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New York Personal Injury News

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Elderly Pedestrian Killed By Box Truck Walking In Brooklyn

New York Mayor Bill deBlasio’s “Vision Zero” initiative was intended to make the streets of New York City safer for pedestrians. In 2017, there was a record low number of pedestrian accidents. That trend hasn’t continued into 2019, unfortunately. In May, police department records indicated that 2019 pedestrian fatalities were 30% higher than in 2018. This falls in line with nationwide statistics, where pedestrian fatalities hit a three-decade high. The city’s department of transportation, however, says that the increase is only 10%. However, they may categorize accidents differently than police department records.

The Sunset Park Patch reports that an 85-year-old has been killed by a box truck as he walked in Brooklyn.

The incident occurred at about 3:30 p.m. in Sunset Park on Thursday afternoon.

85-year-old Brendan Gill was walking near the intersection of 39th Street and Third Avenue, a corridor that officials have deemed one of the more dangerous in the city.

Gill was struck by a box truck, which then left the scene of the accident without stopping. Emergency responders rushed him to the hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

There have been no arrests made in the incident.

This crash comes just hours after a 75-year-old woman was hit and killed in the same neighborhood. Xue You was crossing 52nd Street when a white Jeep Cherokee hit her. The Jeep had been attempting to make a left turn from Eighth Avenue. That driver stopped and remained on the scene.

Thursday’s crash was the fifth pedestrian fatality in just a few weeks across the borough.

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Fallen Branch In NY Park Breaks Woman’s Neck

New York City’s Department of Parks and Recreation is responsible for the maintenance of some 500,000 trees just in the area of the five boroughs. If you include the trees found in city parks, that number increases by 2 million. With that many trees to cover, sometimes necessary pruning and maintenance tasks aren’t always done. Many times, the workers performing the inspections and maintenance have no experience in caring for and maintaining trees. Usually, trained arborists are only deployed to investigate after an incident or if a maintenance working suspects a problem. Needless to say, this can lead to trees or tree limbs falling both onto people and property, causing damage, death, and injury.

The West Village Patch reports on a woman who was critically injured by a falling tree branch in Washington Square Park.

At about 7:40 p.m. Monday, a woman was sitting on a park bench in Washington Square Park when a tree limb fell, striking her. According to police, she is a 55-year-old Virginia woman visiting New York City with her teenage son.

The woman was critically injured and taken to Bellevue Hospital. She suffered from a fractured skull and spine, but as of Tuesday, she was in stable condition.

A spokesperson from the Parks Department said that the tree showed signs of being infected by a fungus, which may have caused the limb to fall.

The last time the tree, identified as a London plane tree, was inspected was two years ago in July 2017. Prior to that, the tree was last inspected in November 2015. It was last pruned in August 2017.

The Parks Department said that it will be conducting further inspections of the tree.

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Intersection In Dickson Continues To Be Extremely Dangerous

Like many cities, New York has its share of dangerous intersections. Even though Mayor Bill de Blasio has initiated “Vision Zero” in an attempt to reduce traffic fatalities throughout the city, dangerous intersections still exist. The intersection at 6th Avenue and West 23rd Street was ranked as one of the most dangerous intersections. This is because 23rd street is wider than streets that are parallel to it. Another dangerous intersection was Jay Street and Tillary Street in Brooklyn, tying with Atlantic Avenue and Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. The dangers in these intersections are mostly tied to the cycling lanes, which are poorly marked.

NNY 360 reports that a weekend crash at a dangerous intersection leaves a car in a Dickinson Town Supervisor’s yard.

Sherry Smith, a Dickinson Town Supervisor, learned that a car that careened into her front yard was the result of a crash that occurred at a dangerous intersection near her home.

The two-car crash happened at the intersection of County Route 5 and State Route 11B. The intersection is commonly referred to as Harwood Corners. It has been the site of several fatal accidents over the past few years.

Work was done in 2013 to make the intersections safer has not been successful; accidents have worsened significantly in the past few years. Regional lawmakers have banded together to present the issue to the state to address the danger.

During the summer of 2013, the Department of Transportation hired contractors to remove a flashing yellow traffic light. The hill before the caution light was also lowered to increase visibility. The work cost more than $3 million in taxpayer money.

Local officials said that removing the yellow caution light has caused drivers to go faster through the intersection.

This year, there have been at least seven non-fatal crashes at the intersection.

Last month, the Franklin County Legislature unanimously passed legislation to return the traffic light to the intersection. It will be presented to the Department of Transportation for review.

Kips Bay Falling Elevator Death Ruled An Accident

According to FiveThirtyEight, there are 76,000 elevators in the city. They tend to blend into the background and be taken for granted. Unfortunately, a malfunctioning elevator can cause serious injuries. Every year, more than 30 victims are killed, and 17,000 injuries are caused by and an elevator that is not functioning correctly. Excessive speed and misleveling are some of the most common types of elevator malfunctions. Misleveling occurs when an elevator fails to stop at the floor level, leaving a gap between the elevator and the floor.

The New York Daily News reports that a man was crushed by an elevator in an incident that authorities are ruling as an accident.

Last Thursday, 30-year-old Samuel Waisbren was crushed to death by a falling elevator in the luxury Kips Bay apartment building where he lived.

At about 8:30 a.m. on, Waisbren was riding the elevator down to the lobby with about six other residents of the apartment building. Waisbren was following another passenger out of the elevator when the car suddenly dropped. This caused Waisbren to be crushed according to another witness who observed the mishap.

Waisbren moved to New York City about six years ago. He died at the scene. Both the Department of Buildings and the Department of Investigation are looking into the incident to determine if the elevator was defective.

The elevator was last inspected by the DOB in March. The DOI is investigating any possible criminal element that may have been involved.

Lawmakers Take Up Safety Netting Issue At Baseball Stadiums

Spring and summer generally mean one thing to fans nationwide: the start of the baseball season. Millions of fans nationwide make trips to various parks to see their home teams play the sport. For the most part, it’s usually a fun family outing. Unfortunately for some fans, a day at the baseball stadium can end in serious injury, and in some tragic cases, death. These deaths are often caused by balls hit by the players, usually foul balls, traveling at speeds of up to 100 m.p.h. To address the issue, the Democrat and Chronicle reports that New York lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow the Department of State to study the adequacy of safety netting at baseball stadiums throughout New York.

After a string of foul balls hit spectators, resulting in injuries in recent years, the New York Legislature is considering taking action. A bill currently making its way through the Legislature would allow the Department of State to study the adequacy of safety netting throughout New York.

In 2018, all 30 teams in the league extended netting past the dugouts. However, due to the differing construction of stadiums, the recommendation that more safety netting be put in place could not be extended unilaterally.

A memo attached to the bill stated that 1,750 fans are injured yearly by foul balls. The study would look at the injury rate of spectators due to foul balls and broken bats. The study would also take into consideration the nature of the injuries and where in the stadium they took place.

Other safety measures are also being considered, such as warnings placed on tickets and seats warning fans of the possibility of injury from foul balls and broken bats.

New Law In New York Requires Workers To Get Much More Safety Training After Injury Increase

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration was created by the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970. Its primary goal is to provide a safe and healthy workplace for workers in the United States. They set and enforce workplace standards as well as providing education, training, and outreach. Most employees in the United States fall under OSHA’s jurisdiction and they have some 2,400 inspectors and 550 state consultants. The overall goal is to assist both employers and employees in establishing safe work practices and environments. Workers in New York’s construction industry are currently benefitting from OSHA’s outreach and education programs, as the New York City Lens reports.

It’s Saturday morning in New York and construction workers are watching a documentary about the deadly 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. It was one of the largest industrial accidents in U.S. history.

In 2019, construction continues to remain the most lethal industry in New York. In order to fulfill New York City’s new safety training requirements under a new law, Local Law 196, which was approved by the City Council in November 2017, workers on specified construction sites are required to receive 40 hours of safety training by June of this year.

The new law comes in response to the rise in fatal construction accidents that have occurred in past years. There were 11 fatalities in 2011 and that number rose, more than doubling, to 25 in 2015.

The number of injuries on construction sites has also jumped, climbing from 671 reported injuries in 2016 to 761 injuries in 2017.

The training curriculum is provided by OSHA and is comprehensive, with the first course covering OSHA and its role and responsibility.

New Measures Passed To Improve Road Safety

School buses are one of the safest ways for a child to travel to and from school. Children who ride school buses are 70% more likely to arrive to and from school safely than children who ride in cars. The majority of accidents that strike students occur when getting on or off of the bus. This is usually due to drivers disregarding the stop sign, extended safety arm, and flashing red lights. New York State is looking to curb these incidents, as well as securing the safety of backseat passengers, as WRVO reports.

On Wednesday, the New York State Senate passed measures that they say will improve safety on state roads. Some of these improvements include adding cameras to the stop arms of school buses.

Tim Kennedy, a New York Democrat who is also the chair of the Transportation Committee said that 50,000 drivers a day pass a stopped school bus, despite the stop sign arm. According to Kennedy, these cameras will now make the drivers accountable. The footage will be reviewed and drivers violating this law will be fined $250. The measure would take effect at the start of the next school year in September.

A second measure that was passed would require backseat passengers in vehicles to wear seatbelts. Passengers who are not wearing seatbelts are eight times more likely to be killed or seriously injured if they are involved in an accident. The measure would fine both the driver of the vehicle and the passenger if the passenger is over 16 years of age.

Another measure would update driver’s education materials and road tests to train new drivers to be aware of pedestrians and bicyclists in the streets.

Niagara Falls Trip Leaves Many Children Injured, No Seat Belts

New York, like many states, has adopted laws that concern how long a child must be in a child seat or booster seat when in the car. These laws ensure the safety of infants and young children should the driver get into an accident. Children secured in infant car seats and booster seats are more likely to escape a crash uninjured then if they are not secured. In New York, the law requires that infants through age three children should be in an appropriate child car seat unless they weigh more than 40lbs or there is not a lap belt or shoulder belt. If a child under age 3 weighs more than 40lbs until age 7 must be secured in an appropriate booster seat unless there is no available lap or shoulder belt.

My Central Jersey reports on a New York DWI crash that killed two adults and a young child.

A Sunday morning crash left four children hospitalized in Upstate New York. The children were in a van headed to Niagara Falls for a family trip when the crash occurred.

Three of the children are in serious condition. They include a 10-year-old girl and her twin sisters, who are 4 years old. A 14-year-old boy is doing okay after the accident.

26-year-old Maria Brito-Castro, who is the mother of the 10-year-old and the twins, was released from the hospital and is now with her children. 55-year-old Reyes Rodriguez was also released from the hospital.

The crash killed 47-year-old Ondina Castro De La Cruz, 32-year-old Mayelin Brito-Castro, and a 4-year-old child. De La Cruz and Brito-Castro were the daughters of Rodriguez. The four-year-old that was killed was his granddaughter.

20-year-old Richard Sawicki was arrested following the crash. He has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, driving while intoxicated, and reckless driving. Additional charges are expected.

Investigators are trying to piece together details of the accident, such as where each family member was seated and why none of the children were appropriately restrained.

Police Officers May No Longer Come To The Scene Of Minor Fender-Benders

In many cities and states, it is required that the police be contacted for even a minor fender bender. Getting the accident report from the police or the DMV can be imperative to your personal injury case. In New York, there are two ways to request the report: by mail or online. The person who filed the accident report can affect how long it takes for the report to become available. If the police filed the report electronically, the report should be available in 14 days. If the police filed a paper report, it can take up to 30 days from the date of the accident. If the motorist filed the report, it should be available within 60 days.

The New York Daily News reports that a proposed policy would mean that the NYPD would not go to the scene of a minor car accident.

A memo that was distributed by NYPD brass on Monday states that officers will no longer respond to 911 calls of accidents involving only property damage.

If a driver involved in a minor crash calls 911, they will be directed to a prerecorded message. The message will instruct the motorist that the police will not respond and the motorist will be instructed on how to file their own accident report and send the information to the DMV.

Police will still respond to the scenes of accidents that are disputed, accidents that involve a deer, domestic animal, or large vehicles like a bus. They will also respond to crashes that involve injury or death.

An NYPD spokesperson stated that the memo is not yet official department policy.

Restrictions Pulled Back For Electric Scooters

Whether you love them, hate them, or use them, e-scooters have become a reality in many U.S. cities. They are popular among urban residents and on college campuses as a way to get around without having to hail an Uber or use a personal vehicle. The popularity of these vehicles comes with a downside: companies that rent out these scooters like Bird and Lime recommend wearing helmets, but do not provide them. Since their arrival in cities across the nation, reports of scooter-related injuries seen in hospital emergency departments have surged. These injuries typically involve head injuries, broken bones, and lacerations.

Mashable reports that the New York State Senate has passed a bill to lessen restrictions associated with motor-assisted pedal bikes and e-scooters.

On Wednesday, the New York State Senate passed a bill to pull back restrictions for electric-assisted bicycles and e-scooters. Previously, scooter rental companies like Lime, Bird, Uber, and Lyft have not been able to operate in New York City and other cities throughout the state.

Individual cities will be able to pass their own rules and regulations regarding the motorized vehicles. As a part of the deal, however, Manhattan will not be allowing the vehicles in an attempt to minimize congestion. However, individual e-scooter owners can still ride the vehicles in Manhattan.

The decision comes as studies point to an increase in injuries related to e-scooter use. A Rutgers New Jersey Medical School study published just last month revealed that head injuries have almost tripled in the past decade due to e-scooter use. The study also revealed that 66% of those injured on e-scooters were not wearing helmets.

As local regulations are hashed out, residents can expect scooters to begin making their appearance in the coming months.

Scooter-Related Face And Head Injuries Triple Over Last Decade Due To Rental Scooters

Recently, the New York State Senate decided to allow e-scooter rental companies such as Bird, Lime, and even Uber and Lyft to begin renting out motorized scooters. They are a cost-effective method of transportation and are particularly popular in urban areas and on college campuses. The legislation allows individual jurisdictions to draft their own regulations regarding the e-scooters. The one exception is the city of Manhattan, where scooter rentals will be disallowed, to prevent congestion. However, the city will allow for individually owned scooters to operate. This decision comes just as news that with the rise of the use of these scooters, injuries are also becoming more common, as Healthline reports.

While the rental companies like Bird and Lime recommend that riders wear a helmet, they are not provided with the scooter. A new study by Rutgers University shows that face and head injuries that are scooter-related have tripled over the last decade.

The study was published in the American Journal of Otolaryngology took information from the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. The system takes data and then extrapolates the data to provide national estimates.

According to the system, between 2008 and 2017, there were almost 1,000 head and facial injuries caused by scooters. Nationwide, that extrapolates to almost 32,000 emergency department visits.

Riders are not the only ones who are at risk of injury. As they are currently banned on streets, scooters tend to be ridden on sidewalks, where collisions with pedestrians are common.

The ages of the injured ranged from 19 to 65, but nearly 1/3 were between 6 and 12 years old.

Closed head injuries, concussions, and lacerations were the most common injuries related to scooters. Broken noses, skulls, and other facial fractures were also common.

Staten Island Accident Response Policy Causes Problems, But It May Expand Anyway

New York is a large metropolitan area, which means that there is no way for police to respond to every accident. Because of this, New York law requires that a driver involved in an accident resulting in more than $1,000 in property damage or an injury or death be reported to the police within 10 days. The consequences of not filing a report go further than it possibly causing a problem with compensation. Failing to make the report could mean being charged with a misdemeanor. Usually, when an accident causes serious injury or death, the police will respond. However, as SI Live reports, New York is looking to roll out a program where police stop responding to accidents involving only property damage.

The New York Police Department is planning to roll out a program they are using in Staten Island to other areas. In the program, the police do not respond to car crashes that involve only property damage. The program began in March 2018 and has been called a “success.” After implementation, response times on priority calls have decreased.

The program must be improved before it can be rolled out to the other four boroughs.

Others are not so keen on the program. According to a source with knowledge of the towing industry, the number of calls for tows has rapidly decreased since the program began. Instead of contacting a tow truck, drivers are leaving the scene in mangled cars, with leaking fluid, and sometimes with airbags deployed. Police would normally contact a tow in this case.

The program is also affecting insurance agencies. Without police reports, accident claims are harder to process, causing a case on one person’s word against another.

There is currently no timetable as to when the program will be rolled out to the rest of the city.

Teen Caught On Camera Going Wrong-Way Through Tunnel

Vehicle deaths in the United States have declined in the past decade. However, wrong-way crashes have remained consistent in the most recent decade. In 2014, the Federal Highway Administration reported that there were 382 people killed in wrong-way crashes. In about 60% of wrong-way collisions, the drivers are impaired by either drugs or alcohol. Though they only make up a very small percentage of all crashes, wrong-way crashes are often the most visible and the most reported. Fatalities occur in about 20-25% of wrong-way crashes, compared to about 0.5% of all other crashes.

The NY Daily News reports on a wrong-way crash in the Queens Midtown Tunnel that was caught on dashcam.

On April 28th an 18-year-old Bronx man was captured on dashcam entered the wrong tube on the Queens Midtown Tunnel and slammed head-on into an Uber driver.

Jorje Beato scrambled from the wreck and was nearly killed after pulling what police first thought was a gun and aiming it at the Bridge and Tunnel officer. The officer held his fire and quickly realized that Beato only held a cell phone.

Authorities estimate that at the time of the accident, Beato was traveling at 60 m.p.h. He slammed head-on into Zafar Iqbal’s white Toyota Highlander while traveling the curve. It was Iqbal’s dashcam that caught the collision.

When the accident occurred, Beato was driving on a learner’s permit, allegedly under the influence of marijuana and cocaine while speeding. Police had to struggle with Beato before taking him into custody. He was charged with reckless driving, drug possession, marijuana possession, unlicensed operation of a vehicle, and leaving the scene of an accident with injuries.

Teen Identified In First Vaping Death In New York City

Vaping has become a popular way for current smokers to kick the habit. Vaporizing devices come in all forms, but some of the most popular are those that resemble cigarettes, the tank mods, and the pod-style vapes. Juices, known as either e-juice or vape juice, come in many flavors and nicotine strengths. Due to recent states legalizing cannabis for recreational and medical use, vaping of cannabis oils has also become popular. While long-term studies into the safety of vaping have yet to be completed, there is some recent concern with the rise of vaping-related illnesses. Some states and cities have banned the sale of vaping products as a result of these cases. 

ABC 7 New York reports that a teenager has become the first vaping-related death in New York. On Tuesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that a teenager from the Bronx is the first death in New York that is vaping-related.  The victim was only identified as a Bronx 17-year-old, but Cuomo called vaping a “public health crisis.” He reiterated that currently, vaping is not regulated. He also stated that vape juices are not tested. 

The 17-year-old died at Montefiore Hospital from a pulmonary illness that was related to vaping. The teen is the youngest fatality in a nationwide outbreak of vaping-related illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control is currently investigating vaping products that contain THC, but further details about the New York case are not available. Nationwide, there have been 1,000 confirmed instances of lung illnesses that are attributed to vaping. There have also been 19 fatalities in 18 states. 

In New York, the Cuomo administration said that physicians have reported 100 cases of severe pulmonary illnesses. The ages in those cases ranged from age 14 to 69. All had reported using at least one vaping product before becoming ill.

Train Companies Ignore Recommended Safety Upgrades

Travel by train or bus can be a safe, enjoyable, and economical way to travel. While trains are generally safe for passengers, following these tips can help to ensure that you remain safe for your journey. If you have to move once the train is in motion, forgo the macho swagger and hold onto the handrails. Even those of us with the best balance can be thrown off when a train suddenly brakes or goes around a curve. If you must walk between cars, do so carefully. The metal pathway between cars can be slippery.

The New York Times reports on the safety features that are lacking on Amtrack and Greyhound buses and trains. In February, the National Transportation Safety Bureau released a list of its “most wanted” safety features for buses and trains in the United States. Some of their recommendations include safety features to keep windows intact and passenger restraints.

Unfortunately, Amtrak, Greyhound, and many other national and regional transportation carriers have not adopted these recommendations. According to the NTSB, 44 people died in bus crashes in 2017. The Federal Railroad Administration said that 21 passengers and employees were killed in Amtrak and commuter train accidents in 2017 and 2018.

Another item on its most wanted list is “compartmentalization,” which is a design in which closely spaced, well-padded, and high-backed passenger seats help to absorb energy during accidents. When an accident or a derailment occurs, passengers can become like ping-pong balls with one another and the interior of the train cars. Falling luggage is also a serious concern for train accidents.

When asked about seatbelts, an Amtrak spokesperson said that international studies had indicated that adding seatbelts to passenger cars did not increase safety effectively.

Vape Device Explodes In Teen’s Face

Vaping has become a popular way for many smokers to kick the habit. While some teens have begun vaping without prior cigarette use, many proponents of vaping state that it is an effective way to stop smoking for many former smokers. However, tales of things like “popcorn lung” and vapes exploding, causing injuries have been favorite stories of detractors to relay, it turns out that exploding vapes have injured a few people, some of them seriously.

Pix 11 New York reports on a teen’s vape that exploded while he was using it, shattering his jaw.

A 17-year-old was vaping when the device he was using exploded. It ended with his mother driving him 250 miles with a bloody mouth, broken jaw, and hole in his jaw. He trekked from his small town in Nevada to a pediatric hospital in Utah. There, doctors rushed him into surgery and worked to reconstruct and repair his shattered jaw. It is unclear what type of device the teen was using at the time of the accident.

The teen involved in the incident is reported to have said over and over in the emergency room that he was unaware his vape could explode. He was lucky. He healed well. Others weren’t so lucky. In February, a Texas man died when his e-cigarette exploded and sent shrapnel through his carotid artery. About a year ago, a Florida man died when his e-cigarette exploded, lodging shrapnel in his head.

Both of these incidents involved “mechanical mod” devices which use large batteries. One study revealed that there was an estimated 2,000+ e-cigarette explosion and burn injuries between 2015 to 2017 that required emergency room visits.

Vision Zero Has Come Far, But There’s Still Work To Be Done

Vision Zero was a road safety platform initiated 15 years ago in Sweden in an effort to eliminate roadway fatalities. Soon enough, cities like Chicago jumped on the bandwagon, with the logic that fatal traffic accidents could be prevented through smarter engineering, education, and enforcement. Several other cities have adopted similar plans and New York is no exception. Mayor Bill de Blasio took up the Vision Zero cause, calling for lowering speed limits, redesigning streets, and stricter enforcement of traffic laws. Unfortunately, while overall passenger vehicle traffic fatalities are down, fatal accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists are up, as City Lab reports.

New York City may be the one city coming closest to achieving the “zero” part of Vision Zero. The number of traffic fatalities fell to an all-time low of 202 in 2018.

Among the changes in New York City’s policies are 82 miles of protected bike lanes, more pedestrian-friendly traffic lights, increasing the penalties faced by reckless drivers, reducing speed limits, and speed enforcement cameras in school zones.

However, New York may have a built-in constituency for wide-spread pedestrian safety improvements. 60% of trips are already made on a mode of transportation aside from a car.

Some, however, aren’t convinced that New York has made the changes that it should. In 2018, pedestrian deaths were up to 114 from 107 in 2017. 2019 has already seen 23 cyclist deaths, more than double the 10 from 2018. The primary complaint is that the city hasn’t been doing enough to encourage drivers to get out of their vehicles and take another mode of transportation.

Vision Zero Plans May Require Repeat Traffic Offenders To Take A Safety Course

Vision Zero was a program initiated by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2014. The goal of the program was to eliminate all traffic deaths in the city. By 2018, it looked like the program was achieving some results. Pedestrian and bicyclist deaths were down. That changed in 2019 when bicyclist deaths more than doubled. As part of the program, traffic light timing was changed, police were told to better enforce traffic laws, and the city planned miles of new bicycle lanes. There are still are more plans in the works to get to de Blasio’s goal of eliminating traffic deaths by 2024. One of those plans includes impounding vehicles of repeat traffic offenders, as the New York Times reports.

Last year’s deaths included two pedestrians who were hit by a driver with eight violations for speeding or running a red-light. Another fatality involving an 85-year-old woman who was killed by a Brooklyn driver with 10 speeding tickets and two red-light violations.

To curb these violations, the city is planning on taking drastic measures. Drivers who rack up multiple violations will be required to take a driver safety course or risk having their vehicles seized.

The program would make New York City the first in the nation to use traffic camera violations to try and change reckless driving behavior by the threat of impoundment instead of relying on punitive fines.

The initiative will begin as a three-year pilot program. It will require vehicle owners who get five traffic light violations or fifteen speed-camera violations in a year to complete a safety course. Drivers who fail to take the course will risk having their vehicles impounded by the DMV.

After the initial program, the city will consider lowering the threshold for the number of violations that will trigger the mandatory class.

What Happens If I Was Injured While Visiting New York City?

If you or a family member suffered injuries while visiting New York City, you may be entitled to seek financial compensation. Contact a New York City personal injury lawyer for help understanding how the laws apply to you and how to file a claim against the responsible party or parties

Injuries to Annual Visitors in New York City

You do not have to live in New York City to hold the party who is at-fault for your injuries financially responsible. Common injuries to tourists and visitors in New York City could include accidents while navigating large, busy streets, slip, trip, and fall injuries at tourist destinations, and car accidents on unfamiliar roads.

An unexpected injury suddenly turns a vacation in New York City from a fun-filled adventure into a flurry of emergency room and hospital visits. Take safety precautions to protect yourself while you are visiting the city.

New York City Safety Precautions

Amid the bustle and excitement of visiting New York City, you should take certain safety precautions to minimize becoming the victim of an accidental injury or assault. From the New York Police Department, those precautions include:

• Do not carry a lot of money and do not carry your money in your back pocket.
• Enter and exit cars, taxis, and rideshares on the curbside of the street.
• Be careful and vigilant of your surroundings.
• Do not leave personal items unattended.

New York City is a busy place that might initially be confusing for tourists who are unfamiliar with its hectic atmosphere.

Get Emergency and Follow-Up Treatment for Your Injuries

When you suffer injuries in your home city, you know where to turn for emergency and follow-up medical care. When an accident occurs that causes you to sustain injuries in an unfamiliar city, you might not be as sure of where to turn.

First, call 911—or have someone traveling with you call—for emergency medical assistance. Once the hospital discharges you to return home, follow up with your usual health care provider. Always see a doctor for a complete medical examination and documentation of your injuries if hurt in an accident. This medical assessment is an important part of your physical health and your compensation claim and should not be overlooked.

Meet New York City’s Timeline for Personal Injury Claims

Like your home state and every state in the U.S., New York has a statute of limitations that gives you a limited amount of time to file a personal injury claim, New York Civil Practice Laws & Rules §214. In addition to ensuring you meet this timeline, as well as other time-limited requirements of making injury claims, we do the following for our clients:

• Keep you updated on your case
• Identify liable parties
• Communicate with all parties for you
• Gather evidence
• Determine a value for your case

Do not hesitate to contact a lawyer who will fight for you while you are in New York City and who will continue to fight for you when you return home. We are advocates for our injured clients and will fight to get the compensation you deserve for the injuries you endured.

Take Steps If You Were Injured While Visiting New York City

New York City is an incredible tourist destination. In 2018, 65 million people visited New York City, according to the city’s marketing agency, NYC & Company annual report. If you or a family member suffered injuries during a visit to New York City, speak to a New York City lawyer who is able to guide you and advance all aspects of the process of filing a financial claim for your injuries. Your lawyer will also manage your case after you return home.

If you or a family member were hurt while visiting New York City, you do not have to fight for compensation alone. We have successfully represented many injury victims who were hurt in New York City and then returned to other states in the United States or even to other countries around the world. Call Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. at (516) 932-0400 for a free consultation if you need a local lawyer to fight for the financial compensation you are entitled to receive even after you return to your home city.

Call or text 516-932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form