Representing And Advising Personal Injury Victims
In addition to our other areas of practice, Pasquale V. Bochiechio, P.C. offers advice and representation to those who have been injured in accidents caused by the negligence of another. Keep reading for more information about common personal injury scenarios.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Following an auto accident, the most important thing is to seek medical attention if necessary as soon as possible. Contacting an attorney should be an important step two. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident in the Western New York area feel free to contact us for a free consultation.
Immediately following an accident, it is important to assess the scene of the accident. If there is significant damage to your vehicle we recommend calling the police and requesting a report to be made. While you are waiting for the police to attend to the scene you should take this time to exchange insurance information with the other drivers, record registration information, and take down the names & numbers of any witnesses who stop.
Documenting the scene is important as some defendants may try to change their story later. You should try to record any statements made by the other parties. You should take photographs of the locations of the vehicles, skid marks, the damage to all vehicles. Be careful! Traffic may be continuing around you.
There are several important time deadlines that must be adhered to in New York with regard to your treatment. We can help you navigate these deadlines.
Coverage for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other reasonable & necessary expenses come from the vehicle in which you were traveling. These come from what is called your own fo-fault insurance. As we specialize in no-fault litigation, we are well versed in helping you navigate these systems.
If you have a serious injury, your pain & suffering are compensated by the other driver’s insurance (known as Bodily Injury coverage).
Dog Bite Injuries
Dog owners are responsible for the actions of their animals if it can be shown that the dog has a prior propensity for aggressive behavior. Additional factors may be considered by the court such as if the owner violated any laws or ordinances (such as leash laws).
The specific circumstances need to be investigated:
- Does the dog have a reputation in the neighborhood as aggressive?
- Does the dog lunge at passersby while on walks?
- Does the dog require a muzzle while being walked?
- Does the dog have a history of prior bites?
- Has the dog been dismissed from any daycare/groomers?
New York has specific legislation regarding liability in dog bite cases: the so-called “one-bite” rule. This law essentially states that an owner cannot be held liable for his/her dog biting another human being unless the dog has bitten before. These cases require extensive investigations of the dog’s neighborhood to prove our claims. Contact our office today for a free consultation regarding any questions about your dog bite case.
Slip-And-Fall Cases
When residents of Western New York think of slip-and-fall accidents, the first thing that comes to mind is our famous winters and falls on ice/snow. However, many factors can cause compensable slip/fall cases such as improper railings, uncleaned debris, equipment/toys left out where they shouldn’t be; unexpected floor level changes; poor lighting conditions; and of course, snow and ice.
These types of cases are often very fact-specific and will need investigation of the scene of the accident as close to the conditions as possible. If, after you have obtained medical attention, you are able to photograph to document the scene, this can be extremely helpful.
Motorcycle Accidents
Pasquale V. Bochiechio is a motorcycle rider (his current motorcycle is a 1999 Dyna Wide Glide). He understands the difficulty that comes with sharing the road with other vehicle operators.
Most motorcycle accidents that we see in the area happen because of driver negligence. I notice it every time I’m riding. A head in a car focusing on the phone in their lap; a driver turned around trying to get something out of the back seat; a person more focused on their GPS than the roadway.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Drivers failing to check their blind spots (especially when they are changing lanes)
- Failure to yield right of way
- Failing to signal a turn/sudden stop
Injured victims of motorcycle accidents can seek compensation from the party at fault for their damages. These damages can include medical expenses, lost wages, hospital costs, permanent injuries, etc.
Please see our Motor Vehicle Accident Guide (hyperlink) for tips on what to do following the accident.
Trucking Accidents
Commercial truck accidents are possibly some of the most serious motor vehicle accidents. They have all the problems of motor vehicle accidents while being approximately 30 times heavier than your average car. This causes the forces involved in the accident to be increased by a significant factor.
Again, following these types of accidents, the most important thing is to seek medical attention if necessary as soon as possible. Contacting an attorney should be an important step two.
Immediately following an accident, it is important to assess the scene of the accident. If there is significant damage to your vehicle, we recommend calling the police and requesting a report to be made. We can also help you with reconstructing the scene of the accident, collecting the black box data of the truck, determining if any safety regulations were violated, etc.
As mentioned above in the Motor Vehicle Accidents section, our firm is ready to help you with nearly all aspects of your case, including:
- Meeting treatment and filing deadlines
- Obtaining coverage for your injuries, lost wages and other expenses through no-fault insurance
- Obtaining additional coverage for extensive injuries and pain/suffering through the other driver’s Bodily Injury insurance coverage
Contact Us To Discuss Your Case In A Free Initial Consultation
Pasquale V. Bochiechio, P.C. is pleased to offer free initial consultations to personal injury victims who want to better understand their rights and legal options. To schedule yours, call us at 716-267-6252 or fill out our online contact form.