Justice Will Find Elmira Hit-and-Run Driver

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Jim Reed

crime-scene-tape It gave me chills to see the headline on a recent WETM news update: “Bicyclist Killed in Elmira Hit and Run‏.

About 1 a.m. on a recent Sunday morning, a bicyclist was hit and killed while riding his bike along Grand Central Avenue near Clemens Center Parkway.

The driver didn’t stick around, and there were no witnesses. That means there was no call for help, no first aid for the victim. He was found later on Sunday morning, by a pedestrian. It’s a horrible, gruesome thing to contemplate.

This story really gets to me for two reasons. One, I’m an avid bicyclist and I can’t help but be affected by a story like this. It’s frightening, a reminder of how vulnerable a bike is compared with a car.

Two, it upsets me because I handled the Steven Bacon hit-and-run case. Steven, age 17, was hit and killed by a car on Maple Avenue on March 22, 2007. The driver and – and passengers who were aware of the accident – didn’t come forward, and Steven’s body wasn’t discovered until more than 12 hours after the accident. I represented Bacon’s estate – the Ziff Law Firm fought for and won the limits on the insurance policies held by the drivers who caused his death.

I’ve blogged about the Bacon case before, and about the legislation it inspired, “Steven’s Law” that would make it a crime for a passenger involved in a hit-and-run to not report the incident.

About this recent Elmira case, all I can say is that I’m glad it looks as though the police were able to quickly track down the driver who hit this poor cyclist, leaving him to die on the side of the road with no help. There was debris from the hit-and-run vehicle at the scene. WETM reported that police believed the vehicle was a silver Dodge Durango or Dodge Dakota pick-up truck, with damage to the passenger side and the front bumper area.

Steven’s Law may not be on the books yet, but resolving a hit-and-run if you were a witness, passenger, or just have more information, is the human, decent thing to do. I hope the police had help from the public ID-ing this hit-and-run driver.

Thanks for reading,
Jim
_________________________________________
James B. Reed, Esq.
Personal Injury & Malpractice Attorney
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William St., Elmira, NY 14902
Tel. (607) 733-8866 Fax. (607) 732-6062
Toll Free 1-800-943-3529
mailto:jreed@zifflaw.com http://www.zifflaw.com

Flee an Accident? Hit and Run Drivers Face Serious Penalties (zifflaw.com)

Online Course Can Cut Your Auto Insurance Cost

Posted on June 19, 2009 by Jim Reed

Like saving money? Who doesn’t! (Especially in this economic climate!) defensive-driving

I just received a compelling money-saving tip from my good friend Peter Wallin, of Wallin Insurance in Elmira.

Peter’s most recent edition of the Wallin Insurance Newsletter included a tip about the New York state Defensive Driving Class – a class that can save you 10% on your auto insurance. Maybe you’ve heard of the class before, but the latest twist is that the course is now offered ONLINE.You don’t even have to leave your house to become a better driver!

The New York DMV-approved test is offered online at a number of sites. The one recommended by Wallin Insurance is I Drive Safely, www.idrivesafely.com.

Here is Peter’s personal assessment of the class:

It does take 6 hours but you can take breaks along the way – you actually have 30 days to complete the course from the comfort of your own home.
There are videos and cool demonstrations that make it interesting.
There are 6 modules with quizzes at the end of each. If you pay attention to the material it’s fairly easy.
The class has a unique voice verification system where they call you several times during the class to confirm that YOU are actually taking the class yourself.
Once you complete the class your official certificate will be mailed to you – and it’s good for 3 years.

The cost of the class is $48.95. All the drivers in a household can take the course, and it can save each 10% on their current auto insurance rate for 3 years.

In addition, Wallin Insurance is even offering a $20 personal refund for clients who take the test.

It’s only smart – save and play it safe!

You can e-mail Peter Wallin at Peter@WallinInsurance.com and visit www.wallininsurance.com to sign up for the newsletter yourself.

Thanks for reading,
Jim
_________________________________________
James B. Reed, Esq.
NY Accident Lawyer
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William St., Elmira, NY 14902
Tel. (607) 733-8866 Fax. (607) 732-6062
Toll Free 1-800-943-3529
mailto:jreed@zifflaw.com http://www.zifflaw.com

Chemung County Police Cars Get Connected: Area Police to Use Wireless Broadband

Posted on June 11, 2009 by Jim Reed

I just heard about another way technology is making the Twin Tiers a safer place to live. WETM-TV reported on a new feature for Chemung County patrol cars: Internet access.

Thanks to a $225,ooo state grant from the Department of Homeland Security, the Chemung County Sheriff’s Department was able to purchase 22 Verizon Wireless network cards. Officers on patrol can use the cards in their laptops to connect to the Internet wherever there’s a Verizon signal.

All the deputies have to do is slide the cards into their laptops and they could connect to the main server at the sheriff’s office.

This is going to a real boon to officers on duty, County Sheriff Chris Moss explained. Sheriff’s deputies will be able to patrol our neighborhoods for longer periods of time. Along with license checks and blotter entries, they can now do much of their paperwork right in the car.

Testing of the system was during May. Soon all the police departments in Elmira, West Elmira, Elmira Heights and Horseheads will have the same technology.

Making more new connections

Here at the Ziff Law Firm, we too invest heavily in the latest, greatest technology so as to provide the best service possible to our clients. A few years ago I implemented a “paperless” office (clutter-free and ecological). Many of the Ziff attorneys contribute to blogs like this one, and/or our online FAQs. We use e-newsletters to offer more information and special offers. The firm even has its own Ziff Law Facebook page (you should check it out)!

It’s not always easy or cheap to put new technology to use. You have to learn new skills and spend money. I applaud the increased use of high technology to improve local services – especially when it comes to the best ways to share information securely and quickly. It’s going to make our neighborhoods safer and take some stress off of our police officers.

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Making more new connections