As usual, it’s time for our weekly ten minutes with Michael Brook, the head of the Bureau of Accident Investigation and Road Traffic Incidents.
Michael: Hello, Alexander. Hello, dear radio listeners. I wish health to everyone and hope you stay out of trouble. Remember, in case of any injury to you, your friends, acquaintances, or colleagues, it's always best to call me at any time, day or night, at 718-256-5610. If, God forbid, any mishap, fall, or car accident occurs, the sooner you call, the greater the chances we gather all the necessary evidence, which will later affect the compensation you receive. Once again, my phone number is 718-256-5610. Write it down on your mobile and always carry it with you.
Alexander: Michael, as always, let’s start with a question from afar. A listener posed the following question: she was leaving her dentist's clinic where there was a flight of brick steps leading down from the porch. She tripped and fell down these steps, breaking her shoulder and forearm. Her question is, will this be explained by the fact she’d just received an anesthetic injection and felt dizzy, thus making it nobody’s fault, or is there a way to receive compensation in such a situation? Your opinion?
Michael: Any guilty party will always try to find some excuses; there’s no doubt about that. An attorney’s job when a person falls from steps is to prove that there was something wrong with them. Sometimes, it’s not the steps, but the handrails or something wrong with the construction that violated some rules. For instance, handrails might be too low or missing, or the steps might be too short, or one step might be significantly longer or shorter than others, and so on. There can be many violations that the attorney finds and proves. The main goal is to prove any percentage of fault. If there's any fault percentage, then compensation can be obtained from the insurance company, which my attorneys usually achieve.
It's quite rare for a person to fall for absolutely no reason, just because they felt dizzy or unwell. This hardly ever happens. It’s typically a contributing factor, where the person didn’t see or notice a defect. For instance, a man once approached me, having fallen from some steps as he was leaving a dentist's office. He broke his right arm and severely injured his knee. The steps belonged to the building’s owner rather than the dentist's office. It was a public entrance. My attorney sued the building's owner, who had significant insurance coverage. They proved the steps were poorly constructed, and the handrails weren't the proper height, which indicated violations. As a result, the insurance company acknowledged 30% of the building owner’s fault. That was enough to secure $150,000 for this man. So, if anything similar occurs, call me at 718-256-5610 as soon as possible. Keep this number on your mobile.
Alexander: Thank you, Michael, on behalf of our listeners and others this may concern. Now, a question from Irina:
Irina: Hello, Michael. I have a question. My husband fell while leaving a Costco store and is currently in the hospital. He has severe bruising, nothing broken, but they say he will be held for at least two to three more days. Can your attorney visit him in the hospital and start the case? Thank you.
Michael: In this case, of course, my attorney will visit the hospital if necessary, take all necessary statements, obtain consent to begin the case, and start working on it. Sometimes, they don’t even need to travel; having a mobile phone may be enough. The attorney can send a special link, and your husband only needs to press it to sign the contract electronically. Then, the attorney starts working on the case immediately. They will definitely conduct full consultations over the phone, figure out all the details, and work electronically to advance the case.
Let me share an example: A listener approached me after falling in a store. She spent a week in the hospital, first waiting a few days for swelling to subside, then undergoing surgery and remaining there post-surgery before being released. Upon contacting me, the attorney swiftly connected with her, sent her an electronic link, and obtained consent to represent her. When an insurance company representative arrived, she referred him to the attorney, avoiding any contact.
The attorney obtained surveillance footage, which is typically erased or inaccessible without prompt action, by acquiring the judge’s permission after obtaining her consent to represent her. This footage enabled the attorney to prove the store’s management was at fault due to obstacles they created. This case led to a $250,000 settlement from the store’s insurance.
Again, remember my number: 718-256-5610. Call anytime, night or day, any day of the week. I am always here to connect you with an attorney.
Alexander: Thank you on behalf of Irina. We have time for one last question from Nikita.
Nikita: I parked my car near a private residence, right under a surveillance camera. The driver who hit me didn’t stop and wait for the police. I called the police and went to the hospital. Can you obtain surveillance footage and find the driver's information?
Michael: In this situation, just like the previous question, the attorney needs your consent to represent you to obtain surveillance footage. This footage might reveal the driver's plate number, but it can sometimes be missing. There have been cases where the driver was found; in others, they weren't. Even if we don’t find the car, New York law mandates that you are covered by insurance, known as "Uninsured Motorist" coverage, listed on the declarations page of your insurance policy.
If neither you nor any family members have a car, there’s a city organization, MVAIC, that covers such instances. Rest assured, my attorney will secure compensation for you whether the footage leads to finding the perpetrator or not.
In one case, a man contacted me after being hit by a car near a large medical office building. Once he gave his consent, my attorney dispatched an "investigator" who obtained the footage. Fortunately, they identified the assailant, subsequently securing $100,000 for the injured party, who had a fractured leg from the accident.
So, remember my phone number: 718-256-5610. Always carry it with you, day or night, and I will connect you promptly with an attorney. In case of any accident, injury, or fracture, Michael Brook, the head of the Bureau of Accident Investigation and Road Traffic Incidents, will ensure you receive the maximum monetary compensation possible: 718-256-5610.