s

Tag Archives: personal injury lawsuit

Police officer arrested for hit-and-run accident in Long Island

New York – The driver of a pickup truck that hit a motorcyclist in Suffolk County, NY was arrested for fleeing the scene of an accident with injuries. Reports show that the arrested driver was, in fact, a police officer who was off-duty at the time of the motorcycle accident. He apparently fled the scene and left the injured motorcycle driver in critical condition. The cop turned himself in to police the next day and charges are being assessed by prosecutors. The police investigation includes looking into whether or not the officer was drunk driving or possibly driving under the influence of drugs, leading to the vehicle crash.

Doctors explain that the nature of the collision was quite severe, with a large pickup truck striking the much smaller motorcycle. The truck accident investigation will also likely focus on the evidence found on the truck. The driver of the hit-and-run vehicle faces criminal charges as well as a civil personal injury lawsuit. The fact that he left the accident scene with a person who had suffered bodily injuries opens him up to several charges. In the meantime, he has been suspended from his job as a police officer. Check out more about this police officer involved in the accident here.

Illustrative Photo Credit: Chris Yarzab [License]

$225,000 Jury Verdict – Queens Car Crash Causes Neck, Back and Shoulder Injuries

Queens County – John Doe was the driver of a car that was involved in a car collision with another vehicle in the Fall of 2010. The other vehicle made a left turn and slammed into the driver’s side of Doe’s car, causing damage to both vehicles as well as personal injuries. The car accident occurred only steps away from his house, so Mr. Doe went home, hoping that the pain would get better on its own.

Unfortunately, Doe’s accident injuries didn’t go away so he began treatment and regular visits with a doctor. His injuries included neck and back pain as well as a torn rotator cuff shoulder injury. Conservative treatment with physical therapy did not solve his pain and suffering, leading to the need for an arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. Despite all of his medical care, the car crash victim was left with significant pain and unable to function normally at work.

Mr. Doe turned to a team of expert accident lawyers https://morrisonwagner.com/about-us/ who reviewed the case and helped Doe file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver of the other vehicle. They claimed that the defendant’s negligent driving caused the motor vehicle collision and Doe’s injuries. Following a jury verdict, Doe was awarded $225,000 for pain and suffering from the injuries. For more details on this case, read the expanded article below.

Illustrative photo by W. Robert Howell from Charlotte, NC, United States (still here.) [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

——————————————————————————————

Car Crash Caused Shoulder Woes, Restaurateur Claimed (VerdictSearch.com, by Priya Idiculla)

Verdict: $225,000
Net: $100,000

Facts & Allegations:
In September of 2010, plaintiff John Doe, 43, a restaurant’s owner, was driving in the Briarwood section of Queens. While Doe was proceeding through the intersection, his vehicle’s left side was struck by a vehicle that was being driven by Mr. Jack Smith, who was executing a left turn. Doe’s vehicle was propelled across the intersection. Doe claimed that he sustained injuries of his back, his neck and a shoulder. Doe sued Smith. Doe alleged that Smith was negligent in the operation of his vehicle. Liability was decided via summary judgment. The matter proceeded to a summary jury trial that addressed damages.

Injuries/Damages:
neck; derangement, shoulder; rotator cuff, injury (tear); arthroscopy; physical therapy; soft tissue; back; massage therapy

Doe refused immediate medical attention, and he returned to his home, which was located some 50 feet from the scene of the accident. After some two hours had passed, he presented to a medical clinic. He claimed that he was suffering pain that stemmed from his back, his left, non-dominant arm’s shoulder and his neck. He underwent minor treatment.

Doe ultimately claimed that he sustained derangement of his left shoulder, two small tears of the same shoulder’s rotator cuff, and injuries of soft tissue of his back and neck. Photographs of his vehicle depicted damage in the area in which his left shoulder would have been situated. Doe immediately commenced a course of conservative treatment that included massages, physical therapy, and the application of cold and hot packs. The treatment lasted about six months. On Nov. 4, 2010, he underwent arthroscopic surgery that addressed his left shoulder.
Doe claimed that his injuries prevented his performance of about six months of work. He also claimed that his left shoulder remains painful, that the pain is permanent and that it limits his performance of his work duties. His restaurant is located in South Carolina. He claimed that he alternately spends 10 days in New York and 20 days working in South Carolina. He further claimed that he previously drove to and from work, but that his residual effects necessitate his use of air transportation, at a greater cost.

Doe sought recovery of $100,000 for past pain and suffering and $125,000 for future pain and suffering.

The defense’s expert orthopedist submitted a report in which he opined that Doe’s injuries were degenerative conditions that predated the accident. The expert reviewed the results of a post-accident MRI scan of Doe’s left shoulder, and he opined that the test revealed minor bursitis and minor tenosynovitis, which involves restrictive inflammation of the sheath of a tendon. The defense’s expert radiologist submitted a report in which he opined that the test did not reveal an abnormality. Defense counsel noted that Doe refused immediate medical treatment, did not present to a hospital and immediately resumed work.
The defense’s expert orthopedist also opined that Doe’s surgery was unnecessary. He contended that an additional month of physical therapy could have averted the need for surgery.

The parties stipulated that Doe’s damages could not exceed $100,000.

Result:
The jury found that Doe’s damages totaled $225,000, but Doe recovered the stipulated limit: $100,000.

Editor’s Note:
This report is based on information that was provided by plaintiff’s counsel. Additional information was gleaned from court documents. Defense counsel did not respond to the reporter’s phone calls.

Owner of dogs who mauled woman convicted in court

A woman was assaulted and bitten by a dog while walking for exercise several months ago. The dog attack resulted in the 63-year-old woman suffering fatal injuries. Police say that the woman was severely injured by dog bites over her entire body, including an arm amputation, face lacerations and head injury. The dog owner was arrested during the investigation after he was found to have marijuana plants growing in his house. Police explain that the man used his pit bull dogs to protect his drug manufacturing even after being warned multiple times of the aggressive nature of his dogs. Witnesses note that the dog’s owner was well-aware of the dangerous situation that his wild dogs posed but ignored the public safety hazard. This allowed prosecutors to pursue a murder charge against the man. This month, the court found the man guilty of murder due to the wrongful death of the woman as a result of his negligence.

A New York law firm with expertise in dog mauling lawsuits explains that this is an unusual conviction. Unfortunately, owners of a dog that’s involved in an assault usually are able to claim innocence by claiming that they had no knowledge of the dangerous nature of their pet. In these cases, sometimes a civil case, such as a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit may be successful even when a criminal case is not. This may not place the dog owner into jail but can allow the dog attack victim or his/her family to recover money to pay for medical bills for injuries or even a funeral, if applicable. A victims of a dog assault is advised to seek the counsel of an injury lawyer with experience in dog mauling cases. Find out more about this dog attack here.

Illustrative photo by English: Lance Cpl. M. C. Nerl [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Studies show distracted driving still a danger, even with hands-free technology

Researchers into driver safety and possible causes of car accidents are concerned after having conducted two recent studies on hands-free devices. These include smartphone applications and integrated car entertainment or information systems. Accident specialists say that distracted driving has become a huge cause of injuries and wrongful deaths on the roads in recent years. They attribute this to driving while talking on a cell phone, texting while driving and fiddling with radios or MP3 players. The studies looked at the effect of technology, such as Apple’s Siri system or the integrated voice-activated systems currently being placed into several vehicles made by various car manufacturers. The systems are meant to allow drivers to text while driving, change radio stations or even send out Facebook postings or Tweets while keeping their eyes on the road. The investigators noted that while the technology does help drivers keep their eyes on the road, it has not helped with keeping the driver’s thoughts and concentration on the road. Not only did these cutting edge systems not prevent distracted driving, it may very well have contributed to the problem. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety explained that the studies suggest that drivers need to concentrate even more on their cell phones and in-car computer systems due to the complexity of the devices. The intricate instructions and procedures needed to make the devices work properly may end up being the cause of a car crash or injury, even when the driver of the vehicle is watching the road. A top New York accident lawyer warned that drivers, car manufacturers and technology developers must each take responsibility for the health and safety of other motorists, pedestrians, and bicylists as well as themselves. Ignoring the significance of these landmark driver safety studies can prove dangerous, even fatal, and can open them up to a personal injury lawsuit. Read the full version of the distracted driver safety study here.

Illustrative photo by Intel Free Press [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Car crash lawsuits settled after jury awards victims $3 Million

A wrongful death lawsuit and simultaneous personal injury lawsuit ended with an Oklahoma jury awarding the victims and their families $3 Million late last week. The plaintiffs contended that the Toyota Camry accelerated unexpectedly due to a faulty accelerator that should have been recalled several years before the crash. The car accident killed the passenger of the vehicle and seriously injured the driver. Multiple lawsuits and complaints were filed against the car manufacturer with claims that the company was negligent in not fully investigating the dangerous situation and issuing a dangerous product recall immediately. The car company allegedly knew about the hazardous condition but apparently avoided recalling their cars for replacement or repair of the defective parts. Experienced personal injury lawyers believe that many other injured accident victims have yet to step forward. Some note that the car acceleration problem may have contributed to other motor vehicle accidents and this needs to be further investigated.

The recent win for the Oklahoma plaintiffs comes in stark contrast to the New York and California cases that resulted in the car company not being held liable for the car accident injuries. Toyota has reportedly decided to settle the punitive damages aspect of the case in light of the jury’s decision in favor of the plaintiffs. The corporation is likely trying to limit the damage to their image and amount of money that they will need to pay the injured woman and the family of the woman killed in the accident. Consumer product safety specialists explain that this was not just a major win for the accident victims but for all citizens who should be protected from negligence on the part of large corporations. This case will set a legal precedent for injury victims across the country. It should also serve as a warning to companies and factories about the need for proper manufacturing of products as well as prompt investigation and recall of dangerous products. More about the sudden car acceleration lawsuits and product liability case here.

Photo by W. Robert Howell from Charlotte, NC, United States (still here.) [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Two victims of dog attack in New York

New York – An elderly woman and her son were assaulted and bitten by a pit bull dog early this past week. Police had to shoot and kill the dog in order to stop the assault. The two injured victims were rushed to local hospital emergency rooms in Westchester, NY with multiple bites and injuries. The dog bites were being evaluated by the trauma doctors according to reports. Police say that the dog attack began when the family members began fighting and the dog became enraged. Public safety activists warn that this is another example about the dangers of some dogs and the need for additional safety precautions. They point to other victims that were assaulted by a dog as proof that some dog owners don’t properly protect the safety and health of the general public around them. Specifically, pit bulls are known to be very friendly and docile one minute, only to violently turn into an attack dog that can hurt, disable or even kill a victim when something upsets them. Other types of dogs can also be dangerous and need to be dealt with carefully. Activists note that dog owners often ignore basic leash laws or other safety guidelines, creating a hazardous condition for everyone else. Most areas of New York, and even the country, have laws in place that require a dog to be on a leash when out in public. Other pet safety guidelines commonly include a requirement to place a muzzle on a potentially dangerous dog that may bite others. Some dog owners try to downplay the potential dangers involved with owning these pets but repeated deadly dog attacks around the country tell a different story. Citizens that walk along the sidewalks and in the parks of many New York neighborhoods often complain about the safety hazard of dogs running around without a leash and attacking them or their children. A personal injury lawyer explains that this is not just a violation or the law but can leave the dog’s owner liable for injuries and emotional trauma caused to a victim. The owner can be held personally responsible and face a personal injury lawsuit if found guilty of negligence in properly securing their dog. Assaults by dogs have been well known to lead to death of victims both young and old. Wrongful death cases can also be brought against the dog owners, especially when negligence or neglect of safety has occurred. Read more about the recent dog bite attack here.

Photo by I, Jlantzy [GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC-BY-2.5], via Wikimedia Commons

Motorcycle road rage incident leads to multiple injuries

New York – A New York City highway was the scene of a road rage attack against the driver of an SUV and his family. Police report that the incident apparently started when a motorcycle gang surrounded the SUV on the highway, causing the driver of the vehicle to fear an assault was about to begin. The driver then quickly accelerated and struck several of the bikers. Investigators say that the motorcycle crash caused several injuries with one of the bikers injured seriously. Family members of that motorcyclist explain that the man may now be paralyzed and unable to walk again due to the accident injuries. However, video footage from the scene has prosecutors thinking that the bikers were not innocent and would not be considered victims at all. The driver of the car then sped away to avoid the gang, eventually ending up on local roads in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan. There, witnesses say, several of the bikers began hitting and breaking open the car windows and then assaulted the driver. They violently pulled the injured driver out of the vehicle and caused head injuries and facial lacerations.

Police are continuing their investigation into the incident that has left several people injured and one hospitalized. They have arrested several suspects and continue to search for others, including several police officers and even one detective. Some lawmakers and public officials have called for a crack down on dangerous motorcycle gangs in the city. They say that the speeding, reckless driving and road rage shown by some gangs must be stopped before more innocent bystanders, pedestrians and drivers get injured or even killed. The driver of the SUV truck explained to reporters that she feared for her life and for the life of her two-year-old daughter that was in the back seat of the car. It was unclear if she suffered any bodily injuries during the attack but doctors will need to further evaluate her in order to determine if she suffered emotional injuries. Specialists note that this kind of incident can leave even bystanders and family members with a post-traumatic stress disorder or other emotional injury. An injury lawyer explained that these types of injuries can also lead to a civil lawsuit besides the criminal charges that the aggressors might face. The assault victim’s injuries will likely require additional treatment and may also lead to a personal injury lawsuit. See this article for more about this road rage case.

Photo by Artur Andrzej (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

Westchester, New York pedestrian injured in assault with a car

New York — A routine argument about a traffic incident between two men from Yonkers turned into an assault with injuries. Police report that one of the men attacked the other’s car with a baseball bat but then turned his rage toward the man himself. The first man hit the other man with his car and then fled the scene. The pedestrian victim suffered injuries after being struck by the car and then falling off the hood of the vehicle nearly 100 yards away. The assault victim was then treated for his injuries while police searched for the hit-and-run suspect. Reports show that the man was caught and charged for leaving the scene of an accident with injuries as well as for assaulting the man. A top accident lawyer in New York City explained that the driver can also face a civil personal injury lawsuit in addition to the criminal charges against him. Police note that the charges are more severe in this instance than a normal hit-and-run accident since this is being classified as a physical assault. In an unrelated New York car accident, a woman is also facing assault charges for driving while distracted by her cell phone. In that car crash police say that the woman was apparently trying to surf the internet from her mobile device when she lost control of her vehicle and crossed into oncoming traffic. Her car struck another vehicle head-on and caused multiple injuries to several crash victims. One of the passengers of the second vehicle is reported to be in critical condition due to a head injury from the crash. The woman was criminally charged for causing the accident as well as for driving without a license. This motor vehicle accident may also leave the distracted driver facing an personal injury accident lawsuit from the victims in addition to the police charges pending against her for assault with a motor vehicle. Details about the crash are available in this article.

Photo by Stefan Lampert. Users Ahellwig, Sebastian8939, Saiki on de.wikipedia (Feuerwehr Meerane) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

SUV crashes on Manhattan sidewalk following police chase

New York — The New York Police Department (NYPD) reported that a police chase in the Upper West Side of Manhattan ended in the fleeing car crashing into pedestrians two days ago. The police were chasing an SUV that was speeding away from a car stop but apparently lost control during the pursuit. Witnesses explain that the car crash occurred when the teenager suspect hit  wall and then struck two pedestrians, including one young child. The child, only 4-years-old, was fatally injured in the car accident and died at the hospital. The child was walking along the sidewalk with her grandmother who was also seriously injured in the SUV crash. The second car accident victim was also rushed to the emergency room of a local New York City hospital for treatment of her accident injuries. Witnesses report that the driver of the SUV hit the grandmother twice, the second time backing up into the woman, before he was stopped by police. Some residents placed partial blame for the injuries and wrongful death on the police officers who, they say, should have ended the pursuit earlier. The police department’s policy states that a police chase should be discontinued if there’s undue risk of injury or death to the officers or the public, while the fleeing suspect otherwise does not represent a clear and present danger. Criminal charges are being filed against the driver of the SUV but an accident lawyer explains that a personal injury lawsuit and wrongful death lawsuit may be filed as well. The legal expert also says that the police may be named as defendants in the civil lawsuit as well, if there’s evidence that they unnecessarily endangered the welfare of the citizens on the street. You can find out more about this pedestrian accident here.

Photo by Ryanandlenny (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons