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Snowmobile Accidents

Snowmobiling is one of the most popular winter activities in the United States, and practicing personal safety is the key to enjoying it. Nothing ruins a family outing faster than an accident causing property damage, personal injury, or death.

A leading factor in many snowmobile accidents is alcohol consumption. Riding a snowmobile requires quick judgment and fast reflexes, both of which are impaired by just a few drinks. Unsafe speed is another leading factor in most accidents, and speed mixed with alcohol is a deadly combination. Approximately 29% of fatal snowmobile accidents involve alcohol.

Since snowmobiling is a winter activity, you expose yourself to extreme weather conditions, and hypothermia and frostbite become possibilities. Adding alcohol makes things worse, as you might not realize how cold you are until it is too late.

It is not always the person drinking that is the victim of an accident. If you go snowmobiling with others, you will want to ensure those with whom you are traveling are also abstaining from adult beverages. You would not want to become the innocent victim of someone else's drunkenness.

If you or someone you know has suffered from a snowmobile accident involving alcohol, please contact the Stanley Law Offices as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are protected.

Stanley Law Offices, LLP

500 So. Salina Street, Suite 1020
Syracuse, NY 13202-3382
Tel. 315.474.3742
Toll Free: 800.372.3760
Fax: 315.471.1536
Email

Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions
Posted by: Joseph Stanley
June 16, 2009
Topic: Auto Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions:

"I was injured in a car accident, someone told me that no-fault would pay my bills, what is it?"

No-Fault insurance (Personal Injury Protection), is an insurance benefit designed to cover an injured person(s), regardless of fault, for medical expenses, other reasonable necessary expenses and lost wages. An Eligible Injured Person is entitled to a maximum coverage of $50,000 under basic no-fault insurance. The coverage extends to the driver and/or passengers injured in your car or pedestrians injured by your vehicle. For more information on eligibility, benefits available and use or operation, refer to your auto policy endorsements, your insurance agent, company or the New York State Insurance Department (http://www.ins.state.ny.us/)

*Under New York State Insurance regulation, you must make your claim or put the insurance company on notice no later than 30 days from the date of your accident. *

"What about my pain and suffering?"

A claim or lawsuit may be filed against the party that was at fault for the accident. This is separate from your No-Fault coverage. In New York State, you must prove that you sustained a "serious injury" as defined by the insurance law.

Serious injury is defined as: A personal injury which results in death; dismemberment; significant disfigurement; a fracture; loss of a fetus; permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function or system; permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member; significant limitation of use of a body function or system; or a medically determined inquiry or impairment of a non-permanent nature which prevents the injured person from performing substantially all of the material acts which constitute such person's usual and customary daily activities for not less than ninety days during the one hundred eighty days immediately following the occurrence of the injury or impairment.

"I was hurt on a motorcycle, will No-Fault cover me?"

No, unfortunately motorcycles are excluded from No-Fault benefits.

"I'm spending so much money for gas, parking etc. going back and forth to doctor's appointments, does No-Fault cover this too?"


Yes, you may submit claims for mileage reimbursement for up to one (1) year from the date of the accident. You are entitled to no more than $25 per day for other necessary expenses. For example, lets say you have a housekeeper come to your home due to your disability and you pay him/her $25 for that day. You also have a doctor appointment on this day, you cannot claim mileage for the appointment because you have already maxed out your $25 expense.

"My doctor said I can't work because of my injuries, what should I do?"

If you have filed a claim for No-Fault benefits, you may also be entitled to wage loss reimbursement. This is 80% of lost earnings from work, up to a maximum payment of $2,000 per month for up to three years from the date of the accident; The wage reimbursement can be offset by New York State Disability Benefits, Social Security or Worker's Compensation benefits.

In addition to your lost wage claim under your No-Fault coverage, you should apply for New York State Disability. You will likely be eligible through your employer. To begin the application process, you must complete a DB-450. This form should be available to you by your employer. This two-sided form is to be completed by you and your doctor. The No-Fault Insurance carrier will sometimes provide you with this form as a courtesy. It is only as a courtesy and should not be sent back as it needs to be provided to your employer.

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Car accidents Frequently asked questions
Posted by: Joseph Stanley
June 16, 2009
Topic: Auto Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions:

"I was injured in a car accident, someone told me that no-fault would pay my bills, what is it?"

No-Fault insurance (Personal Injury Protection), is an insurance benefit designed to cover an injured person(s), regardless of fault, for medical expenses, other reasonable necessary expenses and lost wages. An Eligible Injured Person is entitled to a maximum coverage of $50,000 under basic no-fault insurance. The coverage extends to the driver and/or passengers injured in your car or pedestrians injured by your vehicle. For more information on eligibility, benefits available and use or operation, refer to your auto policy endorsements, your insurance agent, company or the New York State Insurance Department (http://www.ins.state.ny.us/)

*Under New York State Insurance regulation, you must make your claim or put the insurance company on notice no later than 30 days from the date of your accident. *

"What about my pain and suffering?"

A claim or lawsuit may be filed against the party that was at fault for the accident. This is separate from your No-Fault coverage. In New York State, you must prove that you sustained a "serious injury" as defined by the insurance law.

Serious injury is defined as: A personal injury which results in death; dismemberment; significant disfigurement; a fracture; loss of a fetus; permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function or system; permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member; significant limitation of use of a body function or system; or a medically determined inquiry or impairment of a non-permanent nature which prevents the injured person from performing substantially all of the material acts which constitute such person's usual and customary daily activities for not less than ninety days during the one hundred eighty days immediately following the occurrence of the injury or impairment.

"I was hurt on a motorcycle, will No-Fault cover me?"

No, unfortunately motorcycles are excluded from No-Fault benefits.

"I'm spending so much money for gas, parking etc. going back and forth to doctor's appointments, does No-Fault cover this too?"

Yes, you may submit claims for mileage reimbursement for up to one (1) year from the date of the accident. You are entitled to no more than $25 per day for other necessary expenses. For example, lets say you have a housekeeper come to your home due to your disability and you pay him/her $25 for that day. You also have a doctor appointment on this day, you cannot claim mileage for the appointment because you have already maxed out your $25 expense.

"My doctor said I can't work because of my injuries, what should I do?"

If you have filed a claim for No-Fault benefits, you may also be entitled to wage loss reimbursement. This is 80% of lost earnings from work, up to a maximum payment of $2,000 per month for up to three years from the date of the accident; The wage reimbursement can be offset by New York State Disability Benefits, Social Security or Worker's Compensation benefits.

In addition to your lost wage claim under your No-Fault coverage, you should apply for New York State Disability. You will likely be eligible through your employer. To begin the application process, you must complete a DB-450. This form should be available to you by your employer. This two-sided form is to be completed by you and your doctor. The No-Fault Insurance carrier will sometimes provide you with this form as a courtesy. It is only as a courtesy and should not be sent back as it needs to be provided to your employer.

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Tractor Trailer and Big Rig Crashes.
Posted by: euser
May 06, 2009
Topic: Motorcycle Safety

Big Rig tractor trailers pose a hazzard to all other vehicles on the roads. Many times the rigs are overloaded the drivers are tired or safety equipment is missing. Crashes involving these rigs are very serious and very complicated. Anyoneone injured in a truck crash should contact a lawyer as soon as possible. This allows for a complete accident investigation. Inaddition thse types of crashes involve many insurance issues so early leagal help is important. Our firm handles these cases on a regular basis.

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