New Jersey Personal Injury Blog

Mobile Website Launched by Blume Goldfaden New Jersey Personal Injury Attorneys

The New Jersey personal injury law firm of Blume Goldfaden is proud to announce the debut of our new mobile website http://www.njatty.com/mobile/. We understand the importance of having helpful information available to you while you are on-the-go, which is why our new website can be accessed on Blackberries, iPhones, and other cellular devices with Internet access. Because many of us are not always near a computer when we need it most, it is our hope that those who need valuable resources relating to New Jersey auto accidents, medical malpractice, defective products and other areas of personal injury law right away can easily and quickly obtain the information and assistance they need by going to our new mobile website.

The new mobile Blume Goldfaden website has been designed and formatted to fit the screen of most mobile devices. Visitors also have the option of viewing the full site if they choose to do so. The mobile site provides information about Blume Goldfaden attorneys, successful case verdicts and settlements, personal injury practice areas, and how to contact the firm. For those who need immediate assistance, a simple touch and scroll on the phone’s screen can help you call the firm as soon as possible.

When the unexpected happens, Blume Goldfaden is available to help with your potential injury or accident claim. With a staff of 12 attorneys who are Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Civil Trial Attorneys, an in-house physician and 3 registered nurses, we have invaluable resources and understand that time is of the essence when conducting an investigation and gathering evidence. We welcome you to visit our new mobile website and give us a call at 973-635-5400 if you have any questions.

Elk Township Tractor-Trailer Accident Kills Man

A 59 year old man from Lancaster, New Jersey was killed in a tractor-trailer accident in Elk Township near Glassboro, New Jersey. The Intelligencer Journal reported that the man was driving a pickup truck when he collided with a Freightliner tractor-trailer at the intersection of Route 77 and County Road 538. The pickup truck flipped onto its side and trapped the driver and a passenger inside. The driver died as a result of severe head injuries and the passenger was hospitalized with bruises and a concussion.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that approximately 4,066 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes in 2008. During the same year, there were 47 fatalities in crashes involving large trucks in New Jersey alone.

When involved in a collision with a vehicle with the size and weight of large trucks, the risk of serious injury and death increases. Approximately 74 percent of the people killed in fatal truck vs. car accidents are the drivers and passengers of the smaller vehicles, according to the NHTSA.

Truck accidents can occur due to a number of factors which might constitute negligent operation, ownership and/or maintenance of a truck, including: truck driver fatigue, impaired driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, inadequate vehicle maintenance and driver inattention.

Families that have lost a loved one or otherwise sustained injuries in a truck accident should discuss their rights with a New Jersey truck accident attorney. The experienced motor vehicle accident lawyers of Blume Goldfaden can help injured victims and the families of deceased victims investigate and pursue potential meritorious personal injury and wrongful death claims. Call us at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.

Route 130 Fatal Accident Involving Two Motorcycles and Camper Trailer

A 36 year old motorcyclist has been killed and another critically injured after being involved in an accident with a camper trailer on Route 130. An nj.com article reports that the power of the collision caused the trailer to catch fire after its propane tanks ruptured. The two motorcyclists reportedly crashed into the camping trailer as it attempted to navigate a left turn into the southbound lanes of Route 130.

According to the article, the camper was being towed by a pickup truck and the driver was not injured in the fiery crash. The motorcyclist who survived the accident has been listed in critical, but stable, condition after enduring an amputated leg. Mercer County officials were at the scene of the collision for many hours trying to establish how the accident occurred.

As this accident demonstrates, it only takes a few seconds for a serious injury and fatal motorcycle crash to occur. Although investigators are still determining the exact cause of this accident, the cause of motorcycle accidents in New Jersey may be contributed by factors other than motorcycle operator negligence, such as inattention of a car or truck driver, as well a unsafe road conditions.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that on average, more than 85% of motorcycle riders killed in two-vehicle crashes involved passenger vehicles and 98% of the fatalities were motorcycle riders with only 2% of the fatalities being passenger vehicle occupants. Due to the inherent risks associated with driving a motorcycle, which does not have the shielding protection that passenger cars, campers, and trucks offer, motorcyclists are at a greater risk of injury when other motorists fail to see them or cause accidents due to negligence operation of their vehicles.

At Blume Goldfaden, our New Jersey motorcycle accident attorneys understand the physical, financial, and emotional consequences that an injured motorcyclist faces after being in a serious crash. Likewise, family members who lose a loved one in a motorcycle collision must not only cope with their sudden loss and grief, but also face several challenges as well, such as the future loss of the loved one’s income, guidance, counseling, services, advice and companionship. To learn more about your legal rights and potential personal injury or wrongful death claim, call us at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.

New Jersey Worker Hurt in Industrial Accident

A 51 year old worker from Rockaway, New Jersey suffered a head injury while driving a forklift at his job. According to a news report, the worker was driving a forklift on the back of a trailer. Apparently, the trailer moved, and, the forklift and its driver fell off of the back of the trailer, approximately four feet down to the ground. The man suffered a head injury and required medical attention.

Workplace injuries are often significant, especially when the accident occurs at an industrial or construction site. Head injuries, such as the one suffered in the accident described above, are common and can result in traumatic brain damage with lifelong consequences, including loss of memory, chronic headaches and personality changes. Similarly, severe fractures, other orthopedic injuries and injuries to internal organs can also result in disability, preventing an individual from being able to return to work or their usual occupation.

Following a workplace accident resulting in serious injury, workers and their families can consult with an experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyer to find out more information about preserving their rights. If you have or a loved one has been injured at work, call the lawyers at Blume Goldfaden at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation and a comprehensive review of your potential claim.

Fatal New Jersey Motorcycle Accident

A 56 year old motorcyclist died after he was struck by a driver who made a left turn in front of him. According to a news report in the Hunterdon County Democrat, the man was operating his motorcycle when a 38 year old woman made a left turn in front of him into a driveway. The man was thrown from his bike and sustained a fatal head injury. He was transported to an area hospital where he died a few days later.

According to a 2006 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report about 75 percent of motorcycle accidents involved collisions with other vehicles, most often a passenger vehicle. Two-thirds of multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents involved a failure to yield the right-of-way to a motorcycle. The failure of motorists to observe motorcycles in traffic is one of the main causes of these accidents. In a majority of vehicle versus motorcycle collisions, the driver of the other vehicle failed to see the motorcycle until it was too late.

Personal injury and wrongful death claims can be filed when another person’s negligence causes death, or non-fatal physical, emotional and economic harm to the accident victims. Injured motorcyclists can seek compensation related to unpaid medical expenses, lost wages, disability and physical pain and suffering. Families of deceased accident victims may also be able to pursue a claim for wrongful death, including claims for loss of future income and the value of the lost advice, guidance, counseling, companionship, support and services which would have been provided by the deceased throughout his/her life.

If you would like to obtain more information about your legal rights and options, contact the experienced New Jersey motorcycle accident lawyers of Blume Goldfaden. Call us at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.

New Jersey Worker Seriously Injured at Loading Dock

A Plainfield, New Jersey resident was recently involved in a workplace tractor trailer accident on Metuchen Road. NJ.com reports that some cargo began to fall off a truck as it pulled away. The 44-year-old New Jersey worker tried to stop the cargo from falling when the truck rolled backwards and pinned him between the truck and the loading dock. He was seriously injured and had to be airlifted to a hospital.

While workplace accidents in New Jersey can happen at any time and at any type of job, the most dangerous places to work tend to be manual labor jobs that involve heavy machinery and those involving high-risk locations including construction sites, loading docks, industrial plants and factories.

If a worker is injured on-the-job, he or she is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, in some cases, workers or their families can also file a third-party claim against those whose negligence and carelessness caused or contributed to the happening of an accident. Regardless of the location or who an injured party might think is responsible, careful review of an accident and its circumstances by an attorney with experience in handling these types of claims will help determine which parties are actually culpable.

The New Jersey workplace accident lawyers of Blume Goldfaden have helped protect the legal rights of workers in hundreds of cases. Call us at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation and comprehensive evaluation of your potential claim.

Mayor of Lancaster Injured in New Jersey Motorcycle Accident

The mayor of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was injured while riding a motorcycle in New Jersey. WGAL.com reports that a box truck ran through a stop sign and hit the rider while he was on his BMW motorcycle. The mayor was wearing a helmet and other protective gear. However, he suffered a fractured collarbone, several fractured ribs and lung contusions.

Box trucks are oversized cargo trucks that do not require a motorist to have a commercial driver’s license. They are usually operated by individuals who are transporting goods, and, the general public can also rent them (typically through companies such as Ryder, Penske and U-haul, etc.). As a result of the limited license requirements, people with little or no experience sometimes operate these vehicles. An inexperienced truck driver may not understand truck handling, how long it takes to stop a box truck, or where all the “blind spots” are located.

Additionally, motorcycle accidents commonly lead to serious injuries, even at low impact speeds. Without the protection of an enclosed vehicle around them, motorcycle riders are vulnerable to the contact made with vehicles and the roadway. In fact, according to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), between 1975 and 1999, 38,000 motorcycle riders were killed in accidents.

Common causes of motorcycle accidents include impaired drivers under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, impaired vision, the failure of drivers of other vehicles to make proper observations of traffic, and, hazardous roadways (including road debris, potholes and road repairs).

NHTSA statistic also indicate that head injuries are one of the most common causes of motorcyclist death; and, that the lack of helmet use was also a common factor among a majority of riders who died in these accidents.

Negligent drivers who cause injuries, as well as municipalities, private property owners, and others responsible for the design and maintenance of roadways can potentially be held responsible for an accident resulting in injury.

If you have been injured in a New Jersey motorcycle accident, contact the experienced NJ personal injury attorneys at Blume Goldfaden by calling 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation and evaluation of your potential personal injury claim.

New Jersey Pedestrian Hit by Truck

According to a news report in The Jersey Journal, a pedestrian was hospitalized with injuries after he was struck by a truck at the 2200 block of 74th Street in North Bergen, New Jersey. The cause of the accident and extent of the injuries were not noted in the article.

Many pedestrian accidents involving motor vehicles are the result of negligent driving. Most pedestrian accidents occur near intersections where motorists often fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. New Jersey law requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections.

A December 2009 article in The Record cites NJ State Police statistics which indicate that pedestrian fatalities rose in the state from 138 in 2008 to 155 in 2009. Approximately half of the deaths were of pedestrians under age 50.

Transportation and environmental advocates believe that (aside from driver negligence) part of the reasons for these accidents are poorly designed streets, sidewalks and crosswalks, or, the lack of other features to protect non-motorized travelers. In cases where poor street design, etc., contributed to or caused the accident, municipalities and other entities may be held liable for damages.

Pedestrian accidents in New Jersey can result in serious personal injuries including brain and spinal cord injuries, fractures, injuries to internal organs and significant soft tissue trauma. Where catastrophic injuries are involved, injured victims often require long-term care. Victims may also incur significant medical expenses, disability and loss of earnings.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a New Jersey pedestrian accident, contact the experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyers at Blume Goldfaden by calling 973-635-5400 for a free and comprehensive consultation. Our New Jersey pedestrian injury attorneys have extensive experience in personal injury and auto accident litigation. Call us today to discuss your potential claim.

Bicycles Recalled for Fall Hazard

More than 2,000 Felt bicycles manufactured in 2009 are being recalled. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the fork steer tube can break causing the rider to become injured. So far there have been at least seven injuries reported as a direct result of the product’s defect. The models included in this recall are the 2009 B12, 2009 B16 and the 2009 S32. These are high-end bicycles that sell for over $2,000 in specialty stores across the country. The CPSC recommends all owners of these recalled bikes to stop riding them immediately. Felt bicycle dealers are offering free inspections and repairs as part of the recall.

There are many potential dangers to bicycle riders including the possibility of a collision with a motor vehicle, and, product failure causing a cyclist to lose control or otherwise be involved in an accident.

Bicycle riders often suffer serious injuries because they have little to no protection from the hazards of the road. While wearing a helmet is crucial to a rider’s safety in helping to prevent head and facial injuries, and is often mandated by law, it will not protect cyclists from other types of injuries such as fractures, tendon and cartilage tears, and internal injuries. In addition, defective and/or poorly fitted helmets can pose a hazard and contribute to the severity of an injury.

If a defective cycling product played a role in causing your bicycle accidents and injuries, the bicycle, helmet and other manufacturers, as well as cycle retailers could be held liable for the accident and resulting injuries. If you or another family member has been injured by a defective cycling product, contact the experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyers of Blume Goldfaden for a no-cost consultation and evaluation of your potential claim. Call us at 973-635-5400.

Woman Killed in SUV New Jersey Rollover Accident

A 25-year-old woman from Commercial Township was killed in an SUV rollover accident according to NJ.com. The article reports that she was ejected from the SUV when it rolled over. The 23 year old driver of the 1994 Ford Explorer was traveling on Buckshutem Road near Dividing Creek Road when he lost control of the vehicle. The investigation into what caused the accident is still underway.

In addition to the woman who was fatally injured in the crash, the vehicle was transporting two children and a 29-year-old man as passengers. The woman was the only passenger ejected from the vehicle. The driver and other passengers suffered injuries and were treated at a local hospital.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 10,000 people die in rollover accidents each year. Rollover accidents account for nearly 25 percent of all fatal traffic accidents in the United States. Many of these rollovers involve SUVs or light pickup trucks, as these types of vehicles have a higher center of gravity and a narrower track width than a car, which makes them prone to rollovers. For more information, please click here for a 2002 report issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation regarding rollover accident fatalities.

SUV rollover accidents are different from other passenger vehicle accidents. When they occur, it is important to examine whether there were design or other defects that caused or contributed to the accident or the injuries. The New Jersey auto products liability lawyers of Blume Goldfaden have the experience and knowledge required to comprehensively investigate the potential claims involved, and, to pursue any valid and meritorious claims that might exist against vehicle manufacturers, designers and distributors.

If you have or a loved one has been harmed as a result of a SUV rollover accident, contact the New Jersey personal injury lawyers at Blume Goldfaden at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation of your possible claim.