The Washington Post reported this week that “curbside” buses, those that pick passengers up at designated roadside stops as opposed to at a terminal, are five times more likely to be in an accident than terminal buses.  The National Transportation Safety Board claims that safety inspectors for these bus companies are unable to keep pace with driver fatigue, which is a contributing factor toward the increase in crashes. The lack of available inspectors, roughly 2,300 assigned to over 53,000 buses, is one reason that current inspectors cannot keep pace. The NTSB also believes that companies are frequently changing their names in hopes of slipping past inspectors’ radars, leading to an upsurge in unmonitored safety violations. A demonstration of the serious consequences of these safety hazards came in March, when a speeding bus hurdled off an elevated highway and smashed directly into a utility pole. The bus split from front to back, killing 15 and leaving 18 with injuries. Senator Chuck Schumer has since proposed that a letter-grading scale, charting a company’s cumulative safety ratings, be made available to consumers prior to selecting a transportation service. This still does not account for the lack of available inspectors.

Don’t pay for the mistakes of a negligent bus company. If you or someone you know has been injured in a bus accident call the Law Offices of James Morris now and receive the reparations you deserve.

Pedestrian accidents in New York can happen anywhere at any time, often when you least expect them. Just recently, a 53-year-old Buffalo, NY man was killed while crossing the street. Statewide, 307 people died and 15,321 people were injured in pedestrian accidents in 2009, according to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

Pedestrian accidents happen for many reasons. Sometimes, distracted drivers talking on a cell phone or texting while driving cause pedestrian accidents. Other times, drivers fail to observe crosswalks or traffic signals, resulting in a pedestrian accident. Speeding and drunk driving can also sometimes be factors in a pedestrian accident.

Have you been injured in a pedestrian auto accident? You don’t have to suffer because of someone else’s reckless behavior. You have rights. An experienced New York personal injury lawyer can help guide you through the legal process. In Western New York, countless injury victims have turned to the Law Offices of James Morris for guidance. Committed to serving our clients’ needs, our Buffalo personal injury attorneys have forged a solid reputation for providing first-class service focused on our clients’ needs.

Serious accidents demand serious attention. We understand how complicated it can be to deal with the aftermath of a pedestrian accident in New York. We can help. Put your trust in a New York personal injury attorney who fights for justice. Contact the Law Offices of James Morris.  We’re focused on results. We’re driven to succeed!

The information contained in this communication is provided for informational purposes only and should not be constituted as legal advice on any subject matter.

Older New York State drivers are among the safest drivers. That’s the conclusion of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s analysis of accident data. The institute’s results were written about in The Buffalo News. The newspaper states, “The study reports that the rates of both nonfatal and fatal accidents have been declining faster among elderly drivers than among younger age groups.”

Sadly, accidents happen, even to the safest New York drivers. What would you do if you were injured in an auto accident in New York State? You need an experienced New York personal injury lawyer in your corner. You need the Law Offices of James Morris. Committed to serving our clients’ needs, a Buffalo personal injury attorney at our firm can work with you to build a case with one goal in mind: to get you the compensation you rightfully deserve. Accidents can be complicated. We can help. Put your trust in a New York personal injury attorney who puts people first. Contact the Law Offices of James Morris.

Nationally, the odds of getting in a fatal accident increase noticeably each year for drivers over 75 years old, according to statistics compiled by the Centers for Disease Control. But recent data offers a different picture, especially in Upstate New York. The Buffalo News reports, “In 2007 and 2008, drivers age 60 and older made up the largest percentage of drivers in each of the eight counties of Western New York. In just about every case, older adults caused proportionately far fewer fatal and personal injury crashes than any other age group.”

And here’s another surprising statistic – when older drivers have their grandchildren in the car, they’re less likely to be in an auto accident. That’s the conclusion of a recent study written about in Time Magazine. Specifically, children are twice as safe when their grandparents are driving instead of their parents.

Auto accidents happen fast. Don’t let someone’s reckless behavior ruin your life. Take back control. Contact the Law Offices of James Morris. We mean business!

The information contained in this communication is provided for informational purposes only and should not be constituted as legal advice on any subject matter.

Motorcycle accident season is upon us in New York. Most motorcycle riders know the risks of a motorcycle accident, but a new report provides motorcycle accident statistics reminding everyone on the road to keep an eye out for motorcycles.

The report by the Governors Highway Safety Administration (GHSA) reveals there were 136 motorcycle fatalities due to motorcycle accidents in New York during the first nine months of 2009. During the same period a year later, there were 160 fatalities, or an increase of nearly 18 percent.

Motorcycle accidents in New York can be catastrophic and can result in severe injuries and death. With so much at stake, if you or a loved one was injured, it’s important to choose a motorcycle accident lawyer in Buffalo who knows how to stand up to insurance companies. Buffalo accident attorney James Morris, who was selected as a Super Lawyer, has handled serious motorcycle accident cases. If you are represented by the Law Offices of James Morris, you will have an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Buffalo who understands how to get results for clients.

The GHSA report does carry some good news for motorcyclists. Nationwide, the motorcycle traffic fatalities continued to fall. The traffic accident fatality rate fell by 2 percent during the first nine months of 2010 (compared to the same period a year earlier), but the fatality rate unfortunately started to climb during the last three of those nine months in 2010.

The report lists recommendations for states to follow in order to reduce the number of motorcycle fatalities:

• Increase helmet use
• Reduce alcohol impairment
• Reduce speeding
• Offer motorcycle operator training to all who need or seek it

If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident in New York, don’t hesitate to contact a Buffalo motorcycle accident lawyer to learn about your rights. At the James Morris Law, we can put our knowledge of the law and our resources to work for you. Your life may feel chaotic after a motorcycle accident, but you can take back control. Choose an experienced accident attorney in Buffalo who is dedicated to helping clients.

Dangerous toys are more common than you might realize. Every three minutes, a child must be treated in an emergency room for an injury caused by a dangerous toy. In 2009, an estimated 186,000 children under 15 years old were treated in emergency rooms for toy-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. In contrast, 152,000 children sustained toy-related injuries in 2005. Dangerous toys were linked to 12 deaths in 2009, down from 24 toy-related fatalities in 2007 and 2008, the CPSC reports.

The CPSC recalled 44 toys in fiscal year 2010, which ended Sept. 30. More have been recalled since then. Click here to find a complete list of recalled toys.

What makes a toy dangerous? Here are some common dangerous toy hazards:

• Choking hazard. Some toys designed for young children have small, detachable parts which children can put in their mouths. That’s why Fisher Price recalled several toys designed for young children.

• Lead paint. Toys that contain unsafe amounts of lead immediately prompt recalls by the federal government. Toys with dangerous amounts of lead paint recently recalled include Double Egg Shakers and Tiny Tink and Friends Children’s Toy Jewelry Sets, specifically the key chains that come with the Disney character toys.

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Many people automatically put on a seatbelt when they get in a car. It wasn’t always this way. And while seatbelts save lives, seatbelts are not always perfect.

As seatbelt use has increased, the fatality rate for car accidents has declined. In 1994, just under 60 percent of motorists wore seatbelts. That year, the fatality rate for car accidents was 1.4 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, the standard measurement for accidents. By 2006, the fatality rate dropped 21 percent to 1.1 deaths and 80 percent of motorists wore seatbelts.

What changed? The rise in seatbelt use coincides with tougher seatbelt laws in many states throughout the country. States like New York have primary enforcement seatbelt laws. This means police in New York can pull someone over for not wearing their seatbelt and issue them a $50 fine. States with primary seatbelt laws report that 88 percent of motorists wear seatbelts. States without such laws report that 75 percent of motorists wear seatbelts.

But seatbelts aren’t perfect. Sometimes, a defective design can leave a seatbelt not functioning right. A gifted young professional baseball player, Brian Cole, was killed when his Ford SUV rolled over and his seatbelt failed to hold him in place. An investigation found that Cole had his seatbelt on at the time. Recently, a jury ordered Ford to pay Cole’s family $131 million, claiming the seatbelt did not operate correctly and contributed to Cole’s death.

Accidents happen fast. Your life can change in an instant. What would you do if you were injured? How would you pay your medical bills? What if your insurance company refused to cooperate? Knowing what to do can be difficult. Finding answers to your important questions can be frustrating.

You need an action plan. You need someone who understands New York State’s complicated legal system. You need someone who will demand justice. You need an advocate on your side who will fight tenaciously for you.  You need the Law Offices of James Morris.

Our lawyers have years of experience successfully representing car accident victims in New York. We know the scare tactics some insurance companies and car makers use to avoid paying victims. Show them you mean business. Contact a law firm committed to getting results for clients. Contact James Morris today.

The information contained in this communication is provided for informational purposes only and should not be constituted as legal advice on any subject matter.

We trust our schools. We rely on them to protect our children. We expect them to keep them safe. But accidents happen, often when we least expect them. Sometimes in the classroom. Other times just coming or going to school, especially in New York State, where roads can turn treacherous quickly in winter.

People especially need to be aware of children walking to school. Sometimes, children get distracted or caught up in the excitement of seeing a friend and unexpectedly dart out into a street. That’s when pedestrian accidents happen.

Sadly, a staggering number of pedestrians injured and killed are under 15 years old. In 2008, pedestrians sustained 69,000 injuries and 4,378 deaths in accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Those statistics include 15,000 injured and 316 killed under 15 years old.

The statistics are even more startling for bicycle injuries and deaths for children. Cyclists under 14 years old account for 24 percent of all bicycle-related deaths and 50 percent of all bicycle-related injuries.

Why so many accidents? Sometimes, children don’t pay attention while walking to their bus stop, riding a bike or walking to school. Other times, it’s the driver doing something besides driving. Texting while driving, talking on a cell phone, fiddling with the radio – all of these activities distract drivers and put us all at risk.

Accidents happen. Everyone feels sorry. But actions have consequences. Don’t let someone else’s irresponsible behavior ruin your family’s lives. You need a team you can trust to fight for your rights. You need the Law Offices of James Morris.

Serving clients throughout New York State, James Morris has years of experience defending families traumatized by accidents involving school children. We know how precious your children are to you. An accident can instantly change your lives. Let us do everything in our power to right any wrongs done to your children.

Don’t be a victim. Take action. Contact James Morris today. We’re on your side.

The information contained in this communication is provided for informational purposes only and should not be constituted as legal advice on any subject matter.

What would you do if you were injured in a motorcycle accident? Sound far fetched? Sadly, motorcycle accidents are far too common. In the last decade, the number of fatal motorcycle accidents has more than doubled. In 1998, motorcycle accidents killed 2,294 people and injured more than 49,000 nationwide. In 2008, 5,290 died and more than 96,000 people were injured in motorcycle accidents.

Why the increase in motorcycle accidents? Experts have cited the recent rise in the number of motorcycles on the road. In 1998, there were 3.8 million motorcycles on the road. By 2008, that number had skyrocketed to 7.7 million motorcycles. But there may be another reason for this increase. During the same time period, many states relaxed their motorcycle helmet laws.

Helmets drastically reduce the likelihood of dying in a motorcycle accident. Riders wearing helmets are 37 percent less likely to die in a crash than riders without helmets, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That’s why many states still require motorcyclists to wear helmets. In New York State, all motorcyclists are required by law to wear helmets at all times.

Unfortunately, accidents happen. In New York, a total of 177 motorcyclists died in accidents in 2008.  Just recently, a motorcyclist was seriously injured on the New York Thruway near Buffalo when his motorcycle collided with a Jeep.

What would you do if you were injured in a motorcycle accident? Who would you call? Who would you trust? You need someone in your corner that will fight for your rights. You need someone who will work tirelessly to make sure you’re fully compensated for your injuries. You need the Law Offices of James Morris.

James Morris has years of experience defending the rights of motorcycle accident victims in New York State. We understand the law and know how to get the most for our clients. We also realize insurance companies often try to blame motorcyclists for causing the accident, even if it wasn’t their fault.

Don’t leave your future to chance. Take action. Contact James Morris today. We’re on your side.

The information contained in this communication is provided for informational purposes only and should not be constituted as legal advice on any subject matter.

Children drown fast. In an instant, without warning, a child can be fighting for their lives in a stream or lake or swimming pool. Just recently, a 14-year-old boy died when he drowned in Lake Erie near Westfield, N.Y.

Sadly, children drown more often than you may realize. Among children 1 to 14 years old, drowning is the second leading cause of accidental deaths nationwide.  And among the 3,443 people who died nationwide from drowning in 2007, one out of five victims was under 14 years old.

Swimming pools are magnets for children on a hot, summer day. But children can drown just as easily in several inches of water in a bathtub. And for every child who dies from drowning, another four must be rushed to an emergency room for nonfatal injuries caused by being submerged under water.

Injuries sustained by children who survive a drowning can be severe and change their lives forever. Being submerged under water for just four to six minutes can often result in permanent brain damage.

Sometimes, children drown accidently. Other times, other people’s reckless behavior results in your child’s death or injury. That’s why laws exist requiring swimming pools to be fenced in. That’s why responsible adults put life preservers on children every time they ride in a boat. Accidents happen. Be prepared.

Every parent dreads experiencing such a horrific accident. We all believe we will share our entire lives with our children. Losing them in such a traumatic way can be shattering. Knowing what to do next can be baffling. We can help. We’re the Law Offices of James Morris.

Serving Buffalo and other communities throughout New York State, James Morris has years of experience representing children and their families. Don’t delay. Take action. Contact James Morris today. We’re on your side.

What is the safest place to ride in a car? Is the driver more likely to survive a car crash? Or are you safer riding in a vehicle as a passenger? Depends on where you are in a car.

If you’re riding in the back seat, you’re much safer than the passenger riding in the front seat. But if you’re riding in the front passenger seat, the driver has a much better chance of surviving a car crash than you.

But sometimes, no matter where you are in the car, you can sustain an injury. That’s what happened recently when a car and a tractor trailer collided on Interstate 90 near Buffalo. Several passengers and the driver in the car all sustained injuries and had to be taken to the hospital.

Every 13 seconds in America, someone sustains an injury in a car accident. That’s more than 2.3 million people injured in auto accidents every year, according to the latest government statistics from 2008. Around the world, 1 in 10 hospital beds are occupied by victims of auto accidents.

Car accidents cause a wide range of injuries. The most common injuries in car accidents are to people’s head, neck or back. And even though you might not feel injured immediately after an accident, serious injuries can develop days or even weeks later. That’s why it’s crucial you seek immediate medical attention after being involved in a car accident.

What would you do if you were injured in a car accident? Do you have an action plan? How will you pay your bills? Who’s responsible? Your insurance company? The driver’s insurance company? You need someone who understands the law. You need someone who knows how to get results and will vigorously fight for your rights. You need the Law Offices of James Morris.

Please allow one of our skilled attorneys to evaluate your case for free. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Contact James Morris today. We’re on your side.

The information contained in this communication is provided for informational purposes only and should not be constituted as legal advice on any subject matter.