As usual, it's time for our weekly ten-minute chat with Michael Brook, the head of the Bureau for Accident and Traffic Incident Investigations. Michael, hello.
Michael Brook: Hello, Alexander. Hello, dear listeners. I traditionally wish everyone health and good mood. I hope you never get into any trouble. But if you do suffer an injury, the most common scenarios involve falling at a construction site, or simply while working on something like a tent, leading to injuries. Another possibility is a car accident where someone hits your vehicle, often injuring the lumbar or mid-back area. These kinds of issues can indicate very serious problems like spinal displacements, so it's crucial to seek attention quickly. If someone falls and breaks something, it is a serious matter and requires a lawyer to file a lawsuit and secure substantial compensation. These are exactly the type of lawyers I provide. If something happens, note down my phone number: 718-256-5610. Always keep it on you, day or night, any day of the week. I will connect you with a lawyer suitable for your situation.
Well, as usual, people reach out even before our conversation begins. A listener called us; he owns a house in Manhattan Beach and recently fell while they were replacing a pipe on the sidewalk. He tripped, fell, and ended up breaking his right arm. Now he asks if his homeowner's insurance covers such an injury and if a lawsuit can be started due to this break. Could you answer, please?
Michael Brook: Your home or apartment insurance never covers you. It's called liability insurance, which only covers others, not yourself. In short, you can't sue yourself in the state of New York; a husband can’t sue his wife, and vice versa. However, if an electric or gas company made a hole in the sidewalk, they must ensure the safety of pedestrians, including you. Therefore, you can file a claim against them but not against your insurance. I've had a similar case, where a man in Brooklyn fell because the gas company didn’t secure the area during street work. Though it technically happened outside his property, he couldn't have anticipated it, so the lawyer I provided sued the gas company. He also had a broken right arm and required surgery, which led to a $450,000 settlement, nearly half a million dollars. So, if something like this happens, call me quickly at 718-256-5610, and I will provide you with a lawyer who will immediately offer guidance on any trauma-related situation. Thank you.
Thank you for that thorough answer. Let's now listen to Mark, who has been patiently waiting for his turn. Mark, please go ahead.
Mark: On a shopping trip, my wife and I came back home. She was out of the car already and forgot her bag. I was just getting out to grab our groceries from the trunk when a huge truck turned onto our street and hit our car. I couldn't even get out and had to be removed by firefighters. I feel terrible and wonder how things will unfold.
Michael Brook: Since your car was parked and you were inside, you are 100% not at fault. The truck driver is entirely liable, and since most trucks have commercial insurance, we have a lawyer experienced in winning similar cases. If someone is hit by a vehicle with commercial insurance, the compensation is typically much higher compared to regular insurance claims. Sometimes, for the same injury under the same diagnosis, the settlement can be five to six times higher. We would use a lawyer who has won such cases because insurance companies consider the lawyer’s track record. For example, another case involved a woman whose husband got out of the car, but she was still inside when a truck hit them. She had significant spinal misalignments and shoulder injuries, requiring minor surgery. The attorney I referred secured $700,000 for her, nearing a million dollars.
If something like this happens, call me promptly at 718-256-5610. Keep Michael Brook's number in your mobile, accessible anytime, day or night. You can find my information at michaelbrook.com; it’s brook spelt as one word. Consider saving my site to your smartphone for easy access. Thank you for your question, Mark.
We have time to hear from Alice. Alice, welcome.
Alice: I was walking by a tire shop when I tripped over a tire left on the sidewalk. I fell, injuring my face and breaking my left arm, along with experiencing two fractured ribs. Can I sue them for negligence?
Michael Brook: Absolutely. Any shop placing items on a sidewalk is responsible for pedestrian safety. Their insurance should cover your injuries. They will likely resist, but the attorney I'll refer has handled similar cases successfully. In one case, a man tripped over equipment left by a tire repair shop, breaking his arm. Our lawyer won $250,000 for him.
If anything similar happens, save my number, 718-256-5610, in your phone. Michael Brook is here around the clock, every day of the week. If you can't find the number, look for michaelbrook.com online. My site's contact information is available there, and messages can be sent directly from it. My phone number once more: 718-256-5610. In case of an accident, injury, or fracture, Michael Brook, head of the Bureau for Accident Investigations, will connect you with expert lawyers to secure maximum monetary compensation.