By definition, accidents aren’t supposed to happen. I think we do all we can to learn from them – and use what we learn to reduce the risk. That’s how we develop safer cars, roads, and driving rules. But accidents aren’t absolutely avoidable – which means you have to be prepared, and understand your options if you are ever in a car crash.

A local man and woman were very seriously injured last week in a car accident that’s cause is still unknown. WETM reported the incident in the story “Southport Woman in Critical Condition After Crash” (pasted below). The woman veered out of her lane and hit a bakery truck in the oncoming traffic on Route 352. The truck driver was seriously injured too.

A crash like this raises a lot of questions: “What happened?” and “Why?” And then “What happens next?”

After an auto accident, that question is strongly connected to Auto Insurance. How does it work to cover damages and injuries? It’s a complicated topic, which I’ve helped many clients understand. There are even a different set of rules when motorcycles are involved, a topic I write about frequently on my motorcycle blog, the NY Biker Law Blog.

In the Route 352 accident, the driver of the car, who appears to be at fault, will have coverage for her injuries through the No-Fault portion of her policy. The bakery truck driver was likely working at the time of the accident, meaning that rather than No-Fault, his Worker’s Compensation carrier would be responsible for paying his medical bills and lost wages.

What is “No-Fault” Insurance?

We have an FAQ section at ZiffLaw.com devoted to the legal issues our firm covers, from injuries and accidents to family law; bankruptcy, medical malpractice to real estate. There’s a section explaining No-Fault coverage and how it works.

No-Fault Insurance in New York state means that the insurance carrier for your vehicle, rather than the insurance carrier for the other vehicle, pays your medical bills or lost wages. This is true regardless of who was at fault in causing the accident, hence the name.

Some No-Fault benefits:

• All No-Fault policies in New York are required to provide TOTAL coverage of no less than $50,000 for both medical costs and lost wages.
• No-Fault covers hospital and medical expenses.
• No-Fault covers lost wages at 80%, up to $1,000 per month (that’s the N.Y. minimum, some policies pay more) for a period not exceeding three years

What doesn’t No-Fault cover?

No-Fault does not apply to property damage claims. Such claims are usually paid for by the insurance carrier for the vehicle that caused the collision or by your carrier if you carried collision coverage.

No-Fault does NOT apply to motorcycles. Check out the explanation in my motorcycle insurance FAQs to see how motorcyclists are treated differently, or order a free copy of my book, “Would You Ride Your Motorcycle Naked?” It explains how many motorcyclists are riding “naked” because they don’t have the proper insurance coverage – and don’t even realize it.

It’s sad when accidents happen and people get injured. I think about Chris Ackley, the truck driver, just doing his job and probably a family and children relying on him at home.  He did nothing wrong, and yet he is now laying in a hospital bed.  No one yet knows why the accident happened, why the other driver left her lane. We have seen it happen many, many times in other cases. She could have been distracted by her cell phone, texting, changing the radio station, eating, or even putting on nail polish, the cause of a fatal accident I recently blogged about in the post “‘Nail Polish Crash’ Driver Sentenced for Causing Fatal Motorcycle Accident.”

Thanks for reading and please drive safely!

Adam

_______________________________
Adam M. Gee, Esq.
NY and PA Injury and Accident Attorney
The Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William Street
Elmira, NY  14901
Phone: (607)733-8866
Fax: (607)732-6062
Email: agee@zifflaw.com
www.zifflaw.com

Visit the NY Biker Law Blog at www.NYBikerLawBlog.com!

Southport Woman in Critical Condition After Crash

Reported by: Naveen Dhaliwal (ndhaliwal@wetmtv.com)

BIG FLATS – A Southport woman is in critical condition in Rochester.

The Chemung county sheriff says the crash happened about 10:15 am on Thursday morning on State Route 352 in the Town of Big Flats.

They say Christina Pappas of Southport was driving her jeep Cherokee westbound.  She veered into the eastbound lane and hit a Stroman’s bakery truck.

The Sheriff says the truck driver is 52-year-old Christopher Ackley.  Ackley is in stable condition at a local hospital.

Pappas is in critical condition in Rochester.  The Sheriff says the road was closed for about an hour and a half.  The road is open now.

My heart goes out to a local teenager and his family following a tragic hit & run collision that occurred on Hoffman Street in Elmira in front of EFA High School.  I have three teenagers of my own who attended EFA and I just hope and pray that this poor teenager will be OK.

While my heart bleeds for the victim, I have nothing but contempt for the driver who hit this poor kid and left the scene.  Several years ago, I represented a family whose 14 year old son was run down and left to die on Maple Avenue and I can still feel the anguish of that family who would always wonder if their son might have been saved had the cowardly hit and run driver stopped and rendered aid to their son……

This latest tragedy involves a teenager who was skateboarding and I was asked by our Elmira TV station, WETM-TV, to discuss the laws that might be applicable to this skateboard and car collision.

As many of my readers know, every Wednesday I do a LawTalk segment on WETM-TV news where I discuss current legal issues and laws.  I love doing these shows for two reasons:  first, it is an opportunity for me to help folks better understand the many laws that effect their daily lives; and second, it is an opportunity for me to improve my own legal knowledge as very often I need to do research to better understand the weekly topic we will be discussing.  It is a win/win for everyone.

This week we discussed the laws pertaining to skateboard use in New York State.  As I told our viewers, under NY law, skateboarders, like bicyclists, have a legal right to use the roads. Bicycles, in-line skaters, and skateboarders may all use the roads subject to the rules of the road that pertain to cars and motorcycles– bicyclists and skaters must obey all traffic signals, signs and pavement markings that apply to other drivers with obvious exceptions and special rules.

I also told our viewers that my best legal advice to the hit & run driver is to promptly talking to a criminal defense lawyer (not me as I only represent injury victims like the skateboarder, NOT the people who inflict those injuries!) and then turn themselves in to the police.  It’s the legal thing to do and it’s the moral thing to do.

My best to the skateboarder and his family.  My best to you and your families.

Thanks for reading.

Thanks, Jim
_________________________________
James B. Reed
NY & PA Injury & Malpractice Lawyer

Here is the WETM-TV Story that prompted our discussion:

Elmira, N.Y. – Elmira Police are saying the teen victim is 18 years of age not 19 as originally reported.  Elmira Police are still searching for the driver involved.  The incident happened around 8pm Tuesday night in front of Elmira Free Academy. Police stated that they are looking for the driver of a golden or tan colored sport style sedan. Officials stated that the vehicle may have damage to the front end.

The 18-year-old victim was taken to Arnot Ogden Medical Center. Police are not releasing his name at this time. One witness tells WETM 18 News that he could not believe what he saw Tuesday night. “I just happened to be looking out the window and I said wow what was that? I thought the car had run over the grate or something but it was so loud. Then I saw something in the street and I thought it was a hat rolling or something and I saw the kid laying there,” stated witness James Banks.

Elmira Police need your help in finding the driver involved. If you have information, you are asked to call them at 271-HALT or the Elmira Police Traffic Bureau at 737-2940.

In handling cases all over NY and Pennsylvania, I am frequently walking the streets near courthouses.  I am always very careful to use crosswalks, not jay walk, and always cross with the light.  Despite all these efforts to stay safe, I have almost been hit more times than I can count.  It seems that drivers don’t understand that they have to yield to pedestrians in the cross walk when they are turning.  Pedestrians have the right away, and are directed by crossing signs (where they exist) to cross with traffic.  In fact, cars are ALWAYS required to yield to pedestrians, even if the car has the right of way.  Just as we are not allowed to smash into a car that fails to yield the right of way to us, we have to do everything we can to avoid hitting pedestrians.

As someone who frequently walks in these crosswalks, it is frustrating that so few people seem to understand when pedestrians have the right away.  In a collision between a car and a pedestrian, it’s obvious who comes out the loser.  In addition to the broken ankles, broken legs, broken hips and internal injuries one would expect from such a collision, there is also a high incidence of head injuries and traumatic brain injuries as pedestrians aren’t wearing protective helmets like bicyclists or motorcyclists.

Over the years, I have handled many cases where pedestrians were struck by drivers, and the results are never pretty.  A recent car/pedestrian collision in Bath, NY, originally reported by WETM TV which I am attaching below,  is a perfect example of  everything that can go wrong.  Oddly enough, I previously handled a car/pedestrian collision at that very intersection.

In this newest incident, it seems that a car driven by60 year old Edward Kuhnen struck not one but two pedestrians (one was an 11 year old child) as he was turning on to Liberty Street in Bath.  Sadly, this accident occurred in broad daylight, occurring at 11:40 AM.  There is no excuse but inattention for this driver to have struck these pedestrians, which is why the driver was ticketed.

Luckily for the pedestrians, they will be covered by no fault insurance, which will pay for their accident related medical costs and any lost wages the adult will suffer, and the pedestrians may also have a good personal injury case against the driver because of his negligent operation of the car.  There will be an absolute minimum of $25,000.00 in available coverage for each of the pedestrians, as that is the absolute minimum coverage required by the State of New York.  If the pedestrians’ injuries exceed $25,000.00, the pedestrians may be able to seek additional compensation from their own automobile insurance carrier or the carrier for a relative they live with.  The rules regarding how much coverage is available and where the coverage comes from are VERY complicated, which is why it makes sense to hire an attorney with experience handling these issues.

Sadly, the entire incident could have been avoided if the driver was paying attention to where he was going.

Thanks for reading, and stay safe out there!

Adam
_______________________________
Adam M. Gee, Esq.
NY and PA Injury and Accident Attorney
The Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William Street
Elmira, NY  14901
Phone: (607)733-8866
Fax: (607)732-6062
Email: agee@zifflaw.com
www.zifflaw.com

Visit the NY Biker Law Blog at www.NYBikerLawBlog.com!

Reported by: Nick Natario
Email: nnatario@wetmtv.com
Last Update: 8/23 11:48 pm

Print Story

|

ShareThis Bath – Two people were sent to the hospital Monday after Bath Police officials say they were hit by a car while they were crossing the road.

The accident happened at 11:40 Monday morning.

Police say Edward Kuhnen, 60 was turning onto Liberty Street when he hit a 51-year-old and 10-year-old.

Both of them were sent to IRA Davenport Hospital, but have been released.

Kuhnen was ticketed for failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians in a crosswalk.

I am no fan of forwarded emails.  I delete most forwards without even opening them first.  So does my husband, a local Chemung County prosecutor.  This morning, however, I was very surprised to find he had sent me a forward.  “This better be good,” I thought, “or else I am going to given him a ration of teasing tonight when we get home!”

He is clearly off the hook.  The message he sent left me feeling sick and a bit shaken.  I consider myself a fairly safe driver, and feel very comfortable transporting my lovely one-year old daughter around Elmira.  However, I am not immune to the lure of 21st century technology, and admit I have — on occasion — been tempted to break the law by talking on my cell phone or even texting while driving.  I know it is unsafe and very irresponsible, but, like many people, I have been torn between the desire to answer the phone and keep driving rather than pull over to take a call.

I will never, ever be tempted to do it again.

Again, I am not someone easily swayed — or even moderately interested — in mass emails, but the message I pasted below will keep my phone off and hidden from this day forward any time I am behind the wheel.

I could not include the last three photos attached to the email.  They are simply too graphic.  At risk of offending you, I will tell you they show a young man in his 20s who has been literally cut in half.  The force of the crash ripped his torso apart near his belly button, and spewed his guts across the road like disgraced roadkill.  He clearly had no chance whatsoever of surviving.  I have seen a lot of graphic photos through my line of work, but still feel sick as I write this blog post.

_________________________

THIS IS NOT PRETTY—WEAK stomach DO NOT LOOK PAST “WERE NOT DONE YET”

The below photo’s truly tell why “no one” should ever talk on the cell phone while driving.

Take a moment and scroll through all the photo’s and they last 2 or 3 should remain in your memory for a long, long time.

PLEASE SHOW THIS TO YOUR CHILDREN AND YOUR GRANDCHILDREN…CELL PHONE USE HAS JUST ABOUT PASSED DRUNK DRIVERS AS THE LEADING CAUSE OF AUTOMOBILE DEATHS!!!

Look at this, you’ll never want to text or cell phone while driving again!!!

THIS IS WHY YOU SHOULD NOT BE TEXTING OR USING YOUR CELL PHONE WHILE DRIVING.

This guy was texting a friend when he crossed the center line!!!!

THIS IS WHY…

AND THIS ….

AND THIS …

AND THIS …

AND ESPECIALLY THIS …

WE’RE NOT DONE YET… if you have a weak stomach do not scroll any further.

Again, for the integrity of this blog and the crash victim I could not include the final three photos.  Trust me when I tell you they were graphic.  Don’t use your phone while driving.  It is just not worth it.

Thanks for reading!!

Christina
_________________________________
Christina Bruner Sonsire, Esq.
NY & PA Injury & Malpractice Lawyer
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William Street
Elmira, New York 14902-1338
csonsire@zifflaw.com
Office: 607.733.8866
Toll-Free: 800.ZIFFLAW (943.3529)
Web: zifflaw.com
Blog: NYInjuryLawBlog.com

Summer is road construction season. A tragic local accident (discussed below) got me thinking that I should send a reminder to my readers that you have to be very attentive to construction vehicles during this busy roadwork and building season.

Construction vehicles are huge, dangerous and unpredictable:

• They are often coming and going from unexpected areas alongside the road.
• They are often working unusual hours early in the morning or late at night.
• Traffic patterns and signage in and around construction sites can often be confusing.

For all of these reasons, you need to be extra careful around construction sites. Please be safe out there!

Here is the sad story reported by WETM-TV that got me thinking of this subject:

“Fatal Accident”

(Nick Natario, Last Update: 7/31 9:56 p.m.)

CAMPBELL – A woman is left dead and two others in serious condition Saturday night after their car slammed into a dump truck Saturday afternoon in Steuben County.

Around 2 Saturday afternoon, Steuben County investigators say the dump truck was trying to turn into a work site on off State Route 415, when a car slammed right into it.

State Route 415 had to be closed for a few hours.

Officials say three women were in the car.

Pauline Rossi, 80, of Horseheads was transported to Corning Hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The other two, Terri O’Rouke, 50, of Elmira Heights and Mary O’Rouke, 55, of Horseheads were airlifted to Robert Packer Hospital.

Neighbors who witnessed the event say they were stunned by the tragedy.

“This was just a simple day out shopping enjoying themselves and something like this is so unfortunate, so horrible that happens and just, it makes my heart drop,” said Donna Sharp.

The sheriff’s office collision reconstruction team was called into the scene.

They are still investigating the crash.

At this time no charges have been filed against the driver of the dump truck.

Thanks for reading,

Jim
_______________________________________
James B. Reed, Esq.
NY Boating Accident Lawyer
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
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
E-mail me at FreeReports@zifflaw.com for two free books:
NY Car Accidents and NY Car Insurance Secrets YOU Need to Know.

The Elmira Star Gazette reported that Steuben County officials identified the driver in a one car crash that occurred at about 5:00 A.M. on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, in Hornellsville.

Sheriff identifies driver in accident that injured 9

The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office named the driver in the one-car accident that injured nine teens Wednesday morning.

Six of the teens remain hospitalized today, deputies said.

The investigation is ongoing, the sheriff’s office said.

As I reported in an post earlier today, this terrible tragedy highlights a number of issues all parents need to consider.  Aside from the obvious concerns about underage drinking and teen drivers, an accident such as this with multiple victims raises several important questions regarding auto imsurance coverage.

Please take the time to read my earlier post, and do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions about your own coverage.  Many times coverage questions are asked after an accident occurs, and generally that is just too late.

Thanks for reading,

Christina

_________________________________
Christina Bruner Sonsire, Esq.
New York and Pennsylvania Lawyer
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William Street
Elmira, New York 14902-1338
csonsire@zifflaw.com
Office: 607.733.8866
Toll-Free: 800.ZIFFLAW (943.3529)
Web: zifflaw.com
Blog: NYInjuryLawBlog.com

A horrific accident involving nine teenagers occurred at approximately 5:00 A.M. on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, in Steuben County, New York (near Corning).  Aside from highlighting the dangers associated with underage drinking and teen drivers, the accident raises several critical insurance coverage issues that every parent should understand.

According to the Elmira Star Gazette (full article pasted below, nine teens were injured in a one car accident in the Town of Hornellsville following an underage drinking party.

The parents of the nine injured teens are facing — or surely will face — tough questions with respect to how or if their children will be compensated as the teens begin the long road to recovery.

In general, parents of children injured in one-car motor vehicle accidents involving multiple passenger need to be aware of the following insurance coverage information:

1.  BASIC NO-FAULT COVERAGE – New York State Insurance Law requires every driver to provide at least $50,000 of Personal Injury Protection (“PIP”) to each passenger of his vehicle regardless of whether he caused the accident or not.  This type of insurance is generally referred to as “No Fault Insurance” because it is triggered even if the driver was not at fault.

What does this mean?  Every passenger in a vehicle is entitled to $50,000 of PIP coverage under the driver’s insurance policy in the event the passenger is injured in an accident.  In general, PIP covers economic losses such as lost wages and medical bills.

Why is this important?  Here, assuming the driver had proper insurance coverage, all nine teens (the driver is entitled to PIP benefits as well) are likely entitled to receive up to $50,000 to compensate them for their economic loss.  In addition, a passenger may be able to collect No Fault PIP benefits under his own policy once PIP iunder teh driver’s policy is exhausted.  This is called “stacking” PIP coverage, and it often allows a passenger to receive up to $100,000 to cover economic loss.

2.  ADDITIONAL NO-FAULT COVERAGE — Residents of New York are also free to purchase additional No Fault coverage in the event they or members of their families are seriously injured in an accident and their economic losses exceed $50,000.  The two primary types of additional coverage are called Additional Personal Injury Protection (“APIP”) and Optional Basic Economic Loss Coverage (“OBEL”).

What does this mean?  If you or a family member are seriously injured in an accident and your economic loss — again, I am primarily talking about lost wages and medical benefits — exceed the available PIP coverage ($50,000), APIP and OBEL can be triggered to cover your excess expenses.  In addition, as a passenger you may be able to collect against the driver’s APIP and/or OBEL coverage, depending on how the policy is written.

Why is this important? According to the Star Gazette article, at least three of the teens suffered serious injuries and were helicoptered to Strong Memorial Hospital.  A helicopter ride alone generally costs around $2,500, and it is safe to assume the medical bills for these teens could approach $50,000 very quickly.

The passengers first need to determine whether the driver had APIP or OBEL coverage.  If so, it is possible the passengers could be compensated for additional economic loss under the driver’s policy, depending on how it was written.

Next, if the teens’ parents have APIP or OBEL coverage, the teens will likely be considered “Resident Relatives” and will meet the standard to be named an “eligible injured person” under their parents’ polices.  (Important tip — MAKE SURE YOU HAVE APIP AND OBEL NO FAULT COVERAGE.  At Ziff we are willing to review your insurance policy FOR FREE. Just stop in or email us a copy of your policy to info@zifflaw.com.)

3.   LIABILITY COVERAGE– In addition to no-fault coverage, New York State Insurance Law requires all drivers to carry at least $25,000/$50,000  liability coverage.  What does this mean?  It means every driver on the road in New York is required to provide at least $25,000 of coverage to any one injured person for non-economic loss(things like pain and suffering, serious disfigurement and loss of enjoyment of life) because of his negligence.  If more than one person is injured, the total maximum recovery is limited to $50,000 regardless of whether two people are hurt or whether 20 people are hurt.  If there are more than two people hurt, those people would have to split the $50,000 “pie”.

Of course, drivers are permitted to carry — and, in my opinion, SHOULD carry –  much higher liability coverage.  Why is this important?  In an accident such as this — where I am Read the rest…

I was shocked and saddened when I read the news of a fatal auto accident early Friday afternoon in Franklin Township. The driver, a woman from Monroeton, drove into the side of a church. She lost her life and a passenger in her car was injured badly enough to warrant his transport to a hospital in Philadelphia.

What happened? According to police, the driver, 66-year-old Gloria E. Morse, drifted into the wrong lane, then over-compensated by veering back so sharply that she lost control of her vehicle. A complete description of the accident, as reported by The Daily Review, “Monroeton Woman Killed When Car Crashes Into Church”, is pasted below. To compound the  tragedy of the crash, Morse was not wearing her seat belt.

This sad accident teaches two important lessons, one of which I have harped on many times—ALWAYS wear your seat belt—and a new subject but an important driving tip—Be very careful in correcting when your tires mistakenly travel on to the shoulder.

Over the years, I have handled countless car crash cases involving fatalities and serious injuries that were caused by a driver “over-correcting” when their wheels drifted off on to the shoulder.

Driving instructors teach that your driving movements must always be smooth and fluid because it is the abrupt turn of the wheel that causes the driver to lose control of their car. We often see this phenomena when driving in the snow or rain.

The bottom line is that when you encounter any slipping or sliding of your vehicle that you react coolly and deliberately to regain control of your car. Resist the temptation to abruptly spin your steering wheel in the opposite direction. SMOOTHLY turn your steering wheel to bring you back to your proper direction of travel.

Some of you may be wondering if the injured passenger, William Buckley, would have a valid lawsuit against the insurance company for the driver. The short answer is Yes. As a person injured as a result of the actions of the negligent driver, a passenger has a right to bring a claim against the driver’s insurance company.

Thanks for reading. Be sure to read the full story about this accident below.

- 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

E-mail me at FreeReports@zifflaw.com for two free books:
NY Car Accidents and NY Car Insurance Secrets YOU Need to Know.

“Monroeton Woman Killed When Car Crashes Into Church”

(The Daily Review, Towanda – James Loewenstein)

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP – A Monroeton woman was killed when the car she driving struck a church in Franklin Township Thursday and partially traveled into the building, state police said.

Gloria E. Morse, 66, of Monroeton RR1 was driving east on state Route 414 at 1:43 p.m. when her vehicle drifted into the westbound lane of traffic, police said.

Morse over-corrected by steering to the right and lost control of her 2000 Buick LeSabre, police said.

The vehicle went off the south side of the road, traveled through a yard and struck the west foundation wall of the Franklindale Christian Church, police said.

When the vehicle came to rest, most of it was inside the church, and only the trunk and part of the rear passenger area remained outside the building, said Cpl. Roger Stipcak of the state police at Towanda.

A man who was a passenger in the vehicle, William Buckley of Canton, suffered moderate injuries in the crash and was transported by emergency medical helicopter to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, police said. A Robert Packer official reported that Buckley was later transported to Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia.

Bradford County Coroner Thomas Carman said he pronounced Morse dead at the scene at 2:15 p.m.

Morse was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, police said.

There was no one inside the church at the time of the crash, Stipcak said.

The car sustained heavy damage, police said.

Stipcak said it doesn’t appear that Morse was speeding. He said that alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

The church is located at the intersection of Route 414 and Preacher Brook Road.

James Loewenstein can be reached at (570) 265-1633; or e-mail: jloewenstein@thedailyreview.com.

For how many years has it been drilled in to our heads that you should NOT drink and drive?

20?   30?

More?

But some people don’t seem to ever get the message. A local story just posted by WETM-TV highlights the dangers of drinking and driving:

Northern Tier Woman Charged for Crash

(WETM-TV, Staci-Lyn Honda)

TOWANDA, Pa. (AP) – A northeastern Pennsylvania woman is facing drunk-driving charges after allegedly causing a head-on crash that hospitalized a congressional candidate.

State police say 23-year-old Michele Jordan Merschbach, of Towanda, had a blood-alcohol content of .169 following the June 1 crash that injured Republican Tom Marino. That’s twice the legal limit for drivers.

If you are injured by a drunk driver in New York or Pennsylvania, you should IMMEDIATELY consult with an experienced injury lawyer who can quickly advise you of very important rights you need to be sure are protected. For 24+ years I have been handling accident and malpractice cases in the Twin Tiers for our friends and neighbors, and if I can ever help you feel free to call or e-mail me ASAP.

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 www.zifflaw.com

E-mail me at FreeReports@zifflaw.com for two free books:
NY Car Accidents and NY Car Insurance Secrets YOU Need to Know.

The most common type of accident case we handle at the Ziff Law Firm is the rear-end collision. These accidents usually occur because the driver who causes the accident is either not paying proper attention (i.e. talking on their cell phone, adjusting the radio, doing their nails—no kidding!) or unsafe driving (i.e. going too fast, following too closely).

Just yesterday, there was a bad accident in Horseheads because a Lowe’s truck driver was following another car too closely. WETM-TV covered the accident with a televised and an online story: “Tailgater Causes Multi-Car Crash on I-86.” Follow the link to read the story or check out the text included below.

As a New York personal injury attorney for more than 20 years I have handled more than my share of these cases. Rear-end collisions are tough on those not to blame – I mean what safe recourse do you have to stop someone from following you too closely? You can tap your brakes, which just seems to egg on some tailgaters, you can let them pass or speed up yourself. It doesn’t seem fair that you should have to compromise your safe driving habits because someone else is acting recklessly – and you shouldn’t. All you can to is take yourself out of the situation when it’s safe to do so – like letting an antsy driver pass you.

Thankfully, no-one was hurt in this I-86 accident. But to top off the aggravation of this incident, the Lowe’s driver was driving with a suspended license! You might think that a clean license would be a requisite for the job!

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
E-mail me at FreeReports@zifflaw.com for two free books:
NY Car Accidents and NY Car Insurance Secrets YOU Need to Know.

Tailgater Causes Multi-Car Crash on I-86

Reported by: Meagan Kolkmann

Email: meagankolkmann@wetmtv.com

Last Update: 5/17 12:39 pm

HORSEHEADS- A tailgater created a big mess for commuters on I-86 West this morning.

Around 9 a.m., a three-car crash brought traffic to a near standstill.

Cars were back up for about an hour while police and emergency crews worked to clear the road.

State police say it all started when a Lowe’s truck was following a Volkswagen in front of it too closely.

When the truck crashed into the back of the Volkswagen it sparked a chain reaction.

That’s when an R.V. smashed into the back of the truck.

Luckily nobody was injured in the crash.

State police say the driver of the Lowes truck was driving with a suspended license.