Articles Posted in Car Accidents

While Groundhog Day was last week, it appears that Central New York is mired in a case of the same. No, people are not depending on the proximity of spring based on seeing their shadows. Rather, they seem to be stuck in the same day, just like Bill Murray was in his hit movie. The snow and ice storms that battered the region last weekend was apparently the culprit in another massive pileup.

According to a recent ABC News.com report, more than 30 cars and four semi-trucks were involved in a chain reaction crash on I-81 near Syracuse. While the crash is still under investigation, it is believed that the weather was a factor. As such, it is unknown at this time whether snow or ice caused the roads to become treacherous or whether it was driver error that led to car after car crashing into one another. 

A number of pictures and videos of the accident scene made its way to the Internet, with people indicating how they felt and expressing thanks for first responders. Miraculously, no one was seriously injured.

When you think of the phrase “oh, the weather outside is frightful” you may think about how cute the snow is during the holiday season. In the first week of February, however, the snow is just an eyesore and may be behind seasonal depressive disorder. Nevertheless, another snowstorm is bearing down on Central New York.

The band of snow is apparently massive, and stretches from Chicago to Boston. Yesterday, thousands of flights were cancelled due to the weather, and locally, schools were closed or start times were delayed. Indeed, people in this region are used to dealing with snow, but sometimes they do not pay attention to the conditions and how dangerous they may be.

Indeed, the snow on the ground is a concern, but as cars and plows go by, the concern for black ice also grows. It is not uncommon for small patches of ice to form after some snow melt freezes. This can cause unsuspecting drivers to lose control of their cars and crash.

For sports fans, this weekend is made for snowstorms. Oh by the way, another swath of storms is expected through the end of the week. So if you are poised to sit on the couch and watch college basketball, hockey games, and Super Bowl XLIX, no one is going to be upset with you.

However, there are those who are going to brave the roads and travel this weekend. For those hearty souls, this post is for you. 

We have posted about the dangers of winter driving, and this weekend deserves a reminder of not only the duty to drive with reasonable care, but also of the common hazards that can arise. Essentially, when driving conditions deteriorate, it is imperative that drivers slow down. The reasons are simple. By reducing speed, a driver reduces the likelihood of losing control of his or her vehicle after hitting a patch of ice. Also, the amount of space needed for a safe stop can be reduced as well. Simply put, less speed equals less sliding, and less of a chance to crash into someone (or something).

Just when you thought that winter hasn’t been so bad with regard to snow, a major winter storm is bearing down on our region and threatens to bring at least a foot of snow before all is said and done on Tuesday. Indeed, we have had our share of snow this season, but since the last major snow storm before Christmas, things have been relatively light.

That said, officials are telling people to stay off the roads, and thousands of flights across the northeast have been cancelled. Also we have written about safe travel in snowy weather as well as how to avoid ice missiles after a storm. With this post, we venture into the area of “Good Samaritan” laws.  

Essentially, “Good Samaritan” laws are statutes that provide legal immunity to those who stop and help someone in distress. Normally, a person does not owe a legal duty to help someone (who is hurt or trapped, for example) absent some type of special relationship between the person in distress and the rescuer (i.e. a parent and child). However, once a person proceeds to rescue someone, he or she has a duty to continue, or to do so in a reasonable manner that would not put others in danger.

If you are venturing out today, it is likely that you have heard warnings about black ice being present on roads across New York. Streets and highways likely provided drivers on Sunday with harrowing experiences because of the thin, invisible sheets of ice that coat the roads once freezing rain actually freezes on the ground.

ABC News reports that nearly 500 accidents occurred over the weekend across the northeast, with huge accidents occurring in New Jersey and New York. On I-95 in the Garden State, a 30 vehicle accident injured 16 people. Outside of New York City, a 60 vehicle crash injured more than 30 people and left one dead. In fact, the New York City Fire Department received more than 3,500 calls for accidents due to slippery roads. 

Indeed, the weather calls for another reminder for drivers of the legal implications of failing to use reasonable care on the road. Yes, there are instances where the weather can cause conditions so unpredictable that an accident may occur despite one’s best efforts. But drivers should be wary of conditions and realize that reducing speed on potentially icy roads can also reduce the chances of being in a crash.

It’s a rite of passage in homes across New York and around the nation: Parents handing over the keys to the household’s oldest — and perhaps worst — vehicle to their newly licensed teen driver.

While the idea of driving around in an older model vehicle likely makes little difference to the teens driving them and makes sound financial sense to the parents doing the gifting, a recently released study by two researchers from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety suggests that this might not be the safest course of action.

Specifically, the study — published in the latest edition of the journal Injury Prevention — examined figures in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, and made some shocking findings concerning fatal car accidents involving teen drivers between 2008 and 2012.

In a prior post, we highlighted the possibility that drivers in our region could be involved in a car accident. During this time of year, the convergence of poor weather, higher volumes of traffic (commonly around shopping centers), and drunken drivers can make the holiday season dangerous. Because of this, drivers must be especially vigilant in order to avoid car crashes.

But sometimes, an accident cannot be avoided and drivers and passengers may be injured. With that, this post will highlight some of the common injuries suffered.

Back and neck injuries – If you know anything about neck injuries, you have probably heard of whiplash; the violent action of a person’s head going forward then back in the midst of a crash. This puts substantial strain on a person’s neck. Additionally, a person can suffer serious back injuries in a crash due to the same action.

In our last post, we highlighted the dangers that await consumers in shopping mall parking lots. Essentially, the crush of shoppers makes prime parking spots scarce. Motivated shoppers may have little patience for discourteous drivers and may take chances that they usually don’t take in trying to get a parking spot. As such, the chances for accidents can increase.

Nevertheless, drivers should know what to do should they be involved in a parking lot crash. This post will highlight some helpful tips. 

Trade insurance information – It may seem obvious, but exchanging insurance information is an important aspect of handling an accident. However, if there is some reason why the other driver does not provide his or her information, this may be indicative of another problem (such as lack of insurance).

If you’re going out to the mall to finish (or begin) your holiday shopping, you are certainly not alone. Given the improvement in the nation’s economy and the recent drop in gas prices, it is likely that more people will spend money this holiday season. It is reasonable to believe that retailers are banking on this, so it would not be surprising to see more sales to draw shoppers to the mall.

But with more consumers at shopping centers, the more crowded the parking lots will likely be; which increases the chances for an accident. A recent MarketWatch.com report indicates that more than one in five car accidents occurs in a shopping center parking lot. This number is likely to increase during the holiday season.

Indeed, the holiday season is supposed to be festive and bright, but that may not apply in parking lots where shoppers compete for the best spots. It is likely that drivers will get agitated when a driver sneaks by to grab a spot, or cuts a driver off to prevent a spot from being taken. When emotions run high, it is possible that drivers will take unusual and aggressive measures to land a spot.

Accidents during the holiday season are especially tough. The end of the year is typically when people hold holiday parties and family get-togethers. This is also a time where alcohol consumption can increase and lead to disastrous results. Such was unfortunately the case on a road in West New York.

Late on Saturday night, a woman from Clifton was driving her car west on Hillside Road when a driver coming from the other direction lost control of his car. The two cars collided, with the eastbound car careening through a fence and into the hillside. Authorities found the driver trapped in his car and critically injured. He was extracted from the vehicle and taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

Authorities have not completed an investigation, but early indications suggest that speed, road conditions and alcohol may have played a part in causing the crash. An accident investigation is also important because it can answer lingering questions surrounding fault. This is important not only in establishing potential criminal liability, but for civil liability as well.