer will protect your interests and take the case to trial if a settlement falls short. Call Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb & Green P.C. today to arrange a free case evaluation.

When a quick errand run turns treacherous because of another driver’s attention, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. After any type of traffic collision where property damage and physical harm occurs, establishing liability is one of the most critical steps needed when it comes to securing damages for your claim.  

Various factors will ultimately determine which individual (or parties) is liable for the accident. For example, a driver is seriously hurt after another motorist cuts in front of her without signaling the move. The victim may be held partially responsible for the collision if it can be proven that she made an illegal lane change or was speeding at the time of the crash.

It can be challenging to prove fault in an accident, especially when who caused the accident is disputed. Proving fault requires hard evidence, ranging from police reports, eyewitness testimony and photos of the accident scene.

Determining accident liability and filing insurance claims with a full appreciation of the state’s no-fault laws makes litigating cases in New York City’s five boroughs especially complex. For this reason, it’s crucial to seek legal advice as soon as possible. A lawyer will answer questions about your eligibility for legal recourse and begin a proper investigation into potential liable parties.

Who may be held accountable for car accident injuries?

While reckless or negligent driving behavior is a common allegation in car accident claims, there are other situations where liability may fall elsewhere. Take for instance an auto part manufacturer that distributes a defective ignition switch which causes a motorist to lose control of their vehicle and crash. Or, consider an SUV that is equipped with a faulty airbag that deploys randomly, causing severe injury.

Unfortunately, there are millions of cars and vehicle parts that have been recalled for defects and safety concerns over the years. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, vehicle defects were a factor in nearly 50,000 accidents last year.

Automobile manufacturers and makers of vehicle parts have a duty to design and manufacture products that are reasonably safe for their intended purpose. Depending on the unique circumstances of the accident, a product liability claim may be filed against the manufacturer of a faulty vehicle part, the automobile manufacturer or even the company that distributed the vehicle.

Discuss your case with NYC car accident lawyers

The law firm of Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb & Green has successfully taken on complex accident cases stemming from negligent driving, cell phone use, vehicle defects, equipment malfunction, and driver impairment, among other factors. Our veteran attorneys have a reputation for pursuing maximum compensation and achieving outstanding results for our clients. Determining fault in a motor vehicle collision requires in-depth investigations, supporting evidence and a thorough understanding of negligence and product liability laws. Establishing liability is not always cut and dry, particularly in multiple-vehicle crashes, where victims can benefit immeasurably from a trusted legal advocate.

Most personal injury cases arising from auto accidents in New York are resolved out-of-court, but a skilled car accident lawyer will protect your interests and take the case to trial if a settlement falls short. Call Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb & Green P.C. today to arrange a free case evaluation.

Roughly 2 million people every year are injured in car accidents across the United States, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, vehicle accidents have the potential to cause brain injuries, one of the most serious types of injury. This can result from the head of a collision victim hitting part of the car or the pavement, or even from extreme, repeated movement of the head, even if it does not come into contact with any other object.

The type of brain injury called traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause long-term impairment in thinking or mobility. In extreme cases, it can cause paraplegia or quadriplegia, inability to move the extremities.

The type of brain injuries that can result from car accidents are:

• Concussion: Concussions result from a head being struck or being in rapid momentum or back and forth movement.
• Contusion: “Contusion” means bruise. A bruise on the brain is possible in a car accident, and may require surgery. There is a type of contusion called Coup-Contrecoup, which means that bruises have occurred on both sides of the brain.
• Diffuse Axonal: If a patient’s head rotates violently, it can cause tears in the brain. Concussions are a mild form of this type of injury.
• Penetration: If an object penetrates the head and goes into the brain, it can cause major trauma and even death.

Symptoms of Brain Injuries

If you or a loved one has been in a car accident, you should be alert to the signs of brain injury. These symptoms can be extremely variable, and many symptoms can be associated with other types of injuries. If you think you see these symptoms, it’s wise to consult a physician to be on the safe side.

• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Becoming unconscious after the accident
• Nausea
• Dilated or uneven pupils
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Slower thinking or response times
• Confusion
• Difficult thinking or concentrating
• Difficulty in maintaining balance or coordination
• Exhaustion or fatigue
• Difficulty being alert
• Emotional volatility or withdrawal
• Seizures
• Numbness in extremities

Experienced Car Accident Attorneys in New York

If you or a loved one has been injured or died in a car accident, you may be facing both emotional and financial hardship. Accidents and injuries can be traumatic. They can require medical treatment, which can be expensive and result in being unable to work for periods of time.

If you believe the car accident was the result of negligence from another party, the most prudent thing to do is talk to a seasoned car accident attorney. Initial consultations are always free. Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb & Green are experienced car accident lawyers in New York City. Please call us today at (212) 307-5800 to discuss your case.

Additional Resources:

1. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Traumatic brain injury and concussion. https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/index.html.
2. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vital Signs. Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/motor-vehicle-safety/index.html.

If you have been in a car accident, there are potential injuries you might feel right away, such as bone and skull fractures, bruises, and torn ligaments. But there are also many common car accident injuries that people often don’t feel right away.

Not All Symptoms Occur Immediately

In the aftermath of a car accident, you might feel shaken up, but not as if you have an injury. Fear and the desire to move out of a crash scene can make you ignore minor symptoms.

Some injuries, especially those to soft tissue, may actually not be felt for a long period of time after an accident — even for several weeks.

The fact that you don’t feel the injuries, though, doesn’t mean they are minor. Some can affect you physically for the rest of your life, and impact your quality of life as well. Some can even be fatal.

Here’s a brief overview of injuries you can sustain in a car accident, but not may feel right away.

Traumatic Brain Injury and Related Injuries

Your brain can be affected seriously in even a minor accident. If you’re rear-ended, for example, it can cause you to move suddenly forward and then back. That jostles the brain. It can result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion, or other head injury. These can occur without the head looking or feeling especially hurt.

If you have hit your head or had your head severely jostled, be sure to see a physician immediately after the accident. They can check for signs of concussion.

Other symptoms of brain injuries include headaches 48 to 72 hours post accident. These can result from neck injuries, brain movement, a concussion, or bleeding or blood clots in your brain. The latter two can be fatal if not treated.

Neck or Shoulder Pain or Stiffness

You might feel fine after a car crash, but then begin to feel pain or stiffness in the neck or shoulder. This is one of the most frequent symptoms to occur in the aftermath of an accident.

These symptoms are part of whiplash. The term whiplash derives from the way a body moves when a car is rear-ended. It moves abruptly back and forth, like a whip being cracked. This type of movement can result in soft tissue damage, which your doctor will not see on an X-ray. Whiplash can result in long-term or even permanent mobility issues.

Back Pain

If you’ve injured your muscles, nerves, ligaments, or vertebrae, you can develop back pain days or weeks after the accident. Back pain is particularly frequent in rear-end or hit-from-the-side accidents.

Experienced Car Accident Lawyers in New York

Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb & Green are experienced car accident lawyers. Please call us today at (212) 307-5800 for a free consultation about your case.

Additional Resources:

1. Konet, Kyle. Arrowhead Clinic. “Delayed Car Accident Injury Symptoms To Pay Attention To.” https://www.arrowheadclinic.com/category/blog/delayed-car-accident-injury-symptoms
2. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/motor-vehicle-safety/index.html

Smartphones make it easier than ever for us to stay connected, but that enhanced connectivity can pose serious risks. In fact, cell phones have become one of the most common distractions for drivers. Drivers text messaging on their cell phones are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash or near crash event compared with non-distracted drivers.

Teenagers are particularly prone to being distracted by cell phones while driving. In the United States, 35% of teenagers admit to texting while driving and 21% of teen drivers involved in fatal accidents are distracted by their cell phones. Smartphone applications fuel distracted driving. Two apps targeted at teenage audiences are particularly problematic: “Pokémon Go” and “Snapchat”.

Pokémon Go is an augmented reality game that allows players to “capture” digital creatures at real locations using their smartphones. Since its release last week, a number of car accidents caused by drivers using the smartphone app have been reported. The app has also been blamed with creating risk of personal injury because users become engrossed in the game and unaware of their surroundings; there are reports of distracted users slipping and falling, walking into traffic, and even falling off of a cliff.

A number of car accidents have also been caused by “Snapchat,” an app that allows users to share photos and videos with friends. Snapchat has a speed “filter” that enables users to share how fast they are traveling while they take photos and videos. This feature has been blamed for encouraging speeding. In Atlanta, a teen recently caused a serious car accident driving over 100 mph while using this feature. The driver of the car she crashed into suffered permanent brain trauma and has brought a lawsuit against both the teen driver and Snapchat.

It is harrowing enough to watch your child get behind the wheel of a car and drive down the street and out of sight for the first time. You worry about other careless drivers, drunk drivers and bad weather. You hope friends in the passenger seat won’t distract your child or encourage them to speed. You implore your child not to text and drive or drink and drive. Now you have a new worry – your child catching Pokémon while driving – or Snapchatting while driving. Also remember that if your child is out catching Pokémon in a car owned by you and gets into an accident and injures someone, under New York law, your liability is the same as if you were the one actually driving the car and catching Pokémon. It doesn’t matter that you weren’t there. As the vehicle owner, the law puts you in the driver’s seat and puts your child’s iPhone in your hands. Please talk to your child and make sure they understand the dangers of playing on apps while driving.

As cell phone use while driving becomes increasingly common, the chances of being involved in a car accident with a distracted driver escalate. If you or a loved one has been injured by the carelessness of another driver, please contact Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb, Green & Bagley, P.C. for a free consultation, and visit our our website at friedmanlevy.com for more information.