According to state police, the bus was traveling down the interstate when a truck went to change lanes and cut the bus off. In an effort to avoid a collision, the bus driver veered off of the road and into the grass. The bus ended up rolling over.
]]> There were 12 passengers on the bus at the time of the accident. Seven were adults and five were children. Everyone had to be transported to nearby hospitals to be treated for injuries. None of these injuries are described as life-threatening, but there were several complaints regarding back and neck pain.The students themselves were all between the ages of 4 and 10 years old. All were students of the life-skills class.
In hearing about this accident, one of the more disturbing facts is that the truck driver who appears to of caused the crash, left the scene.
For parents reading of an accident like this, the point is not to scare one out of taking class trips. Rather, it is just to keep in mind that bus accidents can and do happen. However, whether the accident was caused by another driver -- or the actual bus driver -- when people are injured it is important to get to the bottom of who is responsible. An attorney with experience handling these types of cases in New York City would be able to help and could explain legal options.
Source: myfoxny.com, "School bus carrying special-needs kids rolls over," Charles Wilson, May 16, 2013
]]>In this case, the referee was punched once in the face at close range by a 17-year-old soccer player. Immediately after being hit he seemed to be fine, but then asked for help as he was feeling dizzy. When he started vomiting blood an ambulance was called. Once at the hospital, he slipped into a coma. He died one week later.
]]> In looking at what happened, his brain had swelled from the hit. Dr. Robert Glatter, who is an emergency medicine physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said that any type of blunt force trauma to the head can result in a traumatic brain injury.Glatter explained that what typically happens is that when the head is hit, it causes intracranial pressure. If this pressure rises too high, the blood vessels may end up having a hard time accommodating, which will result in less blood flow to the brain. This in turn results in the brain not getting enough oxygen, which can lead to swelling.
Many times when this happens, if the person does survive, he or she could end up in a vegetative state. In other cases, the person can continue to have problems, such as seizures and cognitive issues, years after the initial brain injury.
Dr. Anders Cohen, who is the chief of neurosurgery and spine surgery at The Brooklyn Hospital Center, said in addition to taking a hard hit to the head, many end up suffering from brain injuries from falling down and hitting their head again after the initial hit. This second hit only worsens their bruising and swelling.
In general, it is important to note that while this recent case is the result of a punch to the face, traumatic brain injuries are also caused by car accidents, slip-and-fall accidents and really any other type of accident where the head takes a hard hit. Many of these cases involve someone else's negligence too, which means it may be possible to hold that person accountable through civil action.
Source: CBS News, "Soccer referee's death shows how dangerous head blows can be," Ryan Jaslow, May 6, 2013
]]>Students from a Queens high school were involved in an accident as they were driving back from a robotics competition. Their bus overturned in central Ohio on a freeway ramp. Passengers on the bus suffered minor injuries. They were taken to a nearby hospital but released shortly after.
]]> It is unknown what caused the accident. However, there was heavy rain in the area at the time of the crash.Because of their size, people who ride buses frequently may expect them to be safer than a car. However, like other motor vehicle accidents, bus accidents can lead to serious and even fatal injuries.
New York City residents who are injured in any kind of accident may be able to obtain compensation through a civil lawsuit if it can be shown that the accident was a result of another person's negligence. Drivers, and especially bus drivers, must exercise caution. When they are reckless and hurt others in the process, they should be held accountable.
Weather conditions can make roads particularly dangerous. However, no matter the weather, people must be sure they are following traffic laws and keeping their focus on the road. People should be sure to follow posted speeds limits while avoiding the use of electronic devices whenever they get behind the wheel.
Source: NBC New York, "Queens High School Students Injured in Ohio Bus Crash," April 29, 2013
]]>Authorities say that a van crashed into a dump truck around 7:45 a.m. along the New York State Thruway recently. Ten people were in the van at the time of the crash. Three people died in the accident, including an infant.
]]> It appeared that the people inside the van were returning home after a vacation in Florida. The dump truck was barely moving at the time of the crash. The driver was following behind two workers who were picking up trash along the side of the highway. The dump truck was equipped with a lighted arrow board.The driver of the van, a 27-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash along with a 1-month-old child. A 29-year-old woman was taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Another 29-year-old woman was injured in the crash and was first listed in serious condition. Six children between the ages of 2 and 13 were also injured in the accident. Four of the children were first listed in critical condition. Authorities say some of the children were not properly restrained in safety seats.
Authorities suspect that the people inside the van had been traveling through the night. The driver may have been fatigued, causing him to veer off the road.
Source: ABC News, "Van Crashes Into Dump Truck in NY; 3 Dead, 8 Hurt," April 18, 2013
]]>A bus bound for an Oklahoma casino overturned in a Dallas suburb recently. It is not clear what caused the crash, but officials say that the bus left the northbound lanes of the highway it was on before hitting a rubber barrier. It then traveled across the highway in the opposite direction, hitting a concrete barrier and overturning.
]]> Two people were killed in the crash and three dozen people were injured. Most of the people on board the bus were elderly adults. Many of them became trapped."People were screaming, on top of each other," a passenger on the bus said.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
People should be able to board buses without fearing that they will be involved in a serious accident. If negligence appears to have been a factor in this most recent crash, victims may be able to pursue legal action against the responsible parties. After all, medical bills can quickly get out of control. Innocent passengers should not be forced to deal with financial hardships as a result of an accident.
Bus accident victims in New York City and elsewhere would likely benefit from working with an experienced attorney so that they are able to focus on their recovery. An attorney will work to see that justice is served.
Source: NBC News, "At least 2 killed, 36 hurt when bus flips outside Dallas on way to casino," Erin McClam, April 11, 2013
]]>A 21-year-old woman was killed this past weekend after she was hit by a livery cab in Harlem around 4:30 a.m. The driver of the livery cab allegedly fled from the scene of the accident. However, he eventually turned himself into police. He now faces criminal charges for leaving the scene of the accident.
]]> New York City police are investigating the accident. Questions still remain about why the woman was in the middle of the street at the time the crash occurred. It is unclear if she was pushed out of another vehicle or whether she got out on her own.The young woman's family and friends were shocked to learn about her untimely death. She has been described as a "sweet, outgoing, upbeat" young woman.
Drivers and their passengers are at risk of suffering serious injuries as a result of a car accident. However, pedestrians are even more vulnerable. They have nothing to protect them from the size and weight of a car.
When a family loses a loved one because of someone else's reckless behavior they may want to consider their legal options. In addition to criminal charges and penalties, an individual could also face a civil lawsuit for the harm that was caused.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, "Driver Is Charged in Death," Pervaiz Shallwani and Alison Fox, April 7, 2013
]]>Ninety-five cars were involved in 17 total crashes along Interstate 77 in Virginia. Three people died in the pileup and 25 others were injured.
]]> The pileup began around 1:15 p.m. on Easter Sunday. Starting in the early morning hours, signs warned people about heavy fog. Authorities say people were likely traveling at dangerous speeds for the conditions.This massive collision shows how important it is for people to drive cautiously. In addition to focusing on the road, people need to be sure they are adjusting their speeds for variable weather conditions.
When people in New York City and beyond get in a motor vehicle, they usually don't expect to be involved in a serious collision. However, a crash can happen in an instant, leaving people with devastating injuries.
After the trauma of a serious accident, people often do not know where to turn. They may not realize that a negligent driver may be held responsible for their careless actions. In some instances, car accident victims can be compensated for their injuries.
In order to receive the compensation they are entitled to, accident victims would likely find it beneficial to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can help determine whether or not legal action is necessary. If they find that it is, they can work to get people the compensation they deserve.
Source: The Huffington Post, "Virginia Vehicle Pileup: 3 Killed In 95-Vehicle Crash Near Virginia-North Carolina Border," March 31, 2013
]]>Sadly, many people aren't lucky enough to suffer just minor injuries. Many car accidents leave people with serious injuries such as a traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately, the effects of a brain injury can be long-lasting.
]]> This month is Brain Injury Awareness Month. The hope is that people will gain a better understanding of the symptoms associated with a serious brain injury by devoting attention to the issue.Unfortunately, a brain injury can go undetected because of the mild symptoms it sometimes presents. For instance, people with a brain injury may experience dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light and may have a hard time remembering certain things. However, others may experience more obvious signs of a brain injury such as slurred speech.
Although more is being discovered about the brain all the time, more work must be done to better understand how to help the brain heal after a person has suffered a serious head injury.
A brain injury can have a profound effect on a person's life, especially if they suffered a very serious brain injury. While nothing can change the events of the past, people who suffer a brain injury as a result of another person's negligence may be able to obtain compensation through a civil lawsuit. Money that is awarded may be used for long-term care in situations where a person's injury is permanent.
Source: The Huffington Post, "Brain Injury Awareness Month: New Hope for the Brain-Injured Person," Anat Baniel, March 19, 2013
]]>A recent bus accident in a nearby state caused multiple fatalities. Authorities are trying to determine what caused the tragic accident.
]]> The bus was carrying the women's lacrosse team from Seton Hall University, a school near Pittsburgh. Twenty-three people were on board the bus as the team was heading to a game. The bus reportedly left the roadway and crashed into a tree.The driver of the bus was killed in the accident as well as the team's head coach. The 30-year-old coach was six months pregnant. Tragically, her unborn child was also killed in the accident. Two other people were flown to a hospital in the area. No other serious injuries were reported.
Although it is unclear what caused the bus to veer off the road, in these kinds of accidents authorities often look at driver behavior to determine the cause of a crash. The driver could have been traveling at a high rate of speed at the time of the accident or traveling too close to other vehicles on the road.
Authorities may also look at the condition of the bus as well as procedures in place by the bus company to ensure they have safe drivers. In this instance, reports indicate that the bus and its driver were up-to-date on inspections. If a bus company failed to properly maintain a bus, victims may be able to hold the company responsible for their injuries.
Source: Fox News, "Police investigating cause of Pennsylvania bus crash that killed pregnant coach," Associated Press, March 17, 2013
]]>As readers may recall, the young couple, members of the Orthodox Jewish community, were expecting their first child together. Both parents were killed in the crash. Their child was delivered by cesarean section but died a day later.
]]> Authorities say the driver that fled from the scene was speeding at the time of the accident. He and a passenger fled on foot after the crash. He has been charged with three counts of criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, assault and speeding. He has a criminal record. Because of that he could spend the rest of his life in prison.Community members in the tight-knit Orthodox Jewish community have been left in shock after this tragic accident. One community leader is hoping the driver that fled from the accident is punished to the fullest extent of the law.
The driver could face criminal charges and penalties as well as civil lawsuits. When drivers are reckless and harm others in the process they should be held legally and financially responsible.
It will take a long time for family and friends of the young couple to overcome their grief. Although nothing can change the past, family members and friends may find some peace knowing that the man responsible for the young couple's death is being held accountable for his actions.
Source: Reuters, "NYC man charged in hit-and-run crash that killed family," Edith Honan, March 8, 2013
]]>The woman was seven months pregnant. She started not feeling well, so she and her husband called a car to take them to the hospital. On their way, the car was hit by another vehicle. The man died instantly. The woman was thrown from the car and pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
]]> The couple's baby initially survived the crash and was delivered by cesarean section. However, reports indicate that the child has also died.Police are searching for the driver of the other vehicle and a passenger that was in that vehicle at the time of the crash. Both fled from the scene of the accident. The couple's family is pleading with the driver to come forward.
The driver of the livery car survived the crash. He reportedly only suffered minor injuries in the fatal accident.
The driver that fled from the scene of the accident is likely to face criminal charges. He or she may also be held accountable through civil lawsuits. A successful wrongful death lawsuit can help surviving family members cover expenses related to the accident as well as provide them with a sense of justice.
This tragic accident shows what can happen when people drive recklessly. In the blink of an eye an entire family was lost. To prevent horrible accidents like this from happening in the future drivers should remember to use caution every time they get behind the wheel of a vehicle.
Source: CBS News, "Baby born after parents killed in NYC hit-and-run dies," March 4, 2013
]]>A 23-year-old student was killed recently after he was hit by a car along FDR Drive. The accident happened around 1:45 a.m. The Syracuse University student was spending his last semester in New York City pursuing an internship.
]]> Reports indicate that the driver of the car that hit the young man will not face criminal charges. However, the victim's family may wish to pursue compensation through a civil lawsuit. When drivers are found to be negligent in situations like this, families may be able to use the money that is awarded through a successful lawsuit to cover medical expenses and funeral costs.While no amount of money can make up for the tragic loss of life, a successful lawsuit is one way to hold a reckless driver responsible for their actions. Drivers in New York City and others elsewhere must do all that they can to avoid accidents. Negligent drivers should be held accountable when their poor decisions lead to serious injuries.
People who are involved in serious accidents and those who have lost loved ones in a tragic accident may find working with an experienced personal injury attorney helpful. An attorney can evaluate a case to determine whether or not legal action is appropriate.
Source: WSYR-TV, "SU senior hit by car, killed in NYC according to report," Feb. 24, 2013
]]>People usually understand the potential risks associated with driving a car. However, pedestrians often don't expect that their lives will be in danger on the road. Unfortunately, an inattentive driver can turn a quiet stroll down the street into a tragedy.
]]> Whether you live in New York City or beyond, drivers of every kind of vehicle must exercise caution. Truck drivers, however, must remain even more attentive. That's because the sheer size and weight of a truck can leave people with devastating and often fatal injuries.In instances like this, an investigation may reveal that the truck driver was not paying close enough attention to the road at the time of the accident. It could also reveal mechanical failures. If negligence appears to be a factor in the collision, the victim's family may be able to pursue legal action against the truck driver or the trucking company.
While no amount of compensation can change the past, a successful civil suit may help surviving family members move forward with their lives. In addition, it may alleviate financial difficulties that resulted from the tragic accident.
Dealing with a trucking company can be challenging. In order to be sure that families in similar situations get what they deserve, they would likely find working with an experienced personal injury attorney beneficial.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, "Pedestrian killed on Rte. 17 in NY's Southern Tier," Feb. 19, 2013
•· Our firm works with accident victims and their families. Please visit our New York truck accident page to learn more.
]]>A crane operator and a contracting company now face more than $60,000 in fines apiece. Violations were also handed out to the developer and a site safety manager.
]]> "Neither the crane operator nor his supervisors made sure the operation was being performed according to approved plans," a Buildings Department official said.Officials say that the crane operator was trying to lift 24,000 pounds at the time of the collapse, which is more than twice its capacity. In addition, the operator's view was obstructed, which prevented him from seeing what he was picking up. The operator's license has since been suspended.
Concerns over the safety of cranes in the city have risen after numerous deadly crane accidents in recent years. In 2008, fatalities occurred after two separate crane accidents. Just last year, a crane accident left one person dead.
Cranes are a common sight in New York City. They are often necessary in construction projects. While many cranes are used properly, negligent use can cause serious injuries and even death.
People who are injured in a crane collapse may be able to hold negligent parties responsible in civil court. Compensation that is obtained may be used to cover medical expenses and lost wages. After all, innocent victims should not have to face financial burdens as a result of another's negligence.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, "Operator, contractor cited in NYC crane collapse," Jan. 30, 2013
]]>Repairmen working on the elevator in the building that day reportedly shut off a safety switch. They failed to turn the safety switch back on or warn people not to use the elevator when they stepped outside to take a break.
]]> The accident was tragic. However, it has prompted officials in New York City to crack down on violations related to elevator safety. From January to October of last year, more than 750 of the most serious fines were handed out. In 2011, only slightly more than 500 of the most serious fines were handed out during that same time period."We have intensified our focus on elevator safety," a Buildings Department official said.
People in New York City should be able to step into elevators without fear that they will be harmed as a result of improper maintenance. When people are harmed because of a property owner's failure to maintain a safe premise, they may be able to pursue legal action.
The father of the advertising executive has done just that. Five workers from the elevator repair company have been named in a lawsuit filed in Brooklyn Supreme Court recently, according to the New York Post. Also named in the lawsuit is a co-owner of the repair company as well as the company that manages the building.
Source: New York Post, "Year after exec is killed in elevator accident, inspections way up," Josh Margolin, Jan. 22, 2013
Our firm works with people who have been harmed as a result of an improperly maintained elevator. To learn more, please visit our NYC elevator accidents page.
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