Long Island, Manhattan Accident Attorney Blog

Speeding is ALWAYS Dangerous

Nearly a third of all car accidents can be attributed in some way to speeding, and speeding increases the severity of all car wrecks. If you have been injured in an accident with a negligent speeding driver, you are likely eligible to receive compensation for your injuries. Call us in Manhattan or Long Island today for a free consultation on your case.

Falling Asleep at the Wheel Can Kill

Drowsy drivers are dangerous. Read this blog to find out if your car accident was the result of a tired driver.

Watch Out for Aggressive New York Drivers

Aggressive driving is a serious problem and a serious threat to drivers on New York roads.  It is an activity that most of us are probably guilty of at one point or another.  According to the AAA, “any unsafe driving behavior, performed deliberately and with ill intention or disregard for safety, can constitute aggressive driving.”  Speeding, running a red light, tailgating, failing to yield the right of way and not allowing other vehicles to pass are all examples of aggressive driving.

A study was conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety that looked into the link between aggressive driving and fatal auto accidents.  Researchers came to the conclusion, after studying fatal crashes from 2003 through 2007, that aggressive driving was a factor in 56 percent of the accidents.

People are concerned about aggressive driving, but it is interesting that their worries seem to be associated with other drivers, not their own driving behaviors.  According to a 2005 telephone survey by ABC News and The Washington Post, when people were asked what they thought was the biggest threat to their safety on the road, 32 percent of respondents felt that it was aggressive drivers.

If you have been injured in a New York auto accident caused by an aggressive driver, you may be entitled to compensation.  Contact Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for a free legal consultation regarding your case.

Things You Should NEVER Do After a New York Auto Accident

Have you been injured in a New York auto accident?  If so, be careful that you don’t do something that will wreck your chances of receiving compensation for your injuries.

The first thing you must never do after a car accident in New York, is leave the accident scene.  You are required to stop, even if you think there is no damage or injuries.

The insurance company will contact you following a collision and may ask you to give a recorded statement.  Insurers have been known to call accident victims within days after the crash.  It is hard to know the full extent of your injuries right away and you could end up saying something that will hurt your chances of recovering a fair settlement.  Don’t give a recorded statement until you talk with a New York auto accident lawyer.

If you are offered a settlement by the insurance company right away or if the insurance company is asking you to sign papers pretty soon after the accident, that should tell you something.  The insurer is out to protect its own interests, not yours.  Talk to a New York auto accident attorney before signing anything.

Don’t wait to seek medical attention following a crash.  You may think your injuries are minor, but the symptoms of a serious injury can take a while to surface.  Medical records may also be needed to obtain compensation.

What you should do after a serious New York car accident is contact a New York accident attorney who can help you.  Call the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for legal advice. 

Confused About What to Do After a Long Island Car Accident?

You see a car coming straight toward you and then the next thing you know there is shattered glass everywhere, your airbag has deployed and you are injured.  You have just been the victim of a Long Island car accident.  Now what?

If you are like most people, a car accident in Long Island or New York City is not something you experience often.  You may find yourself confused on what needs to be done following your crash.  There are definitely some actions you need to take to help ensure you are fully compensated for your injuries.

After a Long Island auto accident, you need to gather as much information as possible.  Be sure to get the other driver’s license number, name, address, telephone number, insurance information and license plate number.  If there were any witnesses to your crash, you should get their names and telephone numbers too.

When the police arrive, make sure an accident report is taken.  The police officer may ask you questions regarding the car accident.  Stick to the facts and avoid accepting blame or placing fault.  The factors that caused your New York auto accident may be unclear at this point.

Always see a doctor if you have been injured in an accident, even if you feel that your injuries are minor.  Some minor injuries can turn out to be more serious.

You should contact a Long Island car accident lawyer at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for legal advice.  The New York accident attorneys at the law firm will make sure that you are not taken advantage of by the insurance company.

A Spinal Cord Injury Is Not Always Obvious

You would think that a spinal cord injury would be apparent following a serious New York accident, but the truth is, it can take time for the symptoms to develop.  Unfortunately, if a spinal cord injury is not identified, the complications can become more severe and the recovery may be more difficult.

It can take several days or even weeks for the symptoms of a spinal cord injury to surface.  The warning signs of such an injury appear when there is an increase in bleeding, swelling, inflammation and fluid in and around the spinal cord.

Car accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injury and to blame for about half of all new spinal cord injuries every year.  Violent acts, falls, diseases and sport injuries are also factors in numerous spinal cord injury cases.

The spine has nerve fibers that carry messages to and from the brain.  When the spinal cord is injured, it can lead to muscle impairment and nerve damage below the site of injury. This type of injury can result in permanent paralysis.

If you have sustained a spinal cord injury resulting from an auto accident in Long Island, New York City, the Bronx, Brooklyn or other area in New York, you may be able to recover compensation.  You may also be entitled to damages if another negligent event, besides a car accident, led to your condition.  Contact Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for more information.