Ross B. Rothenberg

https://www.injurylawyer.com/car-accident-lawyers/what-to-do-after-a-car-accident/
Hi, I'm Ross Rothenberg of The Rothenberg Law Firm.
Today, we are going to discuss what do do after a car accident:

The first thing you want to do is check for any injuries. If anyone is injured, immediately call 911 and ask for an ambulance. Tell the operator that you need immediate medical assistance. Also, as best you can, give the operator detailed information as to your location. Tell him or her the nearest cross streets and if you are on a highway or country road, describe any landmarks or signs.
Call the Police: In addition to ambulance personnel, it is important that the police are contacted as well, regardless of any injuries. Do not leave the scene of the accident before police arrive.
Tip: Get the names and badge numbers of any police officers who respond to the scene.

File A Report: Complete a report with the police on the scene, eventually you will be able to obtain a copy of the report or at least get the report number.
Tip: If anyone involved seems to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, tell that to the police when you call for help. Also, if you noticed that the driver of the other vehicle was using a cellphone when crash happened, tell that to the responding officers.

Obtain as much information as possible: Your insurance company will need the full names, addresses and phone numbers of everyone involved, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and any witnesses. Get information about the other vehicles involved, such as license plate numbers, make and model. Get the names and phone numbers of as many witnesses as possible.
Tip: Be sure to find out the insurance status of all vehicles and persons involved. If any drivers were not the registered owners, get the registered owner’s name, address, and phone number(s).

Take Pictures: Almost everyone has a smartphone with a camera - Take as many photos as possible of the accident site, the vehicles and people involved, and anything else that might have a bearing on how and why the incident occurred.
Tip: Pictures taken as soon as possible after a car accident will be the most valuable. Don’t forget to take pictures of the damage to all vehicles, the license plates, the other vehicle’s insurance information and registration, and evidence such as street signs or lights, skid marks, the position of the vehicles etc.
Contact a Lawyer: BEFORE YOU CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY Contact a personal injury attorney. However, do not delay in contacting your insurance carrier to report the accident once you have consulted with an attorney. Most insurance companies have notice requirements, so you must notify them of the accident in a timely manner.
Tip: Do not talk to your insurance company until after you talk to an attorney. NEVER talk to a representative of the other VEHICLE’S insurance company. DO NOT GIVE ANY STATEMENT TO YOU’RE INSURANCE COMPANY AS TO WHAT HAPPENED WITHOUT FIRST SPEAKING TO AN ATTORNEY.

Get Medical Help: OBVIOUSLY, If you have been seriously injured, you probably will be taken directly to a hospital emergency room. If you are not seriously injured, however, do not assume that you are uninjured. Many injuries from vehicle crashes, like whiplash, OR A POSSIBLE HEAD INJURY do not show up right away.
Tip: Failure to get medical care might have serious consequences if you have latent injuries that only show up 24-36 hours later. Do not neglect symptoms that are unfamiliar, or pain that appears hours later.

Visit our website:
http://www.injurylawyer.com/practice-areas/car-accidents/

http://www.injurylawyer.com/practice-areas/car-accidents/what-to-do-after-a-car-accident/

Winter Weather and Automobile Maintenance

Hi, I’m Ross Rothenberg of The Rothenberg Law Firm. Today we are going to discuss winter driving tips and what you can do to potentially avoid a winter weather related car accident.

Many Car accidents can be prevented, but YOU need to ensure that you take the proper steps to avoid catastrophes.
Winter conditions can seem to come on quickly and without warning. Just the other day I was wearing shorts and it was 75 degrees, yet this past Monday, it was below freezing.
ONE OF THE MAIN PREVENTATIVE MEASURES WE CAN TAKE IS TO
Be prepared in terms of car maintenance.
One of the most important steps: make sure that your tires are prepped for winter roads
BE AWARE:
• If you have no tread, or low tread, your tires cannot properly disperse snow, ice, and slush.
• Vehicles that have tires with low tread can easily skid or slide on winter roads.
• If your tires do not have sufficient tread, you need to buy new tires.
• Freezing temperatures can also result in low tire pressure. Together with low tread, these conditions are ripe for a dangerous traffic collision.
• Remember! It is not just your safety that you need to consider, it’s the safety of other’s as well, whether occupants of your vehicle, pedestrians, or the diver or passengers in another vehicle.
Do You Need To Replace Your Tires?
• Tires generally are good for about 30,000 to 45,000 miles
• Take a penny and put it between the threads. If you can see Lincoln's head above the tire, your tread is too low.
• It's a lot less expensive to replace a tire than to get into an accident and have to deal with its repurcussions.
Tips for Weatherproofing Your Vehicle
In additional to properly maintaining your vehicle’s tires, the following steps are recommended to prevent a dangerous winter crash:
• Always de-ice your windshields BEFORE you drive: it is inexpensive to buy wiper fluid that has ice-melting additives.
• Consider putting an ice and frost shield on your windshield to prevent dangerous ice buildup.
• Always warm up your car before driving: ensure that the ice on your vehicle has melted before you start driving. It may take a few extra minutes to prepare for your winter ride, but believe me, these could be the most important minutes of your day.
• Check your antifreeze: your vehicle may need a different type of coolant to avoid freezing. Take your car in for routine maintenance, ask your mechanic to check antifreeze levels and type.
Icy Rain and Dangerous Road Conditions
Even with a properly weatherproofed vehicle, driving in winter can be extremely hazardous.
Sleet, snow, ice, and freezing rain are often accompanied by heavy fog. As such, even if a storm has passed through, do not assume it is safe to drive. The roads may be quite slick, and fog can prevent good visibility. Slick asphalt is extremely dangerous.

Ok…you have watched this far, now we’ll give you 10 Safety Tips for Winter Driving:
1. Keep a winter safety Kit in your car at all times during the cold months, which should include a snow shovel, sand or salt, an ice scraper, and jumper cables.
2. Check your car’s battery and make sure it is fully charged, especially if it is an older battery. Remember, batteries are more likely to fail when it's cold outside.
3. Always clear away snow and ice from your car before driving. This includes all windows, mirrors and lights, as well as snow accumulation on the hood, trunk, or roof of your car.
4. Do everything you can to improve visibility, which means driving with your headlights on even if it is daytime.
5. Make sure your windshield washer reservoir is full and your windshield wiper blades are in good condition.
6. Reduce your speed and always increase your following distance. You want to give yourself enough time to properly stop and avoid a car crash, especially on slick roads.
7. Learn how to brake properly if you hit a slippery patch of ice. To do this; you need to know if you have anti-lock brakes - this information is essential to knowing how to properly brake. Take a look at your owner's manual or talk to your mechanic about how to brake if you encounter an icy road.
8. Do not use cruise control - you should be in control of your vehicle if you encounter snowy or icy conditions.
9. Bridges and overpasses get icy before highways. As such, be particularly cautious when you are driving on these surfaces.
10. Do not let your gas tank drop below half full. This way, if you get caught in a storm and need to pull over, you will have a source of heat.
Winter is a dangerous season for driving. Take steps to prevent car accidents!
If you have to drive in snow, freezing rain or heavy fog, please, stay safe!

Visit our Infographic: http://www.injurylawyer.com/news-and-resources/legal-infographics/winter-weather/

https://www.injurylawyer.com/car-accident-lawyers/pedestrian-accident-lawyer/

If you are walking across the street and you are struck by a car, there’s a really good chance that you are going to be seriously injured, or might even be killed.

Being struck as a pedestrian is significantly more dangerous than if you are inside an automobile.

Both of these facts seem obvious, and they should be. But here are some statistics that I hope will cause every one of you to both pay more attention when you cross a street. And for you drivers, to slow down in heavy pedestrian areas:

In the U.S. alone:

Over 4400 pedestrians die as a result of traffic related incidents.

Over 69,000 pedestrians are injured.

1 pedestrian is killed every 2 hours.

1 pedestrian is injured every 8 minutes.

WHERE DO THESE ACCIDENTS OCCUR…Nearly 75% of pedestrian fatalities occur in urban settings

DOES AGE PLAY A FACTOR, YOU BET IT DOES…OVER 50% of pedestrian fatalities are age 15 and under

IS WEATHER THE MAIN FACTOR, SURPRISINGLY, NOT BY A LONGSHOT...Nearly 90% of pedestrian fatalities occur without rain, snow or fog AS A CAUSE-so weather is usually NOT the problem

WHAT IS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTOR…DARKNESS…70% of pedestrian fatalities occur during nighttime hours

Here’s one more sobering fact…nearly 35% of pedestrians killed were legally drunk

At our lawfirm, our family of lawyers has seen the devastating effects of pedestrian accidents.

What can you do to not become one of these statistics?

As a Driver?

• Always be on the lookout for pedestrians - especially at night

• Drive slowly near crosswalk areas and always be prepared to stop

• Always stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk

• Do not pass other cars that have stopped to allow pedestrians to cross, if you try to pass that car, you may not realize why that car has stopped, until it’s too late…

• When you’re making a turn, pay special attention to pedestrians, you are armed with a vehicle, they are not

• In areas such as schools, parks, and residential neighborhoods, a ball rolling down the street usually means a child will follow…SLOW DOWN!!!


What Can You Do If You’re a Pedestrian?

• Do not walk in restricted zones (such as highways)

• Always use sidewalks and crosswalks when they’re available

• At night, always wear light or reflective clothing

• The more alcohol you drink will severely impair your ability to walk safely or pay attention to
cars on the road

• Keep an eye out for oncoming traffic at all times

DON’T BECOME A STATISTIC…

The Rothenberg Law Firm…a proud history of success!

Visit us at: http://www.injurylawyer.com/practice-areas/car-accidents/pedestrian-injury/