July 22, 2011

SENECA COUNTY BUS ACCIDENT: STATEMENT BY STATE BAR PRESIDENT VINCENT E. DOYLE III

"For the second time this week, we extend our thoughts and prayers to victims of an upstate bus accident, as well as to their relatives and friends,” New York State Bar Association President Vincent E. Doyle III said today. Early this morning, a tour bus from Canada and a tractor-trailer collided in the Town of Julius (Seneca County). One man died and 24 people were hospitalized, according to news accounts.

“It is important for all of us in the legal community to recognize the importance of respecting the privacy of the victims and their families,” he said.

Doyle warned lawyers against unwarranted solicitation of victims about possible lawsuits.

“I remind my colleagues in the legal community that the New York Rules of Professional Conduct prohibit attorneys from soliciting potential clients in personal injury or wrongful death matters for 30 days following the date of the incident—unless a filing is required within 30 days, in which case
solicitation is prohibited for 15 days," he said.

On Monday, Doyle issued a similar statement after a tour bus, traveling between Washington, D.C. and Niagara Falls Sunday, veered out of control in Avoca (Steuben County), killing two people and injuring 35 others.

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The 77,000-member New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation.  It was founded in 1876.