Everyone loves dogs, right? Not always – especially if you find that you’ve been bitten by a stranger’s dog due to their negligence. Of course, the blame does not lay with the dog, but rather with its owner. It’s this kind of unfortunate negligence that can often times cause an innocent dog’s life. Whether you, a loved one, or even your own dog is attacked by another dog, there are steps you can take to get the justice that you deserve. Whether the attacking dog belongs to a friend, neighbor, or stranger, it’s best to call a personal injury lawyer to seek legal advice immediately after seeking medical attention. In these cases, it’s best to have everything documented by your doctor, or if your dog has been attacked, by their veterinarian.

Know The Laws

Dog bites are more common than one might think, so knowing the laws in your city are important to any case. In New York State, nearly 4,000 dog bites are reported annually in NYC alone. NYS requires that all dogs over the age of 4 months old must be licensed. In order to obtain a license, the owner must submit proof of up to date rabies vaccination records as well as proof of spay or neutering. New York State also enacts the “New York State Leash Law”, however, this is not enforced in every part of the state. Leash law enforcement is left in the hands of local municipalities, so it’s important to find out if your area enforces the leash law and what the details are.

The professional law firm at Sarles Frey & Joseph is here for you. If you’ve been bitten or attacked by a dog, please give us a call today for a consultation.

Getting into an accident whether it was your fault or not is always an inconvenience. Remembering to stay calm and knowing how to react to the situation can make the process of filing a claim and documenting damages a little less stressful.

Immediately following an accident, it’s most important that you remain calm and don’t state whether or not you believe the accident to have been your fault.

Take a moment to determine if you, any of your passengers or anyone else in the other vehicle/vehicles has been injured. If you or someone else has been injured, call 911 immediately. If no one has been injured, you should still call the police so that there is a record of the accident; that will make filing a claim with your insurance company that much easier.

Take pictures of both the scene of the accident and of your vehicle so that you have images to document the crash and any damages done. Your insurance company may ask to see these images and it can provide evidence for a stronger case against the other driver.  

If you have been injured in an auto accident, don’t settle for an insurance company settlement that won’t provide you with full financial coverage for your injuries. Call us. We will fight on your behalf and do everything we can to get you the settlement you deserve.

Although it happens to most of us at some point, receiving a traffic ticket can lead to expenses and inconvenience at the very least. Whether you’ve received a ticket before or this is your first time, our experienced attorneys can help you make the best of the situation.

Traffic Violations in New York State

Depending on the severity of the traffic ticket and the number of previous offenses, you’re probably looking at increased insurance rates, points on your license, a high fine, and time spent in court to argue your case.

For most people, this isn’t the first time receiving a traffic ticket, so another minor or major violation can lead to exorbitant insurance rate hikes and even a revoked license. Serious offenses, like unlicensed driving, committing three misdemeanor traffic violations in 18 months, or ignoring a ticket can lead to a revoked license.

In New York, serious driving offenses can lead to high fines, vehicle confiscation, and even imprisonment. No matter your situation, it’s vital to consult a legal professional for help.

Fighting for Your Case

Everyone has different circumstances surrounding their situation. An experienced lawyer can look at your situation and provide help to get the ticket dismissed or plead it to a lesser offense. Whether you were speeding, running a red light, driving without a seatbelt, driving while using a cell phone, or committing another driving violation, a traffic lawyer may be able to help you:

• Save you time not having to go to court.
• Decrease the cost of your ticket or fine.
• Lower the cost of your insurance.
• Avoid imprisonment.
• Prevent the revocation of your license or vehicle.

If you’ve been issued a traffic ticket, don’t delay; call us at Sarles Frey & Joseph. We have years of experience with cases just like yours in Buffalo and throughout Western New York, and we’re prepared to help you achieve the most favorable outcome.