New Jersey Personal Injury Blog

Pothole Causes Accident in Medford, Judge Injured

According to a report published on nj.com, a New Jersey Supreme Court Judge recently took a fall off of his bicycle and, fractured his skull. Apparently, the Judge was riding his bicycle in Medford, New Jersey when he hit a pothole and was thrown from his bike. Luckily, the judge was wearing a helmet and is expected to fully recover from his injuries. He had been training for a multiple sclerosis fundraising event set to take place in Ocean City.

While the article did not discuss whether there was any problem with the bicycle, it did refer to the hazard of that a pothole played in causing in the accident. It is sometimes relatively obvious as to whom might be at fault in causing an accident. However, there are circumstances when the responsible parties are not easily identifiable. For example, in drunk-driving accidents, impaired motorists are no doubt often the cause of the accident. Occassionally, though, bars and social hosts may also be responsible for the intoxicated condition of the driver. There may also be circumstances in which accidents were caused by a defective design or manufacture of a vehicle, or, in which the vehicle was not “crashworthy” or able to protect passengers from impact injuries which should not ordinarily occur. In addition, in accidents where road conditions are responsible for causing property damage and personal injury, individuals and entities who are responsible for the maintenance of our roads and highways can be held accountable for damages and injuries to an injured motorist, bicyclist or pedestrian.

Dangerous road conditions can include but are not limited to unevenly or poorly paved roads, obstructed traffic signage, debris left over from construction/road work crews, ice, snow and pooled water. Potholes, for instance, would be an example of a condition that would constitute poorly paved and/or maintained roads. It is often the responsibility of local, county and state municipalities and others to ensure that motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are not injured as a result of the presence of potholes on our roads and highways.

If you have recently been injured due to an accident involving dangerous road conditions, contact the New Jersey experienced bike accident attorneys at Blume Goldfaden. Our attorneys will investigate your accident and help assist you with getting the costs associated with your accident (such as medical bills, physical therapy fees, and lost wages) repaid. Call Blume Goldfaden today at 973-635-5400 for a free consultation.

Source:http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/09/camden_judge_fractures_skull_i.html

Toyota Vehicles Recalled for Faulty Floor Mats

Toyota Motor Corp. announced that 3.8 million of its vehicles in the United States are being recalled to correct a safety issue pertaining to removable floor mats. The floor mats in question could have a propensity for causing the accelerator to become stuck, allowing the vehicle to continue acceleration, and, making it difficult to bring the vehicle to a stop. According to Toyota, the recall will affect the 2007-2010 model year Toyota Camry, the 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon, the 2004-2009 Toyota Prius, the 2005-2010 Tacoma, the 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra, the 2007-2010 Lexus ES350 and, the 2006-2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350. A money.cnn.com article reported that motorists driving any of these Toyoya vehicles should immediately remove the floor mat from the driver’s side to eliminate the risk of injury from a stuck accelerator.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reports have been received of at least 102 different incidents in which the accelerator on a Toyota vehicle became stuck because of the floor mats. One noteworthy reported accident, and the incident which initially spurred the investigation into the auto product defect, involved a high-speed crash which occurred in California in August of 2009. That accident made headlines when the passengers inside a Lexus made a frantic call to 911 emergency services to explain that their accelerator was stuck and that they couldn’t stop their vehicle. All passengers in that vehicle were killed when the car unavoidably crashed.

Manufacturers, designers, and distributors of motor vehicles all have obligations to ensure that their products are safe to use and fit for the purpose intended. If they breach those obligations, it can result in tragic circumstances including motor vehicle accidents causing injury or death.

If you or a loved one have recently been involved in a motor vehicle accident, and you have reason to believe that a defective auto product may have been a factor in causing an accident or injuries, contact the auto product liability attorneys at Blume Goldfaden. Our skilled personal injury lawyers will evaluate the details of the accident, and, will determine whether a product liability claim may be warranted. For more information, call us for a no-cost consultation at 973-635-5400.

Source:http://money.cnn.com/2009/09/29/news/companies/toyota_lexus_floor_mats/

Improper Tire Pressure Poses Potential Risk in Jaguars

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Jaguar is recalling certain vehicles where THE RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE ON THE TIRE PLACARD LABEL DOES NOT CORRESPOND WITH THE TIRES FITTED TO THE VEHICLE. The vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, known as “Tire Selection and Rims.” According to the recall, vehicle owners that do not inflate tires to the correct pressure run the risk of losing vehicle control, as stability is diminished, and, the likelihood of being involved in a motor vehicle accident is increased. Previously, Jaguar also recalled VEHICLES FITTED WITH RUN FLAT TIRES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.138, “TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM, “TPMS” In that case, the concern was that the FAILURE TO WARN OF TIRE DEFLATIONS IS A NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 138 AND COULD LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE AND A CRASH.

These product recalls are representative of the various types of issues that a consumer may face after purchasing a product. Though the product referenced was tested before its release for sale to the public, certainly evaluated and observed by numerous people, and deemed safe, the tire pressure issues were not discovered until after individuals may have been injured as the result of the defect. Jaguar has cautioned consumers of the tire pressure issue. However, the company may still be liable for injuries and property damage that the product defect caused.

Manufacturers, product designers, and distributors have an obligation to provide the public with products that are safe and fit for the purposes intended. Automobile product defects affect a large number of consumers each year; and while car manufacturers test and inspect vehicles, oversights, such as the ones mentioned here, can certainly lead to serious injury or death.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident where an automobile product defect significantly contributed to the incident or injury, contact one of the skilled product liability attorneys at Blume Goldfaden. As a consumer, you have rights, and, at Blume Goldfaden we will protect those rights. Call us today at 973-635-5400 for a no cost consultation.

Source:http://nhthqnwws112.odi.nhtsa.dot.gov

Route 9 Bus Rider Struck By Truck in NJ

It was recently reported by shorenewstoday.com that a woman was struck by a truck and killed after she exited a New Jersey Transit bus on Route 9. The 54-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are still investigating the accident, and have not said whether the 45-year-old driver of the truck was at fault. It was not reported whether alcohol or drugs were involved.

Tragic traffic accidents involving pedestrians too often end in wrongful death. Pedestrians stand little chance of avoiding significant injury when struck by a motor vehicle. Careless driving is a chief cause of auto accidents with pedestrian injury. Other factors, including dangerous road conditions, poor lighting, poor signage, or, poorly functioning traffic lights can also play a role in these tragic occurrences. As a result, it is also possible that a municipality in charge of the maintenance of roadways and signaling devices can be held liable for damages suffered by accident victims.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact one of the experienced New Jersey pedestrian accident attorneys at Blume Goldfaden. Our lawyers will evaluate the circumstances of your accident, and, determine if you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your financial losses and physical injuries. If you have been injured, call us today at 973-635-5400 for more information and a consultation at no cost to you.

Source:http://www.shorenewstoday.com/news.php?id=4497

NJ Turnpike Bus Accident Results in Injuries

A story published by wcbstv.com details a tragic bus accident in which a tractor trailer and Greyhound bus collided on the New Jersey Turnpike. The bus was carrying five passengers, all of whom were injured, but not seriously. The degree of the bus driver’s injuries was still in question at the time the story was published. It is known, however, that she was flown to a hospital after having been trapped inside the bus.

Although it is not yet clear what caused this New Jersey bus accident, we know from other bus accidents that contributing factors often include:

• Driver inattention and/or distraction
• Dangerous road conditions
• Defective automotive parts
• Excessive speed or unsafe lane changing
• Poorly maintained vehicles

Whenever we travel by bus, especially a tour, school, charter bus or commercial carrier, we put our lives in the hands of the bus drivers and bus or transit company. Transit companies have the responsibility to train their drivers to operate buses safely and efficiently. They also have a duty to ensure that the vehicles they put on the road are in good condition and free from defect. Equally, tractor-trailer operators need to have a special license to operate their vehicles (C.D.L – or, commercial driver’s license), ensuring that they are trained on how to operate their trucks safely. Very often, however, these commitments are not met.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a bus or motor vehicle accident, contact the New Jersey personal injury lawyers at Blume Goldfaden for a confidential consultation at no cost to you.

Source Article: http://wcbstv.com/local/greyhound.bus.accident.2.1197183.html

Pedestrian Decoy Program Begins in South Jersey

On August 14th 2009 the State of New Jersey instituted a “Pedestrian Decoy Program”. The New Jersey initiative aims to spread awareness of traffic laws by enforcing the rules regarding pedestrians and motorists on New Jersey streets. Officers posing as everyday pedestrians engage in creating typical situations which would require motorists to stop or yield. When drivers do not, they are instantly pulled over by waiting traffic officers and given citations. The program was initiated by state and local authorities who were concerned over the growing number of pedestrian deaths in New Jersey.

The program does not just teach drivers to obey the rules of the road, it also forces them to consider the necessity of yielding to pedestrians regardless of whether or not pedestrians are following the rules of the road; doing so may save countless lives. The Director of New Jersey’s Division of Highway Traffic Safety has stated that the number of fatal car crashes involving pedestrians is “too high” and “unacceptable”.

Since the program’s inception in 2006, the number of fatal pedestrian auto accidents has significantly decreased. In 2006, 164 of the 771 fatal auto crashes in New Jersey involved pedestrians (21.2%). However, the following year, only 150 of 774 fatal auto accidents resulted in pedestrian death (19.3).

Pedestrian accidents in New Jersey and across our nation can be among the most severe of all traffic accidents. As there is no shield or protection from the weight and size of automobiles, these accidents very often result in catastrophic injury or death.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a traffic accident, contact the experienced New Jersey pedestrian accident attorneys at Blume Goldfaden today for a consultation at no cost to you.

Source report: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/08/nj_traffic_safety_officials_st.html

Ocean Grove Rider Dies in Motorcycle Accident

A recent motorcycle accident in Tinton Falls took the life of a 36 year old Ocean Grove man. According to an app.com article, after losing control of his motorcycle, the man collided with a cement divider along Route 33. The accident is still being investigated, and officials are examining whether another vehicle contributed to the motorcyclist losing control. Other causes of this tragic accident may also include dangerous road conditions (such as the existence of debris or uneven/poorly maintained road surfaces), or, a defective motorcycle part.

Although any motorist that loses control of a vehicle faces the potential of suffering injury, motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to some of the most catastrophic injuries. Data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that in 2007, in relation to each vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists were approximately 35 times more likely to die in a traffic collision than occupants of passenger vehicles.

Litigation involving motorcycle accidents in New Jersey can be extremely complex. Blume Goldfaden’s attorneys have the years of experience and knowledge to pursue our clients’ claims and protect their rights. If you or a loved one were involved in a motorcycle accident which you believe was due to the fault of another, call Blume Goldfaden today at 973-635-5400 for a no cost consultation.

Source Article: http://www.app.com/article/20090918/NEWS/90918064/1001/rss

New Jersey Construction Worker Injured in Fall

Injuries while on the job are not uncommon occurrences throughout the state of New Jersey, especially in construction work, where it always seems like there is a new building being erected somewhere. Those in charge of a construction site, whether it be a contractor, a sub-contractor, or other employer, are required to maintain certain standards of safety for those working at construction sites. However, if these standards are not met, the risk of injury increases significantly.

Falls are some of the most common types of construction site accidents, and can lead to spinal injuries, paralysis, broken bones, head injuries, and death. According to a report from mycentraljersey.com, a construction worker suffered a fractured femur and neck after falling 30 feet from a home’s roof in Montgomery Township. Apparently, the construction worker fell out of a window while attempting to alter scaffolding on the site. The worker was airlifted to a local hospital to receive treatment. Although the construction worker in this accident was reported to be in stable condition, many construction workers involved in similar accidents are not as fortunate.

Construction workers who are injured on the job due to safety violations may have legal rights to compensation. When a contractor’s negligence contributes to a construction accident, injured workers may be able to seek monetary recovery to help pay the costs associated with medical bills, loss of wages, job retraining, etc. However, injured construction workers often require assistance from a legal professional to protect their rights and receive just compensation.

The skilled New Jersey construction accident lawyers at the law firm of Blume Goldfaden have dedicated themselves to helping injured workers and their families secure financial compensation for their physical injuries, lost income and emotional suffering. Our attorneys have the resources and knowledge to handle even the most complex of cases. Contact Blume Goldfaden today for a no cost consultation by calling 973-635-5400.

Source report: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20090821/NEWS/90821020/1001/rss