Elmira Injury Lawyer Learns a Lesson About Crosswalk Safety!

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Adam Gee

Always press the crosswalk button before trying to cross a busy street, including Elmira's dangerous Clemens Center Parkway.

Many pedestrians have been killed and injured trying to cross the Clemens Center Parkway in Elmira, the four-lane, 40-mph road that cuts through the center of the city.

There is not much pedestrians can do when confronted by distracted, careless or intoxicated drivers. We have written extensively about the dangers facing pedestrians in previous blog posts about those incidents. But there is something pedestrians can do that will help them to cross this and other intersections safely.

As spring arrives and the weather warms up, I love to walk from our office to downtown to grab some lunch. A quick walk and some fresh air and sun is a welcome break from the office grind. On these walks, though, I have noticed what I thought was a problem with several crosswalks and especially the crosswalk indicator lights. There are several intersections where the “cross” indicator never came on when the light changed, and the traffic signal was so short that I didn’t have time to cross the intersection before it changed again. This was a huge problem at the intersection of Clemens Center Parkway and Second Street, where the green light for Second Street is very short, and the distance a pedestrian has to travel across Clemens Center Parkway is in the vicinity of 100 feet. I thought that something must be wrong with the intersection lights, and made a note to call the City of Elmira to alert them to this problem.

I consider myself I pretty savvy person, especially when it comes to my personal safety. I have lived and worked and traveled in cities before, and doing what I do for a living makes me extra cautious. But I learned something new the other day from a fellow pedestrian. I watched a woman ahead of me on second street reach the intersection with Clemens Center Parkway and push the big button on the pole near the corner. When the traffic signal changed to green for Second Street, the “cross” light for pedestrians magically illuminated and stayed lit long enough for pedestrians to safely cross the intersection!

Like most people (or is it just me?) I knew the button was there but ignored it, thinking its only purpose was to prompt the traffic light to change more quickly. I usually ignored the button out of sanitary concerns more than anything else.

I had no idea that those buttons cause the pedestrian crossing system to activate and change the timing of the traffic signal light changes to provide enough time for pedestrians to safely cross the intersection!

I HOPE that this was simply my country roots showing and that I am the only person who didn’t know this. If I’m not, please learn from my mistake, press the button, and give yourself enough time to cross that intersection safely!

Thanks for reading,

Adam
__________________________________________

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

My book, “Would You Ride Your Motorcycle Naked?” is available FREE to New York and Pennsylvania bikers; follow the link to order your copy.

Police Investigate ‘Really Scary’ School Bus Crash, Says NY and PA Accident Lawyer

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Jim Reed

Police are investigating an accident Monday that injured schoolchildren in Bradford County.

A school bus accident is one of parents’ worst nightmares. Fortunately for parents in northern Pennsylvania, a crash Monday involving a school bus and a minivan does not appear to have been serious.

Please notice that I said it “does not appear to have been serious.” Sometimes, minor accidents can cause serious injuries that are not immediately evident. That is why I always encourage all accident victims to be checked by a doctor as soon as possible after an accident, even if they feel OK.

Some of the students told WETM-TV it was one of the scariest moments of their lives. Any accident involving a bus full of children is SERIOUS.

Here is what happened Monday, according to WETM-TV:

State Police in Bradford County said a minivan rear-ended a school bus carrying the Canton Junior High School girls and boys basketball teams at Woodruff Road and State Route 414 in Leroy Township.

Students told police the bus stopped quickly when a car in front of the bus stopped suddenly to make a turn.

Ten children were sent to hospitals in Towanda and Troy to be checked for possible injuries.

WETM spoke with two of the girls leaving Troy Community Hospital Monday evening.

An eighth-grader, Lizzy Tymeson, told WETM: “All of a sudden, we slammed on the brakes because the car in front of us was going really fast and wanted to turn. When we slammed on the brakes, our heads slammed forward. The car went into us too fast. It was really scary.”

Lizzy said her twin sister was being tested for a possible concussion.

A seventh-grader, Jewell Vanryn, said, “It’s kind of scary because you don’t expect things like that to happen because you don’t ever think it’s going to happen to you.”

State police said no one suffered life-threatening injuries. The teams were headed to Towanda.

State police declined to identify the drivers involved or any other details as of Tuesday.

Residents of Elmira, Corning and the Twin Tiers, remember to always get checked by a doctor, even if it is a “minor” motor vehicle accident!

Thanks for reading.

Thanks, Jim
_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Injury & Malpractice Lawyer

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com

Blogs: NYInjuryLawBlog.com and

NYBikeAccidentBlog.com

Disturbing Rates of Local Felony DWI Cases are Alarming Safety Concern, Says NY Accident Attorney

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Christina Sonsire

In the Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin, the headlines seem omnipresent: there is a startling increase in local DWI cases. This is a great safety risk, and, as we are already starting to see, it is already leading to accidents.

A 30-year-old Whitney Point man was sent to the Broome County jail without bail after being charged with felony driving while intoxicated on March 8^th.

In a crash on I-88 last weekend, a 38-year-old Castle Creek woman was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Her car had “extensive damage” according to a Binghamton-based news report.

A 35-year-old Endicott man was arrested after driving with a blood alcohol content of over .18 percent. He was driving to the left of pavement markings, was unlicensed, and faces a variety of other traffic violations.

According to the Press and Sun Bulletin, on March 7^th, there was a four-car crash in Vestal, NY. Two of the four drivers involved now face ensuing DWI charges. One woman, Tonya Silvestri, faces a felony count of driving while intoxicated with a passenger younger than 15 years. The other driver, Stephen Hawkins, was driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.17, a rate that is more than twice the legal limit. Police then went on to make 5 additional DWI arrests in the same weekend—just in Vestal alone!

Last Sunday, Detective Captain John P. Shea of the Binghamton police was driving a city car when he was charged with driving drunk. You can read the comments posted by local citizens about this incident here.

These select incidents are only a few examples of the recent headlines in Binghamton. As an accident attorney, I know that DWI cases are a factor in many accidents and are present in any area. This uptick in DWI arrests, however, is an important trend, one of which others should take note. When more people drive drunk, accidents are bound to occur. When police are arrested for driving drunk in city cars, it is evident that reform must be made. Citizens—be it a mother driving with her young daughter or a police captain entering his night shift— need to take responsibility for their driving and make safety a greater priority.

What do you think about the recent drunk driving arrests? We would love to hear your comments below!

Thanks, 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

When a Walk across the Street Becomes a Cause of Death: Examining the Pedestrian Accident on Broad Street in Waverly

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Christina Sonsire

The road was blocked off and a tent was put up after a pedestrian accident in Waverly. Photo courtesy of wetm-tv.com.

80-year-old Norma M. Ivester was always concerned about the traffic on her road. Often discussing it with her neighbor, Genevieve Babcock, Ms. Ivester even said, “The way some people drive, someone will get hit out here.” Ironically, Ms. Ivester died this week in a fatal pedestrian accident outside her home on Broad Street in Waverly.

On March 14, Ms. Ivester walked across the street to get her morning paper at Ted Clark’s Busy Market. At 8:17 a.m., on her way back across the street, she was hit by a passing car.

The incident has deeply affected many in Waverly. In a WETM-18 News story, resident Joe Carnrike said, “I’m thinking, why do things like this always happen to the nicest people?” Family and friends unanimously have named Ms. Ivester as “one of the nicest and [most] caring women they ever knew,” according to the article. Ms. Babcock described “a caring woman who couldn’t do enough for anybody,” and Ms. Ivester’s sister-in-law said simply, “She was a kind and loving person. She was a good neighbor and a good family member.”

So, what happened? How could a short trip to get a newspaper turn into a death sentence for a woman described as “careful” and “always looking out for others”?

While the investigation of this particular case is ongoing, part of the accident may lie in Broad Street itself. The area is full of pedestrians, with shops ranging from office product stores to thrift shops to coffee houses. Broad Street also extends into a less populated area where the speed limit increases. For cars rushing to join highways like the nearby Southern Tier Expressway, speeding may seem inconsequential for a relatively small few blocks on Broad Street. With pedestrians and nearby New York State Bicycle Route 17, however, temptation can turn into tragedy.

Charges have not yet been filed in Ms. Babcock’s case and it is unclear if the driver of the 1997 Mercury that hit her was driving distracted or even speeding. What is clear, however, is that this story is representative of a larger, more dangerous trend: the lack of caution among drivers on Broad Street. Ms. Ivester’s own warning about drivers stands in grave poignancy, foreshadowing a death for a beloved community member.

Ms. Ivester’s sister-in-law said, “Everyday she went across the street for her paper, and this shouldn’t have happened to her.” Indeed, a trip to get a newspaper across the street should not be a cause of death. Stricter enforcements are needed to ensure safety on Broad Street.

Thanks, Christina

GPS In Shoes Offers Hope For Dementia, Alzheimer’s Caregivers

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Adam Gee

GPS technology may help caregivers keep a close eye on Alzheimer's and dementia patients.

The recent death of a Lansing woman is a grim reminder of the toll Alzheimer’s disease and dementia take on our elderly residents and their families, who are often their overwhelmed caregivers.

Johanna L. Kirkwood’s body was found Monday, two days after she wandered from her home in Lansing, according to the Star-Gazette. Her husband had gone to the store about noon Saturday, and when he returned, she was gone.

Police and rescue workers searched for two days, and found her body Monday not far from her home. She was 82 years old.

Mrs. Kirkwood’s death is a tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers go out to her husband and other family members.

Bob Kraft, an elder law attorney in Texas and a friend of the Ziff Law Firm, wrote this week about an exciting new use of GPS technology that may help other families avoid facing a terrible tragedy similar to what happened in Lansing.

Bob wrote about two companies that have placed GPS technology in footwear so when people like Mrs. Kirkwood wander off, as long as the patient is wearing shoes, the patient can be located. The shoes send an alert if the patient goes beyond a designated safe area, Bob said. As Bob notes, this is very helpful for caregivers and families.

Bob learned about this product from an article in the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper. The newspaper said the companies, in New Jersey and California, have created a shoe that uses GPS technology to track the movements of people wearing the shoes.

Aetrex Worldwide of New Jersey began selling the shoes on its website last month and has sold “a few hundred pairs” so far. The company president said they are in talks with the Department of Veterans Affairs and assisted-living companies about selling the shoes.

The shoes sell for $299, plus a monthly tracking fee, but as any caregiver of an alzheiners or dementia patient in Elmira, Corning and the Twin Tiers will tell you it is a price well worth paying for the patient’s safety – and the caregivers’ peace of mind.

Thanks for reading.

Adam
__________________________________________

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

NY Accident Attorney Comments on Rising Rate of Teen Driving Deaths

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Christina Sonsire

According to USA Today, a recent study by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) shows that teen road deaths in the first 6 months of 2011 went up 11%, marking an increase for the first time in 8 years.

Experts attribute this increase to two main factors:

1.) The improving economy means that more drivers—including teens— are hitting the roads

2.) The effect of graduated driver licensing programs, or GDLs, is leveling off

So, given these factors, what can be done to combat the rate of teen driving accidents? While a wide variety of factors go into safety, I was struck by a recent AAA study saying that the average parent spends less than 2 hours per week in the car with their teen while he or she is learning how to drive. Most of those hours include little practice in more difficult driving conditions, like inclement weather or darkness.

While both teens and parents are incredibly busy, the importance of a teen having driving experience with a parent cannot be overstated. If parents spent more time in the car with their teens, the rate of teen driving deaths would be far more likely to decrease.

NBC Nightly News, the source that featured information about the AAA study, also showed footage of accidents avoided when a parent drove with their child.

Car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers. 16 teens per day die in car accidents, making a startling 6,000 deaths per year. Parents can help decrease this number just by sitting in the front seat.

This experience is especially important when teens get behind the wheel by themselves. Teens are 50% more likely to crash in the first month of driving than at any other time. Parents should try to ride along with teens when possible—even after an official license is issued.

There are so many factors that go into dangers on the road. The best thing that parents can give a child when they hand over the keys is the gift of experience with a practiced, trusted driver. It could save your teen’s life.

Thanks, Christina

NY Accident Attorney Discusses Ideas to Prevent Accidents among Elderly Drivers

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Christina Sonsire

NBC Nightly News recently featured a story highlighting accident rates among elderly drivers.

It is something with which so many of us can identify: the independence that comes with driving a car. It is this feeling of freedom, however, that can often be the cause of safety concerns among elderly drivers.

NBC Nightly News broadcast a report last week entitled, “Too Old to Drive?” The segment featured some alarming statistics: according to the most recent studies, 600 drivers over age 65 are involved in an accident every day in the United States. Nine of those drivers die.

In a world in which drivers aged 65 and older are one and a half times more likely to get into an accident than middle-aged drivers, it is time to acknowledge the gravity of these facts and work to take action to prevent accidents. Americans aged 65 and over are the fastest growing age group in the country. By 2030, these citizens are expected to be 25% of the driving population. In his or her own small way, each person can work to ensure that this 25% is responsible and safe.

It is important to acknowledge that I want to avoid blanket statements; not all elderly drivers are inherently unsafe. It can be challenging, however, to gauge when and if the time comes to surrender the keys to a car— and the freedom and confidence that comes with it.

It is important to take precautions: if you have a loved one whose driving concerns you, ride along with them. Look for a slow reaction time, the driver getting lost, or trouble merging. This can help you to engage in an honest, open discussion.

Another great way to better ensure safety is stricter state restrictions in regard to elderly drivers. 33 states, including Pennsylvania, have enacted tougher driving requirements for elderly drivers. By giving a basic driving test or having people answer simple health questions, an objective, official opinion can be brought into a family’s discussion about safe driving. This is a great step to avoid accidents, and I hope that New York follows Pennsylvania’s example.

The topic of when to take the keys away is incredibly difficult. It involves so many emotions and a sense of pride and independence. I can certainly empathize with this, but I hope that the above statistics are a wake-up call and a reminder of what is truly at stake when a driver of any age gets behind a wheel. Discussing driving with an elderly loved one may be hard now, but I sincerely believe that it can save lives.

Thanks, Christina

NY Attorney Comments on Startling Accident on Market Street

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Christina Sonsire

A car is visible inside a Market Street storefront in Corning on Tuesday morning.

A car crash took place in the Market Street storefront of the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes this morning. Photo courtesy of the Elmira Star-Gazette.

As an accident attorney, I have become accustomed to seeing a wide range of accident scenes and scenarios. Today, however, I was nevertheless surprised to hear about a car crashing through a Market Street storefront.

86-year-old Rosario Miller crashed his car into the storefront of the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes. Luckily, neither the female passenger in the car nor the four employees working inside the office at the time were injured. Mr. Miller was taken to various local hospitals for treatment, and our thoughts and prayers are certainly with him.

What struck me most about this story- and, judging from the readers’ comments on the story in the Elmira Star-Gazette and the Corning Leader- was how such an accident can occur in a time and place when we least expect it. As trite and cliché as that sounds, 10:30 A.M. on Valentine’s Day on a popular street known for pedestrian traffic and quaint storefronts, is a startling reminder of the abrupt and shattering nature of accident scenes.

Hopefully, this story will serve as a reminder to stay alert both on the roads and while walking on sidewalks. Who knows? You could be strolling along Market Street, focusing simply on finding a card on Valentine’s Day, and an accident could occur right in front of you!

Hope everyone is having an enjoyable- and safe- Valentine’s Day!

Thanks, Christina

With Tougher Penalties for Distracted Driving, a Greater Chance for Safety

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Christina Sonsire

A new New York State law with harsher penalties for texting while driving could help to increase safety on the roads.

A recent front-page article in the Elmira Star-Gazette delivered some excellent news; in fact, the headline says it all: “Tickets for Texting Soar.” Indeed, under a recent law, drivers caught using electronic devices while driving could face a $150 fine and three points on their driver’s licenses.

In the article, Barbara Fiala, commissioner of the state Department of Motor Vehicles, said, “We currently have one of the strongest anti-distracted-driving laws in the country.” Last July, a state law made texting a primary offense, meaning that a police officer could pull someone over if the officer suspected texting behind the wheel. And in a state where more than 570 tickets were issued in Chemung and Steuben County alone for cell phone and texting violations over the past 7 months, taking even greater measures to crack down on distracted driving will, true to Ms. Fiala’s words, help to better ensure our local status as having one of the “strongest”- and safest- “anti-distracted-driving laws in the country.”

As an accident attorney, I could not support this new law more. Cell phones- and the temptation to use them while driving- are a prevalent part of everyday life. This legislation and the penalties it will inflict are a wonderful reminder of just how important it is to drive safely and just how much one can stand to lose by driving distracted (and, as I see on a regular basis, it is a lot more than a $150 fine!).

The article included an especially poignant statistic: according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 5,400 people were killed and almost 450, 000 were injured nationwide in crashes involving distracted-driving in 2009. What these incredible statistics may not portray, however, is the depth of the suffering for those involved. The legislators behind the new texting and driving law made their decision about the specifics for the new law after hearing testimony from local officials and residents, including Jacy Good. Miss Good, of White Plains, lost her parents and the use of one arm in a 2008 Pennsylvania distracted driving crash. She missed her parents’ funeral because she was in a coma.

Please learn from Miss Good’s story. If hearing about the suffering of distracted driving accident victims is not enough, instead take heed from the potential penalties of this new law. It will save lives- and hopefully bring a sense of justice to people like Jacy Good.

Thanks, Christina

NY Attorney Comments on Local Dog Bites and Dog Attacks

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Christina Sonsire

On a beautiful afternoon, like many in the Twin Tiers, I can certainly see the appeal of wandering around downtown Ithaca and shopping in The Commons. What I often do not factor into this idyllic scene, however, is the danger of dogs.

Authorities in Ithaca are seeking a puppy after it bit a man in the Ithaca Commons. What is especially amazing to me about this incident is that the dog was on a leash and with its owner. The victim reached down to pet the dog and was then bitten.

This incident is only one of several recent dog bites in Ithaca, including incidents in October and December.

Our firm has represented many victims of dog attack and bite cases, so we know the permanent physical and emotional scars that can be left after these frightening incidents.

In a world in which half a million people bit by dogs last year required hospitalization, these bites are a reminder of the dangers that even friendly-looking dogs can pose.

These bites are also a reminder to socialize your dogs, especially when they are between the ages of 8-12 weeks. While many of us at Ziff love animals ourselves, it is important to stay safe and recognize the potentially dangerous nature of dogs.

If you or someone you know has a question about dog attacks or bites, please call us at 1-800-ZIFFLAW or email us at info@zifflaw.com. We would be happy to talk to you about your legal rights and options and try to answer your questions.

Thanks, 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