The Hauppauge Traffic Court, which is located in the H. Lee Dennison Building, in Hauppauge New York is currently being sued by the Federal Government. This lawsuit, which commenced in 2015 in U.S. District Court alleges that the traffic court is acting unconstitutionally by jailing motorists, and refusing to engage in plea-bargaining for motorists who seek sworn depositions in their respective cases. Attorneys claim that the traffic court is eliminating all appropriate checks and balances by selecting both the judicial hearing officers and prosecutors for the local traffic court. Traffic Court in Hauppauge, New York has locally gained a reputation as a chaotic court system which will keep attorneys and motorists waiting for inordinate amounts of time.
Traffic courts and traffic policies on Long Island have been subject to public protest as of late. Particularly the school speed zone camera program which was shut down after great public outcry. The red-light camera program which does not allow the accused to defend their case in court but rather mandates a fine automatically upon issuance has also sparked vehement opposition. These developments cause many motorists to see traffic law as a backdoor tax rather than as part of a comprehensive public safety policy. Traffic violations are violations, not crimes and so certain constitutional rights pertaining to the fourth, fifth, and sixth amendments do not technically apply and sometimes are practically ignored altogether by the courts. Formal rules of evidence during trials are also frequently ignored or enforced by the courts in a half-hearted and informal manner. In the United States, driving is a privilege, not a right though for many in modern society. Their well-being and ability to earn an income depends upon it.
Hiring an experienced attorney that understands how to negotiate your case can determine whether you keep your driving privileges in Suffolk County. Call the Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC at 516-858-2620, to speak with an experienced traffic attorney.
Passenger Injured in Motor Vehicle Accident
Passengers injured in motor vehicle accidents should be aware of the procedures that are in place to process medical treatment and litigation. Some people do not realize that No-Fault will cover the medical expenses for a passenger of a vehicle; not just the driver. It is important to notify the medical providers that the injuries are the result of a motor vehicle accident so that the No-Fault forms are completed in a timely fashion. This will avoid time consuming corrections after the fact. As far as litigation is concerned, one particular point often evokes feelings of discomfort on the part of passengers. It is quite often in the best interest of the passenger to file the suit against the driver of the vehicle they were in as well as the driver of the other vehicle. This is due to the fact that a question of liability may exist which is indeterminable at the time the lawsuit is filed. In order to ensure that the passenger will be compensated for the injuries they sustained, the driver of both vehicles should be named as Defendants. More often than not, this means that passengers should have a different personal injury attorney than the driver of the vehicle they were riding in. There are extenuating circumstances that are exceptions to this thought however. One thing is for sure though. Seeking the advice of legal counsel as soon after the accident as possible can strengthen your case. Not because the attorney will change or shape the story of what happened, but rather, because the attorney will guide the processing of the case from the onset to help expedite your claim and move you towards any possible recovery.
Personal Injury Attorneys
If you or a loved one were involved in a motor vehicle accident, please call the Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC at (516) 858-2620 to speak to an attorney today!
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Car Accident Injuries
An interesting decision was made in Cattan v. Sutton, 2014 Slip Op 05764 (8/13/14). The case involved an automobile accident in which Defendant made a motion for summary judgment. The full case can be read at the aforementioned site. The ruling in this case points to the fact that a driver having the “right of way” does not necessarily mean that the driver is exempt from being a proximate cause of an accident. The possibility exists that there can be more than one proximate cause of an accident. It is important to note that a duty for each driver exists. That duty is to see what there is to be seen through the proper use of the driver’s senses. This duty exists even when the driver has the “right of way.”
This ruling is important in evaluating a personal injury case stemming from an automobile accident. Just being injured by another driver who engaged in improper conduct on the road is not enough. Comparative fault must be eliminated. By doing so, a Plaintiff’s case is made stronger and the likelihood of success is increased.
New York Personal Injury Attorneys
As always, if you have been in an automobile accident and seek the assistance of an experienced attorney, please call The Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC at (516) 858-2620 today to schedule a free consultation!
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