New York City is battling the coronavirus pandemic and all of its unexpected consequences, including street-racers speeding down nearly-empty stretches of road.

Since the city issued stay-at-home orders to flatten the curve of the virus’s spread, the roads have been much emptier than usual. For some New Yorkers, this presented the opportunity to use long stretches of highway as a racetrack, according to an article from Patch.

Specifically, residents in Tribeca complain of about 30 cars and motorcycles racing up and down a mile-long stretch of the West Side Highway. Residents near the roadway say they hear loud revving engines at all hours of the day and late into the night.

Impact of Coronavirus on Driving Safety

These street-racers pose a danger to nearby pedestrians and other drivers on the road. Between 2013 and 2016, there were over 44,000 pedestrian accidents in New York City. Because Mayor Bill de Blasio instructed residents to stay home, there are likely more pedestrians out than usual. Since many people can’t go to school or to work, many have turned to daily walks to get fresh air and exercise. With more pedestrians out and about comes a greater risk of accidents occurring, especially when reckless drivers are present.

Speeding drivers pose a threat to non-racing drivers on these roads, too. The New York Police Department reported 3,922 car accidents in Manhattan in 2018. This number is likely to spike with dangerous drivers on the road. Additionally, there are fewer police officers to respond to complaints about racers because their energy is focused on handling COVID-19. According to Patch, over 7,000 NYPD officers are currently out sick. This is 20% of their police force. The remaining officers must keep themselves available to respond to COVID-19-related calls.

If you are injured in a pedestrian or car accident because of someone else’s reckless driving, you can and should take legal action against them. You should not have to suffer financially because of another person’s negligence. The drivers who are taking advantage of the empty roadways created as a result of COVID-19 are knowingly breaking the law and could cause a tragic accident.

Contact a New York Accident Attorney

You should never have to face the challenges of a car accident alone. You may need help navigating the costs of car repairs, lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. The legal team at Hach & Rose, LLP is here to help you, even during these difficult times.

Given the coronavirus pandemic, we have taken a proactive approach to protecting our clients and employees. We are able to provide the same high-quality service that you have come to expect. We offer online consultations and are here to answer your calls, emails, or messages, so don’t hesitate to contact us. Call (212) 779-0057.

With the majority of the country on lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus, many Americans have lost their jobs and are looking for other ways to make an income. Because restaurants can only offer to-go options right now, food delivery services such as Favor and Uber Eats are booming. Many are taking on these jobs to make some extra cash, but might not know that they need to upgrade their insurance plan to accommodate commercial business if they are driving their own car.

Since food delivery is technically a business use of your vehicle, not personal use, insurance companies might require you to purchase a commercial auto insurance policy. The insurance company will charge more for this policy because they believe you are more likely to get into an accident as a delivery driver or taxi driver, probably because you will likely be on the road much more often than for personal use.

If you plan on taking a job as a food delivery person, you will need to notify your insurance company and ask about the possible consequences of not upgrading your policy. Sticking with your regular personal policy might come back to bite you later if you get into an accident during a delivery and file a claim.

However, some auto insurance companies have already made changes to their policies to accommodate these uncertain and sometimes confusing times. For example, Allstate automatically granted each of their policyholders special coverage for delivering items such as medicine, meal delivery, grocery delivery, etc., through the end of April. In that case, Allstate customers will not need to upgrade their policy to commercial status. Farmers Insurance has enacted a similar extension of their coverage through April 30^th, as well.

According to an article by The Rideshare Guy, many food delivery companies like Uber Eats and Domino’s Pizza have their own insurance policies, so their hired drivers don’t need to buy their own commercial policies. However, certain companies’ insurance plans do not extend to drivers in the state of New York, and they will be responsible for purchasing their own commercial policies. Amazon Flex and Uber Eats specifically do not cover New York drivers. GrubHub, Instacart, and Walmart also do not provide company coverage for their drivers.

Contact a New York Car Accident Lawyer

If you got into a car accident while delivering food or using your car in a commercial capacity, you might need help navigating your insurance claim. The attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP are ready to stand up for you and help you get the compensation you’re owed. Call our office at (212) 779-0057 to discuss your legal options today.

According to a 2016 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, car crashes caused by drowsy drivers are eight times higher than the previously accepted national estimate. AAA conducted the study by analyzing dashcam footage of 700 average American drivers. Drowsy driving tends to be an underreported cause of car accidents because it can be hard to document and to prove.

Jake Nelson, the director of Traffic Safety Advocacy and Research for AAA, said, “Missing just two to three hours of sleep can more than quadruple your risk for a crash, which is the equivalent of driving drunk.” A AAA Foundation survey found that nearly 29% of American drivers recently drove while they were almost too tired to keep their eyes open.

Being aware of the fact that you’re overly tired and can’t keep your eyes open is an important factor in keeping yourself and others safe on the road. If you notice that you keep drifting from your lane or can’t remember the last few miles you have driven, you should pull over and at least take a 20-minute nap. AAA experts say that short-term remedies for sleepiness, like chugging coffee or singing with the windows down, won’t outsmart your body’s need for sleep.

Still, AAA recommends that drivers always get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep before getting in the driver’s seat, especially if they have a long trip ahead of them. To avoid driving while drowsy, drivers should try to drive during a time of the day that they’re usually alert and avoid eating heavy foods before the drive.

If you are prescribed a medication that makes you drowsy, talk to your doctor about the best times to take it, or ask if you can take it before bed. AAA also developed Roadwise Rx, which can help you determine whether your medication might affect your safety behind the wheel.

Contact a New York Drowsy Driving Accident Lawyer

If you were injured because of a drowsy driver, you might be entitled to compensation. The New York car accident lawyers of Hach & Rose, LLP will be ready to get you the fair compensation you deserve. Call us at (212) 779-0057 or reach out online to discuss your rights and legal options today.

The back and the neck are the two parts of the body that are most commonly injured in car accidents. Unfortunately, damage to these areas can result in severe trauma to the spinal cord, sometimes leaving the victim with long-lasting health problems. According to an article from Chirotrust, between 40-70% of whiplash victims continue experiencing symptoms of trauma even a decade after the accident.

Whiplash

When the head and the trunk of your body move forcefully in opposite directions, this sometimes results in whiplash. It is extremely common in rear-end car accidents when the body is unexpectedly jolted forward but the head snaps back. The neck, caught between these two oppositely moving parts, experiences extreme stress and is subject to injury. Additionally, when your head is jolted like this, your brain might collide with your skull, causing contusions or a TBI.

Lumbar sprains

When ligaments are torn from their attachments in the lower back, this results in lumbar sprains. Lumbar sprains and strains are the most common cause of chronic back pain because the lower back aids in moving, bending, stretching, and twisting, and often occur because of overuse. But when the lower back is impacted during a car accident, a lumbar sprain can occur instantaneously, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. A doctor may prescribe pain medication and physical therapy to treat the sprain.

Herniated discs

Discs are like soft cushions between the bones that form the spinal cord. They act as shock absorbers for your back and are encased in a hardened outer layer called the annulus. When the inner disc pushes out of its hardened outside and into the spinal canal, this is considered a herniated disc. Herniated discs can cause severe pain because they press on spinal nerves and can be caused by a single severe strain on the back.

Contact a New York car accident lawyer

If you suffered neck or back injuries following a car accident, you might be entitled to compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. The attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP are ready to stand up for you and help you get the justice you’re owed. Call our office at (212) 779-0057 to discuss your legal options today.

New York has a special “joint and several liability” law that drivers should be aware of, especially if you were involved in an accident. There are a few components to this rule that must be understood, including how many people were involved, how much in auto insurance each party possesses, and what percentage of fault can be assigned to each defendant.

In some cases, there may be multiple defendants in an auto accident lawsuit. If it can be determined that someone was at least partially responsible for the accident, they may be tried as a defendant and may be subject to paying damages after the return of the verdict.

Additionally, the amount of coverage each defendant has in their car insurance is a major component of joint and several liability. According to Hach & Rose attorney Michael Rose, many car owners only have $25,000 in car insurance. This may sound like a lot, but in the event of an accident, the damages owed to the plaintiff may far exceed that number. This is where the question of fault comes into play. If there are two defendants and one of them is 95% responsible while the other is only 5% responsible, but the latter is financially capable of paying the damages in full, then they are obligated by law to do so, and the defendant who is 95% responsible but not able to pay would not need to pay anything.

Though there is some controversy surrounding this law, New York is not the only state that has one. Twenty-eight other states also recognize it, including New Jersey, Illinois, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Contact a New York car accident lawyer

If you have been injured in a car accident, regardless of whether you had any fault in it, the personal injury attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP are ready to help you. We understand the complexities of the joint and several liability rule and will work with you to win the compensation you deserve. Call our office at (347) 318-9604 or reach out online to discuss your legal options today.

About 3 million people are injured in car accidents in the U.S. each year. Sometimes, these accidents could have been prevented by simple car maintenance and driver precaution. To cut down your risk of getting into a preventable accident, read the car maintenance tips below. 

According to Esurance, there are six essential tips every car owner should follow to make sure that they (and others) will be safe on the road. 

1. Perhaps most importantly, check your tires. According to safercar.gov, over 11,000 serious accidents occur each year in the U.S. because of tire issues that could have been fixed sooner. As soon as your air pressure light turns on, make sure to fill up your tires to the appropriate pressure, which can be found in the car’s manual. You should also use a pressure gauge to check your tires’ pressure every couple of months. Additionally, rotate your tires every 6,000 miles and realign them if necessary. 
2. Change your oil as needed. Depending on your driving habits, you might need to change it every few months or once a year. Generally, experts suggest changing it every 3,000 miles. 
3. Test your headlights, brake lights, and turn signals every once in a while to be sure they’re all in working order. A broken tail light is a good enough reason for law enforcement officers to give you a ticket, but working lights on your car are also crucial to your safety. 
4. Replace your windshield wiper blades if you notice they look old or worn out. It’s better to do it ahead of time instead of waiting until you can’t see the road ahead of you during a downpour. 
5. Check the battery cables for corrosion and the radiator for debris to prevent excess heating or electrical failure. 
6. Replace your car’s dirty air filter. The air filter helps your engine run smoother and could prolong your car’s life.

Hurt in a Crash? Contact a New York auto accident lawyer

If you have been injured in a car accident, the New York car accident attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP are ready to help you win the compensation you deserve. Our team will handle your case so you can focus on getting better. Call our office at (347) 318-9604 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a force penetrates or fractures the skull. Unfortunately, half of all TBIs result from car accidents. TBIs caused by car crashes don’t necessarily need to be due to a skull fracture or penetration; when the body experiences a sudden jolt or stop, the brain careens forward even if your head is held steady. This is how your brain collides with your skull, causing internal bruising and bleeding in the skull that isn’t visible to the naked eye.

If you or a loved one have been the victim of a car accident and have been diagnosed with a TBI, read the information below. Our lawyers at Hach & Rose can help you navigate the process of filing a claim and win you the compensation you deserve.

Four common TBIs caused by car accidents

• Penetration: This occurs when an object, such as a metal part of a wrecked car, cuts into the brain. This is one of the most serious types of TBI because it could result in the victim’s death or serious paralysis.
• Concussion: This is a less serious TBI, but is still worth filing a claim for. A concussion occurs when the brain is repeatedly being rocked back and forth in the skull.
• Focal brain injury: This is an injury affecting one specific part of the brain, which could lead to loss of bodily function normally controlled by that area.
• Locked-in syndrome: This rare and tragic TBI results from damage to the lower brain and brain stem. The victim is fully mentally aware, but is paralyzed and cannot speak.

Common TBI symptoms to watch for:

• Blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears
• Seizures
• Slurred speech
• Confusion
• Loss of coordination
• Changes in attention or mental skills
• Numbness in fingers and toes

This list is not exhaustive, and you should reach out to a medical professional if you are concerned that you are suffering from a brain injury.

If you have suffered a TBI in a car accident, do not hesitate to reach out to a knowledgeable brain injury attorney at Hach & Rose, LLP. We will help you get the compensation you need and deserve. Call our office at (212) 779-0057 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation today.

If you want to enjoy the holiday season with your family and loved ones, chances are you’ll be hitting the road or catching a plane sometime soon. Unfortunately, first responders always see an uptick in car collisions and fatalities during the days surrounding Christmas and New Year’s. It is important to be aware of these safety tips to protect yourself and your family so you can get safely from point A to point B.

Adjust Your Driving for the Weather

If you find yourself on the road during a blizzard, you need to exercise extreme precaution. Ice, hail, snow, and rain tend to throw drivers into a panic, especially if they aren’t used to driving in those conditions. If you are driving in the snow, there are a few basic things to know. First, drive slowly, because the snow and ice on the roads will make it harder for your tires to gain traction. Second, keep more distance between you and the car in front of you than you would on a clear, sunny day. Third, approach hills with strategic caution. AAA recommends gathering some speed before you go up the hill because applying gas on an upslope will only make your tires spin. When you reach the top of the hill, pump the breaks slowly as you descend.

Check Your Vehicle

AAA also recommends you examine your vehicle before embarking on a road trip. Be sure to clear your exhaust pipe, especially if your region has seen heavy snow lately. A clogged exhaust pipe might leak toxic carbon monoxide gas into your car while the engine is running.

Share Your Location

If you’re going on a long trip, share your route and your location with all of your friends and family. If you find yourself out of gas or in a snowstorm, they will be able to find your exact location to send help.

Contact a New York Car Accident Lawyer

Drivers must be extra cautious on roadways during the winter. Unfortunately, accidents happen all the time. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car wreck because of a reckless or negligent driver who failed to exercise caution when driving in inclement weather, you have the right to seek compensation. At Hach & Rose, LLP, our team of experienced New York car accident lawyers can help you get the justice that you deserve when you call us at Hach & Rose, LLP to discuss your case.

According to a study conducted by the Queensland University of Technology in Australia (QUT), one in six young drivers uses the social media application Snapchat while driving. Sixteen percent of the 500 people surveyed say they’ve opened the Snapchat app on their phones while driving. Fifteen percent of these drivers sent photos and videos while they drove. A big reason these drivers take the risk is simply that they cannot resist the urge to share something seen while in the car. Most of the drivers claim they weren’t worried about being caught by police.  

However, a ticket violation is the least of your worries in a distracted driving accident. 

Using social media apps like Instagram and Snapchat and driving is a form of distracted driving. Distracted driving is as simple as it sounds. It is a driver that is distracted from the road, increasing the chances of a fatality or injury to an innocent party. If a driver uses social media while operating a vehicle, they comprise the three types of distracted driving: manual (taking one hand off of the wheel), cognitive (distracting your mind to view videos or photos), and visual (taking your eyes off of the road). 

According to a CNN report, Snapchat is in hot water for personal injury lawsuits because drivers were distracted while using the app and driving. These car accidents produced several injuries, resulting in lawyers targeting the company for negligence. Between recent cases and the study conducted by QUT, young drivers are at particular risk for this behavior. Parents are encouraged to talk to their teenage or young adult children about the dangers of using social media while driving and should be sure to set a good example behind the wheel themselves.

Contact the New York Distracted Driving Attorneys

If you or a loved one have been hurt by a distracted driver, contact the experienced injury lawyers at (212) 779-0057. We are here to support you through this challenging time, so call us or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation today. We’ll help you understand your rights and legal options, and will help you get the justice you deserve. 

A rear-end collision takes place when the front of one vehicle crashes into the back of another. From 2012 to 2014, nearly 50 percent of all two-vehicle accidents were rear-end collisions. Each year, these collisions resulted in more than 1.7 thousand fatalities. According to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), “87 percent of rear-end crashes involved a driver failing to attend to the traffic ahead,” meaning that distracted driving is one of the leading causes of these types of collisions. In high-impact rear-end collisions, several different types of injuries that can result, including:

• Whiplash
• Back and spine injuries
• Neck injuries
• Skull and brain damage
• Facial injuries
• Arm, hand, and wrist injuries
• Leg and knee injuries
• Seat-belt injuries

According to physicists, “rear-ending a stationary car while traveling at 30 miles per hour is equivalent . . . to crashing into a wall at 15 miles per hour.” The majority of the force is absorbed by the stationary vehicle. So, if the stationary vehicle is smaller or less rigid than the moving vehicle, it could be subject to devastating damage. Certain types of cars with smaller rear-crumple zones, such as minivans, have a higher risk of being involved in fatal car collisions. For the infamous Ford Pinto, a rear-end collision could result in deadly fuel-fed fires.

To avoid being involved in a rear-end collision, it is always important to remain focused on the road ahead while driving. This is especially true for new and inexperienced drivers, who are more likely to be distracted drivers.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in New York

Every driver must drive responsibly. If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a rear-end collision caused by the reckless or careless actions of another driver, you have the right to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Contact the New York car accident attorneys of Hach & Rose, LLP at (212) 779-0057 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our team today.