New Jersey Personal Injury Blog
Headlight Usage Decreases Your Chances of Causing an Auto Accident
Safe driving practices are the best way to prevent automobile accidents. Ultimately, if every motorist on the road followed every traffic rule, the number of injuries and deaths that occur on our nation’s roads and highways each year would be greatly diminished. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles in New Jersey, traffic law mandates that the headlights on a vehicle must be illuminated from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. Using your headlights in accordance with this regulation not only allows a motorist to clearly see the road ahead of him or herself, but also allows motorists to clearly see oncoming vehicles. Inclement weather, particularly when visibility is reduced to 500 feet or less, is another prerequisite for making sure that one’s headlights are on. In rainy weather, when visibility is limited by both the weather conditions and the use of windshield, headlight usage is vital.
Every year, thousands of motorists are injured because other motorists choose not to follow traffic laws. In the event that driver negligence causes an accident resulting in injury, our legal system allows for compensatory damages to be paid to the injured parties. In order to ensure that your rights to such compensation are protected, an experienced New Jersey auto accident attorney should be retained to assist those injured in motor vehicle accidents in pursuing their claims.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile or other motor vehicle accident, contact the experienced personal injury lawyers at Blume Goldfaden. Our skilled auto accident attorneys will provide a no-cost consultation, and, will evaluate your potential claims to determine how you can proceed in seeking the compensation to which you may be entitled. Call us at 973-635-5400.
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
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.
Man and NJ Transit Train Collide, Man Dies
A New Jersey Transit train headed to New York was involved in a pedestrian accident at the New Bridge Landing Station in River Edge, New Jersey. According to a report issued by nj.com, the express train was headed Northbound when the accident occurred. The victim, a 49-year-old man from Teaneck, may or may not have purposely stepped in front of the train before he was fatally struck. None of the 350 on-board passenger train riders were injured during the incident. Police are still investigating the matter. This was the 16th pedestrian death involving a New Jersey Transit train in 2009, and, the second of its kind to occur in recent weeks.
Pedestrian accidents involving trains often result in serious injury or death. While the above case suggests a possible suicide, an investigation has not yet been determined what exactly caused the man to fall in front of the train’s path. If accidental, the investigators need to precisely determine how the man was able to enter onto the tracks in the first place. If safety railing and other deterrents could have been put in place to possibly prevent such an accident from occurring, then those entities designing, controlling and maintaining, the train station may be responsible.
Transit companies have an obligation to ensure the safety of pedestrians and their riders. As a common carrier involved in the business of transportation, they owe a higher degree of care than do ordinary citizens. They must take all necessary precautions to see to it that tragic events such as the one identified herein are avoided
If you have been injured in a New Jersey train accident, contact a skilled New Jersey personal injury attorney at Blume Goldfaden. Our experienced attorneys will investigate the circumstances of your train accident to determine whether negligence by the transit company or its employees contributed to your accident and injuries. Call us today at 973-635-5400 for more information and a no cost consultation with regard to your potential case.
Source:http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/09/fatal_accident_involving_nj_tr.html
Motorcycle Seal Defect Could Result in Engine Failure
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently reported that BMW has recalled certain motorcycles that were manufactured between August 2006 and January 2008. The product defect in question involves a seal of the fuel pump control housing unit, which could fail, allowing water to enter the control unit housing, increasing humidity within the vehicle’s mechanical systems. The increased humidity could eventually corrode the fuel pump, causing it to fail. Without fuel being able to properly reach the engine, the engine could abruptly stop, causing the motorcycle to suddenly stall while being operated. If such an engine failure were to occur, the operator of a motorcycle would be placed at high risk for losing control of the vehicle, and, being involved in a serious accident.
Motorcycles are complex sophisticated machines. All parts and systems need to be working properly and at optimum levels in order to ensure rider safety. If not, something as simple as seal failure can affect other engine parts and render the machine dangerous to operate. Motorcyclists that experience any failure during operation should know that motorcycle manufacturers, designers and distributors could be held liable for their products’ defects.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident contact an experienced product liability attorney at Blume Goldfaden. Our skilled motorcycle accident attorneys will evaluate the circumstances of your accident to determine whether you have a viable claim for damages. Call us today at 973-635-5400 for more information and a no cost consultation.
Source:http://nhthqnwws112.odi.nhtsa.dot.gov RCLMTY-082009-1234.pdf