Manhattan Motor Vehicle Accidents Law Blog

New York fatal accident: The role of inattentional blindness

On behalf of Subin Associates, LLP posted in Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents on Wednesday, February 20, 2019.

Losing in a loved one in an auto accident is difficult for anyone to deal with. There is a need for answers and a need for justice, but sometimes both can take time to obtain. When a fatal accident occurs, it is normal to want to believe that the driver responsible was some sort of maniac, not following the rules of the road or someone who simply was not paying attention. The truth is, quite a few collisions that occur in New York and elsewhere are the result of inattentional blindness -- particularly motorcycle or pedestrian accidents.

It is possible to be focusing on the road and not see certain things. Researchers call this inattentional blindness. This is where the brain chooses to filter out information that it feels is unimportant in any given moment. One would think that seeing vehicles or pedestrians while driving would be important information that one should remember, but the truth is, when driving, there is so much sensory data being taken in by the brain that sometimes things that are relevant to one's situation are filtered out anyway.

What to take pictures of after a car accident

On behalf of Subin Associates, LLP on Monday, February 18, 2019.

New York has made strides to reduce the number of fatal car accidents that occur around the city. 2018 saw the lowest number of traffic fatalities since the city started tracking that information in 1910.

While fatalities are down, car accidents only resulting in injuries or property damage are still rather high. If you ever find yourself in one of these collisions, then you need to make sure you take actions to protect yourself. That includes taking pictures at the scene to provide your attorney and insurance agent later. While most people only take pictures of the exteriors of both cars, the truth is, you want more evidence than that.

Injured in a work-related car accident?

On behalf of Subin Associates, LLP posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, February 14, 2019.

Are you one of the many New Yorkers whose job keeps you in your car or a work vehicle for much of your day? Were you recently injured in a car accident while on the job? If so, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your losses outside of pursuing workers' compensation benefits. Wondering how?

The state of New York allows people who have suffered injuries in auto accidents resulting from another person's negligence to seek monetary damages through legal means. To hold the individual or individuals responsible financially accountable for your losses, you may file a third-party claim against them in civil court. Potentially liable parties include:

Other driver
Mechanic
Government entity
Car manufacturer
Property owner

Family of boy killed by drunk driver seeking justice

On behalf of Subin Associates, LLP posted in Drunk Driving Accidents on Wednesday, February 6, 2019.

In Sept. 2018, a group of Boy Scouts was hiking along a road in Long Island when tragedy struck. An allegedly drunk driver plowed into the group, injuring four boys and killing another one. At the end of January, the family of the deceased victim was in a New York court hoping that the driver was going to accept responsibility for his actions. Unfortunately, that did not happen and the family is still left seeking justice for their son.

According to reports, on Sept. 30, the accused had been drinking with a friend at a golf club. He refused a ride home, choosing to drive himself instead, and shortly after leaving the club he hit the group of boys. This individual has been charged with aggravated DWI, aggravated vehicular homicide and 14 other crimes. The attorney for the accused has said several times that his client is ready to accept his role in the incident. Plea deal negotiations are ongoing and the accused has been released on bail.

Statute of limitations for car accidents in NYC

On behalf of Subin Associates, LLP on Sunday, February 3, 2019.

Statutes of limitations are in place to ensure people file lawsuits in a prompt manner. By delaying certain lawsuits, it is possible certain pieces of evidence could become lost. For a car accident in New York, victims have three years from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit.

Therefore, you do not want to wait to file a claim if you have expenses to pay. You need to contact your insurance agency immediately after a car crash to get the claims process started. You also want to see a doctor right away to see whether you have any injuries that require treatment. Once you have all the information you need, you should be able to file a lawsuit relatively quickly.

3 injured in armored truck accident in New York

On behalf of Subin Associates, LLP posted in Truck Accidents on Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

On Monday, Jan. 28, an armored truck collided with a BMW convertible. This truck accident is believed to have been the result of truck driver negligence. A total of three people suffered injuries in the wreck. According to the laws of New York, the victim may be entitled to seek compensation for their losses.

According to a news report, the driver of the armored truck allegedly ran a stop sign and crashed into the BMW, causing the truck to flip on its side. This event occurred around 1 p.m. at the 200th Street and 115th Avenue intersection in Queens. One person in the convertible suffered injuries, as did two individuals in the truck. The current conditions of the victims is unknown.

Car accident in Manhattan leaves 1 dead, 1 injured

On behalf of Subin Associates, LLP posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, January 23, 2019.

The New York City Police Department is investigating a crash that occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday, Jan. 20, in Manhattan. They say the driver died in the car accident and a passenger was left with significant injuries. While the driver may not have survived, according to state laws, the injured victim may be entitled to seek compensation for his losses.

According to a recent report, a witness told investigators that he saw a sedan driving the wrong direction on 155th Street. The sedan then struck and went through a stone barrier and fell roughly 20 feet into a cemetery below. The vehicle landed on its top and then a fire broke out. The passenger -- a 37-year-old male -- was able to get out of the sedan but the driver was not. The passenger was taken to an area hospital with critical injuries.

5 steps to take after an NYC subway accident

On behalf of Subin Associates, LLP on Monday, January 21, 2019.

It is no secret that the subway system in New York City is heavily used. Millions of commuters, tourists and students depend on this method of mass transit every day. With so many people using trains, it is no wonder that accidents are common.

According to the New York Post, which calls the subway system a "death trap," 150 individuals die every year by getting struck by trains, either by accidentally falling onto the tracks or because of suicide. This does not even include the people who get hurt or die because of defective tracks, equipment malfunctions and human error. If you use the NYC transit system, it is vital for you to know what to do if you get hurt.

Electric scooter sharing is dangerous for pedestrians and riders

On behalf of Subin Associates, LLP posted in Pedestrian Accidents on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

Electric scooter sharing is becoming a big thing in larger cities across the United States. It is not yet legal in New York, but some lawmakers are trying to change that. While there are obvious benefits to allowing electric scooter sharing, there are also dangers to pedestrians and riders that no one likes to talk about.

How does electric scooter sharing work? The companies that offer this service, such as Bird, drop scooters off on street corners for people to use. A scooter may be rented online and then a QR code is sent to the renter so they can unlock and turn on the vehicle. They then ride to their destination and leave it wherever when they are done. It is a cheap and simple way to get from point A to point B, particularly for people who lack other transportation options.

Did cellphone use contribute to your truck accident?

On behalf of Subin Associates, LLP posted in Truck Accidents on Wednesday, January 9, 2019.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has set very strict guidelines that commercial drivers and their employers must abide by. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to see these drivers doing their own thing anyway -- such as using their cellphones while operating their vehicles. Anyone in the state of New York who has been injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident resulting from cellphone use may have legal recourse.

Using a cellular device while driving a motor vehicle is a known safety hazard. It takes a person's mind and eyes off the road and hands off the wheel. This form of distracted driving contributes to a number of injuries and deaths in the United States every year.