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Published on: June 14, 2023

Comparative negligence in a Pedestrian Car Accident Case. Kozlowski v. Ringler, 189 A.D.2d 1025 (4th Dep’t 1993)

by Stephen Bilkis

Pedestrian accidents are a significant public health concern that can cause devastating injuries, permanent disabilities, and fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pedestrian deaths accounted for 17% of all traffic fatalities in the United States in 2019. Despite the increasing awareness and efforts to reduce pedestrian accidents, they remain a significant problem. In Kozlowski v. Ringler, the court discussed determining liability in pedestrian accidents, including the concept of comparative liability.

In New York, comparative negligence is a legal doctrine that applies in pedestrian car accident cases. This means that the pedestrian’s own negligence or fault in the accident may reduce the amount of compensation they can recover. If the pedestrian is found to be partially at fault, the court will apportion fault between the parties based on their respective degrees of fault.

Background

Published on: June 7, 2023

Court found that the City of New York was liable in an accident involving a police car. Turley v. City of New York, 45 A.D.3d 547 (2nd Dept. 2007)

by Stephen Bilkis

Turley v. City of New York involved a high-speed police chase that resulted in a serious accident, and it has become an important precedent in cases involving police use of force and municipal liability.

Background

On April 22, 1999, Gary Turley was driving his car in Queens when he was struck by a police car driven by Officer Francis X. Lavelle. Officer Lavelle was pursuing a suspect in a high-speed chase when he lost control of his vehicle and collided with Turley’s car. As a result of the accident, Turley suffered serious injuries.

Published on: June 5, 2023

Court determined that in an accident involving a car and a motorcycle, the driver of the car was liable. Anderson v. Aloe, 99 A.D.3d 53 (N.Y. App. Div. 2012)

by Stephen Bilkis

Anderson v. Aloe highlights the legal responsibilities of motorists when sharing the road with motorcycles. In this case, the plaintiff, Mr. Anderson, suffered severe injuries when a vehicle driven by the defendant, Ms. Aloe, made an abrupt left turn in front of his motorcycle, causing a collision. The case presents a number of important legal issues, including negligence, proximate cause, and comparative fault.

Comparative negligence is a legal principle that is applied in personal injury cases in New York and other states. Under comparative negligence, a plaintiff who is partially at fault for their own injuries can still recover damages from the defendant, but the damages will be reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault.

New York follows a “pure” comparative negligence rule, which means that a plaintiff can recover damages even if they were more than 50% responsible for their own injuries. For example, if a plaintiff is awarded $100,000 in damages but is found to be 30% at fault for the accident, their award will be reduced by 30% to $70,000.

Published on: May 31, 2023

Liability in an accident that involved a motorcycle and a pothole. Karamian v. City of New York, 16 A.D.3d 255 (N.Y. App. Div. 2005)

by Stephen Bilkis

Potholes are a common cause of motorcycle accidents in New York, with riders being particularly vulnerable to their hazards. The deep, irregular gaps in the road can cause a loss of control or balance, leading to collisions, falls, and serious injuries. When a motorcyclist is injured in an accident that involved a pothole, who is liable?

Karamian v. City of New York involved a motorcyclist who was injured after his motorcycle hit a pothole on a city street. The plaintiff, Mr. Karamian, sued the City of New York for negligence, alleging that the city was responsible for maintaining safe roadways and that its failure to repair the pothole was the direct cause of his injuries. The case eventually made its way to the New York Appellate Division.

Background

Published on: May 29, 2023

Court found that the City of New York was liable for a bike accident due to poor signage. Fox v. City of New York, 157 A.D.2d 260 (1st Dep’t 1990)

by Stephen Bilkis

Bicycling is becoming an increasingly popular mode of transportation in New York City, but it can be dangerous. One of the hazards that cyclists face is poor signage. Poor signage can cause bicycle accidents in a number of way. Poor signage can cause misdirection. If there are no signs indicating where the bicycle lane is or if the signs are unclear or confusing, cyclists may be forced to ride in dangerous areas. If there are no signs warning cyclists of hazards ahead, such as steep hills, sharp turns, or intersections, they may not be prepared to slow down or change direction, which could result in a collision or loss of control. If there are different signs indicating different rules for cyclists in the same area, it can be confusing and lead to accidents. If signs are not visible due to poor lighting or obstructions, cyclists may not be aware of the rules or hazards ahead, increasing the risk of accidents. The case of Fox v. City of New York focuses on the importance of proper signage in ensuring the safety of cyclists on New York City streets.

Background

The plaintiff in Fox v. City of New York was riding his bicycle on 8th Avenue in Manhattan when he was hit by a car. The accident occurred at the intersection of 8th Avenue and 56th Street. The plaintiff was traveling south on 8th Avenue in the bicycle lane when he was hit by a car that was turning left from 56th Street onto 8th Avenue. The plaintiff suffered injuries to his face and mouth, as well as a broken finger.

Published on: May 24, 2023

Court considered whether the City was liable for a car accident where a police officer hit a bicyclist. Caballero v. City of New York, 208 A.D.2d 443 (1st Dep’t 1994)

by Stephen Bilkis

Bicycle accidents are a common occurrence in New York City, and they can have devastating consequences. When a bicyclist is involved in an accident with a motor vehicle, the results can be catastrophic. The bicyclist is often left with serious injuries, including broken bones, head trauma, and spinal cord injuries, and may face a long road to recovery. Caballero v. City of New York dealt with the issue of negligence in bicycle-car accidents.

Background

In Caballero v. City of New York, the accident occurred on October 11, 1989, at the intersection of 40th Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan. The plaintiff, Ramon Caballero, was riding his bicycle eastbound on 40th Street, approaching the intersection with 6th Avenue. At the same time, a New York City police officer, who was driving a marked police car, was traveling southbound on 6th Avenue.

Published on: May 22, 2023

Appellate Division reviewed a case involving a bicyclist injured in an accident caused by a manhole cover. Bonilla v. City of New York, 165 A.D.3d 675 (1st Dep’t 2018)

by Stephen Bilkis

Bicycling is a popular mode of transportation in New York City, but it can be hazardous, especially when encountering potholes. Potholes on roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks can cause accidents and serious injuries to cyclists. In Bonilla v. City of New York. the court considered whether the City of New York was liable for a cyclist’s injuries resulting from a pothole.

Cycling has become an increasingly popular mode of transportation in New York City, with many residents opting to bike to work, school, or leisure activities. However, cycling in the city can be hazardous due to the many hazards that cyclists face, including potholes, manholes, and other road defects. The case of Bonilla v. City of New York is a premises liability case that addressed the issue of liability for a bicycle accident caused by a manhole cover.

Background

Published on: May 17, 2023

Court determined whether the State of New York was liable for a pothole accident. Focarino v. State of New York, 256 A.D.2d 642 (2d Dep’t 1998)

by Stephen Bilkis

Potholes are a common cause of bicycle accidents in New York, often resulting in serious injuries for cyclists. The responsibility for maintaining roadways in a safe condition falls on governmental entities such as the State of New York. If a pothole is present for a significant amount of time and the government entity has knowledge of its existence, but fails to take appropriate action to repair it, under premises liability law they may be liable for injuries resulting from bicycle accidents. Cyclists in New York should exercise caution when riding on roads with known potholes and report any dangerous conditions to the appropriate authorities.

Background

In Focarino v. State of New York, the plaintiff, Anthony Focarino, was riding his bicycle on a state park road in New York when he struck a pothole and was thrown from his bike. Focarino suffered several injuries, including a fractured wrist and elbow, as well as various cuts and bruises. He filed a lawsuit against the State of New York, alleging negligence on their part for failing to properly maintain the roadway and allowing the dangerous condition to persist. Specifically, Focarino argued that the pothole had been present for a significant amount of time prior to his accident, and that the State of New York had knowledge of its existence but failed to take appropriate action to repair it.

Published on: May 15, 2023

In a skateboarder injury case, the court discussed the duty of municipalities to maintain sidewalks to avoid injuries. Singh v. City of New York, 57 A.D.3d 367 (1st Dep’t 2008)

by Stephen Bilkis

Skateboarding is a popular sport among teenagers and young adults. While skateboarding can be a fun and thrilling activity, it can also be dangerous. One of the most common injuries associated with skateboarding is a sidewalk skateboard injury. In recent years, there have been several lawsuits filed against cities and municipalities for failing to maintain safe sidewalks for skateboarders. One such case is Singh v. City of New York.

A sidewalk skateboard injury can occur when a skateboarder falls off their board while riding on a sidewalk. The injuries can range from minor scrapes and bruises to more serious injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, and spinal cord injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), skateboarding injuries account for approximately 66,000 emergency room visits each year in the United States.

Cities and municipalities have a duty to maintain safe sidewalks for pedestrians, including skateboarders. This duty includes repairing cracks, potholes, and other hazards that could pose a danger to pedestrians. Under premises liability law, failure to maintain safe sidewalks can result in liability for the city or municipality if a pedestrian is injured as a result of the unsafe conditions.

Published on: May 12, 2023

Court discussed the complexities of determining liability in a bus accident. Greiff v. New York City Transit Authority, 212 A.D.2d 253 (1st Dep’t 1995)

by Stephen Bilkis

Car and bus accidents can have devastating consequences, resulting in serious injuries or even death. When such accidents occur, it is important to determine who is at fault and who should be held liable for any damages that result. One case that dealt with this issue is Greiff v. New York City Transit Authority, 212 A.D.2d 253 (1st Dep’t 1995). In this blog, we will discuss the background of the case, the issues that it raised, and its implications for car and bus accidents.

Background

In Greiff v. New York City Transit Authority, the plaintiff, Donald Greiff, was driving his car when he was struck by a New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) bus. The accident occurred at an intersection controlled by traffic lights, and both the car and the bus had a green light when they entered the intersection. The bus was making a left turn, and the car was traveling straight through the intersection. The bus driver testified that he did not see the car until it was too late to avoid the collision.