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Wrongful Death Auto Accident Fatalities Increase

Dec 2, 2013 | Auto Accidents, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death

U.S. auto accident fatalities increased in 2012

The death of a family member or a loved one is a traumatic experience. This trauma is made worse if that death could have been avoided by observance of safety standards, traffic laws or responsible driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration there were 33,561 deaths due to auto accidents in 2012 as compared to 32,479 in 2011. What makes this even more disturbing is that while the overall number increased by 3.3 percent, the number who died in alcohol impaired driving crashes increased by 4.6 percent. This was after 6 straight years of declining numbers. In 2005 there were 43,510 fatalities. A contributing factor besides alcohol impairment is the number of distracted drivers due to texting and hand held cell phone usage. The one segment of drivers that saw a decrease in fatalities was young drivers, which numbers have continued to decrease since 2005. A reason for this maybe increased emphasis on drivers’ education in schools and the fact that some auto manufacturers are striving to produce safer vehicles. Auto accidents have long been one of the leading causes of accidental deaths in the US. If you have lost a family member in an auto accident and you believe another drivers or municipalities’ negligence was to blame it is imperative that you speak with a qualified and experienced New York car accident wrongful death lawyer.

New York has very specific requirements for bringing a wrongful death lawsuit. You must consult a law firm with experience in these types of cases. The Edelsteins, Faegenburg & Brown, LLP is an established firm with experienced attorneys who fight to protect the rights of the injured. Do not speak with anyone besides your lawyer, physician or family members about the accident or the after affects you are experiencing. Be aware that you may be contacted by the other parties insurance company. Insurance companies have adjusters, investigators and defense lawyers to protect their bottom line, profitability. The less they have to pay out on policies, the higher their profit margin. They are experienced and trained to shift the blame for an accident away from their policy holder to another party, often the injured person. They would like you to make a statement   like “I feel alright“ to be used against you later if it turns out you have injuries that did not surface immediately after the accident. Frequently people involved in accidents are in shock immediately following the accident and this masks the effects of the injuries. That is why a thorough medical examination after an accident is advisable. It is important not to speak with insurance company representatives or sign any documents they may say are “just a formality so we can settle the case”. If you or a family member have been injured due to negligence you deserve justice and full and fair monetary compensation. The Edelsteins, Faegenburg & Brown ,LLP. are effective New York personal injury lawyers with a tradition of fighting to protect injured persons rights for over 70 years. Their record of obtaining large verdicts and settlements for those injured due to others negligence speaks to their abilities. A recent example is a $5,500.000 settlement for a passenger in an auto accident who suffered cervical fractures that required extensive reconstructive surgery.

Pedestrian fatalities increase

A recent N.Y. Post study on New York City Pedestrian Fatalities ( Nov. 29,2014 ) show an increase of 15.5 percent since 2011. They found that 141 pedestrians were killed by cars up to 11/ 25/ 2013 as compared to 132 killed up to 11/ 25/ 2012 and 122 to the same date in 2011. Paul Steely White, head of Transportation Alternatives said the rise in pedestrian deaths shows a need for stricter enforcement .The N.Y.P.D are stepping up their enforcement of traffic violation laws .During the week of 11/ 25 /2013 they arrested 91 drivers for moving violations and issued more than 5,500 tickets during rush hours at dangerous intersections. Anyone who drives in Manhattan during the week knows that traffic enforcement officers are vigilant in enforcing parking laws and traffic regulations One of the worst pedestrian car accident deaths last week occurred on Staten Island. Two women, a Grandmother and her co-worker were struck (and later died) by a minivan while crossing a street in Willowbrook. As a pedestrian in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens or Staten Island it is imperative to your safety that you maintain awareness and cross at the crosswalks, paying strict attention to oncoming cars. The Edelsteins, Faegenburg and Brown, L.L.P have successfully represented pedestrians who have suffered severe injuries due to negligent drivers. They recovered $5,250,000 for a Staten Island man who was hit by a negligently driven truck and suffered life changing groin and leg injuries , scarring and a fractured elbow.

Medical Malpractice and Dangerous Products

Medical malpractice is another cause of wrongful death lawsuits. The exact number of deaths caused by harm done to a person seeking medical care is widely disputed, but the Scientific American website claims the generally accepted figure to be 98,000 people a year. A new report from the Journal of Patient Safety suggests the number may be much higher.

What the statistics show is irrelevant to someone that has just suffered from a patient’s needless death. That is a personal tragedy and should be thoroughly investigated to ensure that it doesn’t happen again to another family. While no amount of money can ever truly compensate for the loss of a loved one it can at least allow the family to pay bills and maintain the best quality of life possible after their loss. It also sends a clear message to Doctors and Hospitals that this type of negligent medical care is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated, thereby increasing the safety level of all New Yorkers who require responsible medical attention. The Edelsteins, Faegenburg and Brown, LLP. have a proven record of recovering large monetary settlements and verdicts for medical malpractice victims and their  families. A $2,000,000 wrongful death medical malpractice settlement was negotiated for the family of a woman who suffered oxygen deprivation during an endoscopy that went unnoticed causing permanent brain damage , coma and  death.

Dangerous products can lead to senseless deaths any number of ways. Most often them occur through the negligence of manufacturers, or lack of proper safety testing. Whether the product in question is machinery, medication, child’s toy or an everyday household item does not matter. If its proper and intended use has caused a fatal injury then consult with a defective product wrongful death attorney right away. The Edelsteins, Faegenburg & Brown, LLP. have valuable experience in defective product law cases as well.

Contact A New York Wrongful Death Attorney

The lawyers at Edelsteins, Faegenburg & Brown, LLP have been fighting for justice for injured persons since the firm’s formation in Brooklyn in 1937 by Saul’s father,Paul Edelstein, Esq. Their dedication and knowledge of the law are just some of the qualities that make their  firm one of the top personal injury law practices in New York City. Their other is Paul Edelstein,( the third generation ) & Glenn Faegenburg, the firm’s Personal Injury Trial Lawyers’ passion for justice. If you have lost a loved one due to another person’s negligence, contact the law offices of Edelsteins, Faegenburg & Brown, LLP. at  212-425-1999 or 718- 875-3550 to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation .There is never a fee for their consultation and are only paid if they collect financial compensation in your case. They are conveniently located at 61 Broadway, suite 2210 or 26 Court Street, suite 1507, opposite Brooklyn Supreme Court.

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