Syracuse Personal Injury Law Blog

Summer months bring increased risk of car accidents

Published on: June 14, 2017 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

While driving provides a plethora of freedom, independence and convenience for motorists in New York, it brings with it substantial risk. These risks are significantly heightened by factors like fatigue, impairment, distraction or poor vehicle maintenance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents account for 2 million injuries and 32,000 fatalities each year in the United States.

Motorists may also face increased risks of being involved in a car crash depending on the time of year. One report suggests that summertime is one of these periods of heightened risk due to several factors including a number of popular holidays during the warmer months. Because summer nights last longer and holiday gatherings are prevalent, drivers may be more likely to partake of alcohol. In many places, highly celebrated holidays like the 4^th of July are practically synonymous with partying and drinking. In fact, the stretch of time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is considered one of the most dangerous periods on the road.

The consumption of prescription drugs is also a contributor to motor vehicle deaths. In fact, in the last decade, drug-related car accidents have nearly doubled. Additionally, because school is no longer in session, the summer months see a substantial increase in the number of teenage drivers on the road, which can also contribute to more car accidents.

What are some examples of distracted driving?

Published on: June 8, 2017 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

Alcohol intoxication, sleep deprivation and poor weather conditions can all lead to motor vehicle accidents. However, distractions take the eyes of many drivers away from the road and cause a devastating number of wrecks each year. If you drive in New York, or if you ride as a passenger in a motor vehicle, it is important to familiarize yourself with different examples of distracted driving and take steps to eliminate these distractions on the road.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention addresses distracted driving on their site and draws attention to some of the main reasons why drivers become distracted. For example, sending and receiving emails or texts while behind the wheel is particularly widespread among those who are in high school. However, cell phones distract drivers of all ages and there are many other distractions that can increase the likelihood of an accident. For example, a driver may be distracted because they are eating, communicating with other people in the car, attempting to turn the radio station or looking for something on the floor.

During 2013, more than 3,100 lost their lives in accidents which involved a driver who was distracted. Moreover, even those who are lucky enough to walk away from a distracted driving wreck may suffer severe injuries and other hardships, such as dealing with their insurance company. If you have been hit by a distracted driver and are trying to recover, you should carefully review any options that are in front of you. Furthermore, careless drivers who upend the lives of others should be held answerable.

Finding your way through a traumatic brain injury

Published on: June 1, 2017 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

If you are dealing with the consequences of suffering a traumatic brain injury, you are one of many New Yorkers facing a long-term recovery. With the right mindset and a commitment to come out on top, you can overcome your injury and excel. At Defrancisco & Falgiatano, LLP, we have helped many people navigate the complexities of brain injuries.

According to Psychology Today, if you are coping with a TBI, you can take several proactive steps to expedite your recovery and encourage long-term progress. These include the following:

Break tasks into sections: If you have seemingly large tasks to complete, break each one down into smaller sections. Doing so will make things more manageable and will empower your self-confidence as each portion is successfully completed.
Use repetition: Repetition is an incredibly effective way to re-train your brain to function the way it used to. For example, ask people to repeat what they have said, repeat names of people you want to remember and repeat directions to locations you visit frequently.
Watch for signs of exhaustion: As you recover, tasks that used to be simple and effortless may require more time and energy to complete. Do not get discouraged with yourself as you relearn certain things, and as soon as you sense yourself getting overwhelmed, stop and take a break.
Exercise and complete therapy: Chances are, your health care provider will give you specific exercises to incorporate into your therapy. It is imperative that you complete these and other general exercises to help strengthen your body and encourage growth and healing.

Do your best to take good care of yourself by getting enough rest and eating right. Through your vigilance, you can encourage your body to make progress at a faster rate. For more information about head injuries, visit our web page.

5 things to know about standard of care

Published on: May 30, 2017 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

Medical malpractice cases often hinge on whether a provider met the standard of care or not. Victims who suffer at the hands of medical malpractice should learn what they can about the standard of care that applies in their case so they can use that information in their claim for compensation.

#1: Standard of care is the minimal care you should receive

The standard of care in any case is the level of care you should receive. This varies depending on the circumstances of the case. For example, the standard of care for a woman with an ectopic pregnancy is different from the standard of care for a woman with a shortened cervix. Several factors determine the standard of care in a case. This makes it difficult to find out what standard of care applies to a case.

7 things to know about spinal cord injuries

Published on: May 30, 2017 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

People who are the victims of spinal cord injuries likely have a lot of questions when they first find out about the injury. There aren’t any easy answers to the questions that come up. In some cases, the answers depend on the circumstances of the injury. Consider these points if you have a spinal cord injury or a love one who has one.

#1: Spinal cord injuries have various causes

Spinal cord injury causes vary from tumors to accident. Falls, car crashes and other similar accidents can all lead to spinal cord injuries. The cause of the spinal cord injury is one factor that determines what treatments are appropriate.

Debunking common myths related to motorcycle safety

Published on: May 25, 2017 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

Motorcyclists are subjected to heightened safety risks on the road, especially when coursing busy thoroughfares laden with other drivers who may be distracted, inattentive or careless. While some motorcycle safety precautions are commonalities, others are incorrectly understood.

The Huffington Post shared an article which discusses some of these myths and aims to educate bikers and drivers alike to encourage motorcycle safety. Some of these notorious myths include:

Loud is best: While some people believe that a loud exhaust increases a motorcyclist’s safety by making more noise, this is false. Not only do many motorists drive with their windows up and music blaring, but sound projects backward which does nothing for drivers that may be in front of a motorcyclist.
Leather is a fashion statement: Because many bikers sport leather chaps, jackets and other apparel, people commonly think it is a fashion statement designed to make bikers appear more hardcore. However, the truth is that leather is highly effective against preventing road rash and bodily injury in the event a biker crashes.
Drivers are aware: Unfortunately, not all drivers are attentive and vigilant. In fact, even the most careful drivers can sometimes miss something in their blind spot. Bikers should never assume that they are going to be seen. Rather, they should always drive attentively and be sure that motorists can see them before changing lanes, turning or making other maneuvers.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 14 percent of all traffic fatalities were people driving motorcycles. Additionally, in the same year, nearly 88,000 bikers were injured.

Common causes of motorcycle accidents: Part 1

Published on: May 22, 2017 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

Many motorists are so excited to take the roads in New York that they fail to realize the dangers they face. Their vehicles do not have the same protective structures as cars. Even though some bikers wear helmets and riding gear for protection, many of them do not. According to ConsumerReports.org, these factors along with higher speed limits, drugs and alcohol use increase the risk of motorcycle crashes, injuries and fatalities.

Bikers who understand the common factors that lead to crashes can take measures to protect themselves on the roads.

Other vehicles

10 signs of cancer that doctors shouldn’t miss

Published on: May 15, 2017 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

Cancer isn’t always easy to detect, and for some patients, no amount of medical technology would have been enough to know it was there earlier than it was detected. In other cases, doctors’ negligence and inaction lead to patients who have cancers that are unable to be treated or in advanced stages that may have otherwise been prevented.

What can you do if you suspect you have cancer or have found out that your doctor did not diagnose you correctly? You have a right to file a medical malpractice case. In the meantime, here are 10 signs that cancer could be an ailment you’re fighting. Although no specific symptoms are prevalent through all types of cancer, knowing some common symptoms could help save lives.

1. Bloody coughs

Spinal cord injury treatment options

Published on: May 12, 2017 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

A spinal cord injury is always severe regardless of how serious the damage is. This is mainly because the body relies heavily upon the spinal cord for different body functions. There are many people in New York who have been involved in an accident that has caused an SPI. According to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, damage to the spinal cord cannot be fixed and is always permanent.

As soon as an SPI occurs, medical care is needed to help minimize damage by stabilizing the spine as soon as possible. Medical personnel may also want to do surgery to help reduce strain on the spinal cord. Patients may be given medications or put in traction. The initial rush is to try to prevent any more damage to the spinal cord.

Treatment focuses on helping people with SCIs to be able to function in their daily lives. A person may undergo physical, recreational and vocational therapy. They may be taught how to cope with pain, how to eat healthy, how to exercise and how to communicate. The treatments will depend on the location of the spinal injury and how it affects the person. For example, someone whose injury impairs only leg movement will not need the same therapy and treatment as someone whose injury impairs them from the neck down.

Failure to diagnose a heart attack

Published on: May 11, 2017 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

When a heart attack is diagnosed early, it can be treated quickly to stop further damage and possibly save your life. However, the chances are good that you could be misdiagnosed by a New York doctor and not get the treatment you need. This is especially true if you are a woman. At Defrancisco & Falgiatano, we want to be sure that you are aware of this issue so you can prevent it from happening to you.

According to Business Insider, anxiety may be to blame for the failure to diagnose a heart attack in women. Because women often suffer from anxiety more than men and some symptoms of a heart attack can mimic the symptoms of anxiety, women are often misdiagnosed as just suffering from anxiety. This leads to delays in treatment and diagnostics. In the end, this means a woman is likely to die of a heart attack more often than a man. Studies have shown that younger women are at the highest risk of this happening.

Diagnosing a heart attack quickly is essential to administering treatment that can save your life. Men who go to the hospital with symptoms of a heart attack will get treatment in almost half the time as women. Your delayed treatment can lead to additional heart damage and further complications. This is why it is essential to speak up, especially in emergency room triage, and demand that you are given the appropriate tests, so your diagnosis is not delayed. To learn more about medical malpractice, visit our website.