Long Island Personal Injury And Criminal Defense Blog

Spinal cord injuries can vary in levels of severity

On behalf of The Matera Law Firm on Friday, May 3, 2019.

Talking about spinal cord injuries often conjures to mind images of people who live as paraplegics or quadriplegics, meaning they either don't have use of their legs or have lost motor control over all four limbs. However, there is a broad range of spinal cord injuries. Full paralysis is only one consequence of a spinal cord injury.

The size and power of motor vehicles make motor vehicle accidents a likely cause of a spinal cord injury. The high speeds and potential for traumatic injury can result in a variety of spinal cord injuries that could potentially impact the rest of your life, including your ability to continue your career or even to live independently.

How the decisions of other drivers leave you seriously vulnerable

On behalf of The Matera Law Firm on Wednesday, April 3, 2019.

Just about every driver knows that being in control of a multi-ton vehicle is a dangerous responsibily (and anyone who doesn't should not have the privilege of driving). Small mistakes can have life-altering and even fatal consequences. If you have committed yourself to driving safely and being responsible at the wheel, you might imagine that your overall risk of a crash is lower.

Unfortunately, you are still vulnerable to a potential collision because of the behavior of other drivers. Whether someone unexpectedly slams into your vehicle or blocks the road during your approach, the potential is there for other drivers to cause accidents that leave you with serious injury and property damage.

Even mild brain injuries can cause severe complications

On behalf of The Matera Law Firm on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.

When a person suffers a blow to the head, there is always a chance that they may receive a brain injury. In some cases, these events go unnoticed, and may only affect the victim about as much as a heavy night of drinking. In other cases, the damage is often much more serious than the victim or those around them realize.

A mild traumatic brain injury may seem like a good diagnosis considering that more serious brain injuries can leave a victim in a coma or simply kill them outright. However, these injuries often cause significant long-term harm to the victim by changing the way the victim reacts to stressful circumstances and interprets information. Unless the victim and those around them understand that a brain injury causes these changes, the victim's professional and personal relationships may all suffer.

Don’t wait to build a claim after a commercial truck accident

On behalf of The Matera Law Firm on Monday, February 4, 2019.

Commercial truck accidents are often catastrophic, leaving victims swamped in medical bills, lost income and difficult physical recovery. Like many other traffic accidents, injury and property damage claims may take years to completely resolve, but truck accidents often involve additional complicated issues that take even longer.

Many victims do not have the extra funds to wait for years to receive full compensation for their medical bills and other expenses, but do not know where to begin. Still, anyone who experiences serious losses from a truck accident should begin building their claim as soon as they can, to keep their rights protected while pursuing justice.

Know your rights if you slip and fall near a business

On behalf of The Matera Law Firm on Monday, January 7, 2019.

Anywhere you go in New York, you're going to find sidewalks and walkways leading into businesses. For the most part, people take care of these walkways and make sure that they are safe for people who are walking by and using them.

Unfortunately, not all business owners are as considerate as others. It is the law that business owners and homeowners have to keep their properties safe. In some localities, it is also the homeowner or business owner who has to keep walkways safe and clear.

More people than you think choose to drive distracted

On behalf of The Matera Law Firm on Wednesday, December 5, 2018.

With the rise of mobile telephone culture came a marked increase in public awareness of the dangers of distracted driving. However, distracted driving existed long before mobile phones were a part of everyday life. People would find themselves distracted at the wheel due to discussions with family members, a desire to change the radio station or even personal grooming.

Any form of distraction is dangerous, but mobile technology is particularly insidious. People in some situations may become addicted to or dependent upon their phones. Some people may worry about the loss of a relationship or even a job if they don't immediately respond to emails and text messages.

Winter weather is particularly dangerous for construction workers

On behalf of The Matera Law Firm on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

New York is known for its grit and fast-paced business community. While the blustery winters common in New England might inspire some to stay inside, construction workers often find themselves at work during even the worst weather conditions.

Construction companies and the people hoping to inhabit new buildings or remodeled existing structures do not have the patience to wait for spring to resume work on the buildings.

Poor lighting can lead to dangerous accidents

On behalf of The Matera Law Firm on Monday, October 8, 2018.

If you are in a bar, restaurant or movie theater, the lighting may be dimmed in order to create a nice ambiance. This can help guests on the premises to feel relaxed and ready to have a great time. Lighting has a profound effect on the way that we behave and can help us in many ways.

Mood lighting can create a relaxed vibe, while bright lighting in hospitals can aid doctors and nurses in their professions. Lighting is also necessary for certain situations to be safe and it is possible for injuries to occur if the lighting is not suitable.

Injury rate for pedestrian-cyclist crashes drops

On behalf of The Matera Law Firm on Monday, September 10, 2018.

When a bicyclist crashes into a pedestrian, the hapless pedestrian can suffer devastating injuries. Even if they are initially able to walk away from the collision relatively unscathed — often due to the surge of adrenaline that people have in emergency situations — the pedestrians may experience pain and other adverse complications in the days and weeks following their dust-up with the bicyclist.

Dual-state study indicates decline

Construction accidents can hurt people in cars and on the street

On behalf of The Matera Law Firm on Tuesday, August 7, 2018.

Construction is often the sign of a thriving local economy. It means that businesses and builders want to invest in the area. It can also mean that previously poorly maintained areas can soon become a source of beauty, rather than a blight, for the local community. Construction provides new housing opportunities for people in densely populated areas in New York, and it creates a host of jobs.

Unfortunately, construction is also a source of risk for both debilitating injuries and death. Construction workers have some of the highest injury and fatality rates of any professionals. The risk doesn't end with those wearing hard hats to work, however. Other people nearby can also be at risk in the event of serious construction issues.