Firm Partner Ira Slavit recently appeared on the BronxNetTV show OPEN to discuss how unsafe roads contribute to the deaths of Black drivers. He noted that more people of color were killed behind the wheel during the pandemic, although there were fewer people driving. He also provided advice to those whose loved ones were killed in accidents and told viewers what they should and should not do at the scene of an accident. To view the segment, watch the video below: … Read the rest
Tag: Car Accident
Ira Slavit Says Better Roads Need to Be Built in Communities of Color to Reduce Number of Black Driver Deaths
During the pandemic, fewer people were on the roads, yet the number of traffic deaths went up. For Black drivers, the death rate was much higher, citing the configuration of unsafe roads that can be found in communities of color. Ira Slavit, Partner, Levine & Slavit PLLC, says local, state and federal governments must work together to improve these roadways to reduce the number of fatalities among Black drivers.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), of the 38,680 people who were killed in crashes last year, 7,494 were Black. Even though total overall deaths were up 7% … Read the rest
Switch to Daylight Savings Means More Car Accidents
Daylight Savings Time comes around the same time every year, when America pushes its clocks ahead one hour. Despite the fact that everyone knows it is coming, people often take a great deal of time to adjust to the change in schedule. This shift is more than a simple inconvenience, however, as the switch to Daylight Savings Time often comes with an increased risk of injury and death, particularly when people are out driving.… Read the rest
NHTSA Reports Increase in Traffic Fatalities During Quarantine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has revealed that the first nine months of 2020, which included the most intense period in which the coronavirus lockdown was in place, showed an increase in the number of traffic-related fatalities compared to the same period in 2019. This is despite a general decrease in traffic- or, as the NHTSA proposes, it may in fact be because of the lightened traffic. In addition, there were increased signs of drivers being under the influence of alcohol or other mind-altering substances during this time period.… Read the rest
Pedestrian Accidents on Rise From 2015 to 2019 in NY
A study by AAA Northeast has shown that 162,000 pedestrians were struck by vehicles from 2010 to 2019. That is an average of one person every thirty-three minutes, with the highest point coming in 2013 with 16,145 pedestrian accidents. While things seemed to be turning around in 2015, when accidents had fallen by 22% from just two years prior, they slowly turned back around, and in 2019 there were 15,456 pedestrian accidents. While this trend may have been slowed by the coronavirus pandemic, pedestrian accidents nevertheless remain shockingly prevalent and deadly in New York.… Read the rest
Limo Safety Bills Signed into Law in NY
Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed a package of limousine safety bills into law, intended to deal with a series of fatal crashes on Long Island and across the state that resulted in calls to address the problem. The laws specifically address the issue of rented stretch limos, which are commonly hired for formal events like proms, weddings and bar mitzvahs, among other similar events. The hope is that the new measures will reduce the number of fatalities caused by limo crashes every year.… Read the rest
Will Legalized Marijuana Result in More Motor Vehicle Crashes?
Despite overall statewide and local support for the legalization for marijuana, there has been concern that legalizing the drug may mean an increase in motor vehicle crashes.… Read the rest
Nassau County Pays Out Another Large Settlement after Motor Vehicle Accident
In January 2019, a New York State Judge gave final approval to a $25 million settlement between Nassau County and a woman who was left with a traumatic brain injury after a motor vehicle accident. The accident occurred on September 8, 2007, at the T-shaped intersection of Oceanside Road and Erwin Place, when a drunken driver smashed into the woman’s vehicle. Because of her injuries, the woman is now unable to speak and is forced to use a wheelchair.… Read the rest
What to Do When Involved in an Auto Accident
With automobiles being the most popular form of transportation, the United States experiences approximately 6 million car accidents a year. Almost half of these accidents result in injuries to one or more of the occupants of the vehicles. While we hope you are never involved in a motor vehicle accident, knowing what to do in the situation could be the key to receiving the compensation you deserve.… Read the rest
Snow-Related Car Accidents
Winter is often characterized by shorter days, lower temperatures, and snowy weather conditions. These factors can pose danger to drivers and often contribute to an increase in auto accidents during the season. In November 2018, the first snowfall on Long Island occurred and, as a result, nearly 500 snow-related car accidents occurred, according to the Nassau and Suffolk Police Departments. Snow-related accidents are common, so it is important that drivers always exercise caution when driving during the winter season.… Read the rest
