Memorial Day Weekend Driver Safety Tips

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

Photo Source: Wikipedia

Memorial Day weekend is just two weeks away.  As families gear up for long road trips, we recommend taking a few precautions with your vehicle to ensure a safe trip.  Here are a few safe driving tips for your Memorial Day weekend road trip. 

Safe Driving Tips:

• Stay Calm – Almost everyone has experienced road rage, but there is no sense in getting agitated.  Turn the radio on and enjoy your ride.
• Vehicle Inspection – Have your car checked before you leave.  Keep the air pressure in your tires up to standard and purchase new wiper blades.  This will improve your visibility, make your ride more comfortable, and make your trip more fuel efficient.
• Use Signals – So many drivers fail to put on their signals when switching lanes or turning.  It’s important to warn the drivers around you about what you are going to do when driving.  It improves your safety and reduces your risk of getting into an accident.
• Be Aware – Distracted driving is unfortunately common.  If you see someone who is texting or is distracted for any other reason, move a safe distance away from them.  If you stay alert, you can avoid most accidents.

The Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in auto accident injury cases and traffic violations. Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our office for a consultation by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.

Don’t Overlook These Estate Planning Elements

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

When was the last time you thought about your estate plan?  New government regulations are constantly changing the way that we should plan for the future.  The American Taxpayer Relief Act that was enacted last year reduced the number of US residents that are subjected to federal transfer tax.  Here are a few techniques and strategies that shouldn’t be overlooked when planning your estate.

Source: Wikimedia

Estate Planning Tips:

• Reexamine – Estate tax is no longer applicable to many people.  If you completed your estate plan before the American Taxpayer Relief Act, you should reexamine the document to make sure that your plan is effective.
• Focus on Income Tax – Many who were once subject to federal estate tax are now exempt.  The focus for many should be on income tax, rather than federal tax.
• Catch Mistakes – It is always important to take another look at your estate plan to make sure that your finances are in order.
• Discuss with Family – Unfortunately, many of us are unable to manage our assets properly as we age.  It is important that your children or trusted family member understands how you want to manage your assets.

The Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in all aspects estate planning. Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our office for a consultation by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.

300 Miles of Long Island Roadways to be Repaired

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

Photo Source: Wikimedia

Many Long Island roadways are scheduled to undergo resurfacing this year.  Governor Cuomo announced that more than $100 million will be spent to repair roads in poor condition from the harsh winter.  These projects will provide relief and improve the safety of Long Island drivers who travel on rough roads.

After a rough winter, this project will help drivers who have damaged their tires, shocks and alignment while dodging potholes.  The funding is designed to provide Long Islanders with safe, reliable transportation routes.  The resurfacing projects will remove the worn top layer of pavement, repair the base concrete, improve drainage, and install a new asphalt riding surface.  The repairs also include replacing traffic signal detectors and pavement markings.  The majority of this work will be completed during off-peak and night-time hours. 

The following roadways will be resurfaced this fall:

• LIE between exits 37 and 46
• Northern State Parkway (NSP) between the Wantagh State Parkway (WSP) and the LIE
• Meadowbrook State Parkway between Glenn Curtis Boulevard and the NSP in the Town of Hempstead
• NY Route 24/Hempstead Turnpike between the MSP and NY Route 110
• NY Route 25A between the Nassau/Suffolk border and Bread and Cheese Hollow Road
• NY Route 24/Flanders Road between County Roads 104/63 and Bellows Pond Road
• NY Route 25A between NY Route 111 and Edgewood Avenue
• NY Route 25 between Kings Park Road and NY Route 111
• Simeon Woods Road between the LIE and Kings Highway
• NY Route 25/Jericho Turnpike between NY Routes 106/107 and Robbins Lane
• NY Route 25/Jericho Turnpike between Brush Hollow Road and Jericho Quadrangle East
•  NY Route 878/Nassau Expressway between Burnside Avenue and Rockaway Turnpike

The Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in auto accidents and traffic violations. Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our office for a consultation by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.

Determining Wrongful Employment Termination

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

At-will employment means that an employee can be fired with or without cause.  Fortunately, there are several exceptions to this rule that may help you keep your job or sue your former employer.  So how do you determine if your termination was legal or illegal?

Wrongful Termination:

• Implied Contract – Any agreement based on things your employer said and did is an exception to the at-will employment rule.  Although difficult to prove, implied employment contracts look at the duration of your employment, regularity of job promotions, positive performance reviews, assurances, and promises made when hired.
• Good Faith and Fair Dealing – There are several acts that can be considered unfair.  However, not all courts recognize this exception.  You may be able to argue this dealing if you were misled about chances for promotions or you were given undesirable assignments to coerce you into quitting.
• Public Policy – You can claim a violation of public policy if you are fired for taking time off to serve on a jury, to vote, or to serve in the military of National Guard.
• Discrimination – It is illegal to fire even at-will employees based on their race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability or genetic information.  There are strict time limits and rules regarding discrimination claims.
• Whistle-Blowing Violations – There are laws that protect employees who report illegal activities. 

The Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in employment law, including discrimination, whistle blower, compensation and severance packages, and non-compete agreement violations. Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our office for a consultation by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.

Fighting Your Speeding Ticket

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

Source: Flickr

Speeding tickets are one of the main reasons that New Yorkers lose their driver’s license.  If you find yourself with a traffic ticket, it is important that you understand the options available to you.  Whether you choose to fight the ticket during a hearing or pay the fine, our traffic violation lawyers know what needs to be done to protect your right to drive.

DMV Tips on Fighting a Ticket:

• Notify the Court – Depending on where you obtained your violation, you will either appear at the Traffic Violations Bureau or the local courthouse. 
• Take Action – Be sure to take action within 30 days of receiving the ticket.  Those that fail to pay or plead not guilty can have their license suspended.
• Hire a Lawyer – An experienced traffic violations lawyer can help minimize your consequences and keep you on the road.
• Pleading Your Case – During the hearing, the judge will listen and accept evidence from both you and the police officer who cited you.  Unless the judge finds “clear and convincing evidence,” you will be found not guilty.

The Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in fighting speeding tickets in Garden City and the surrounding areas.  Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our traffic ticket defense law firm to discuss your needs by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.

New Boating Safety Rules and Legal Requirements

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

Getting ready to put your boat in the water this spring?  As you prep your boat for the season, don’t forget to brush up on New York State’s legal requirements.  New York introduced few new laws and programs to improve boating safety this year.

Effective May 1^st, all individuals born on or after 5/1/96 are required to successfully complete an approved course in boater education before operating a motorboat.  NYS Parks, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadron all offer approved courses.  However, children need to be 10 years of age or older to qualify for the course. 

Also new this year, anyone who completes the New York Safe Boating Course can opt to have an anchor displayed on their driver’s license, non-driver ID, or learner’s permit.  The advantage of this program is that you will no longer need to carry your boating safety certificate with you when boating, as long as you have your ID with you.

These laws signed by the Governor supersede all local laws and ordinances with respect to motorboat education requirements.  We encourage you to learn more about boating safety and New York State’s legal requirements on the New York State Park website.

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in all aspects of boating law.  Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our office for a consultation by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.

School Zone Speeding Cameras Approved

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

Speeding cameras are expected to be added to Long Island and New York City school speed zones.  These cameras will have photographic, micro-photographic and video electronic capabilities to detect drivers who speed in these zones.  The new law is expected to be signed fairly quickly now that it has been approved by the state Assembly and Senate.

This new law will add 125 high-tech cameras on Long Island and 120 in New York City.  Drivers who are caught speeding by these cameras will receive a $50 ticket in the mail.  If the ticket is not paid, there is an additional $25 fine.  Although these cameras are designed to reduce traffic fatalities, they are also creating revenue.  The tickets are expected to generate as much as $50 million in revenue for Nassau County and a few million for Suffolk County.

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in all aspects of traffic violation law.  Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our office for a consultation by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.