Coming Soon! Our New Website and Blog! Cheriff & Fink, P.C.

COMING SOON!  VISIT OUR NEW AND IMPROVED WEBSITE AND BLOG AT WWW.CF-LAWYERS.COM.

-Bruce & Ken

The Valhalla Metro North Tragedy

Our thoughts go out to the victims of the recent tragedy involving a Metro North train in Westchester.  This tragedy will be in the news for some time.  You should  not jump to  conclusions as to the facts  and  causes based solely on the television  reports and accounts in your local newspapers.  

Several years ago we handled a so called, “Car versus Train” case.  If one were to  have believed the initial news reports, they would have been left with no choice but  to conclude that the automobile driver sped around the downed railroad gates and  rushed onto the tracks causing the accident. The facts proved quite the contrary!  In  fact, after a thorough investigation, the railroad acknowledged that it was working  on the crossing and had waived the car onto the tracks, causing the horrific injuries  that ensued. 

As is always the case, no one should jump to conclusions.  We must wait until all  facts  are  in  before we will really know why the Metro North Valhalla accident  happened and how to prevent such accidents from happening again.

Season's Greetings from Cheriff & Fink, P.C.

Don't Jump to Conclusions

Our thoughts go out to the victims of the recent tragedy involving a Metro North train in the Bronx.  This tragedy will be in the news for some time.  You should not jump to conclusions as to the facts and causes based solely on the television reports and accounts in your local newspapers. 

Recently, we handled a case involving a train accident involving a car at a grade level railroad crossing.  If one were to have believed the initial news reports, they would have been left with no choice but to believe that the automobile driver sped around the downed railroad gates and rushed onto the tracks causing the accident.  The facts proved quite the contrary!  In fact, after a thorough investigation, the railroad acknowledged that it was working on the crossing and had waived the car onto the tracks, causing the horrific injuries that ensued.

As is always the case, no one should jump to conclusions.  We must wait until all facts are in before we will really know why the Metro North Spuyten Duyvil accident happened and how to prevent such accidents from happening again.

Happy Thanksgiving 2013 from Cheriff & Fink, P.C.

Wishing our friends, clients, and family a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving!

Bruce & Ken

CLE - Should I Make Federal Case Out of my Personal Injury Matter?

For our colleagues and friends who are attorneys: 

Dear Counsel,

We recently taught a CLE course, Should I Make Federal Case Out of my Personal Injury Matter? We'd like to give you an opportunity to take our course for credit , free of charge, courtesy of Lawline.com, a division of FurtherEd. Simply click on this link:

http://bit.ly/19i3LDQ

We hope you enjoy the course and look forward to your comments. If Cheriff & Fink, P.C. can be of assistance to you or your clients on personal injury or other matters, please do not hesitate to contact us at any of our three New York area locations.

Our NYC Office is Moving

Effective tomorrow, Tuesday, October 15, 2013, our Manhattan office location will be moving to 65 Broadway, Suite 1704, New York, New York 10006. Our NYC office hours continue to be by appointment only. 

Our complete list of locations and contact information is:

Cheriff & Fink, P.C. - New York City Office
65 Broadway, Suite 1704
New York, New York 10006-2503
Phone 212.285.4100 - Fax 347.708.9911

Cheriff & Fink, P.C. - Long Island Office
1234 West Broadway, Suite 107 - Lower Level
Hewlett, New York 11557-1927
Phone 516.569.1890 - Fax 347.708.9911

Cheriff & Fink, P.C. - Westchester Office
PO Box 985
Mount Kisco, New York 10549-0985
Phone 914.242.2042 - Fax 347.708.9911

www.cf-lawyers.com
twitter - @cfpclaw

More on Bicycle Safety!

Did you know that in the State of New York, all bicycle riders under the age of 13 are required by law to wear helmets.  Helmets are designed to help prevent head and brain injuries.

USE THESE BICYCLE SAFETY TIPS

The next time you decide to take a bicycle ride, remember the following:

Put lights and/or red and white reflectors on your bicycle.
Always wear a properly fitted helmet with the chin straps fastened.

Maintain your bicycle and keep your tires at the correct air pressure.

Wear bright clothing and closed toe shoes.

Avoid riding alone or at night whenever possible.

Use bicycle lanes and always ride with the flow of traffic—never against it.

Stay in a single line when riding with others.

Don’t ride in between parked cars, and always use intersections when crossing traffic.

Use hand signals when stopping or turning.

For left turns, point your left arm straight out.

For right turns, point your left arm straight up.

Never allow others to ride on the handlebars or stand on the back of your bicycle.

WHEN YOU NEED HELP

If you need an attorney, give us a call at any of our three locations.

Bicycle Accidents and Safety

With the advent of new bike lanes throughout New York City, coupled with the recently launched bike sharing programs providing easy access to bicycles in Manhattan and Brooklyn, Bicycle accidents are fast becoming more common occurrences in and around the New York area.

These accidents can occur for a wide variety of reasons including: potholes; unsafe conditions; negligent repairs; manufacturer defects in bicycles; helmets, accessories; drivers not paying attention, etc. Dangerous conditions can occur on public or private property and often times the property owner may be held liable.

Depending on the circumstances of an accident you can still sue the driver who hit you even if you were partly at fault. Sometimes bicyclists are at fault themselves. New York is a comparative negligence state which means that a bicyclist's own mistakes do not bar him from suing a vehicle operator who also contributed to the accident. Your recovery will be reduced by the percentage that you are found to be at fault. In other words, if the jury were to award you $2 million for your injuries but determined that you were 50% at fault, your recovery would be limited to $1 million dollars.

The New York State Insurance Law provides that a bicyclist must file a No-Fault claim within thirty days of the accident with the insurance carrier for the vehicle that hit him or her regardless of who was at fault. No-Fault provides coverage not only for necessary medical expenses, but for a portion of your lost earnings as well. If the bicyclist was injured on the job, Workers' Compensation will pay the medical bills. We can explain what documents you will need to file under either circumstance.

By listening to the details of your bicycle injury case, a good attorney can make a reasonable assessment of potential damages and liable parties. At Cheriff & Fink, P.C., we will listen to the details of your case and help determine who was at fault. In addition, we commonly utilize a variety of experts that can help reconstruct the circumstances of your accident and establish potential liabilities.

Sometimes injuries occur because of reasons outside the impact itself.  For example, a bicycle defect may lead or be the causing factor of one or more injuries incurred during an accident.  Defected parts or poorly designed bicycles may also lead to unnecessary injuries that were not the direct result of the accident itself. The following is a list of the common situations that can cause car accident injuries:

-         Drivers under the influence of alcohol

-         Dangerous railroad crossings that cause accidents

-         Defective tires

-         Defective helmets and equipment

Make sure you seek medical attention for any injuries that you received as a result of the accident as soon as possible.  This way any claims of injury cannot be refuted by saying that they happened between the time of the accident and the medical visit.  

If you have any questions, call Bruce Cheriff and Ken Fink at Cheriff & Fink, P.C.

July 4 - Hours

Wishing our clients, friends and family a happy and safe July 4th Holiday! We will be closed on the 4th. We will be open Friday morning, July 5th, until midday. Cheriff & Fink, P.C. will reopen for regular business hours on Monday, July 8, 2013. Enjoy!

Bernard Cheriff Honored By Syracuse Law Review

On Friday, April 12, 2013, our Mt. Kisco office will be closed.

Bruce Cheriff will be out of town attending the Syracuse Law Review's annual banquet. Our founding attorney, Bernard Cheriff, Bruce's father, is being honored tonight in Syracuse for his distinguished legal career and accomplishments. Bernie served in the Peace Corps for twenty-seven months following his notable legal career. He remains of counsel to our firm and his achievements are a source of inspiration to us on a daily basis.

Don't Let Your Insurance Carrier Take Advantage of You!

Here at Cheriff & Fink, P.C., we are often in the position of pursuing claims with our clients' own automobile insurance carriers following a motor vehicle accident. Despite paying for certain protections, insurance carriers often make it very difficult for their own insureds (their customers and our clients) to make such claims. 

Specifically, underinsurance or uninsured coverage, also known as SUM coverage, is coverage afforded to you by your own insurance company to compensate you if the offending vehicle is uninsured or underinsured. Underinsured means your injury or damages exceed the coverage afforded by the other vehicle. Uninsured means the vehicle that struck you has no-coverage at all. 

In situations where this coverage applies, carriers often fight their customers and make them jump through a bevy of hoops simply to proceed forward with such a claim.

Recently, we took our client's carrier to task when it sought to stall and delay our client's SUM claim with a variety of tactics. Fortunately, the Court hearing the dispute agreed with us and shot down the carrier's delay attempts. The Court's decision can be read here: 

https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/fbem/DocumentDisplayServlet?documentId=3qogU8u35EYXuCAYIvtQNw%3D%3D&system=prod

Seastreak Ferry Accident

If you or a loved one was injured in the recent Seastreak Wall Street ferry crash, be aware that you may have legal rights and should seek the counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney. 

Our office has successfully represented thousands of injured individuals over the years, including those injured in ferry and cruise ship accidents.

Cheriff & Fink, P.C. was one of the first law firms to successfully settle a claim with the City of New York over personal injuries stemming from the tragic Staten Island Ferry disaster in October of 2003. Our firm's client was a passenger on the ill fated ferry returning home from work. At the request of our client, this claim was successfully mediated by Ken Fink sparing our client from having to continually revisit the trauma during the course of protracted litigation.

Feel free to call us at any of our three locations or via email if you have any questions.

Cheriff & Fink, P.C. - Holiday Schedule

We will be closed for Christmas and New Years on Monday, December 24, 2012; Tuesday, December 25, 2012; Monday, December 31, 2012; and, Tuesday, January 1, 2013.

Our Hewlett location will also be closed on Friday, December 28, 2012.

Best wishes to our clients, friends, relatives and colleagues for a happy and safe holiday season!

Bruce and Ken

-

Happy Holidays From CFPC!

CPFC Named to NY'S Best Lawyers - 2012

We are both proud and humbled to announce our inclusion in The New York Area's Top Rated Lawyers - 2012 Edition, published in conjunction with The New York Law Journal and New York Magazine.  A pdf of the issue is available at: http://pdfserver.amlaw.com/nylj/newyork_TRL.pdf

We are highlighted on page 50 of the magazine.

Thanks to our clients and fellow members of the bar for helping us achieve this honor.

Bruce and Ken

Sign Up For Our New Email Newsletter

It is our hope that the coming year will bring you only the best... Why not prepare for 2013 by signing up for our new email newsletter?  We won't bombard you with daily emails --- just periodic emails meant to inform and update you on our office, what we do, and perhaps, what we can do for you.  

You can sign up on our website at cf-lawyers.com.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season and new year!

Bruce and Ken

New York Business Blog Features Cheriff & Fink, P.C.

New York Business Blog recently interviewed Ken Fink of our firm for his views on a number of topics.  Below are excerpts from the interview.  For a full version visit their site.

How long have you been in business?
We have been in business since January 1997. We are, however, the successor organization to a prior firm headed by our founder, Bernard Cheriff, which dated back to the 1950′s.

Who are your current customers?
We represent individuals and businesses on a variety of legal matters running the gamut from personal injury claims, to commercial litigation, to real estate, and business transactions of all types. We also work closely with colleagues in other fields of law to make certain that most, if not all, of our clients’ legal needs are covered.

What makes your company unique?
We provide the personal attention that often is missing when you seek legal counsel. There are many fine attorneys out there, but we pride ourselves on knowing our clients and their needs and attending to same in a professional yet personal manner.

What are some of the main reasons you like living/doing business in New York City?
With three offices in Manhattan, Long Island and Westchester, we are able to serve the needs of our clients throughout the NY Metropolitan area. We cover court calendars from Suffolk to the Hudson Valley and everything in between.

What made you want to start your business in the first place?
We enjoy the freedom that comes with having our own business. True — there are stressful and trying aspects, but overall we are quite happy with being able to serve the needs of clients while also running our own firm.

What is the aspect of your business that you are the most proud of?
Being able to help hundreds of clients over the years in a variety of legal settings.

If someone is looking to invest in the type of service you offer, what advice can you give to help them make the best buying decision?
Call us at any of our three locations and you will speak with one of the owners who can explain what we can and can’t do for you to help with your legal needs. If we can’t help you, we will try our best to find you someone who can. If we can assist, we look forward to doing so in the most cost effective and efficient way possible.

Cheriff & Fink, P.C. – Long Island Office
1234 West Broadway, Suite 107 – Lower Level
Hewlett, New York 11557-1927
Phone  516-569-1890 – Fax 347-708-9911

Cheriff & Fink, P.C. – New York City Office
2 Rector Street – Suite 2104
New York, New York 10006-1893
Phone  212-285-4100 – Fax 347-708-9911

Cheriff & Fink, P.C. – Westchester Office
PO Box 985
Mount Kisco, New York 10549-0985
Phone  914-242-2042 – Fax 347-708-9911

How are you using the internet and social media to enhance your customer’s experience with your company?
We can be found on the web at www.cf-lawyers.com, on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CheriffandFink, and on our blog at http://www.nycpersonalinjury.blogspot.com. We use all of these forums and others, as well as twitter (@cfpclaw) to communicate with and educate our clients and colleagues.

Happy Jewish New Year From CFPC

Cheriff & Fink, P.C. will be closed on Monday, September 17, 2012 and Tuesday, September 18, 2012 in observance of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. We will reopen for business on Wednesday morning, September 19, 2012. To those who celebrate, we wish you and yours a happy and healthy new year!

Our New Law Clerk - Brittany Johnson

Brittany Johnson

Brittany is entering her second year at Hofstra University, Maurice A. Deane School of Law.  Brittany is from Maywood, New Jersey.  She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for her undergraduate studies where she majored in History, focusing on the Voting Rights Movement of the 1960s. Her thesis was on the Mississippi Voting Rights Movement led by Fannie Lou Hamer.  In her spare time, Brittany likes to work out, play volleyball, read, travel, bake and go to the beach.   Brittany is looking forward to the hands-on legal experience and insight during her time with Cheriff & Fink P.C. 

Trial Victory - March 2012

CFPC took a jury verdict today at a personal injury trial in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Kings. The Brooklyn jury found 100 percent in favor of our client, despite the defendant's long standing contention that he was not at fault in the motor vehicle accident. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident, and you have questions, contact us at one of our three locations: Long Island 516-569-1890; Westchester 914-242-2042; NYC 212-285-4100; or visit our website at www.cf-lawyers.com.

Motor Vehicle Accidents - To Do List in the Aftermath

WHAT TO DO AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT

It is inevitable that car accidents happen. Even with proper safety precautions, accidents happen daily.  While no one expects to be in an accident, it’s important to be prepared in the event that one occurs.

The following is an important list of steps to follow immediately after being involved in a motor vehicle accident:

STAY WHERE YOU ARE. State law requires that you not leave the scene of an accident.

TAKE NECESSARY SAFETY MEASURES. Use flags, flares, etc to make yourself visible to other drivers and prevent further accidents.

SEEK PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION. Make sure that any and all injured parties receive medical attention right away. If you have any symptoms, be sure to call for an ambulance and paramedics immediately. Not only will quickly seeking help protect your health, it will help to document the injury.

ALERT THE AUTHORITIES. Contact the State, local or city police immediately after an accident. Give law enforcement officials the facts but do not admit responsibility.

IDENTIFY OTHER DRIVER. Be sure to take note of the name, address, phone number and insurance information of the other driver or drivers involved in the accident. Once you have identified the other driver, verify that their license in current and that the registration number matches the license plate number on the vehicle.

GET INFORMATION FROM WITNESSES. Obtain the names, addresses, phone numbers and comments/statements from all people who saw the accident occur.

DOCUMENT DETAILS OF INCIDENT. Take note of the weather, road and lighting conditions at the time of the accident. Also be sure to record the time that the accident occurred and measure the length of the skidmarks/draw a diagram of the scene.

KEEP A RECORD OF INJURIES. Take photos of any bodily injuries and vehicle damage. Make a note of all related details. Take as many pictures as possible from varying angles and distances to capture the accident scene, damage to cars, nearby road signs and landmarks, skid marks, debris in the road, and all other pertinent evidence. Keeping a disposable camera in your glove compartment is also a good idea.

CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY AND SEEK LEGAL REPRESENTATION. Be sure to do this in a timely manner after a motor vehicle accident as delay may affect your rights.  If you'd like to speak with an attorney  from our office, we welcome you to contact Bruce J. Cheriff (direct dial 914-242-2042) or Kenneth S Fink (direct dial 516-569-1890).  Visit cf-lawyers.com for more information.

Car accidents are often unavoidable and can be devastating. Each and every day, New Yorkers suffer personal injuries in serious motor vehicle accidents. When an unexpected accident occurs, it can strike anyone. By following the aforementioned guidelines you will be prepared and informed of what to do in the event of a car accident.

MEET OUR NEW LAW CLERK - MICHAEL BERGER

Michael Berger is in his second year at Hofstra University School of Law.  Prior to that he attended the University of Pittsburgh obtaining a B.A. in History and General Business with a minor in Economics.  Last summer, he worked at Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP while also interning with the Hon. Justice Zayas in Supreme Court, Queens County. 

He enjoys running, college basketball and reading John Grisham books. 

Happy New Year

Happy New Year from Cheriff & Fink to all of our family, friends and clients! We will have limited hours on Friday, December 30, 2011 (Westchester open; Hewlett and NYC closed).  Our offices will be closed on Monday, January 2, 2012. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 3, 2012.  Have a safe and happy new year!

Too Much Turkey? Avoid Drowsy Driving...

With Thanksgiving upon us, Cheriff & Fink urges our clients and friends to remember to take care when driving after a long day of partaking in turkey and all those delicious sides.  Below are some tips from the AAA Foundation For Traffic Safety to assist you in making this a safe holiday season.

FAQs: Drowsy Driving(for original article, click here.) Introduction The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conservatively estimates that 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue each year, resulting in an estimated 1,500 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and $12.5 billion in monetary losses. Definitions of drowsy driving generally involve varying uses and definitions of fatigue, sleepiness, and exhaustion. For the purpose of the discussion at hand, drowsy driving is simply driving in a physical state in which the driver's alertness is appreciably lower than it would be if the driver were “well rested” and “fully awake.” How serious of a problem is drowsy driving? On the national level, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conservatively estimates that 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue each year, resulting in an estimated 1,500 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and $12.5 billion in monetary losses. However, it is very difficult to determine when fatigue causes or contributes to a traffic crash, and many experts believe these statistics understate the magnitude of the problem. On the individual level, driving while tired is very dangerous, because a driver who falls asleep may crash head-on into another vehicle, a tree, or a wall, at full driving speed, without making any attempt to avoid the crash by steering or braking. The inability of a sleeping driver to try to avoid crashing makes this type of crash especially severe. Some studies have found people's cognitive-psychomotor abilities to be as impaired after 24 hours without sleep as with a BAC of 0.10%, which is higher than the legal limit for DWI conviction in all US states. What are the warning signs of drowsy driving? Some warnings signs you may experience that signify drowsiness while driving are: The inability to recall the last few miles traveled, Having disconnected or wandering thoughts, Having difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open, Feeling as though your head is very heavy, Drifting out of your driving lane, perhaps driving on the rumble strips, Yawning repeatedly, Accidentally tailgating other vehicles, Missing traffic signs. In fact, drowsy drivers sometimes drive so poorly that they might appear to be drunk. In a survey of police officers conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, nearly 90 percent of responding officers had at least once pulled over a driver who they expected to find intoxicated, but turned out to be sleepy (and not intoxicated). What are the specific at-risk groups affected by drowsy driving? The specific at-risk group for drowsy-driving-related crashes comprises people who drive after having not slept enough, qualitatively or quantitatively. If you're tired and you're driving, you are at risk. In general, individuals who are “most at-risk for being at-risk” of drowsy driving include: Young People : Sleep-related crashes are most common in young people, especially those who tend to stay up late, sleep too little, and drive at night - a dangerous combination. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the State of New York found that young drivers are more than 4 times more likely to have sleep-related crashes than are drivers over age 30. Shift Workers and People with Long Work Hours : Shift workers and people who work long hours are at high risk of being involved in a sleep-related crash. The human body never fully adjusts to shift work, according to the National Sleep Foundation. The body's sleep and wake cycles are dictated by light and dark cycles, and generally will lead one to feel sleepy between midnight and 6 AM. For more information, see the National Sleep Foundation's Sleep Strategies for Shift Workers. People with Undiagnosed or Untreated Sleep Disorders : Approximately 40 million people are believed to have some kind of sleep disorder. Many different sleep disorders result in excessive daytime sleepiness, placing this group at high risk for sleep-related crashes. Common sleep disorders that often go unnoticed or undiagnosed include sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome. You can learn more about these and other sleep disorders by visiting the National Sleep Foundation web site. Business Travelers : Business travelers struggle with jet lag, a common sleep disorder that causes sleepiness and negatively affects alertness. “Jet lag” as well as long work hours put these weary travelers at increased risk for sleep-related crashes. Finally, it is important to realize that although these specific groups of people are statistically most likely to be involved in drowsy driving crashes, one who does not fall into any of these groups is by no means “immune” to drowsy driving. “Average drivers” who don't happen to be under age 30, working the night shift, traveling for business, or suffering from sleep apnea are still at risk if they drive while fatigued. Do people realize how dangerous it is to drive while drowsy? According to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety research, the public perceives drowsy driving to be an important cause of motor vehicle crashes. Three out of four non-crash-involved drivers, and four out of five of those in recent crashes, said that driver drowsiness was “very important” in causing crashes. These results place drowsy driving as being less of a contributor to crashes in the public's view than alcohol, but more important than poor weather conditions, speeding, or driver inexperience. Drowsy driving and aggressive driving, which have both received fairly widespread media attention, were rated about the same. What can be done in advance to avoid drowsy driving altogether? Get a good night's sleep : The amount needed varies from individual to individual, but sleep experts recommend between 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Plan to drive long trips with a companion : Passengers can help look for early warning signs of fatigue, and switching drivers may be helpful. Passengers should stay awake and monitor the driver's condition. Take regular breaks : Schedule regular stops - every 100 miles or 2 hours, even if you don't feel tired, and more often if you feel like you need it. Avoid alcohol and medications : If medications warn that they cause or may cause drowsiness, avoid taking them before driving. If you must take certain prescription medications that cause drowsiness, don't drive immediately after taking them. You should never consume alcohol before driving in the first place, but it is especially important to realize that alcohol interacts with fatigue, increasing sleepiness. If you are already tired, even a small quantity of alcohol may exacerbate your sleepiness and increase your risk of crashing, even if your BAC is well below the legal limit for a DWI conviction. Consult your physician or a local sleep disorders center : If you suffer frequent daytime sleepiness, experience difficulty sleeping at night, and/or snore loudly on a regular basis, consult your physician or local sleep disorders center for a diagnosis and treatment. For more information about sleep, sleep disorders, and the effects of sleeping too little, visit the National Sleep Foundation web site. When are drowsy driving crashes most likely to occur? As intuition dictates and data confirms, most sleep crashes occur in the “middle of the night,” during the early morning hours. Less obviously, though, there is also a peak in sleep-related crashes in the mid-afternoon. Our natural circadian rhythms dictate that we will be most sleepy during the middle of our nighttime sleep period, and again about 12 hours later, between 2 PM and 4 PM, and various studies show a peak in crashes believed to be related to sleep somewhere between 2 PM and 6 PM. What if I'm already driving and I start to feel tired? What should I do? Take a nap. Naps are beneficial when experiencing drowsiness. Find a safe place (i.e., not the shoulder of the highway) where you can stop, park your car, and sleep for 15 to 20 minutes. A nap longer than 20 minutes can make you groggy for at least 15 minutes after awakening. If you are planning a long trip, or routinely drive for long durations, identify safe places to stop and nap. If you only have a short distance remaining (e.g., an hour or so of driving), the nap might be enough to revive you. If you still have several hours of driving planned, and you're already feeling tired, it would probably be best to find a bed for the night, get a full night's sleep, and then resume driving. What about coffee? Won't that keep me awake? Not necessarily. The “perk” that comes from drinking a cup of coffee may take a half hour or so to “kick in,” is relatively short in duration, and will be less effective for those who regularly consume caffeine (i.e., most people). If you're very sleepy, and rely on caffeine to allow you to continue driving, you are likely to experience “microsleeps,” in which you doze off for four or five seconds, which doesn't sound like long, but is still plenty of time to drive off of the road or over the centerline and crash. Should I open the window or turn up the radio to fight fatigue on the road? No. Some of these tricks may help you to feel more alert for an instant; however, they are not effective ways to maintain an acceptable level of alertness for long enough to drive anywhere. Even with the window rolled all the way down and radio cranked up, if you're sleepy, you're still an unnecessarily great hazard to yourself and to everybody else on the road. If you're sleepy enough that you're seeking special measures to stay awake, you should have stopped driving already. Look for a safe and secure place, park the car, and take a nap. Are there any devices I can buy that will keep me awake while I'm driving? There are a few devices on the market, some of which are worn on your body or placed in your car, that are advertised to keep drowsy drivers awake; however, to our knowledge, none of them have been scientifically validated yet. The only driver warning mechanism that has been validated to date is the shoulder rumblestrip, which produces noise and mechanical vibration if your vehicle drives on it. If you start driving onto the rumblestrip, this is an indication that you are too tired to drive safely. You should not rely on the rumblestrip to alert you every time you begin to doze off and drive off course - rumblestrips won't prevent you from crashing into other cars. References National Highway Traffic Safety Administration National Sleep Foundation