Articles Posted in Personal Injury

Ins-Adjuster-Blog-scaledSuppose 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:

  1. 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. 

top-5-car-accident-injury-blog-scaledAccording 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: 

dog-blog-scaledMore 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-scaledWalking 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

Dont-Tailgate-Blog-scaledIf 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-Handle-Road-Rage-A-Defensive-GuideRoad rage refers to a driver’s intense anger, typically sparked by another’s provoking behavior and manifested through aggressive or violent actions. In recent years, road rage incidents have hit record highs throughout the United States. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), experiencing aggressive driving has become all too common, with approximately 80 percent of motorists reporting at least one incident within the past month.

Aggressive driving frequently escalates into all-out road rage, such as forcing other vehicles off the road, brake checking, or even ramming into others. It typically involves intimidation and attempts to damage cars or injure other drivers. Unfortunately, road rage accidents result in much more devastating injuries due to aggressiveness, high speeds, and violent impacts than other collisions. Over 30 victims’ lives are senselessly taken in road rage-related incidents yearly.

Why Do Drivers Experience Road Rage

Driving-in-bad-weather-scaledWhile car crashes can happen just about any time, the risk of being involved in a collision significantly increases in bad weather. In fact, bad weather conditions are notorious for causing devastating car accidents throughout Western New York. Heavy rain, intense snowfall, poor visibility, and slick roads can all easily cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Driving in poor weather conditions is even more dangerous when drivers fail to take proper safety precautions to prevent unnecessary accidents.  

Safety Tips For Avoiding Inclement Weather-Related Crashes

All motorists have a legal duty to exercise reasonable care while driving in unfavorable weather conditions, which includes taking the appropriate safety precautions and driving more cautiously. Below, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s battle-tested lawyers have listed the best practices to minimize your risk of being involved in a bad-weather car accident:

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:

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

DICTIONARY-scaledEach year, tens of millions of accidents occur throughout the United States, such as rear-end collisions and falls down the stairs. Jed Dietrich, Esq., understands that you may face physical, psychological, and financial troubles. We may be able to seek monetary compensation for all of your damages in a personal injury lawsuit. Many of our clients become overwhelmed with the new terms they encounter during the duration of their injury claims. Understanding relevant words and phrases can help reduce your stress level. Below, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s attorneys have defined some important personal injury legal terms that our clients frequently ask about:

  1. Negligence: Most injury claims are based on the legal theory of negligence. Negligence involves a breach of the duty of care or a failure to act reasonably to avoid causing an unnecessary injury. 
  2. Causation: An element needed to prove a defendant’s negligence. Causation pertains to a causal link between the defendant’s conduct and the plaintiff’s injuries. This element provides a critical means of connecting the defendant’s specific action(s) with its impact on the victim. 
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