Buffalo Personal Injury Lawyer NewsNew York Motorcycle Laws
Motorcycles are a fast and convenient way to get around. These vehicles provide riders with many great benefits, such as more accessible parking, maneuverability, better gas mileage, and the ability to reach destinations faster. Many motorcyclists enjoy the excitement of riding on country roads because of the breathtaking scenery and open-air freedom. Other bikers love the challenge of riding through city traffic while commuting to and from work. Whether you are considering getting your Class M Operator’s License or you are an avid rider, it is imperative to familiarize yourself with some of New York State’s applicable laws. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s seasoned motorcycle accident injury attorneys have compiled some essential information below.
Helmets And Face Shields
Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, Section 381(6), all motorcycle riders and their passengers must wear protective helmets. The helmet must meet the requirements specified in Section 571.218 of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Bikers must show they have a New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) approved helmet to obtain a license and register their motorcycle. Section 381(7) also requires bikers to wear a face shield or goggles that the American National Standard Institute approves.
When 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. 
Suffering injuries in any accident caused by another’s negligence or carelessness can have devastating consequences. Whether a foodborne illness, a car wreck, an attack by an unleashed dog, or a fall in an icy parking lot caused you harm, you may be having difficulty getting your life back on track. Victims of severe accidents are often forced to grapple with hospital bills piling up while unable to work or earn any income. With the severe bodily pain, emotional trauma, and financial challenges that victims struggle with, obtaining fair compensation is often the only way to bounce back. Damages refer to the compensation that a victim’s attorney can recover for them either through negotiating a settlement or trying the case to a verdict. Special, general, and punitive damages are the three primary types of personal injury compensation. 
After being severely injured in an accident, you are likely feeling shocked and overwhelmed. If someone else’s negligence or recklessness caused your accident, you might be entitled to pursue a personal injury claim. However, litigation can be nerve-wracking, especially when you are still coping with devastating physical pain and emotional trauma. Even minor proceedings may seem complicated if you have never filed an insurance claim or pursued a lawsuit in court. 
The word bellwether can be traced back to the 13th century when shepherds hung bells around the necks of some of their sheep to designate them as leaders. Similarly, bellwether trials are designed to track and monitor the potential results of a large group of lawsuits. They are test lawsuits that use individual claims originating from a group of widely contested lawsuits filed against the same party. When hundreds or even thousands of lawsuits are filed against one party, these trials allow a few select cases to go to court to predict how the remaining pending claims will turn out at trial.
Although most personal injury lawsuits depend on proving negligence, there are certain cases where plaintiffs do not need to show that the defendant was negligent. Strict liability, also called absolute liability, is a legal doctrine that holds a person or entity responsible for a victim’s injuries, even if that party was not negligent or at fault. In cases involving strict liability, defendants can still be held accountable even if they exercised reasonable care. 
Under 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. 
After being injured in an accident, knowing what to expect when pursuing your claim brings you peace of mind. Some of our most frequently asked questions are about the summons. At the beginning of a lawsuit, a summons and complaint are two legal documents served to all defendants. The summons informs the defendant of the plaintiff’s commencement of the legal action and demands that they answer the complaint. 
With an average of nearly 94 inches of snowfall per year, many Buffalonians consider driving through the snow to be a rite of passage. Unfortunately, driving anywhere in the winter can be extremely dangerous, especially during freezing conditions. When the temperature drops, ice often rapidly develops on our roads, highways, and parking lots. Since ice can make it difficult for a vehicle’s tires to maintain traction and significantly reduce friction, the rate and severity of car accidents drastically increase during winter. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in a recent year alone, victims of wintry condition crashes suffered 374 fatalities and roughly 25,000 injuries.
Personal injury accidents like car collisions often involve several parties. Whenever someone is partially to blame for a motor vehicle accident, they could be listed as a defendant and obligated to pay damages if found to be responsible for the plaintiff’s injuries. The rule of joint and several liability applies when there are multiple defendants. New York State’s joint and several liability law allows plaintiffs to hold defendants, individually or collectively, accountable for the total amount of their damages. In these cases, the plaintiff should consider how many defendants were involved, what percentage of fault can be allocated to each party, and each defendant’s automobile insurance policy coverage limits. Many drivers only carry New York’s minimum car insurance liability limits. While this may seem like enough coverage, the damages owed to victims in severe motor vehicle accidents often exceed these amounts.