Recent Blog Posts

Car Accidents, Personal Injury Claims and Bronx Personal Injury Attorney

Scott Felicetti — Thu, 10 May 2012 03:22:00 GMT

Several reports have revealed the prevalence of car accidents in Bronx, New York. There are many causes to this and almost 500 injuries that can be obtained from it. Too often, the injuries are severe, resulting in death or life-altering consequences for the individuals affected. When negligence on the part of other people, government, companies or associations is to blame for the mishap, the victim should know that he has the right to seek personal injury compensation for the damages incurred. If your loved one or you have been injured and wants to know if there is a viable case, a Bronx personal injury attorney is in good position to tell you about your rights and if you are entitled to bring a claim against the other.

Bronx personal injury law protects people from being injured because of the negligence or mistakes made by another. Any injured individuals have the right to bring a claim for compensation with their insurance company or file a lawsuit in the pursuit of that monetary compensation. However, receiving the compensation needed to address all injury related expenditures (i.e. medical bills, use of special equipments, rehabilitation, hospitalization, transportation for check-ups, doctor’s fee, etc.) is never that easy as most people may think.

Nearly all insurance companies are disinclined to provide fair settlements to personal injury sufferers no matter how obvious or severe the damages sustained. Claimants are often visited by claims adjusters who at times find fault on the part of the victim. The duty of these adjusters is to prevent the insurance companies they are working on to put out large cash. Hence, it is always suggested to speak first with a Bronx personal injury lawyer and let him handle all the dealings and other legal matters.

As possible, claimants are advised by personal injury lawyers not to speak with or settle an agreement with claims adjusters as sometimes, the information a victim can give can affect the overall outcome of his case as well as the value of the compensation he can get. If you have been injured because of the negligence of other people, the first thing that you should do is to contact a Bronx personal injury attorney. A qualified lawyer can help evaluate your case and can explain to you your legal rights.

Why Children Should Use Car Seats

Scott Felicetti — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:07:00 GMT

Car accidents are seen as one of the most common causes of death and injuries in children. If you have a child that weighs under 40 pounds and you live in the United States of America, then it is the law that you keep these children in child seats when travelling and if your child is over 40 pounds, you will need to look into your own state’s law to see what you will need to do to keep your little one safe from injury if you should ever be in an accident.

At the birth of your child, you will need a car seat to take the baby home from the hospital because no matter how much you may not want to let that little one go, it is not permitted by law to travel with your child in your hands. However, there are certain specifications that you will need to look out for because not all child safety seats are made equal.

What to consider when buying a child safety seat?

With your little one, it is highly recommended that you use a new car seat due to the fact that you will not get any instructions with used car seats and they may also come with problems such as cracks, which will not keep your child as safe as he needs to be. Did you know that car seats are built with expiration dates on them? Yes, they are and you should never use a car seat that has lived longer than its expiration date; the date is there for a reason because the plastic on the seat may no longer be strong or durable enough to support your little one and if there is an accident, the baby may just end up suffering from an injury.

When choosing a car seat, you will need to look into things such as:

The height and weight of your child, your child’s age, and of course, you will need to consider the type of car that you have as well. The seat that you choose should fit securely in your car and your child should not be too big or too small for your baby.

When shopping for car seats, you should never look to go with the most expensive seats because an expensive price tag does not means that it is the safest or the best. You should feel comfortable when buying your car seat in the USA because all car seats made in the US must meet government safety regulations before they can be sold on the market.

When looking to get a child seat, there are quite a few of them on the market for you to choose from. The types that are on the market include:

The booster seats
The rear facing seats
The seats that face forward
Built in car seats
Car beds

The question is normally ask, is it safer to carry your child in your hands or in a car seat and the answer to this is, always transport your child from one location to the next in a car seat built for their comfort and safety. It is a natural reflex to put your hands forward to prevent yourself from bumping into the seats; therefore, if you have your child in your hands, the shock of an impact will cause you to hold your hands out, which means that you will release your child who will go forward which will cause injury to your baby.

Car seats are also designed to restrain your child; therefore, a car seat will be able to protect your child in a way that you could not if there should be an accident.

If a child has been injured in an auto accident, call a bronx injury lawyer at The Felicetti Law Firm today.

Road Conditions and Car Accidents

Scott Felicetti — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:51:00 GMT

No matter which part of the country you live in, weather, at one time or another will play a major part in driving conditions, and it's important for motorists to realize that their speed and reaction time will be drastically altered, even during the lightest of spring rains. Most drivers are aware that they have to adopt a more defensive driving style during inclement weather, but it's also important that they know what the actual effects are. You can recieve compensation if you were injured with a bronx compensation lawyer.

Rain - Heavy precipitation can mean severely reduced visibility, with water spray from large passing vehicles adding to that. The road will also become much slicker, making the act of stopping quickly next to impossible, and skidding a strong possibility. There is also the danger of aquaplaning, meaning that the water creates a division between tire and road, causing the car to lose control. Rain creates even more problems at night as the lights from oncoming traffic, reflecting off the roads surface, can cause the driver to be blinded momentarily.

Ice - This is fairly easy to negotiate when the ice is clearly visible on the road, but oftentimes, especially when the temperature drops after a rainfall, there can be patches of black ice on the road which will not be noticed by the driver. It's essential to remain vigilant, even if it appears that the road is just slightly wet.

Wind - Most drivers don't even think of wind as a major issue when it comes to driving, but strong gusts can cause the vehicle to drift, and is especially dangerous for larger truck and vans, which are at risk of being blown over in particularly severe winds. This is not only a danger to them, but also to other cars that share the road with them.

Extreme Weather - Although not common, most states have their own versions of seasonal, extreme weather. It could be hurricane season on the Florida coast, blizzards on the east coast, or tornados tearing through central part of the US. These can wreak havoc on driving conditions, and when the conditions are right for them to do so, drivers are best advised to stay off the roads and in the safety of their own homes.

There are many other weather conditions such as fog, hail and snow that can severely affect road conditions, but whatever the weather, drivers should leave home a little earlier, giving themselves time to drive slowly and carefully, whilst still arriving at their destination in plenty of time. The risk of crashes increases greatly when bad weather hits, but the risks can be greatly reduced by motorists who pay attention to the conditions and drive in a manner that fits the road.

If you have been injured in a car accident due to road conditions call a Bronx personal injury attorney from our firm today.

Different Car Accident Injuries

Scott Felicetti — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 21:54:00 GMT

Modern technology is grand, and most of the time it’s relatively safe, but there are some things that seem safe and then come back to hurt those that use them. This of course is most common seen with car accidents. Car accident injuries are common, and can leave even the strongest person in a state of shock, and weakness. When another car collides with your vehicle, the world seems to turn upside down, and pain can set in initially or harbor a festering ailment months later for no apparent reason, which can be painstaking to deal with, but it's not the end. No one can predict when a car accident injury is going to happen, and it’s important to understand that. ABronx personal injury attorney from our firm can assit you. The following are 3 injuries that can occur when worlds collide:

Back – When rear-ended, a vehicle can transfer the force of another car through the body. The isolation of the impact hits so hard on the back that a spinal injury can occur. Most common a sprain occurs but if hit hard enough a person can break their back or have severe disc injury. Either way, this type of ailment can severely cripple a person, and in the worst case scenarios lead to paralysis or even death.
Legs and More – The legs of a person are usually thought of as safe, but in accidents, there are no real safe locations to hide. The legs can be crushed if hit hard enough to pend the front end of a vehicle. Knees, toes, arms and other body parts can receive trauma, and can break, bruise, and become lacerated. These injuries can be mild to severe and in some cases leave a person paralyzed for life.
Hidden Injuries – Some injuries aren’t seen by the naked eye. They are things that scar the mind. The mind can be completely pushed to the limit and for some people; the trauma can last for a long time. Some might not be able to drive or be a passenger, and others could end up with nightmares and worrisome thoughts as well as anxiety when around any sort of vehicle. It’s hard to diagnose this without a proper psychological evaluation, but it’s an injury most people neglect to consider.

There are a lot more problems that can be looked at in regards to car accident injuries, but the aforementioned are just 3 common ailments. Driving can be fun and safe, it’s just a matter of being alert, and well mannered on the road. Something’s are inevitable, and accidents are hard to predict, which is why it’s imperative to try and be safe as best you can.

If you or a loved one have been in a car accident call a lawyer in the bronx from The Felicetti Law Firm.

Top Ten Causes Of Car Accidents

Scott Felicetti — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 03:30:00 GMT

Over the last 30 years there have been major advances in safety measures both inside the car and out. Car designs have been improved to lessen the chance of injury during impact, and modern road safety engineers spend countless hours looking at high impact danger areas, analyzing those results and finding ways to decrease the number of potential accidents. The net result of all these factors has seen the number of motor vehicle accidents decrease from 17.9 million in 1980 to 10.2 million in 2008. As huge a decrease as that is, the number is still too high, and it's interesting to see what the top 10 causes of those accidents are.

10. Road Conditions - Despite the best efforts of city safety engineers, there are still some roads that slip through the cracks and remain a danger. Most of these problems are due to poor maintenance, leaving gaping pot holes and uneven surfaces that are a major hazard to drivers.

9. Reckless Driving - There are those who feel that the rules of the road simply do not apply to them, ignoring signs and all proper signals. This complete disregard puts not only themselves at risk, but also every other car that crosses their path.

8. Speeding - Speed limits are in place for a reason, yet some drivers still feel the need to go over the limit, with many of the accidents occurring in residential areas where kids are at play.

7. Driver Distraction - These range from events taking place inside the vehicle (kids fighting etc.), to outside distractions like construction zones, pedestrians and animals. Taking your eyes off the road for a second or two is more than enough for an accident to occur.

6. Drug Use - While many may believe that illegal drugs are what make this so high on the list, most can actually be attributed to over the counter medications which can cause drowsiness.

5. Drunk Driving - Studies have shown that the inclusion of alcohol into the driving mix not only increases the chance of an accident, but also increases the possibility of serious injury and death when those accidents happen.

4. Rubbernecking - The most severe form of driver distraction, rubbernecking is when drivers get caught up in an outside event; usually another accident or some other sort of road emergency.

3. Multitasking - It's not uncommon to see people applying make-up, reading reports or eating while driving. Any other task added to the act of driving will exponentially increase the probability of an accident.

2. Switching Channels - Everyone loves a little bit of musical entertainment in the car, but taking a hand off the wheel, or the eyes off the road can lead to disaster in the time it takes to skip a track on the CD.

1. Cell Phones - It's alarming how quickly cell phones have vaulted to the number 1 spot, given that they haven't really been around that long. Texting while driving is enemy number 1 at the moment, and has led to a number of states banning it entirely in the car.

These can all be avoided if drivers would simply take the time to pay attention to the road, follow the signs, and leave all other tasks until they arrive at their destination. Doing so could see another large drop in accidents over the next decade or so.

The Dangers of Texting While Driving

Scott Felicetti — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 04:37:00 GMT

There are all manner of distractions that can lead to danger while driving; loud music, multi-tasking, answering cell phone calls, and trying to read a map or directions are just a few, but in recent years, a new distraction has come to the forefront, and is probably the most dangerous of them all. When cell phones first hit the market, people marveled at their convenience and innovation, but as the technology improved, so did the applications and add-ons, with texting easily becoming the most popular option for cell-phone users.

The move to texting was swift, and pretty soon, it became the go-to means of communication for cell phone users. This was all well and good, but when the fascination with texting became combined with the act of driving, accidents started to occur on a much more frequent basis. The problem has become so bad, many states have implemented everything from texting while driving bans to a complete ban of cell phone use in the car. While no national ban exists at this time, the feeling is that it is not too far away.

A study compiled by the Virginia Tech Driving Institute revealed some rather shocking stats in regard to texting while driving. They concluded that those who do so are 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident, and that the simple act of texting puts the user on a more dangerous level than a driver who is operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. While that may seem hard to believe, the studies confirm it, with an impaired driver, traveling at 35mph, covering 4 feet before coming to a full stop, compared to the texting driver who, on average, covers 25 feet before stopping.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have taken a serious look at the texting issue and revealed that in 2008 alone, 5870 people died in texting while driving related accidents. As disturbing as that number is, it doesn’t tell the whole story; there were also 515,000 injuries in crashes, with 28% of all accidents attributed to drivers in the 18-29 age range who admitted to texting while driving.

Teenagers are far more likely to be involved in texting while driving accidents, and that comes as no real surprise given that the average teen texts almost 3500 times per month, and that, combined with their inexperience behind the wheel, is a recipe for disaster. While the new state laws and regulations go a small way to help in bringing down those numbers, parents have to get involved too, and warn their teenaged kids of the dangers. Time will only tell if the regulations are having an effect on the numbers, and if they don’t, then we can all look forward to a total cell phone car ban.

Medical Records and HIPAA Medical Authorizations

Scott Felicetti — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 01:15:00 GMT

If you or a loved one is injured in any type of accident documenting your injuries is very important to a successful claim for money damages. Verbal complaints to family, friends and even doctors alone should not be relied upon to win your case. Your injuries, complaints of pain, as well as limitations in work schedule, social life and daily living must be documented. This documentation takes place in a very simple way. It is by the execution and keeping of medical records by your health care provider.

To access your medical or hospital records a HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act) compliant authorization, signed and dated by the patient must be provided to the health care provider. The records can then be released to the patient, the patient's attorney or whomever is designated by the patient to receive the records. As part of any case involving a claim for personal injuries HIPPA compliant authorizations will be utilized on your behalf to obtain your records. A HIPAA compliant release along with instructions can be found at the link below.

HIPPA RELEASE & INSTRUCTIONS:

http://www.nycourts.gov/forms/hipaa_fillable.pdf

Ambulance Records: When taken by ambulance from the scene of a car accident, slip & fall accident, bicycle accident, motorcycle accident, boating accident or any type of accident a record is made by the ambulance personnel. The document is called an Ambulance Call Report. The Ambulance Call Report will describe your medical condition at the accident scene, what treatment was rendered and a brief description of what happened. The Ambulance Call Report will also indicate what complaints of pain were made by you at the accident scene and whether or not you refused medical treatment and if not refused what medical treatment was rendered. The Ambulance Call Report can be obtained independently or along with the Hospital records if you were brought to a hospital.

Hospital Records: Hospital records are prepared and kept by the hospital for all patients receiving treatment. This includes outpatient treatment as well as inpatient treatment. Emergency room care and any diagnostic testing such as reports of x-rays, CT scans and MRI's are part of your medical record.

Doctors Records: Any physician, chiropractor, physical therapist, psychologist, or other healthcare provider keeps records concerning your medical care, testing and treatment.

"Jackass" Star Dies In Drunk Driving Accident

Scott Felicetti — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 17:29:00 GMT

Ryan Dunn a famous reality television celebrity known for being a member of 'Jackass' was killed, along with his passenger, in a drunk driving accident. On June 20, 2011 at 3:30 a.m. According to the New York Times , Dunn and Zachary Hartwell died when Dunn's car came off the road and hit a tree. Dunn's alcohol level was measured at 0.196%, twice the legal limit. It was reported that Dunn was traveling 135 miles per hour, almost triple the 55 mph speed limit. With drunk driving and speeding being the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents, it should come as no surprise that Ryan Dunn died in this accident. However, his fellow passenger was also a victim of this crash. This accident should serve as a reminder to never ride as a passenger in a motor vehicle operated by someone who has been drinking.

Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death in the U.S. among people the ages of 5-34. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, over 2.3 million drivers and passengers were treated in motor vehicle related crashes in 2009. Alarmingly, 40% of the deaths resulting from such accidents involved alcohol. In addition to speeding, distracted driving and reckless driving, drunk driving is a leading cause of fatalities on our roadways.

Even in popular media we see the results of such recklessness. If you or a loved one has been hurt because of a drunk driver contact the attorneys at The Felicetti Law Firm. We have the experience necessary to handle the unique issues presented by alcohol related accidents.

Sparkler and Firework injuries on the 4th of July

Scott Felicetti — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 18:03:00 GMT

The 4th of July is a fantastic, patriotic holiday. Barbecue, ball games and the beach all mark this holiday. Sparklers and fireworks are also a mainstay of this summer time event. Unique dangers come along with the use of fireworks. In 2008 alone, 8,800 people were injured from the use of fireworks according to a report published last year by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The majority of fireworks injuries occur during the month surrounding the fourth of July. Horrific injuries such as the loss of life and limb are caused by the use of fireworks. However, I would like to take this opportunity to point out a specific type danger posed to children by sparklers. As adults we do not often see sparklers as a danger. They are festive and seem innocent. Nothing could be further from the truth. A sparkler heats up between 1800-2000 degrees fahrenheit. A sparkler reaching 2000 degrees could quickly and severely burn a child or adult. In an instant a child could be permanently disfigured from a sparkler burn. Even more troubling is that many sparkler injuries occur to the eyes of children.

The Felicetti Firm is available to assist you or a loved one with a claim for injuries sustained from any type of firework.

BICYCLE RIDER STRUCK AND KILLED BY U.S. POSTAL TRUCK

Scott Felicetti — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 08:43:00 GMT

Retired Manhattan Supreme Court Special Referee, Marilyn Dershowitz, was reportedly struck and killed while riding her bicycle in Manhattan on Saturday afternoon, July 2, 2011. Ms. Dershowitz is the sister-in-law of Harvard Law School professor and U.S. Constitutional law scholar Alan Dershowitz.

The New York Daily News reported that Marilyn Dershowitz was riding her bicycle on W. 29th St. close to 9th Ave. in Manhattan, New York along with her husband, Nathan Dershowitz, when she was struck by the U.S. Postal truck. It was also reported that Ms. Dershowitz was wearing her bicycle helmet at the time she was struck.

Our sincerest condolences go out to the entire Dershowitz family for this tragic loss.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that riding a bicycle can be more dangerous than riding in a car. Children as well as adults should always wear a helmet and obey the rules as a bicyclist.

Should I call the Police?

Scott Felicetti — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:59:00 GMT

When involved in a car accident, truck accident, pedestrian accident or any type of accident in the Bronx, New York or anywhere adrenaline runs high. Strangely, your instinct may be to "get away" from the accident scene as soon as possible. What you think is a minor accident may not be minor at all. Your initial desire to just put it behind you and get on with your day may be harmful to your health and your potential personal injury claim. This instinct must be resisted. First, if you need medical attention, you must say so at the scene of the accident. Don't wait to see if you feel better later. Get medical attention right away. Second, you must ask that someone call the police if you are unable to make such a call yourself.

The Police arriving at the accident scene will result in the issuance of A Police Accident Report. A Police Accident Report is a crucial document to any claim for injuries sustained in any type of accident. In Bronx County it is the New York City Police Department that will most likely respond to a reported accident. The Police Officer on the scene will gather vital information that will become central to your personal injury lawsuit. The names, addresses, and statements of any witnesses may be recorded on the Police Accident Report. Insurance companies for all parties involved will be identified and recorded. Complaints of pain and injury locations will be documented. Additionally, a diagram and written description of how the accident happened will be illustrated by the Police Officer on the Report. This information is crucial and often has great impact on the outcome of your Bronx personal injury case.

When the unfortunate event of an accident occurs the advice is simple. Call the Police.

Welcome to Our New Personal Injury Blog!

Felicetti Law Firm — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 22:15:00 GMT

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new Bronx personal injury web site and law blog! We have an RSS feed available for you here.