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.

Hello fellow bloggers. My name is Brett Perla and I am the newest weapon in the Law Offices of James Morris’ arsenal. I have been hired as a social media / marketing specialist and intend to post more frequently than before on this blog as well as on our different social media platforms. I will be back soon with more informative posts, but for now I just wanted to introduce myself. Please take a minute to “Like” the James Morris Law page on facebook if you haven’t done so already (http://on.fb.me/tcF32L) and follow us on twitter for frequent updates and daily tips @jamesmorrislaw (heres the link to our twitter page http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmorrislaw). Happy Halloween!

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.

Every mile driven by an adult, a teenager driver 16 to 19 years old is four times more likely to get into a car accident, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And while any time of year can be dangerous on the road, teens are much more likely to be involved in an auto accident during the summer. A recent study by AAA of accident data found that more deadly auto accidents involving teenage drivers happen between Memorial Day and Labor Day than any other time of year.

What would you do if you were injured in an accident caused by a teenager in New York State? You need a determined Buffalo NY accident lawyer on your side. You need the Law Offices of James Morris. An experienced Buffalo auto accident attorney at our firm can guide you through the complicated red tape often associated with such complicated accidents. We know the kinds of games insurance companies often try to play. They don’t intimidate us. We’re not afraid to vigorously fight for our clients’ rights. Put your trust in a Buffalo New York car accident attorney who puts people first. Contact the Law Offices of James Morris.

Teenage drivers kill thousands of people every year. In 2009, a teenager (15 to 19 years old) was killed in an auto accident nearly every 3 hours nationwide, according to the CDC. That’s more than 3,000 teenagers that year. Here’s another sobering statistic: between 2005 and 2009, nearly 15 teenagers (13 to 19 years old) were killed every single day nationwide between Memorial Day and Labor Day in car accidents, reports AAA. That’s more than 7,300 teenagers during that five year time period.

Teenager drivers in New York State regularly cause serious accidents. You shouldn’t have to suffer because of someone else’s reckless behavior. Take back control. Contact the Law Offices of James Morris. 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.

Fatal bus accidents caused by bus drivers falling asleep at the wheel happen all the time. A recent New York Times article documents just how common and dangerous accidents caused by sleeping bus drivers can be in America. Studies show that 13 percent to 31 percent of commercial vehicle crashes are due to driver fatigue, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

What would you do if you were injured by a bus driver who fell asleep at the wheel in New York State? You need a determined New York bus accident lawyer on your side. You need the Law Offices of James Morris. An experienced Buffalo bus accident attorney at our firm can fight for your rights if you’ve been hurt in a crash. Serious accidents demand serious attention. Turn to a New York bus accident attorney with years of experience fighting for clients. Contact the Law Offices of James Morris.

Many bus drivers push themselves too hard. They work long hours, skip sleep and avoid taking breaks. The result: many bus drivers fall asleep at wheel. That’s when accidents happen, often with deadly consequences.

Each year, driver fatigue causes 100,000 car accidents nationwide. That’s one accident every five minutes. Sleeping driver accidents result in roughly 71,000 injuries and 1,550 fatalities each year across the country.

More than 60 percent of adult drivers have admitted driving while feeling drowsy in the past year. Even more shocking, 37 percent or 108 million drivers nationwide have confessed to falling asleep at the wheel.

Bus accidents can be complicated. We understand complex state and federal transportation laws. We know how to hold bus companies responsible and unresponsive insurance companies accountable. We work tirelessly for results.

Don’t let someone else’s reckless behavior ruin your life. Take action. Contact James Morris today. 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.

The Buffalo News reports that there have been 10 motorcycle deaths in Western New York since April of this year. Alcohol and excess speed have been factors in some cases. The failure of other drivers to see the motorcyclist have caused other accidents. Please look for motorcycles and keep a safe distance. Motorcycle enthusiasts please enjoy the summer riding season without alcohol or excess speed.

Summer is upon us. The higher temperatures can cause truck tires walls to schred or fly apart. The tire temperatures can reach 200 degrees at 70 mph. The torn apart tires are called “gators”. Accidents occur when drivers hit or swerve to avoid the “gators”, because they will bite you! Be aware of this risk when driving behind an 18 wheeler.

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.

Uninsured New York motorists often put other drivers at risk, especially during tough economic times. Each time the unemployment rate goes up 1 percent, the number of uninsured drivers increases by an estimated 1 percent, according to a recent study. An estimated 16 percent of drivers have no auto insurance. Here’s another frightening statistic: 14 percent of car accidents are caused by uninsured motorists.

What would you do if you were involved in an auto accident with an uninsured motorist in New York State? You need a determined auto accident lawyer in New York on your side. You need the Law Offices of James Morris. An experienced car accident attorney in Buffalo at our firm can give you the attention you rightfully deserve. Don’t leave your future to chance. Count on an auto accident attorney in Buffalo with years of experience fighting for clients. Contact the Law Offices of James Morris.

Financial concerns are not the only reason why some drivers have no insurance. Sometimes, these high-risk drivers are not supposed to be on the road because they lost their license due to a drunk driving offense. The driver may have even been under the influence of alcohol when they had their accident with you. Car accidents involving uninsured motorists can be complicated. The best way to recover damages varies depending on the circumstances of your accident. The most direct route involves making a claim against your own uninsured motorist policy. But insurance companies can sometimes be unresponsive.

Don’t let an accident with an uninsured motorist derail your life. Get your life back on track. Take action. Contact the Law Offices of James Morris. We’re not afraid of insurance companies and their lawyers. We’re ready to fight for you!

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.