Stray-Dog-Blog-scaledAccording to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 4.7 million victims are bitten by dogs throughout the United States annually. Most people do not realize how dangerous and even fatal being bitten by a stray dog can be. The CDC reported that there were over 60 reported cases of rabies amongst dogs in a recent year alone. If the laceration gets infected or the dog has rabies, it could give rise to severe health complications.   

Critical Actions To Take After a Dog Bite

Roughly 1 out of 5 dog bite victims suffer injuries severe enough to require medical treatment. In the most severe cases, dog bites can result in amputation, nerve damage, permanent disfigurement, and death. The first concern with stray dog bites is infections, which may require intravenous antibiotics and hospitalization. That is why the most important thing you can do after getting bitten is see your primary care provider. 

Slip-And-Fall-Blog-Post-scaledEach year, more than 8 million visits to emergency departments throughout the United States are caused by trips, slips, and falls. Accounting for 15 percent of all unintentional deaths, trips, slips, and falls are second only to car crashes. Additionally, falls are the primary cause of injury-related deaths for senior citizens. While a sudden fall may take you by surprise, the steps you take after your fall can significantly impact your ability to obtain reasonable compensation. Like most slip and fall victims, you might not know where to begin. In this blog, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s battle-tested attorneys will discuss 6 crucial tips to protect you after a slip and fall. 

Steps After Your Stumble 

Suppose you or a loved one have been the victim of a slip and fall accident. In that case, it is essential to take the below actions to ensure your safety and protect your legal rights:

Construction-Zone-Road-Work-Ahead-scaledAnother road construction season comes every year. While some drivers might get a little annoyed when they see the flashing arrows and orange cones, it is essential to remember construction crews are just doing their jobs. Without them, our roads and highways would never get repaired or resurfaced. You might not consider the dangers these workers encounter on the job, but being hit by a passing vehicle is at the top of the list. The additional challenges and distractions of construction zones also generate more significant risks for everyone on the road.  

Driving Through Construction Zones Safely

As potholes are being filled and our roads are being mended, it creates a certain level of chaos. Lanes get reconfigured with orange cones and concrete barriers seemingly popping up everywhere. As a result, vehicles from other lanes are all trying to merge into the remaining lanes. Safely navigating through this added congestion requires a calm, disciplined, and focused approach. Below, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s attorneys have listed some tips that can help protect you and reduce your risk of being involved in a construction zone accident:

Speeding-BLOG-scaledEveryone leads a hectic life from time to time, and it is easy to get caught up in our busy schedules. Consequently, many drivers find themselves in a rush behind the wheel to reach their destinations on time. Regardless of how late you are, avoiding driving faster than the speed limit is crucial. Speed limits are posted for the safety of everyone on the road. Driving too fast will not only put you in danger but also others in the area, such as your passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and occupants of other vehicles. 

Reasons Why Speeding Is So Dangerous 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding played a significant role in about one-third of all fatal collisions over the last two decades. In a recent year alone, speeding claimed the lives of nearly 11,300 victims. In addition to these tragic speeding statistics, below are seven reasons not to speed:

Dont-Text-and-Drive-BLOG-scaledA fundamental rule lies at the heart of driving safely: unwavering attention to the road ahead. It’s a universally acknowledged truth that texting while driving can unleash a cascade of catastrophic events—wreaking havoc in the form of harrowing accidents, grievous injuries, and tragic loss of lives. We’ve all encountered those disconcerting moments behind the wheel, encountering fellow drivers whose focus seems adrift. Imagine the vehicle just ahead, swaying unpredictably. Despite your persistent horn blasts, the driver remains unperturbed. Frustration builds until you manage to overtake, only to catch a glimpse of the culprit—engrossed in texting on their phone. Does this unsettling scenario sound familiar?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nine lives are lost daily due to crashes involving distracted drivers. Distracted driving covers a lot—think scrolling through social media, munching on a snack, applying makeup, refereeing backseat battles, and even giving your GPS more attention than the road. However, texting seems to be among the worst of the long list of distractions. The latest stats suggest that if you’re texting while driving, you run a 23 times greater risk of crashing. If that’s not enough to convince you, here’s a list of reasons to kick that texting habit to the curb while you’re behind the wheel:

  1. Texting while driving is a punishable offense in New York State;

Recovering-After-An-Accident-scaledBuckle up for a startling revelation: in the United States, a car accident occurs every minute, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Collisions have stealthily climbed the ranks to become one of the top three leading causes of preventable injuries and deaths. From minor fender benders to heart-stopping head-on encounters, the aftermath of each car accident can unleash a devastating wave of severe bodily harm, psychological trauma, and emotional distress.

In a recent year alone, there were 2,282,015 reported car accident-related injuries. While fortunate victims may only be subjected to minor cuts and bruises, far too many suffer devastating injuries. Your road to recovery will be heavily contingent on the scope and severity of your wounds. Additionally, the amount of time needed for recovery after a crash-related injury depends on factors such as your overall health, age, lifestyle, and how quickly you get treatment.

Seek Medical Care As Soon As Possible

Find-Lawyer-Blog-post-scaledGetting into a car accident can be terrifying and nerve-racking, especially if you or a passenger have suffered severe injuries. You may not know where to turn, and to add insult to injury, it may feel like your insurance company is not offering you the compensation you deserve. Your injuries may be causing you considerable pain and make it impossible to maintain the same job or even work at all. 

As your hospital bills and other medical expenses pile up, you may decide to retain an attorney. The importance of retaining a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury lawyer cannot be overemphasized. In this guide, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s team offers the following tips to help you find a competent attorney to handle your case:

  1. Conduct Research: Assessing potential law firms has never been easier with the internet. Start by searching for personal injury attorneys in your area. Check their Google reviews and Better Business Bureau rating.

Man-Reporting-Car-Accident-scaledMillions of car accidents take place throughout the country each year. Unfortunately, many crashes result in costly property damage, severe personal injuries, and sometimes even wrongful death. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s top rated car accident injury lawyers realize that getting into a collision can be a frightening ordeal. After being the victim of an accident, it is only natural to be confused, upset, and frightened. It is common to endure post-psychological shock symptoms, such as racing thoughts, heightened anxiety, panic, and increased heart rate. 

The actions you take immediately following a collision could meaningfully impact the outcome of your prospective case. Even a relatively minor mistake could lead to you receiving considerably less compensation. Fortunately, there are some actions that you can take to help strengthen your potential claim. Below, our highly experienced Buffalo car accident injury lawyers will educate you on the 10 most critical things to do after a crash:

  1. Pullover Immediately: Find a safe, well-lit place nearby to pull over. Try to remain calm and turn on your emergency flashers to warn approaching vehicles. 

Back-Up-Camera-scaledMost new car models offer sophisticated safety features like collision avoidance systems, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure technology. Despite state-of-the-art advancements in car safety, getting behind the wheel is still one of the most dangerous things the average person does daily.

Cases of drunk driving, reckless driving, speeding, and distracted driving have become increasingly prevalent. These careless behaviors lead to more crashes and endanger innocent lives. Fortunately, there are some measures you can implement to make your car safer. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s battle-tested car accident lawyers will divulge several safety tips in this guide.

Crucial Tips On Improving The Safety Of Your Vehicle

HIT-AND-RUN-BLOG-scaledThe streets of New York State have become a battleground for a disturbing trend: hit-and-run collisions. In a perfect world, every motorist would adhere to the law, stopping and exchanging information after a collision. But alas, some drivers seem to have a knack for playing hide-and-seek with responsibility. They strike another vehicle, a cyclist, or even an innocent pedestrian, only to vanish into thin air, leaving victims stunned and vulnerable. As hit-and-run accidents increase in Western New York, it’s time to arm yourself with knowledge and protection. The renowned legal experts at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. are sounding the alarm and urging you to join the ranks of the prepared. In this guide, we will unveil the secrets to safeguarding yourself from these evasive culprits so that you can confidently and safely navigate the roads.

Are You In Danger Of Being Involved In A Hit-And-Run?

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the following factors could increase your risk of being a victim of a hit-and-run accident:

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