News

The Staten Island law firm of DDD&I frequently posts news that is relevant to our personal injury clients.  Car accidents, bicycle accidents, train accidents and motorcycle accidents can leave lasting injuries, and you will need an experienced Staten Island injury attorney to fight for you.  We handle cases in New York City, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and throughout New Jersey.

News Category:

Personal Injury

  • Police Report Shows Officer Was Speeding when Struck Pedestrian
    Jan 18, 2012

    A Nassau County police department investigation has revealed that a police car was speeding, estimated at 54 m.p.h., when it fatally struck Sherry Lang, a pedestrian crossing Merrick Road in Bellmore, New York. The inital report after the accident estimated the speed of the police car at approximately 30 - 35 m.p.h.

    A full reconstruction of the accident by the police department showed that the police car was travelling at 60 m.p.h. just moments before the impact. The excessive speed occurred at night, in steady rain, creating low visibility. The police investigation also determined that the police officer behind the wheel of the car was not operating with the car's lights or sirens on and was not enroute to an emergency.

    Tom Cascione, the Lang's family attorney, claimed that the police officer's excessive speed caused the death of Ms. Lang. If Ms. Lang was actually struck at 30 m.p,.h, her chances of survival would be almost 60%. When the speed increases to 50 m.p.h, the fatality rate increases to almost 100%.

  • Brooklyn Woman with Broken Ankle Waits 30 Hours for Ambulance
    Dec 29, 2010

    A resident of Brooklyn, NY suffered a broken ankle shortly after the Staten Island blizzard and had to wait 30 hours for an ambulance to arrive to help her.

    The woman experience severe pain by having to wait 30 hours without receiving proper medical attention for the broken ankle.

    The Brooklyn ambulance took so long to arrive according to the EMT's because they themselves were stranded in the snow for 8 hours because of unplowed streets.

  • 2 Bronx Children Involved in Separate Fall Accidents in June
    Jun 24, 2010

    June 22, 2010 - Bronx, NYC - With summer weather comes the danger of child window fall accidents associated with open windows and balconies. Already in June there have been two instances of young children suffering serious falls from residential windows in the Bronx.

    NY1.com
    reports that on June 11, a 4-year-old boy died after falling from a balcony on the 23rd floor of a building in the Co-op City housing complex. Authorities continue to investigate the fatal child window fall accident.

    A few days later, on June 14, a 3-year-old boy fell 3 stories from a Bronx apartment building window. Though the child suffered serious injuries in the fall, he is expected to recover from the accident. Police said it appeared there were no safety fixtures in place on the windows that could have prevented such a fall.

    These tragic cases illustrate the safety concerns inherent with summer in the city, when many people open windows or balcony doors in an effort to allow air to circulate through stuffy apartments. When proper safety fixtures are not in place, young children are susceptible to window falls, which can result in

    • Traumatic brain injuries;
    • Spinal cord injuries;
    • Paralysis; or
    • Death

    Contacting a Bronx Child Injury Lawyer 

    If the owner of an apartment building fails to install proper safety fixtures on windows, or if the safety device you used was defective and your child suffered a window fall accident, you may be able to file a child injury lawsuit or wrongful death claim.

    If the owner of the building was the New York City Housing Authority, or the accident took place on city property, you may also need to speak to your attorney about the complications involved in filing a claim against a municipality.

    Talk to a Bronx child injury lawyer about your potential for a personal injury claim after a New York City window fall accident. Before you hire a Bronx child injury lawyer, order this free consumer's guide: What to Expect at Your 50(h) Hearing with the City of New York, to give you an idea of the special concerns in a lawsuit involving the city. Contact a Bronx child injury lawyer at Decker, Decker, Dito & Internicola for more information about your case - 1-800-976-4904.

  • Toddler Suffers 2nd-degree Burns in Brooklyn Playground Accident
    Jun 24, 2010

    June 22, 2010 - Sections of the Brooklyn Bridge Park were closed off last week after a little girl suffered 2nd-degree burns on a piece of dangerously hot playground equipment.

    New York Daily News
    reports that on June 17, a 13-month-old girl suffered serious burn injuries when she briefly touched a steel climbing dome in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The park is home to 3 such climbing structures that visitors say become exceptionally hot in the afternoon sun.

    The 3 steel climbing domes will remain closed until adequate shade can be provided, or until weather permits safe use of the dangerous playground equipment.

    According to the Daily News, the newspaper reported about child burn injuries on the steel domes as early as 2 months ago. At the time, park officials said that young trees planted in the vicinity would eventually provide shade. In the meantime, they used temporary covers, which were in place at the time of the child burn injury accident.

    The steel climbing domes were installed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, a landscape architect company that also installed a similar steel dome in Union Square Park. That structure also has come under fire as being dangerous playground equipment.

    Contacting a Brooklyn Playground Injury Lawyer 

    If your child is injured because of dangerous playground equipment in Brooklyn, it is in your best interest to contact a Brooklyn playground injury lawyer who has experience in handling injury cases that may involve bringing action against a city or municipality. Contact a Brooklyn child injury lawyer at Decker, Decker, Dito & Internicola for more information about your case - 1-800-976-4904.

  • NYC Police Target Motorists Who Use Cell Phones While Driving
    Jun 24, 2010

    June 22, 2010 - New York is one of few states to ban motorists from using hand-held cell phones while driving. This statewide cell phone restriction was enacted to reduce the number of distracted driver accidents that are associated with cell phone usage and driving.

    The New York Police Department (NYPD) this week decided to bring that point home with NYC drivers. The NYPD conducted a 24-hour crackdown on drivers using cell phones throughout the city's 5 boroughs.

    The cell phone enforcement campaign kicked off at midnight June 22. Police officials expected that 1,000s of fines would be issued. A similar effort on March 25, 2010 resulted in 6,882 citations for cell phone use while driving. There is a $130 fine associated with using a hand-held cell phone while driving in New York.

    Police and safety officials say that the New York cell phone ban is part of an effort to reduce the number of serious and fatal New York car accidents that are caused by distracted driver behaviors, such as chatting or texting while driving.

    Studies and statistics reveal that texting while driving or using a cell phone while behind the wheel both increase the odds of driver distraction resulting in serious accidents.

    Contacting a New York Accident Lawyer 

    If you've been injured in a New York accident that was caused by driver distraction, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.

    Before you hire a New York accident lawyer, order this free consumer's guide: The NY Accident Book: 10 Mistakes that Can Wreck Your Accident Case. Contact a Staten Island accident lawyer at Decker, Decker, Dito & Internicola for more information about your case - 1-800-976-4904.

  • NY Insurers Argue Against No-Fault Reform
    Jun 24, 2010

    June 22, 2010 - New York insurance agents are campaigning against a Senate bill that would greatly reform New York's no-fault accident system. The proposed measures would impact accident victims' rights for filing a personal injury lawsuit after suffering injuries in a Staten Island accident.

    The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York claim that the proposed changes to New York's no-fault law would expand the definition of what is considered a serious injury in an accident. For instance, if the changes were to be adopted, victims who suffer torn muscles, and "less serious" neck and back injuries would be eligible for personal injury lawsuits.

    Another perceived problem with the proposed measure is that it would give juries the power to decide what constitutes a serious injury, instead of allowing judges to dismiss personal injury cases that they feel do not constitute a serious enough injury for a lawsuit.

    While the insurance industry asserts that these proposed changes to New York's no-fault system would only slow the court system, others might find that it gives accident victims another avenue to pursue in the event that their auto insurance does not adequately cover their medical expenses after suffering a serious auto accident.

    Contacting a Staten Island Accident Lawyer 

    Before you hire a Staten Island accident lawyer, order this free consumer's guide: The NY Accident Book: 10 Mistakes that Can Wreck Your Accident Case. Or, if you want to learn about how New York's no-fault system affects your Staten Island accident claim, contact a Staten Island accident lawyer at Decker, Decker, Dito & Internicola for more information about your case - 1-800-976-4904.

  • Valley Stream Car Accident Leaves One with Severe Injuries
    May 25, 2010

    A Valley Stream car accident involving two vehicles leaves one person with serious injuries. The hit-and-run accident took place at approximately 7:00 AM on Monday morning, May 17, 2010, at the corner of Rockaway Parkway and West St. Marks Place.

    According to police, the driver of a Mitsubishi was traveling southbound on Rockaway Parkway when he slammed into a Honda and then fled the scene. The force of the impact caused the Honda to flip over.

    The driver of the Honda escaped injuries. Unfortunately, his passenger did not. The passenger was transported to a local hospital and treated for serious injuries sustained in the accident. Their identities were not immediately made known.

    The driver of the Mitsubishi has been identified as Fulvio Mora, 39, of Jackson Heights. Mora allegedly fled the accident scene. However, he returned a short-time later and was treated for minor injuries.

    Mora has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident with serious physical injury, operating an uninsured vehicle, reckless driving, speeding and passing on the right. He was also charged with driving as an unlicensed motorist.

    The hit-and-run Valley Stream auto accident is still under investigation by local authorities.

    This is an unfortunate incident. We wish all the victims a speedy recovery.

  • Trenton Auto Accident Sends 2 to Hospital
    May 17, 2010

    A Trenton auto accident involving three vehicles sends two people to the hospital and a driver to a crisis unit. The incident took place at approximately 3:00 PM on Monday afternoon, May 10, 2010, at the intersection of Perry Street and Broad Street.

    According to local police, an unidentified 24-year-old female driver was traveling northbound on Broad Street and slammed into another vehicle after she entered the intersection against a green light. The force of the impact sent the second vehicle into a parked car.

    Rescue crews transported the driver of the second vehicle, as well as a passenger in the parked car, to the hospital where they were treated for injuries sustained in the accident. They both complained of neck pain. Neither of their identities were made available.

    The 24-year-old distraught driver was transported to Capital Health’s crisis unit after she slapped Officer Russ Derricott across the face. Though, the woman was charged with motor vehicle violations, she was not charged with any assault counts.

    The three-vehicle Trenton car accident is still under investigation by local authorities. It was unclear as to what caused the driver to enter the intersection against the green light.

    This is an unfortunate accident and we wish all the victims a speedy recovery during this difficult time.

  • North Great River Car Accident Claims Life of Man
    May 11, 2010

    A North Great River car accident involving two vehicles claims the life of one man and leaves a woman injured. The incident took place at approximately 7:00 AM on Monday morning, May 10, 2010, at the intersection of Sea Cliff Street and Lowell Avenue.

    According to Suffolk County police, William Geist, 51, of Islip Terrace, was traveling eastbound on Sea Cliff Street when his Saturn collided with a Nissan Maxima, traveling southbound on Lowell Avenue. The driver of the Nissan has been identified as Maria Creedon, 31, of Greenlawn.

    Rescue crews transported both drivers to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore. Geist was pronounced dead at the hospital.

    Creedon was treated for multiple injuries including a fractured right knee. She has been listed in satisfactory condition.

    It was unclear as to what caused the vehicles to collide, however, both cars were impounded. Investigators are scheduled to conduct safety checks on both cars.

    The North Great River auto accident is still under investigation by local authorities. Anyone with information concerning the incident has been asked to contact Third Squad detectives at (631) 854-8352.

    This is a terrible accident and we would like to extend our thoughts and condolences to Mr. Geist’s family and friends during this difficult time. We would also like to wish Ms. Creedon a speedy recovery.

  • New Jersey Car Accident Involves Charter Bus
    May 08, 2010

    A New Jersey car accident involving three vehicles, including a charter bus, claims the life of one person. The incident took place at approximately 5:30 AM on Sunday morning, May 2, 2010, along Interstate 78.

    According to police, the incident occurred when a 37-year-old driver from Bethlehem, Pa., traveling the wrong way on I-78, slammed into a sport utility vehicle (SUV). The force of the impact caused the vehicle, a compact car, to spin out of control and into the path of a charter bus. Rescue crews pronounced the driver of the car dead at the scene of the accident.

    There were 45 people, including 35 minors, reported on the bus at the time of the collision. No one appeared to be seriously injured except for the bus driver who has been identified as Richard Roach, 72, of New Kensington, Pa. He was reported as suffering a broken ankle as a result of the crash.

    It was unclear as to how many people were in the SUV or if anyone onboard was injured.

    The charter bus is owned by Roenigk Coach Co., out of Sarver, Pa. The bus was traveling from Pittsburg to Brooklyn for a religious event.

    The early morning New Jersey accident is still under investigation by local authorities.

    This is an unfortunate incident and our thoughts and condolences go out to all of those who have been affected by this tragedy.



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