Bicycle Accidents and Injuries

If you’ve been involved in an automobile-bicycle collision you need representation from an attorney with an acute understanding of cycling.   Understanding negligence law and traffic codes isn’t enough – if you’ve been hit by a car while riding your bike, you need an attorney who understands the value of your bike, the value of your time cycling, and the losses that you’ve suffered since your accident.

I am that attorney.  I’ve raced and ridden road, cyclocross and mountain bikes all over the country for more than a decade.  Before law school I worked as a Mavic Certified bike mechanic in Rochester and Albany New York.   I’ve organized events and promoted race series and recreational rides.  I’ve been team director for successful road and cyclocross teams, and I write regularly on the topic of bicycles and the law for newspapers and magazines throughout New York State.  Few other attorneys understand the  important role bikes play in a dedicated cyclist’s life.

This experience all adds up.  I’ve heard defense attorneys in bicycle collision cases call bikes “inherently unstable.”  I know better.  I’ve heard police officers suggest that cyclists shouldn’t be in the road.  I know the law, and I know they’re wrong.  I’ve heard insurance adjusters scoff at the replacement costs of high end bicycles.  I know not only what the value of your bike is, but why it cost so much.  I have a track record of making sure you get what you deserve from the motorist who hit you.

If you’ve been hit by a car, you need a lawyer.  If you’ve been injured, it is critical that you have someone representing you who can make sure you are compensated fairly for your loss – not just physical pain, but the emotional loss of cycling as a passion that happens to so many collision victims.

If you were not injured in the crash, count yourself among the lucky, but then call me anyway.  Bicycles are not designed to sustain heavy impacts.  Even if you survived a collision with a car, in all likeliness your bike hasn’t.  What is stunning, is that if you haven’t been hurt, drivers and insurance companies alike will scoff at bicycle repair and replacement bills.  This can prevent or seriously undercut the payment you receive for replacing your broken equipment.  As an attorney who understands the finer points of bike gear, and the costs associated with it, I can make sure you receive full replacement value for your damaged or totaled bike.

If you ride a bike, and have been hit by a car, call me today.  We can talk about what to do and how to make sure you get what you deserve.

518.477.5408.

Residential and Commercial Real Estate

Mr. Schillinger handles real estate matters of all kinds, ranging from closings on residential and commercial properties, to tax assessment challenges and Landlord-Tenant disputes.

When buying or selling a property it is critical to have vigorous and effective legal representation during the negotiation of the contract for the sale of the property.  Without a close adherence to the terms of the contract, the deal you strike can fall through for little reason other than sloppy reading of the fine print.  Mr. Schillinger takes real estate matters seriously.  While other attorneys sometimes see a closing as an opportunity for little more than a quick buck, Eric looks at a closing as a key point in his clients lives, as they take on ownership of new property.  He focuses on making sure his clients receive the best possible deals under the contract and rigorously enforces his clients rights after the signing of a contract for sale.

Once you purchase a property, real estate taxes can become a major issue.  Mr. Schillinger works closely with a tax assessor in challenging tax assessment proceedings and can almost always reduce his clients tax burden through a properly litigated tax certiorari proceeding.  If you have questions regarsding tax law contact Mr. Schillinger at (518) 477-5408.

Estate Planning

Talking about what do with your property after you pass away is not an easy subject for most people, but it is an important one.  In New York State, the Estates, Powers and Trusts Law controls the distribution of property after its owner passes away.  New York State provides for two basic options.  Property may either pass through” intestacy,” or it may pass via a will in a “probate” proceeding.

If you die without a will, your property passes through the laws of intestacy.  Intestacy laws are designed to be generally fair on average, allowing for surviving spouses and children to get the property of the decedent.  It is important to remember that in an intestacy proceeding, the state’s laws decide how property is divided and who gets what percentage of that property, not the family members of the decedent.

When you write a will, you gain control of what happens to your property, ensuring that it is handled properly after you pass away.  When dealing with substantial wealth, aggressive estate management plans can save large amounts of money in death taxes and transfer taxes.  Many of those plans need to be implemented years before a person passes away to be fully successful.  If you have a substantial amount of wealth, you should contact Mr. Schillinger to discuss the best way to protect your legacy with your loved ones.

You don’t need to have a fortune to benefit from having a will either.   Sometimes, its most important to create a will when you’ll only be leaving a small estate.  This makes sure the people you care about receive your property, not the people the state thinks should get it.

If you have questions about estates law please contact Mr. Schillinger at (518) 477-5408 or eric@schillinger-law.com and he’ll be happy to answer your questions.

Divorces

Divorce can be one of the most difficult experiences an individual is faced with. It doesn’t also need to be one of the most expensive. Mr. Schillinger is dedicated to making sure you receive cost effective representation in your matrimonial matter, ensuring you your divorce leaves you with good footing to continue your life.

New York State has unique laws regarding divorce and its important that you be represented by a skilled attorney to ensure you preserve your assets and have the greatest opportunity for success following what can be a traumatic life change.

If you have questions regarding the grounds for divorce in New York or New York State’s new no-fault divorce law you should contact Mr. Schillinger.  Think twice before relying on do-it-yourself divorce kits or non-legal assistance in this extremely important and life changing situation.

Contact Mr. Schillinger at (518) 477-5408, or email eric@schillinger-law.com if you have any questions.

Criminal Defense

If you are accused of a crime it is absolutely critical that you obtain legal representation as soon as possible after arrest. You have an absolute constitutional right to be represented by an attorney. Its important to remember that our justice system is an adversarial system and its fairness is based on the assumption that both the prosecution and the defense are represented by knowledgeable and skilled trial lawyers. Without a skilled defense attorney, few options are available to the defendant to preserve his or her constitutional rights during prosecution.

Mr. Schillinger’s primary practice area is criminal defense.  He has handled hundreds of criminal matters for clients, and has experience handling felonies, misdemeanors, and non-criminal violations.  Mr. Schillinger handles all criminal charges at all levels including:

Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle (AUO 3rd)
Assaults
Burglaries
Criminal Contempt Charges (violations of orders of protection)
Disorderly Conduct
Domestic Matters
Drug Related Charges
Driving While Intoxicated (and DWAI)
Harassment
Homicides
Larcenies
Menacing Charges
Sex Related Charges
Violations of Probation

If you have been accused of a crime, you can make no wiser decision than to retain qualified legal counsel as quickly as possible. Mr. Schillinger’s approach to criminal law is unique in that he provides very affordable rates to his clients, making sure their rights are protected without drowning them in legal fees.

Contact Mr. Schillinger at (518) 477-5408 if you have any further questions.