On February 16, 2026, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles implemented a new point system, which will result in steeper penalties for traffic violations.
The DMV’s new point system:
- increases the number of points assessed to a driver’s license for various traffic violations;
- introduces points as a penalty for traffic violations that previous carried none;
- lowers the total number of accumulated points that will lead to a license suspension hearing; and
- extends the period of time that points can be accumulated, leading to the suspension of a driver’s license.
Attorney Barry Covert recently spoke with WGRF-FM 97 Rock’s morning show hosts, Shredd and Ragan, to discuss details on the New York State DMV’s new penalties for driving offenses.
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New Rule for Virtual Workers’ Compensation Hearings in New York State
Effective February 2, 2026, all injured workers and witnesses testifying in virtual hearings before the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board will be required to appear by video, with their faces fully visible on screen. Injured workers will be allowed to testify via video from home or from the office of their attorney during virtual hearings.
Background on Workers’ Compensation Virtual Hearings
The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board introduced virtual hearings in 2018, which allowed participants to attend workers’ compensation proceeding from their home or office. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York State Workers Compensation Board conducted all hearings virtually. Today, workers’ compensation proceedings continue to be virtual, with a vast majority of appearances occurring via telephone.
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The Buffalo News Reports on $2.1 Million Settlement Obtained for Victim of Car Crash
The Buffalo News recently published a report on a $2.1 million settlement that attorney Melissa Wischerath obtained on behalf of her client, who was the victim of a car crash.
A car driven by the victim in this matter was struck by a pickup truck, which had been stolen by a group of teenagers. The teenagers were attempting to flee from an Amherst Police Officer, who was pursuing the stolen vehicle at a high rate of speed.
As reported by The Buffalo News, a lawsuit was filed against the Town of Amherst and asserted that the officer’s high-speed chase was reckless and in violation of the town’s police pursuit policy. The article notes that the Amherst Police Department’s policy states “that duty to avoid damage or injury to innocent third parties is superior to that of pursuit or emergency response.”
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