Articles Posted in Car Accident

ROAD-RAGE-BLOG-scaledFrustration behind the wheel is something most of us can relate to. Whether it’s a near-miss collision, an abrupt cut-off, or a blatant disregard for traffic rules, we’ve all experienced that surge of anger. However, what starts as a simple irritation can quickly escalate into a dangerous phenomenon known as road rage.

Road rage is the embodiment of a driver’s unbridled fury, triggered by the actions of another motorist and manifested through violent or aggressive behavior. Disturbingly, this destructive behavior has surged in recent years, posing a significant threat to countless innocent individuals on the road. It encompasses not only attempts to damage vehicles but also terrifying acts of intimidation, injury, and, in some cases, even death.

Join us as we uncover the startling truth behind road rage and its impact on our daily lives. Discover the steps we can take as individuals and as a society to curb this dangerous epidemic, ensuring our roads become safer for everyone who travels upon them.

ERIE-DROWSY-DRIVER-scaledDiscover the hidden epidemic sweeping our nation’s roads, threatening the lives of countless innocent individuals: drowsy driving. In a sleep-deprived society where the average American gets less than 7 hours of rest each night, the consequences can be dire. Astonishingly, despite the universal understanding that driving while drowsy is a recipe for disaster, a staggering 40% of drivers openly confess to embarking on their journeys in a fatigued state. Brace yourself for an even more alarming statistic: a shocking 20% of motorists, in the past year alone, have admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel.

Sleep-deprived drivers can quickly doze off for a few seconds without realizing it. While this might seem harmless, at 65 miles per hour, you could drive the length of an entire football field in that time. Additionally, being awake for over 20 hours is equivalent to having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent. In a recent year alone, drowsy drivers were responsible for at least 684 known fatalities. Sadly, most devastating accidents could have easily been prevented with proper due diligence and reasonable care.

Crucial Tips To Avoid Drowsy Driving

Woman-Calling-for-help-after-car-accident-scaledBased on the crash data analysis of 200 cities across the United States, Buffalo, New York, ranked 148th concerning driver safety. The average local driver is involved in a car crash every 8 years. Considering that the average American driver is only likely to be involved in a collision once every 18 years, Buffalo drivers have more than double the risk of being involved in car accidents. If you find yourself in such a situation, it is essential to understand how the type of car accident you were involved in can impact your personal injury case.

The Most Common Types Of Car Accidents

Below, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s veteran collision attorneys have listed the most frequently occurring car crashes:

What-Happens-Now-scaledThe Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s battle-tested attorneys have seen the devastating impact serious accidents can have on victims and, ultimately, their loved ones. After suffering severe injuries in a personal injury accident, it is not unusual for victims to have many unanswered questions. Our elite team has compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers regarding injury claims. Below are our answers to the most common questions about accident claims.

  1. Do I have a personal injury case? Suppose you believe you have suffered an injury caused by another’s negligence or recklessness. In that case, you might be entitled to pursue a personal injury claim.
  2. What are the most common causes of personal injuries? The most prevalent types of personal injury cases our attorneys encounter are car collisions, motorcycle crashes, slip and fall accidents, dog bite injuries, product liability claims, and medical malpractice cases.

Car-Insurance-Blog-scaledEvery motorist must have automobile insurance to drive in New York State legally. You must fully understand your insurance policy because your coverage will determine what compensation you may receive in the unfortunate event of a collision. 

The Main Types Of Car Insurance Policies

Carefully reviewing your car insurance coverage can help protect you from unnecessary costs should you be involved in an accident. Types of car insurance include:

EVIDENCE-scaledSuppose that you were severely injured because of another’s carelessness or recklessness. You may wonder how much evidence you need to win your personal injury lawsuit. Under New York law, plaintiffs in personal injury cases have the burden of proof. In other words, for the defendant to be held legally responsible, you must prove that they were negligent. Considering that insurance adjusters and jury members were not at the accident scene, your lawyer must use evidence to demonstrate your version of events. The outcome of your case will be highly contingent upon the quality of evidence you can provide. The more evidence your attorney has to substantiate the case, the higher your chances are of reaching a reasonable settlement or winning in court. 

 What Type Of Evidence Will Support My Case?

The first couple of hours and days following your accident are crucial for collecting and preserving evidence. Gathering evidence can seem stressful and daunting, especially if you need help knowing where to begin. Uncollected evidence can easily get lost or destroyed. Therefore, immediately after any accident, try to amass as much evidence as possible. Some common forms of evidence frequently used in personal injury lawsuits include:

the-litigation-process-scaledAfter suffering devastating injuries in any type of accident, you are likely feeling helpless and overwhelmed. If another’s carelessness or irresponsibility caused your injuries, you might be eligible to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. The Dietrich Legal Team’s veteran litigators realize that the litigation process may seem both complex and intimidating. Our lawyers believe that by helping you better understand the legal process, we can eliminate most of your stress and uncertainty.   

Steps In The Personal Injury Litigation Process 

Although no two claims are identical, each lawsuit filed in New York Supreme Court follows the same steps as it advances through the litigation process. The actions that the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s highly experienced attorneys will take include:

Cervical-collar-1-scaledWhiplash is an injury to the neck that a violent, swift back-and-forth neck movement can cause. The neck is a highly vulnerable body part, which is left unprotected and unrestrained even when wearing a seatbelt. A car crash victim’s neck can be forcefully jerked or jolted back and forth. Consequently, whiplash is one of the most prevalent injuries suffered in collisions, especially by rear-enders. Whiplash injuries commonly result from slip and fall accidents, physical abuse, and sports mishaps. While most whiplash victims tend to recover within a few weeks of a treatment regime, some victims continue having chronic pain and other persistent complications. 

Symptoms Of Whiplash 

The following signs and symptoms of a whiplash injury typically develop within days of the accident:

Attorney-Client-Relationship-Blog-scaledWhen you hire a personal injury attorney to litigate your accident case, knowing that you have certain rights as a client is crucial. Strict standards of ethical and professional responsibility bind personal injury lawyers. The relationship between an attorney and their client should be based on confidence and trust. At the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., our battle-tested litigators believe in building strong relationships with our clients. We take the attorney-client relationship exceptionally seriously and are dedicated to treating every client with the respect, consideration, and compassion they deserve. 

Rights And Privileges That Your Attorney Should Provide

As a client, you should be able to expect the following from your attorney:

Evidence-Blog-scaledUnder New York law, victims carry the burden of proof in lawsuits. In other words, to hold the other party responsible for your damages, you must first prove that their negligence caused your injuries. This means that you will need to present evidence to support your claims. As a general rule, the more evidence your attorney has to support your claim, the better the result you can expect. However, collecting evidence can be overwhelming, especially if you need help knowing where to start. The first few hours and days after an accident are often the most significant regarding the assembly and preservation of proof. When evidence remains uncollected or preserved for too long, it can easily get lost, forgotten, or destroyed.

Types Of Evidence Used In Personal Injury Lawsuits 

The outcome of a case is highly contingent on the quality of your evidence. Inadequate evidence can dramatically decrease settlement offers or even lose the case altogether. Since insurance adjusters and jurors did not witness the accident, your attorney must use evidence to tell your side of the story. Jed Dietrich, Esq. recommends collecting the following evidence:

Contact Information