The first and most important rule is to remain at the scene of the accident until a police officer has advised you that it is okay to leave.  This is very important because leaving early can result in criminal fines and penalties if you have not provided all of the information required by law.  It is also valuable rule because it encourages thoroughness in dealing with the accident – always a valuable trait in such situations.  Remaining on the scene until you are advised that it is okay to leave is also valuable because it allows you to completely assess the damages to the car and determine whether or not the car can be safely driven.

In addition to staying on the scene, as soon as you have determined that you are okay, you should call the police and any necessary emergency medical responders (such as 9-1-1).  Alerting the authorities is a legal obligation when an accident has occurred, and allows the police to make judgments about the accident at the scene when memories are fresh.  This helps facilitate a fair processing of the facts surrounding the accident.  A car accident attorney can only help someone who has been in a car accident to the extent that the client can accurately recall and describe the events.  Giving an immediate statement to the police helps preserve memories of the event.

The two next most important legal rules of thumb to remember are: (1) gather information, and (2) do not admit liability.  Again, an Albany auto accident lawyer will need as much accurate information as possible to help a client who has been in a car crash pursue his or her rights.  This means that in addition to determining the names and addresses of other motorists in the accident, any other information like witness names and contact information can also be extremely valuable in pursuing a car accident claim.  With respect to the second rule of thumb, admitting liability at the scene of an accident can have long-term consequences to your legal rights.  Even where you are convinced that an accident may have been your fault, seek the advice of a car accident attorney before you make any definitive statements admitting guilt.

It is also important to remember that you should not be giving fact statements to anyone other than the police, because the reliability of third-party individuals’ memories is not something that can be relied on in car accident cases.  Instead, give a statement to the police, and if possible make notes of your own thoughts and impressions.  Then, keep those observations and opinions to yourself until meeting with an Albany car accident law firm.

Thousands of people are injured each year due to cracks, mounds, holes, and all manner of deformities in sidewalks.  These injuries can range from a minor sprain all the way to a broken leg, arm, or wrist.  Such injuries often occur more frequently in downtown areas because the increased pedestrian and automobile traffic prevents people from looking at the sidewalk.  Northern cities in particular suffer from problems with sidewalks, because the yearly freezing and thawing places much greater strain on the roads and sidewalk than occurs in southern cities.  Additionally, northern cities are typically older than southern cities, so their infrastructure is often in a more deleterious state.  While northern cities may be more prone to sidewalk injuries, they do occur in every state.

Some places, such as New York City, passed laws stating that the city wasn’t responsible for injuries that occurred as a result of dilapidated sidewalks, unless the injured person could show that the city had notice of the problem.  While it may sound silly to think that someone has to tell the city – the organization in charge of building and maintaining the sidewalks – that there is a problem with the sidewalks, this caveat led to many injured people suffering unfairly from expensive medical bills (often medical bills in excess of what it would have cost the city to fix the sidewalk in the first place).  So in response, a group of cartographers mapped the city sidewalks in order to put the city on notice as to where there were problems.  In response, New York shifted the responsibility for maintenance of sidewalks to the owners of the property adjacent to the sidewalk.  However, for those sidewalks adjacent to certain private residences, or not adjacent to private property, the city is usually still responsible, though recent court cases have called into question whether the sidewalk maps do effectively put the city on notice as to problems.

No matter who is responsible for maintaining and repairing the sidewalks, it is inevitably the pedestrian who suffers when those responsible shirk their duty.  However, just because the party charged with maintaining the sidewalk fails to fulfill their duty, this does not mean they are relieved of it.  Thus, if you have been injured as the result of a defective sidewalk in the New York area, you may indeed have a viable claim against the party responsible for maintaining the sidewalk.  You should immediately contact an Albany Personal Injury Lawyer to evaluate your pedestrian accident claim, and to instruct you on what to do, as often you have a very limited time-frame during which to notify the city of your injury.

Due to the risks of motorcycle use, it is important to be mentally prepared before operating one.  Never operate a motorcycle while under the influence of any amount of drugs or alcohol because a motorcycle requires more skill and coordination to operate than does a car.  Additionally, an estimated thirty-three percent of motorcycle operators killed in traffic crashes are not licensed to operate a motorcycle.  Make sure you do not fall into this category.

There are several causes of motorcycle crashes.  Some people lack basic riding skills or do not abide by the limitations of a motorcycle.  Others do not take necessary precautions while riding.  Still others do not practice defensive driving techniques or do not follow the speed limit.  Adhering to these principles will reduce the chances that you will be injured in a motorcycle crash.

There are many things you can do to help ensure a safe motorcycle riding experience.  First, be visible.  Motorists often do not see motorcyclists until it is too late.  Make sure your headlight works and be aware of blind spots.  Flash your brake light when you are slowing down and before stopping.  Second, dress for safety.  Wear a quality helmet, eye protection, and bright colored clothing.  Wear long sleeves and pants if possible.  The thicker the clothing, the better.  Remember that the only thing between you and the road is your protective gear.  Third, use effective mental strategies.  Always keep your eye on the road and watch for changing conditions.  Give yourself space and time to respond to other motorists’ actions, and vice versa.  Watch for turning vehicles, and know and follow the rules of the road.  Finally, know your bike and how to use it.  Take refresher courses.  Develop your riding technique before you go into heavy traffic conditions.  Know how to operate your bike in bad weather conditions.  The most important thing is to give yourself space because most accidents happen as a result of people driving cars just do not see motorcycles.

There are also tips for car and truck drivers in encountering motorcyclists.  Make sure to look for motorcycles when you are at an intersection.  Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is.  It may also be difficult to judge a motorcyclists’ speed.  Always assume that a motorcycle is closer than it looks.  Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, so the brake light does not become activated.  Allow more following distance, such as a minimum of 4 seconds.  Lastly, think of a motorcycle as a person and act accordingly.  The injuries suffered by motorcycle drivers can be costly and debilitating, and the expenses can be overwhelming.  If you have been the victim of a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, contact an Albany Motorcycle Accident Lawyer as soon as possible in order to get the help you deserve while recovering from your injuries.

What seemed so real but removed, suddenly seems surreal and overwhelming, pressing in against the confines of your life-as-it-was. Albany personal injury attorneys see it all the time, and can fully appreciate the sense of disorientation and confusion that so often begins a personal injury case for a client.

It is something of a double-bind, being the “victim” of medical malpractice, an Albany car accident, construction accident, or any number of other potential tort scenarios. Action doesn’t seem attractive, but neither does inaction. Should you find yourself in such a situation, rest assured: the counsel of an Albany personal injury attorney is your best first step.

Many questions are common to personal injury victims: Where do I go from here? Who will pay my bills? How do I pursue my case and put my life back together?

This last question is one of the most common and important, and one of the main reasons to contact an Albany personal injury lawyer. Your law firm will work on your case for you, while you put your life back together. A good Albany law firm, your law firm, will investigate and pursue the claim on your behalf, keeping you involved your case.  Frequent contact to discuss your case, medical care, and treatment are essential. Whenever your presence is required for meetings, examinations, legal hearings and court appearances, you will be notified. Above all, Of course, you are guided through each and every step of the process, kept advised and abreast of the progress of your case.

So, what can you do to win your personal injury case and put your life back together? Hire the best Albany personal injury attorneys you can, and put your trust in their experience.

It is important to realize that if you have been injured as a result of someone’s negligence, you should seek the help of an attorney. Call the law firm of Martin, Harding & Mazzotti, LLP toll free at 1.800.LAW.1010 (1-800-529-1010).