Our personal injury lawyers wish everyone spending the holiday weekend in New York City a safe and happy Fourth of July. One of the most popular activities is going to down to the river, on either the Manhattan or Queens side, and watching the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks display. This is sure to be a great show.
This is one of the fireworks displays enjoyed on television across the country, as well as by the many in attendance at the event. If you are going to the live event, you should take the necessary precautions to keep you and your family safe.
One of the major risks when traveling on the Fourth of July is being involved in a car crash caused by a drunk driver. The Queens North Taskforce of the NYPD warns motorist of the dangers of drinking and driving and will be continuing to enforce the zero tolerance policy when it comes to drunk driving.
While driving, you should pay attention to others on the road. If you see a car weaving, drifting, driving significantly slower than the speed limit, or driving in the wrong direction, assume that driver is intoxicated and stay away from that vehicle.
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If you are a pedestrian, be extra cautious when crossing the street. You should always wait for the walk signal and never assume drivers will stop for you, even when you have the right of way.
Drunk drivers have a much slower reaction time than sober drivers and may not stop in time. The police are doing their part to curb drunk driving, but it is imperative that all of us do our part to stay safe.
If you are taking the bus or subway, it is also important to take steps to stay safe. Each year, many people suffer serious injuries as a result of slip and falls at bus or subway stations, stairway related accidents, and, on some rare occasions, train collision accidents. While train collisions are rare, being injured by a closing train or bus door, or being trapped in a closing door, are more common. Bus and train doors close when the operator pushes a button, and not on their own like in an elevator. Also unlike an elevator, they do not automatically open when they touch you. They can close hard and stay closed even if the train starts moving. Each year, people are severely injured by being dragged by a moving subway train. Many people don’t know that actor Samuel L. Jackson was dragged by a New York Subway train in the early 1990s and recovered over a half a million dollars in a personal injury lawsuit.
If you were injured while riding any form of public transportation, including a commuter rail train, and your injury was caused by the negligence of another person or the Metropolitan Transit Authority, you may be able to recover for you losses in a personal injury action.
You should contact a subway and bus accident lawyer to discuss your situation.
The Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC offers free consultations. Call 1-877-313-7673
Additional Resources:
Queens Cops Launch Zero Tolerance Driving Crackdown, April 23, 2014, Western Queens Gazette
More Blog Entries:
NYC’s “Vision Zero” to Cut Traffic Accidents, Feb. 5, 2014, New York Injury Lawyer Blog
