Rochester Personal Injury Law Blog

Workplace injuries and extreme cold

On behalf of Brenna Boyce PLLC Attorney at Law posted in construction site injuries on Friday, February 1, 2019.

Workers become hurt during all times of the year but some seasons can present especially dangerous conditions. For example, the winter months can be particularly dangerous for people who work in some parts of the country and are employed in certain occupations, such as those who work outdoors. There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to work-related injuries and cold weather, and these issues are especially relevant given the recent polar vortex that impacted many parts of the U.S. By recognizing some of the risks you may face, you could lessen the probability of a work accident.

Cold weather in and of itself can be dangerous, and sub-zero temperatures can claim lives and cause injuries due to frostbite. Moreover, extreme cold can cause surfaces to become icy, which can lead to a slip-and-fall accident. Furthermore, people who work in very cold weather may be more likely to drop equipment they are holding or make a mistake. For example, a construction worker who is working outside while it is very cold may drop a tool they are using, and it may fall and hit someone who is working beneath them.

Reckless drivers and rear-end collisions

On behalf of Brenna Boyce PLLC Attorney at Law posted in auto accident injuries on Friday, January 18, 2019.

People behave irrationally on the road in different ways and for various reasons. For example, a drunk driver may cross over the center line and drive into oncoming traffic, or someone may lose control of their vehicle around a turn because they are driving too fast. Reckless drivers may also cause a crash when they collide with another vehicle driving in front of them. For example, a rear-end collision may happen because a negligent driver was paying attention to their phone and did not realize that they should have come to a stop at an intersection, slamming into the car in front of them.

Sometimes, rear-end collisions happen at somewhat low speeds and nobody is hurt. However, this can still be a very startling experience for those who are struck by another vehicle, and it can also result in mental trauma and property damage. In other instances, rear-end collisions prove fatal or cause significant injuries, and this is especially likely to happen when a driver is traveling at a high rate of speed. From drug and alcohol use to fatigue, distractions and inexperience, there are all sorts of risk factors that can lead to a rear-end collision.

Avoid falling for these motorcycle accident myths

On behalf of Brenna Boyce PLLC Attorney at Law on Monday, January 7, 2019.

High-speed motorcycle accidents can result in death or catastrophic injuries. Other motorcycle mishaps seem insignificant by comparison. They can involve laying the bike down or experiencing a rear-end tap from a car. The rider may remain mounted or fall slowly to the pavement, sustaining a few bruises or, at worst, a mild fracture.

Motorcycle riders may assume that a gentle collision is harmless. They might be wrong.

Brain damage after a motorcycle crash

On behalf of Brenna Boyce PLLC Attorney at Law posted in auto accident injuries on Friday, January 4, 2019.

Motorcyclists face an array of risks on the road, and if they are struck by a vehicle or someone loses control of their motorcycle while riding, there may be a number of consequences that can make life tough. Various injuries and even the loss of life is a serious concern, and many people who are hurt experience other hardships in their life, such as financial problems. Moreover, some motorcycle accident consequences are not clear right away and take some time to become evident, such as brain injuries which do not reveal the full extent of damage until later on.

Motorcycle accidents can lead to traumatic brain injuries and mental trauma as well. A motorcycle crash victim may have difficulty with respect to their memory, or their personality may even change. They may become more aggressive or have difficulty when it comes to social interaction. Depression, anxiety and other emotional challenges may also occur.

Construction accidents and lawsuits

On behalf of Brenna Boyce PLLC Attorney at Law on Friday, January 4, 2019.

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries to work in. Despite numerous laws regulating a variety of safety issues, construction workers continue to suffer a high rate of on-the-job injuries.

It is important for injured workers to know they may be able to file a third-party lawsuit, which can potentially result in a more comprehensive recovery than workers' compensation benefits provide.

Motor vehicle collisions involving young children

On behalf of Brenna Boyce PLLC Attorney at Law posted in auto accident injuries on Monday, December 24, 2018.

Auto accidents take place for an array of reasons and they shatter many lives each year. People lose loved ones and they also struggle with devastating injuries that permanently alter their entire life. Worse, many of the motor vehicle wrecks that take place are completely avoidable, meaning that so many lives have been claimed and shattered because of careless behavior, including the lives of young children. As a parent, a crash can be especially devastating when your child is involved. Our law office believes that reckless drivers must be held accountable for their actions.

There are a number of issues to consider when it comes to auto accidents and young children. Some children are unable to continue attending school for a period of time as they try to recover from a wreck, which can be very difficult and may even derail progress they have made. Aside from school, children may be unable to work if they have jobs or participate in after-school activities and hobbies that they enjoy. For example, your child may love to ski or snowboard and they may not be able to do so following a motor vehicle crash that left them hurt.

How can I find a good nursing home for a loved one?

On behalf of Brenna Boyce PLLC Attorney at Law posted in nursing home injuries on Sunday, December 16, 2018.

While placing an aging relative in a New York nursing home can be a tough decision to make, in many cases it’s in the best interest of the individual. Still, you want to make sure that the facility you choose can meet all of your loved one’s needs, from the physical to the emotional. In this case, the National Institute on Aging offers the following advice.

Ask for references

Your New York winter driving safety checklist

On behalf of Brenna Boyce PLLC Attorney at Law on Sunday, November 25, 2018.

Here in Western New York, we know it's not a matter of if we will get snow, just a matter of when and how much. The answers tend to be "soon" and "a lot." Perhaps you learned to drive on snow and ice and aren't too concerned about the winter weather, or perhaps you are new to the area or new to driving. Either way, every winter driver should go through their winter driving safety checklist to make sure they are prepared for changing conditions. Here are a few things to check to make sure your car is ready:

Spilling a hot beverage and the risk of a crash

On behalf of Brenna Boyce PLLC Attorney at Law posted in auto accident injuries on Friday, November 23, 2018.

Most drivers know that drinking alcohol while driving increases the chances of a car crash and is against the law. However, some drivers do not realize that car accidents can also be caused by the consumption of legal beverages while trying to drive. Not only can drinking or eating anything lead to distracted driving but drinking something that is very hot can cause a driver to lose control of their car if they spill or burn their mouth. As a result, drivers should avoid drinking anything altogether until they are no longer behind the wheel.

In the fall months, many people enjoy pumpkin spice lattes, tea hot chocolate. Moreover, people often drink hot coffee at all times of the year. This can be dangerous for a number of reasons, even if a driver does not spill any. Reaching for the cup can distract a driver from the road and someone may also take their eyes off of the road or their hands off the wheel after burning their mouth. When someone does spill a hot beverage while driving, they may be startled and take their foot off of the gas pedal or brake. Or, a driver may collide with a car in front of them after accelerating forward rapidly because they burnt their leg and pushed the gas pedal too hard.

Marijuana use and car crashes

On behalf of Brenna Boyce PLLC Attorney at Law posted in auto accident injuries on Friday, November 9, 2018.

Marijuana is already legal in a number of states and this drug is becoming more and more accepted, with the state of Michigan recently legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. People use marijuana for a number of reasons, whether they consume an edible for medical reasons or smoke the drug for recreational purposes. Either way, it is important for drivers to be aware of how using marijuana can interfere with their ability to safely operate a vehicle. Unfortunately, some people do not show any common sense and get in their vehicle while they are intoxicated, which is extremely concerning regardless of whether or not the substance is legal in their state.

Unfortunately, drivers who are under the influence of marijuana may be more likely to cause an accident for a variety of reasons. They may have difficulty responding to an occurrence on the road, such as avoiding an oncoming vehicle. Moreover, those who do not have very much experience with marijuana may become extremely intoxicated and be unable to stay in their lane, stop at signs or follow other traffic safety laws.