injury

What If I Am Injured In A Car Accident While Riding A Bicycle?

Published on: January 16, 2024 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

Bicyclist-in-traffic-scaled Even the smallest car outweighs the sturdiest of bicycles by a considerable margin. When cycling, the protection offered to riders is minimal, almost non-existent. Cyclists are alarmingly vulnerable to severe injuries in the event of a collision with a motor vehicle. From bone fractures and traumatic brain injuries to organ damage and even death, the impact is bound to be life-altering. The financial ramifications of a car accident as a bicyclist can be grave, as emergency medical treatments and hospitalization typically come at a steep price.

Crucial Steps For Victims Of Car Versus Bicycle Accidents

Suppose you were hit by a car while riding your bicycle. In that case, our battle-tested injury lawyers strongly recommend taking the following steps to safeguard your legal rights:

5 Typical Tactics Of Insurance Companies

Published on: December 12, 2023 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

Ins-Adjuster-Blog-scaled Suppose that you got into a car accident that was not your fault, and you sustained some unfortunate injuries. You are likely feeling highly stressed and overwhelmed. Filing an insurance claim is one of the most critical steps toward obtaining compensation for medical expenses, repair shop costs, missed work, and other damages.

You have probably heard horror stories about insurance adjusters. Some insurance companies are notorious for being difficult with their policyholders. Since New York is a no-fault state, regardless of who caused the collision, you must file a claim with your insurance company to recover compensation. Consequently, you should file an insurance claim as quickly as possible. Below are five tactics insurance companies may try to use against you:

Acting Concerned: Adjusters may call you, pretend they are checking up on you, and offer sympathy. Please do not be deceived into thinking that they care. The truth is that the average insurance company cares more about saving money than helping you. Insurance agents often act like your friends so that you will let your guard down. Once they earn your trust, the adjuster may start questioning you to trick you into saying something they can use against you.

The 5 Most Common Car Accident Injuries

Published on: December 5, 2023 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

top-5-car-accident-injury-blog-scaled According to statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in a recent year alone, approximately 2.74 million victims suffered severe crash-related injuries. Even minor collisions can have grave and lifelong consequences for victims. At the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., our veteran car accident attorneys understand the profound impact that crash-related injuries can have on victims and, ultimately, their loved ones. Being mindful of the most common car accident injuries can help you be prepared to take the proper steps after your crash.

Top 5 Crash-Related Injuries

Injuries resulting from car accidents tend to vary substantially from minor cuts and bruises to traumatic brain injuries and total paralysis. Some types of injuries are more prevalent than others. The majority of injuries caused by collisions are either impact or penetrating injuries. Impact injuries are generally caused when a victim’s body contacts part of the vehicle’s interior, such as your forehead hitting the steering wheel. On the other hand, penetrating injuries are usually caused by loose objects inside the car or shattering glass. In addition to the usual cuts and bruises, the 5 most common car accident injuries include:

5 Tips To Prevent Dog Bites And Dog Attacks

Published on: November 21, 2023 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

dog-blog-scaled More than 4.7 million victims suffer dog bites throughout the United States each year. You may be surprised to learn that most of these bites involve domesticated rather than stray dogs. According to recent statistics, dog breeds like Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Wolf-Dog Hybrids, and Rottweilers are most likely to bite. However, the breed is not the sole factor in determining whether a dog will bite you. Hyperactive canines that are not adequately socialized and do not get enough exercise have the highest risk of biting.

In a recent year alone, approximately 20 percent of dog bite injuries were severe enough for the victims to require emergency medical treatment. Additionally, statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that over a recent ten-year period, there were an average of 43 dog bite fatalities per year. Dog bites are notorious for causing devastating injuries, chronic health issues, and grave psychological wounds, especially in young children.

How To Avoid Being Bit

Pedestrian Safety

Published on: November 14, 2023 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

Pedestrian-Safety-scaled Walking is a great way to get around and get some exercise in the process. Pedestrians can help reduce their carbon footprint while enjoying some fresh air. No wonder walking has become increasingly popular in recent times. However, if you prefer walking, being aware of the risks of being involved in a pedestrian accident is crucial. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in a recent year alone, there were roughly 6,300 pedestrians killed in traffic-related accidents. When on foot, you are approximately 1.5 times more susceptible to being fatally injured in an accident than car occupants.

Every 9 minutes, a pedestrian suffers injuries caused by contact with a vehicle. Given the vast difference between the weight and velocity of your average vehicle and a pedestrian, it is understandable why foot-travelers are so vulnerable, especially considering they lack all protections. Consequently, pedestrian accident injuries are rarely just minor cuts and bruises.

Common Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents

What To Do If You’ve Been Injured In A Wet Floor Accident

Published on: November 7, 2023 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

WET-FLOOR-scaled Wet floors are notorious for causing exceptionally slippery conditions. Consequently, these types of accidents can happen just about anywhere. You may have slipped on a spilled drink at your favorite restaurant or fallen in a shopping mall on some melted ice. Water and other liquids frequently cause wet floor-related hazards in public bathrooms, stairs, building entrances, and grocery store aisles.

Unfortunately, wet floor accidents can be much more devastating than you would think. Suddenly, losing your balance and falling on a hard floor can have life-altering consequences. According to the National Foor Safety Institute (NFSI), each year, wet floor slips and falls result in over 1 million emergency department visits. Slipping and falling on a wet floor can be deeply troubling, especially when you suffer severe injuries or worse.

Essential Steps To Take After Your Fall

What To Do If A Drunk Driver Has Injured You

Published on: November 1, 2023 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

What-to-do-after-a-drunk-driver-injures-you-blog-scaled There is no denying that getting behind the wheel after even a few drinks can be fatal. However, accidents caused by drunk drivers continue to happen at an alarming rate all across the United States. Over 30 percent of all crash-related deaths throughout the country involve drunk drivers. In a recent year alone, 13,384 victims tragically lost their lives in these preventable collisions. That’s approximately one victim killed in a drunk-driving accident every 39 minutes. Fortunately, not every crash caused by a drunk driver results in death. Still, the injuries you sustain may be devastating and life-altering.

Critical Steps To Take After The Accident

Getting hit by a drunk driver can dramatically alter your life in an instant. One minute, you are driving down the street. Then, suddenly, you are injured and forced to deal with the consequences of another’s recklessness. Immediately following a drunk driving collision, you will likely feel shocked, angry, and confused. However, it is essential to remain as calm as possible and complete the following steps to protect yourself and your family:

The 5 Gravest Dangers Of Drunk Driving

Published on: October 19, 2023 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

Drink-and-Drive-Blog-scaled In New York State, driving while intoxicated is a serious crime, and DWI laws are strictly enforced. Alcohol can start impacting your motor skills and impair driving skills with a blood alcohol content as low as 0.01. Consequently, even if your BAC is below the legal limit, driving with even a small amount of alcohol in your system can still be extremely dangerous.

Why Drinking And Driving Is So Dangerous

In a recent year alone, 13,384 victims died in alcohol-related accidents. In addition to this tragic drunk driving statistic, below are crucial reasons never to drink and drive:

5 Tips To Avoid Rear-End Collisions

Published on: October 10, 2023 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

Dont-Tailgate-Blog-scaled If you or a loved one were involved in a car accident, there is a one-in-three chance it was a rear-end collision. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-enders account for over 32 percent of all car accidents. While many of these accidents occur at low speeds, rear-end collisions still cause severe injuries and deaths.

You may be wondering why fender benders occur so often. Most rear-end collisions are caused by driver error. Although you cannot change how other motorists behave, you have complete control over your driving. In this blog, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s battle-tested car accident lawyers will discuss essential tips to avoid rear-end collisions.

Safety Measures That Will Lower Your Risk

How To Be A Safer Driver

Published on: October 3, 2023 | By Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

Safe-Driver-post-1-scaled Driving is one of the riskiest things you do every day. Many careless actions, such as speeding, giving in to distractions, and fatigued driving, can all significantly increase your risk of crashing. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is especially dangerous. Fortunately, there are simple steps that you can take to keep yourself and others safe.

Five Things You Can Do To Be A Safer Driver

Concentrate on the Road: You may have been driving for years or even decades and feel like you can do it without much thought. However, we cannot stress the importance of always keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, in a recent year alone, distracted driving killed 3,142 victims. Therefore, avoiding all distractions, like eating or drinking, scrolling through social media, talking on your cell phone, and applying makeup behind the wheel, is crucial.