Personal Injury Law

Drugs, Alcohol and Poor Judgement Cause Twin Tiers Accidents

By Jim Reed

It’s a comedy of errors that just isn’t funny. Make that a tragedy of errors.

WETM-TV (see story below) reported that a Steuben County man suffered critical injuries Saturday evening after falling off the back of a moving truck. The accident victim is in his 20s.

The driver, also in his 20s, was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time of the accident. Authorities said that criminal charges are pending against the driver.

The driver and the critically injured man both have the same last name. The young men, surely brothers, were probably close friends too. Now both of their lives are irrevocably altered because of one entirely preventable incident.

Drivers shouldn’t tempt fate with drugs and alcohol

Think of all the hundreds of things that can go wrong on the road. You could skid on a patch of ice, or hit a deer. A tire could blow on your car or another vehicle. You get the idea. There are natural hazards involved in driving. Most people understand this and are careful. They don’t add to the danger by impairing their judgment and taking risks.

It should go without saying that a driver should NEVER permit someone to ride as a passenger in the back of a pickup. Not to mention that no-one should drink and drive or take drugs and drive.

As a New York and Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer, I know that accidents happen. But sometimes the difference between life and death, having fun and being in the hospital - or facing criminal charges - depends on simple choices we make.

It’s a short story  - just 50 words or so, but a huge lesson. Unfortunately, car accidents and injuries keep happening, caused by foolish choices.

In another local story, “Heroin Found in Fatal Crash Car,” WETM-TV reported that a fatal one-car accident on Friday (2/6/09) in the Northern Tier apparently involved both drugs and failure to wear a seatbelt. Check out a previous post I wrote about seatbelt safety, inspired by another Northern Tier accident.

Thanks for reading,
Jim
_________________________________________
James B. Reed, Esq.
Personal Injury & Malpractice Attorney
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William St., Elmira, NY 14902
Tel. (607) 733-8866  Fax. (607) 732-6062
Toll Free 1-800-943-3529
mailto:jreed@zifflaw.com http://www.zifflaw.com

Bath Man Falls off Moving Truck

WETM-TV (Liss, 2/9/09)

BATH, NY -  A Bath man is in critical condition at a local hospital after falling from a moving truck.

New York State Police based in Bath say the victim is Joshua Burlew, 26.

The accident happened on Michigan Hollow Road in Avoca shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday (2/7/09).

Troopers say the driver, Anthony Burlew, 22, also of Bath, was drunk and driving under the influence of drugs at the time.

They say that criminal charges are pending against the driver.

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Full post as published by New York Injury Law Blog on March 25, 2009 (boomark / email).