Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Government: Nearly 6,000 deaths from driver distraction

Via MattarMedia WASHINGTON - The government says nearly 6,000 people were killed and a half-million injured last year in vehicle crashes connected to driver distraction.

The report comes as the Obama administration holds a two-day meeting on driver distraction that could lead to new restrictions on using mobile devices while driving.

The Transportation Department says 5,870 people were killed and 515,000 were injured in 2008 in crashes where at least one form of driver distraction was reported.

Driver distraction was involved in 16 percent of all fatal crashes in 2008 and was prevalent among drivers under 20 years old.

A group of experts is meeting to discuss ways of addressing the roadway hazards. The government may recommend new restrictions to address driver distraction.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Poland teen hurt in crash

Via MattarMedia DEERFIELD - A Poland teenager was hospitalized after a collision at the intersection of Rt. 8 and Rt. 28 about 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Kayla Donley, 16, was taken to Little Falls Hospital with chest pain after her vehicle collided with a vehicle driven by Charles Millard, 71, of Salisbury Center, according to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.

The accident occurred after Millard had stopped at a stop sign on Rt. 28 and then drove into the path of Donley, according to the sheriff’s office.

Millard was issued a summons for failure to yield at a stop sign.

FOUR STUDENTS INJURED IN ACCIDENT AFTER SCHOOL

Via MattarMedia - Four students from Belleville-Henderson Central School suffered minor injuries in a car accident after class Tuesday afternoon. It happened at the intersection of County Routes 78 and 79 in the town of Ellisburg.

Officials said a black car occupied by two males broadsided a silver car occupied by a female driver and male passenger. The impact sent both vehicles crashing into a house.

Officials aren't sure if the black vehicle caused the accident by running the stop sign on Route 78.

The students, whose names were not released, were transported to Samaritan Medical Center for treatment. One person might have internal injuries, officials said.

Two pedestrians injured in hit-and-run accident

Via MattarMedia - Two pedestrians, one of them an 11-year-old boy, were injured in a hit-and-run accident on Delaware Avenue in North Buffalo on Monday night, and police have arrested a possible suspect on an unrelated marijuana charge.

The accident occurred shortly after 8:30 p.m., when witnesses told police that a vehicle northbound on Delaware Avenue ran the red light at Hinman Avenue and struck the two people who were crossing the street.

Candice King, 38, of Delsan Court, Buffalo, was taken to Erie County Medical Center, where she was listed in fair condition this afternoon.

An 11-year-old boy, believed to be her son, was taken to Women & Children's Hospital with injuries that were described by witnesses as non-life-threatening.

Northwest District officers tracked the vehicle to a Skillen Street residence. When they arrived to investigate, they said they spotted marijuana in plain view.

Officer Brandon Hawkins charged Reginald Zinnerman, 29, of Skillen Street, with marijuana possession. Zinnerman has not been charged in the accident, which remains under investigation.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

School bus driver likely to be ticketed in crash

Via MattarMedia COLONIE - Police are expected to issue a traffic ticket to the driver of a Schodack Central School District bus that collided with a car on Route 9 in Loudonville Monday morning, injuring five students and the other driver.

The injuries were not considered serious.
The bus driver, identified as Dorothy Vandewal, 59, of Castleton, was turning left into the Loudonville Christian School at 374 Loudon Road when the bus hit the car just before 8 a.m., said Lt. Robert Winn of the Colonie Police Department.

He said Vandewal mistakenly thought the other car, driven by Kathleen O'Neil, 62, of Latham, had slowed down to let her make the turn.

Five students on the bus -- three girls, ages 15, 13 and 11, and two boys, ages 15 and 11 -- were injured, as was O'Neil.

Four were sent to Albany Memorial Hospital, two to Albany Medical Center Hospital.

Vandewal was expected to be ticketed for failing to yield the right of way, Winn said.

The bus was headed to Loudonville Christian School and another school, said Schodack schools Superintendent Douglas Hamlin.

He said parents were immediately contacted. He said Vandewal, who was "very concerned about the children on her bus," faced no action.

He called the accident unfortunate, adding: "Luckily, everything will be all right."

Three sent to hospital following accident in German Flatts

Via MattarMedia GERMAN FLATTS, N.Y. (WKTV) - Three people are hurt following a car accident in German Flatts Monday afternoon.

Two SUVs were involved in the crash on Shoemaker Road late Monday afternoon. State Police said three people were taken to the hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries.

No roads are closed at this time, and no further details were available Monday afternoon.

Church Road closed after crash in Cambria

Via MattarMedia CAMBRIA - Mercy Flight was called to the scene of a one-vehicle crash about 11:30 a.m. today, after the vehicle hit a tree at 4210 Church Road, splitting the tree.

Emergency workers have closed Church Road, between routes 93 and 104.

Ransomville and Cambria volunteer firefighters and ambulance have been called to the scene.

Two people were in the vehicle, according to Niagara County authorities, although the extent of their injuries was not immediately known.

Rochester couple injured in Wyoming crash

Via MattarMedia - A local couple trapped inside their truck for nearly three hours is recovering tonight.

Mykhaylo and Vita Yukhnyuk were injured Sunday after their semi crashed into another vehicle in Wyoming.

Officers say traffic had slowed down because of a fiery crash involving another truck. The Yukhnyuk's accidentally slammed into the back of another vehicle.

Crews were force to cut the semi, in order to rescue the couple. Charges are pending.

Both were taken to the hospital and are expected to recover.

For more Rochester, N.Y. news go to our website www.whec.com.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Seven Buffalo school children injured on west side

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Seven Buffalo school children suffered minor injuries after two buses collided Monday morning on the city's west side.

It happened at the corner of Herkimer and West Delavan.

Rural Metro transported the injured students to Women & Children's for evaluation and treatment.

A neighborhood parent says one bus ran a stop sign. She says this is a dangerous intersection.

"It's always been an issue at this corner that it should be a four way stop. And they're going to wait until something more tragic than what just occurred this morning to happen before they do something about it. It's something that needs to be addressed immediately. There's a school right down the street, children have to walk to school independently," said Darlene Gugino.

News 4 is waiting to hear from police about any charges in connection with the bus collision.

Sites offer tips after survey suggests teens with own cars more likely to crash

Via MattarMedia - A new Web site is offering parents tips on how to keep their teen drivers safe, after recent studies suggested young drivers who have their own cars are much more likely to get into crashes than those who share a car.

Among the tips: clearly communicate your safety concerns and expectations, be a good role model by practicing the safety you preach and explain the reasoning behind the rules.

The Web site comes in part from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, whose researchers conducted surveys of 5,500 teens in 2006. They say 25 percent of teens who have their own car or feel they have free use of one have been involved in crashes, compared to 10 percent of teens who have shared driving access.

The study's lead author says the lower crash rate doesn't reflect less driving time, but is more likely due to having to ask for the car keys which helps parents monitor their kids' driving.

The study was funded by State Farm Insurance and released last week by the journal of Pediatrics.

Woman, 24, charged in speeding, DWI case

Via MattarMedia WHEATFIELD—A North Tonawanda woman pulled over for driving 75 mph on Shawnee Road also faces drunken-driving charges and had a bottle of beer in her car at the time of her arrest Saturday morning, according to the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office.

Deanna D. Husami, 24, of Eighth Avenue, refused to submit to a breath test after her vehicle was stopped for speeding in a 55 mph zone, deputies reported.

Husami was taken to Niagara County Jail on $250 bail.

Friday, September 25, 2009

One-in-five U.S. drivers admit to texting: survey

Via Mattar Media WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Nearly one-in-five U.S. drivers surveyed have read or sent a text message while behind the wheel even though nearly all of the respondents in an AAA survey released on Friday considered it unacceptable.
"The new technologies that help us multitask in our everyday lives and increasingly popular social media sites present a hard-to-resist challenge to the typically safe driver," AAA chief executive Robert Darbelnet said in a statement accompanying the survey commissioned by the AAA Foundation.
"Enacting texting bans for drivers in all 50 states can halt the spread of this dangerous practice among motorists nationwide, and is a key legislative priority for AAA in state capitals," Darbelnet said. The group, which provides emergency road services to its members and lobbies on automobile issues, formerly was known as the American Automobile Association.
The random telephone survey questioned 2,500 U.S. residents 16 and older in April and May.
Although nearly all respondents considered the practice unacceptable, 18 percent said they had sent a text message while driving within a month of being surveyed.
Most data available on texting and driving is anecdotal but the U.S. Transportation Department is seeking more information as pressure grows to ban the practice. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will hold a two-day conference on distracted drivers next week in Washington.
Separately on Friday, 93 percent of 1,000 licensed drivers responding to a survey commissioned by Ford Motor Co supported a nationwide ban on texting while behind the wheel. AAA says surveys of its members also favor a ban, a step that is supported by Ford and other major automakers.
About a dozen states have imposed prohibitions and proposals for a national ban have been introduced in Congress.
The wireless industry -- including cellphone manufacturers, carriers, and some Internet companies represented by the CTIA-Wireless Association -- support state and local efforts to ban texting while driving.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Three Ava teens injured in rollover accident

Via Mattar Media AVA NY -Three Ava teenagers were sent to the hospital following a rollover motor vehicle accident at about 6 p.m. Tuesday on Sheehan Road in Ava, according to a news release from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.

The driver of the vehicle, Christopher Croniser, 18, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained multiple injuries in the accident, deputies said. At about 11 p.m. Tuesday, he was listed in stable condition at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, hospital officials said.

His passengers Aaron Croniser, 15, and Harley Longamore, 17, sustained minor injuries, deputies said. They were treated at the scene and at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center and released, deputies said.

The accident occurred when Croniser was driving fast in reverse on Sheehan Road and the vehicle rolled over – ejecting Christopher Croniser, deputies said. The vehicle rolled at least one more time after he was ejected then rolled down an embankment and came to rest on its roof, deputies said.

Nobody in the vehicle was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, but the passengers were not ejected, deputies said.

Christopher Croniser was ticketed for reckless operation, unsafe backing, aggravated unlicensed operation and no seat belt for both himself and his front seat passenger, deputies said.Emergency personnel are responding to a serious auto accident on West Ava Road in the town of Ava.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

2 injured in 3-car accident

via MattarMedia NEW HARTFORD, NY - A three-car accident resulted in two people suffering injuries Tuesday afternoon, New Hartford police said.

The accident occurred on Commercial Drive in the area of Panera Bread when an eastbound vehicle being driven by John Rickard, 34, of Newport, was attempting to make a left turn into the Consumer Square plaza and turned into the path of a westbound vehicle being operated by Robert Greenleaf, 19, of Utica, police said.

The collision caused Greenleaf’s vehicle to leave the roadway and strike a third vehicle, which was stopped at the exit of the plaza waiting to enter traffic. The third vehicle was being operated by Bernard Reape, 65, of New Hartford, police said.

Greenleaf and Rickard’s girlfriend, who was a passenger in Rickard’s vehicle, were taken to local hospitals for evaluations of their injuries, police said. Reape and his passenger were not injured. Rickard was issued traffic tickets for failure to yield right of way, unlicensed operation, aggravated unlicensed information, and failure to provide proof of insurance, police said.

Rickard will answer the charges in New Hartford Town Court next month. New York Mills Fire Department and Edwards Ambulance assisted at the scene.

Brake failure results in Rome car crash

via MattarMedia ROME NY - A 70-year-old Texas woman crashed in the rear of another vehicle when her brakes failed at an intersection in Rome Monday afternoon, according to Oneida County sheriff’s deputies.

Sheila Hughes was driving north on Route 46/Rome New London Road when her vehicle experienced a brake failure at the intersection with Route 69/Rome Taberg Road about 1:37 p.m., Deputy Melissa Bolton said.

As a result, Hughes’ vehicle rear-ended the vehicle in front of her, Bolton said. The second vehicle was driven by John Iacone, 40, of Rome, and he was stopped at the intersection for a red light when the accident occurred. Iacone and his passenger, Cheryl Iacone, were not injured, Bolton said.

Car strikes firetruck, driver charged with DWI

via MattarMedia UTICA NY - One person was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated Monday after their vehicle struck a Utica fire truck at the intersection of Sunset Avenue and Noyes Street, the Utica Police Department said.

No injuries were reported from the 7:54 p.m. accident and the fire truck was able to return to service afterward, police said. The truck was returning from a call at the time of the accident and was not in emergency operation.

Police expected to release the name of the other vehicle's driver later Monday evening or Tuesday morning.

Four car crash snarls traffic



via MattarMedia BUFFALO NY (WIVB) - An expressway accident snarled traffic Saturday night in Buffalo.

Emergency crews were called to the junction of the 33 and the 198 shortly after 7 p.m. Four cars were involved in the crash and some were heavily damaged.

There were minor injuries as a result of the accident, but those who were injured signed off for medical treatment at the scene, Bolton said. The Rome Fire Department and AmCare Ambulance assisted.

Friday, September 4, 2009

I received a notification for an IME. What is this?

If you are claiming to suffer pain and injuries from a car accident, it is very common to receive an IME notification. An IME is an Independent Medical Examination, which is used for an expert opinion. This medical exam is mainly used to gather information about the accident, your injuries, and your lifestyle. There is no medical treatment involved. An IME notification will give you a specific date and time for your appointment with the medical examiner.

Doctors who are independent medical examiners are basically working for the insurance company. It is important to remember to always be respectful, on time, and professional with these examiners, even if you do not agree with their opinions about your case. They may use even the most minuscule, negative details against you in court. Always make sure that the law firm representing you is aware that you have been notified to attend an IME.

Do I have what New York State considers a “serious injury”?

Many people call our firm asking if they can receive money for being hurt in a car accident. Although you may have been in a car accident caused by a reckless driver, you still need to have sustained a “serious injury” in order to have a viable claim and to receive a monetary reward.

So, you may ask, what exactly is considered a “serious injury” in the state of New York? A serious injury is an injury which may include any of the following:

  • Death
  • Dismemberment
  • A fracture
  • Disfigurement
  • Loss of fetus
  • Permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, system, or function
  • Significant limitation of use of a body function or system
  • Permanent limitation of use of body organ or member

It can be difficult to determine what is a serious injury. Therefore, it is important to obtain legal advice from a law firm who handles motor vehicle accidents in New York State. Some of these categories are more cut and dry than others. Where it is somewhat simple to declare dismemberment, death, a fracture, or disfigurement, it is much more complicated to declare a permanent loss/limitation of usage of a body organ, member, system, or function.

Consequently, expert medical advice may be needed in order to determine if an injury is considered permanent or if there will be a significant limitation of use. Doctors will use diagnostic tests in order to prove or support their opinion. Usually, independent medical examiners are asked for their opinions regarding the injuries caused by an accident. However, since different doctors have different opinions, the question about whether a person has sustained a “serious injury” or not may become much more of a dispute.
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