Queens NY Medical Malpractice Law Blog

The streets of New York can be very crowded during the day. In addition to the normal foot traffic, there is often construction work going on causing sidewalks to be either narrowed or closed. There are also many situations when scaffolding is placed over a sidewalk forcing pedestrians to walk underneath it while work is going on above them. For this reason, it is important that scaffolding is constructed correctly to keep both workers and pedestrians safe.

Unfortunately, one recent incident highlights just how important this issue can be. There, scaffolding collapsed onto a sidewalk as workers were taking it down. Workers nearby described it as sounding like a car accident. Two pedestrians were injured, but the most seriously hurt was a worker. Witnesses stated that his arm looked like it was badly injured. None of the harm suffered was life-threatening, though, and all are expected to recover. The company was fined $25,000 for failing to safeguard the area.

At any given time, a New Yorker can be involved in an accident. Most of the time people arrive at their destination safely, but the risk is always there. This is true even for the safest of drivers. There are a number of factors that contribute to a car accident that are out of the control of drivers. Amongst these are the weather and the actions of other drivers on the road. Sometimes it is impossible to avoid other motorists when they make poor decisions or do not pay attention while they are driving.

Distracted driving is a very serious problem and is the cause of many car accidents each year. It is important that motorists keep their eyes on the road and avoid any activity that requires a driver to take his or her eyes off the road for even a couple seconds. Distractions come in many forms, but most fall into three categories: ones that require a driver to take their eyes off the road, those that require a motorist to take their hands off the steering wheel, and those that cause the mind to focus on things other than driving.

There are many dangers at construction sites in New York. These dangers can lead to serious construction accidents and leave workers with serious injuries. However, most of these accidents can be prevented if the companies who employ workers ensure that there is safety equipment at the construction sites and that workers follow the safety regulations. To help ensure that there are proper safety measures in place, the Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) establishes and enforces these safety regulations.

Not all companies and workers follow each and every one of these rules though, which can lead to accidents. Some safety regulations are broken more often than others. The most common OSHA violation is found in fall protection, including failing to have the proper protections in place and to properly train workers. Another top violation is found with the general requirements for scaffolding. Other top violations that can occur at construction sites are violations with regard to respiratory protection, ladders, and communication about hazards.

Driving cars can make life convenient. However, those who don't follow the rules of the road and remain attentive behind the wheel can cause devastation. Unfortunately, many people have found this out after they themselves were involved in a car accident. People, oftentimes the drivers who did nothing wrong, end up with serious injuries and in some instances even die as a result of these wrecks.

Tragically, this is what happened recently to a mother while driving with her 16-year-old daughter. Reports indicate that the woman and her daughter were travelling on the highway when they were cut off by another driver. This caused the woman to lose control of the vehicle and hit an embankment. The vehicle then overturned causing the woman to be thrown from it. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The daughter remained trapped in the vehicle, but crews were able to get her out. Although she is hospitalized, she is listed as in critical condition. The driver who cut them off left the scene and is being sought by authorities.