New Jersey Personal Injury Blog

New Jersey Train Accident Seriously Injures Woman

A New Jersey Transit train hit a Mercedes Benz sedan and left the driver seriously injured, according to an Associated Press news report in April of 2010. The train was heading toward Hoboken, New Jersey. The driver was trying to cross the tracks when her car was hit. The female driver was the only person in her vehicle and was hospitalized with serious injuries. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the crash. According to the news report, the particular railroad crossing where this accident occurred does have crossing gates.

Federal Highway Association statistics note that in 2007, there were 299 deaths and 817 injuries at public highway-rail crossings in America Typically, governmental, municipal entities and transportation companies are responsible for providing safe railroad crossings, with properly functioning gates, lights, and warning systems. Shortcomings in these safety systems create the potential for an accident.

While it is not presently clear what may have caused this particular New Jersey train accident, it is almost always true that injuries sustained in these types of incidents are quite severe. The New Jersey injury lawyers at Blume Goldfaden can help you secure proper compensation for your physical injuries and related losses as a result of a New Jersey train accident. Call us today at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation and a comprehensive evaluation of your potential claim.

East Windsor Fatal Tractor Trailer Crash

A tractor trailer collided with a van on Route 33 in East Windsor, New Jersey, killing the truck driver and injuring two others. ABC 6 reports that the truck crossed a median on Route 33. The 52-year-old driver of the truck was pronounced dead at the scene. The 42-year-old woman driving the van and her 3-year-old child were hospitalized after the crash. While the collision occurred in the early morning hours, investigators have not said if truck driver fatigue caused or contributed to the accident.

Truck drivers occasionally exceed the amount of hours they are permitted to drive without sleep. Unrealistic delivery schedules and/or a driver’s attempt to earn more money, may result in truck drivers taking to the roads when they clearly are tired and fatigued. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which monitors and regulates trucking companies, has put in place regulations to restrict the number of hours a truck driver can operate his or her rig without sleep. However, the truth remains that this law is difficult to enforce, and truck drivers continue to put themselves and others in danger by driving excessive hours without appropriate rest.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, it is important to contact an experienced NJ personal injury attorney familiar with the factors relating to trucking accidents. A knowledgeable attorney will secure documents including driver, transport company and State driver/weigh station logs before they are lost, misplaced or destroyed.

The New Jersey truck accident lawyers at Blume Goldfaden have experience in pursuing claims against negligent trucking companies and drivers: whether through out-of-court settlement, arbitration, mediation, or, through trial, we will assist you to secure appropriate compensation for your physical injuries and other damages. Call us at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.

Two Killed in New Jersey Auto Accident

Two New Jersey men were killed when their Avis rental truck crossed a median and hit a flatbed truck. The 41-year-old passenger died at the scene of the accident and the 29-year-old driver was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. According to a news report in The Star-Ledger, the accident took place 25 miles south of Albany on the New York State Thruway. The exact cause of the accident has yet to be determined.

In any New Jersey auto accident involving a rental vehicle, it is important to investigate whether the accident was caused as a result of a mechanical malfunction. Inquiries should be made as to: whether the rental company maintained its vehicles properly; or, if the accident was caused by a vehicle defect. If an accident was caused or contributed to by poor vehicle maintenance on the part of the rental company, then they could be held liable for the accident and any resulting injuries. If the accident occurred as a result of an auto product defect, the automobile manufacturers and/or distributors can be held liable.

Victims of accidents involving rental vehicles can seek compensation for their physical injuries, unpaid medical expenses, lost wages and disability. Families of deceased victims can file wrongful death claims seeking compensation from the responsible parties. If you have been injured in a New Jersey auto accident, or, if you have lost a loved one in a car accident, contact the experienced New Jersey auto accident lawyers at Blume Goldfaden. Contact us at 973-635-5400 for a comprehensive, no-cost evaluation of your potential claim.

New Jersey Child Attacked by Pit Bull

A young girl sustained injuries after she was attacked by a pit bull in Lafayette Park in Jersey City. The Jersey Journal reports that police shot and killed the dog shortly after the attack. The victim was at the public park near a school on Van Horne Street with her family. Fortunately, it appears that the young girl did not sustain any serious injuries.

Victims of a sudden violent dog attacks may require multiple hospital visits, plastic surgery, physical therapy and sometimes may need psychological counseling or therapy.

In assessing liability in a dog attack case, several issues should be considered, including: Was the dog known to be aggressive? Did the owner properly secure the animal? However, in New Jersey, even the owners of dogs without a history of aggressive behavior, and/or the owners of the property on which the attack takes place, may also be held liable for the damages caused by a dog bite or attack. Many dogs found wandering as strays have tags or data chips, which can help identify their owners; and, such owners can be held accountable for letting their dog get loose.

Dog owners may have homeowners liability insurance which may be available to help compensate victims of dog bites or attacks. Victims can seek compensation for all physical and psychological injuries and costs that stem from an attack.

Since 1929, the New Jersey law firm of Blume Goldfaden has served the needs of our injured clients. Our New Jersey dog bite attorneys have handled numerous dog bite claims on behalf of victims of these often brutal and preventable attacks. If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, contact us at 973-635-5400 to get more information about your legal rights and options. Our no-cost consultation will help you determine whether you have a viable New Jersey dog bite claim.

Law Aims to Prevent New Jersey Pedestrian Accidents

A new law now requires that New Jersey drivers come to a complete stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. Simply “yielding” to pedestrians is no longer adequate. The Cape May County Herald reports that the change in this traffic law was spurred by the high rate of pedestrian “knock down” accidents in New Jersey. The new law removes confusion surrounding what the term “yield” means. Many drivers tend to slow down or simply roll through yield signs when pedestrians are present. Under the newly revised law, a full stop will be required by the driver if a pedestrian is walking into or through the intersection. Fines for violators will range between $100 and $200.

There are approximately 150 pedestrian accident fatalities in New Jersey each year (click here for more information). The new law is an attempt to bring those high numbers down. The law also imparts more liability on the drivers, as it is designed to hold drivers culpable for not paying attention to pedestrian presence.

For pedestrian accident victims, medical expenses, lost wages and other costs can add up fast. If a negligent driver has caused you harm, it is important to seek legal assistance to determine if you may be entitled to compensation for your physical injuries and economic losses.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a New Jersey pedestrian accident, the experienced personal injury lawyers at Blume Goldfaden can provide you with a no-cost consultation and a thorough evaluation of your potential claim. Call us today at 973-635-5400.

New Jersey Construction Worker Hospitalized

A New Jersey construction worker has been hospitalized after being pinned against a wall in a ditch at a Delaware work site. Reports mention that the worker ended up in critical condition after being trapped against the wall for two hours by construction equipment which fell into the ditch. A co-worker was attempting to connect a bucket onto a backhoe when the bucket slid into the ditch and trapped the victim. Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) officials investigated the incident.

State and federal laws mandate worksites be secure and safe and require a healthy, hazard free environment for workers. Despite state and federal safety regulations, construction site accidents are common in New Jersey. Construction sites are inherently dangerous workplaces. The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics determined that 13 out of every 100,000 construction workers died on-the-job in 2006. Six percent of all construction workers are injured or made ill by exposure to contaminants or chemicals at work. Common construction site injuries in New Jersey include falls from roofs and scaffolding, injuries from malfunctioning or defective equipment, falling objects, toxic chemical exposure, electrocution and burns. In addition, inadequate worker training by contractors can cause accidents resulting in injury. Construction workers injured on the job may be able to bring claims against general contractors, landowners, municipalities and even equipment manufacturers and distributors.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, contact the New Jersey construction accident lawyers at the Blume Goldfaden Law Firm. We can provide more information about your legal rights and options. Call 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation regarding your potential claim.

School Bus Accident Injures Children

The driver of a school bus in Hartford, involved in a rear end collision with an SUV, has been cited for tailgating. The Hartford Courant reports that nine children have sustained minor, and, moderate injuries after the school bus accident.

In a rear-end collision, the following vehicle is often found liable for the collision. In this case, the school bus driver was cited for tailgating the SUV. Connecticut (and New Jersey) law states that drivers must maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of them.

School bus companies may be liable for any injuries caused to children while riding a bus, especially if the accident is the bus driver’s fault. Families put the safety and well-being of their children in the hands of these school bus drivers every day. The bus drivers and the companies and municipalities for which they drive owe those children a high duty of care to operate their vehicles in accordance with the laws of the state. It is fortunate that no one was seriously hurt in the Hartford school bus crash.

If you believe that you were seriously injured in New Jersey as a result of a motor vehicle collision of any kind caused by someone else’s negligent or careless driving, call an experienced NJ personal injury lawyer to find out more information about your legal rights and options.

The knowledgeable New Jersey accident attorneys at Blume Goldfaden have helped numerous auto accident victims obtain fair compensation for their injuries, damages and losses. Call us at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation and comprehensive evaluation of your potential New Jersey auto accident claim.

Three Car Crash in Vineland Proves Fatal

Two people were killed, and, four others injured in a New Jersey auto accident involving three vehicles. According to a news report from www.nj.com, a 32-year-old Cape May County woman drove through a stop sign and caused the three-car collision. Sadly, the two passengers in that driver’s car, her 71 year old father and 73 year old mother, died as a result of the accident. A 13-year-old boy also in the same vehicle suffered a compound fracture in his leg after being ejected out of the back window. The victim in the second vehicle suffered leg and back injuries. The victim in the third vehicle was reportedly uninjured.

New Jersey Statutes 39:4-120.9 and 39:4-81 state that all vehicles must come to a complete stop at all stop signs.

In this case, driving through a stop sign cost the life of an elderly couple and injured two others. The failure to yield the right-of-way and rear-ending a stopped vehicle are two common occurrences at intersections in New Jersey. In such cases, wearing a seatbelt at all times when seated in your vehicle (whether stopped or driving), can help minimize personal injuries to vehicle occupants in such cases.

When such incidents occur it is also important to examine whether the accidents were caused by other dangers at the intersection. Sometimes, stop signs can be visually obscured by foliage or some other type of obstruction. Vehicle control devices (such as traffic lights and directional arrows, etc.) may be in disrepair and not functioning properly. Excessive road debris and hazards (e.g., large potholes, ice build-up, etc.) may cause or contribute to accidents. If the accident was caused by a dangerous condition on the roadway, the governmental agency or municipality responsible for maintaining the roadway, signs and traffic control devices could be held liable for the accident and the resulting injuries and damages.

If you are involved in a New Jersey auto accident, contact the New Jersey car accident lawyers of Blume Goldfaden at 973-635-5400 to schedule a no-cost consultation regarding your potential claim.

Airbag Defect Leads to Massive Chrysler Recall

In June, Chrysler will start fixing more than 355,000 minivans with flawed airbag sensors. Chrysler maintains that this is a “safety improvement campaign,” and, not a full-scale auto defect recall. The Associated Press reports however, that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is closely monitoring the repairs, and, that they consider this to be a vehicle defect recall.

Chrysler claims that even with these defective airbags, their vehicles still meet the federal standard for safety. In addition, no personal injuries due to defective airbags have been reported at this time. According to Chrysler officials, the airbags in certain Chrysler minivans can fail to deploy if the sensor becomes cracked and subsequently wet.

A properly working airbag can greatly increase your chances of surviving a serious collision. Since airbags became mandatory in the mid 1990s, and as of 2006, approximately 18,000 lives were saved by use of an airbag. A faulty airbag, however, can be extremely dangerous. For instance, between 1990 and 2006, there were estimated to be 262 deaths due to malfunctioning or defective airbags.

If you were injured because of a defective airbag, or, as a result of another manufacturing or design defect in your vehicle, contact our New Jersey auto product defect lawyers at Blume Goldfaden at 973-635-5400. We will evaluate whether there was any negligence, or product defects, that resulted in your auto accident injury, at absolutely no cost to you.

Drug Company Found Liable In Breast Cancer Trial

An Alabama woman was awarded $9.45 million in damages after a jury decided that Wyeth’s (now Pfizer’s) hormone replacement drug, Prempro, caused her breast cancer. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the woman was awarded $6 million in punitive damages and $3.25 million in compensatory damages. The plaintiff was taking Prempro when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the most recent numbers available show that in 2005 alone, 186,467 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 41,116 women died of the disease.

In 2002, a study linked Prempro to breast cancer. Now, Pfizer is facing more than 8,000 Prempro lawsuits nationwide.

In this case, the jury agreed that Prempro caused the woman’s breast cancer. The drug maker may appeal the jury’s decision. However, the case sheds light on the potential risks and dangerous side effects associated with the drug Prempro and other hormone replacement therapies.

Prempro is a combination of Premarin (estrogen) and Provera (progestin). Six million women took the medication to treat symptoms and conditions associated with menopause.

Getting ill because of a medication which is supposed to make you healthier can be confusing. The consequences of taking poorly tested or improperly prescribed medications can be quite significant, or, deadly.

If you or a loved one has taken Prempro or some other hormone replacement therapy or medication, and, have suffered dangerous side effects, the New Jersey injury attorneys at Blume Goldfaden may be able to help. We can provide a no-cost consultation to determine if you have a viable personal injury, medical malpractice, or, pharmaceutical product claim. Call us at 973-635-5400.