New Jersey Injury Attorney Blog

A 5-year-old girl was recently injured in a New Jersey dog attack involving a pit bull. According to a news report in The Jersey Journal, the dog bite accident occurred on Fulton Avenue in Jersey City. Officials say the girl was walking with her mother when the pit bull opened a gate and attacked the girl. She suffered puncture wounds, cuts, and a possibly fractured shinbone. The dog was impounded and the owner has been cited for having an unlicensed dog.

Under New Jersey law, dog owners are responsible for the actions of their pet. New Jersey Statute 4:19-16 states: "The owner of any dog which shall bite a person while such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, shall be liable for such damages as may be suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of such dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness."

Victims of dog bites must prove that he or she suffered losses in the dog attack and that he or she was not trespassing at the time of the dog bite incident. In such cases, compensation may be available for the victim's medical bills, hospitalization, and other related dog attack damages.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a New Jersey dog attack, you would be well advised to discuss your legal rights and options with a skilled personal injury attorney. The Princeton dog bite lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein know how to hold negligent dog owners accountable for the damages they cause. Please contact us at (609) 240-0040 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

A passenger was killed in a New Jersey car accident that involved an underage drunk driver attempting to elude the authorities. According to a news report in Today's Sunbeam, the fatal DUI collision occurred on Route 49 near Interstate 295 in Pennsville Township. Officials say a 19-year-old Camden man failed to stop for a traffic violation when he exited the Interstate and lost control of the vehicle. The car crashed into a tree on the passenger side and burst into flames.

Officials were able to free the teenage driver from the car, but the passenger was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The driver faces many charges including first-degree death by auto, aggravated manslaughter, eluding, and driving while intoxicated.

Under New Jersey law, drivers who are under the age of 21 can face DUI charges for having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .01 percent or greater. When an underage driver causes fatal injuries, he or she may face death by auto charges. Under New Jersey Code 2C:11-5, "Criminal homicide constitutes vehicular homicide when it is caused by driving a vehicle or vessel recklessly."

The family of a deceased victim would be well advised to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who will help them pursue compensation for the victim's wrongful death. In such cases, compensation may be available for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost future wages, and other related damages. Victims who suffer vehicle passenger injuries in New Jersey also have the right to pursue compensation when injured by a negligent driver.

The skilled Princeton drunk driving victim lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein know how to hold at-fault motorists accountable for the damages they cause. We also have experience handling complicated cases where the at-fault driver was a friend or family member of the victim. If you or a loved one has been injured in a New Jersey car accident, please contact our offices at (609) 240-0040 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

At least three people were recently injured in a New Jersey car accident after a vehicle left the roadway and struck a pole. According to a WPVI news report, the injury accident occurred along Hurffville Road in Deptford. Officials say the driver lost control of the vehicle before it veered off the road. The driver and two passengers, all believed to be in their 20s, suffered serious injuries in the crash. It is unclear what caused the driver to lose control or if anyone will be cited for the crash.

Any time there is a single-vehicle crash there are a number of questions that investigators need to answer. What caused the vehicle to veer out of control? Was the driver speeding, drowsy, under the influence, or otherwise negligent? Did a second vehicle force the car off the roadway before leaving the scene of the crash? Was a dangerous roadway condition a factor in the accident? Did a defective auto part or mechanical malfunction contribute to the crash? Victims of single-vehicle crashes would be well advised to speak with a skilled personal injury attorney who will stay abreast of the ongoing investigation and help determine fault and liability for the crash.

An experienced New Jersey auto accident injury attorney at Lependorf & Silverstein knows how to protect the rights of injured victims of car accidents and how to hold at-fault parties accountable. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a New Jersey car crash, please call our offices today at (609) 240-0040 for a free consultation and comprehensive case assessment.

A 41-year-old advertising executive was killed in an elevator accident after it rose as she was stepping in and crushed her. According to an ABC News report, the fatal accident occurred in a building between 40th and 41st streets on Madison Avenue in New York City. Officials say the woman was crushed on her way up to her office when the doors closed on her and pulled her upward into the shaft. The two occupants of the elevator, a 36-year-old woman and a man, were not injured. The cause of this fatal elevator accident has not been determined.

According to The Department of Buildings, the elevator was last inspected on June 16, 2011. The report also shows that the building has a history of violations including 56 violations since 2001, which were resolved.

ConsumerWatch.com has stated that approximately 27 people are killed each year in elevator accidents in the United States. Any time someone is killed in an elevator accident, it must be determined if there was a product defect or some type of mechanical malfunction that caused it. Was the building up to code? Was the elevator properly maintained and serviced? What could have prevented the accident?

In cases involving negligence, the building owner or management company can be held liable for the injuries suffered in the accident. To receive compensation for a New Jersey premises liability case, an experience attorney can help an injured victim or a deceased victim's family hold the at-fault party accountable for their losses.

The skilled New Jersey elevator accident attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein have a proven track record of handling premises liability claims including elevator and escalator accidents and slip-and-fall accidents. If you or a loved one has been hurt on someone else's property, please call our offices at (609) 240-0040 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

With the holiday season comes an increased risk of DUI collisions, drowsy driving, and dangerous roadway conditions in New Jersey. However, there are a number of steps you can take to help decrease your chances of being involved in a car accident during this holiday season.

If you plan on consuming alcohol this holiday season, remember that it only takes a couple of drinks to impair your cognitive abilities. All drivers would be well advised to assign a designated driver, call a taxi, or simply spend the night at the location of the event until it is safe to travel in the morning. It is a common mistake to assume that a couple drinks of eggnog or wine is not enough to affect one's ability to drive. This is a common error in judgment that leads to numerous injury crashes during the holiday season.

Many New Jersey residents drive long hours to visit friends and family during the holidays. It is always a good idea to not travel too late at night or while drowsy. If you do choose to drive late at night, it may be in your best interest to have a wide awake passenger in the front seat keeping you company and making sure you are alert and focused. Studies have shown that drowsy and fatigued driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving.

Last but not least, remember that New Jersey roadways are prone to icy and wet conditions during the holidays. Even if the ice is not visible, there is the potential for the conditions to cause your vehicle to slide out of control. Remember to leave extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you and give yourself plenty of time to slow down.

The experienced Princeton car crash lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, please call our offices at (609) 240-0040 to schedule your free and comprehensive consultation.

When a child suffers severe burn injuries, it can be a traumatic experience not only for the child, but also for his or her family. In addition to being incredibly painful, burn injuries often leave permanent scars and do extensive damage to the skin and nerves. Some burn injuries require prolonged hospitalization, rehabilitation, skin grafts, and other complicated surgical procedures that are not always covered by health insurance. If your child has suffered a burn injury, you may be wondering what your rights are and who should be held responsible for your substantial losses.

The family of an injured child may file a personal injury claim on their child's behalf to pursue financial compensation for their medical bills and suffering. For the child injury claim to be successful, the claimant will have to prove that someone's negligence resulted in the injuries.

Burn injuries can occur in many different ways. Here are some questions to ask depending on the circumstances of the accident. If the burn injuries resulted from a New Jersey car accident, was the motorist negligent in any way? Did a defective auto part or mechanical malfunction cause the vehicle to ignite? If the burns were suffered in an apartment fire, did the property owner fail to provide adequate fire prevention devices? Were there adequate smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on the property? Did the fire start because of a defective appliance or piece of equipment?

If your child has suffered a burn injury, it may be in your best interest to contact a skilled New Jersey personal injury attorney who can analyze all aspects of the incident and hold the negligent parties accountable. A skilled burn injury lawyer in Princeton at Lependorf & Silverstein knows how to get families the compensation they need following a devastating accident. If you would like to discuss your legal options at no cost with one of our knowledgeable attorneys, please call us at (609) 240-0040 today.

A 35-year-old man was injured in a New Jersey car accident when a vehicle went out of control on a wet roadway ran over his foot. According to WFMZ news report, the pedestrian accident occurred near the Hackettstown Community Center on Route 46 in Hackettstown. Officials say a 22-year-old man attempted to avoid the pedestrian by veering to the right, but the car slid on the hazardous New Jersey roadway and ran over the victim's foot. The pedestrian was transported to a nearby medical center for treatment. It is not clear if the driver will be cited for the collision.

According to New Jersey law: "The driver of every vehicle shall, consistent with the requirements of this section, drive at an appropriate reduced speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railway grade crossing, when approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, and when special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions."

Injured pedestrians may pursue financial compensation for their injuries and losses by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault motorist. In cases involving negligence or wrongdoing, compensation may be available for medical bills, hospitalization, rehabilitation services, and lost wages.

The experienced NJ pedestrian accident attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein have a successful track record of fighting for the rights of injured pedestrians and helping them obtain fair and full compensation for their injuries and losses. If you have been hurt in a New Jersey car accident, please call our offices today for a free consultation on your case at (609)240-0040.

A 45-year-old man was killed in a New Jersey car accident when the armored truck he was driving veered out of control. According to an Associated Press news report, the car crash occurred along the New Jersey Turnpike in Woodbridge. Officials say the Garda Security International truck crashed into a guardrail and overturned. The 45-year-old driver from Jamaica, New York was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. A second 45-year-old man was rescued from the vehicle and transported to a nearby hospital with unknown injuries. It is unclear what caused the work vehicle to veer out of control.

Any time there is an injury accident involving a work vehicle, it is important to determine what caused the crash. Did the vehicle owner fail to properly maintain the vehicle? Was the employee properly trained and licensed to drive the vehicle? Many vehicles that are used for work, such as vans and trucks, have a top-heavy design that makes them prone to rollover accidents. Did the design of the vehicle contribute to the injuries suffered? Did the safety devices such as seat restraint systems fail to keep the occupants in the vehicle?

The family of a car accident victim may have it in their best interest to speak with a skilled personal injury attorney. Compensation may be available for their terrible loss through workers’ compensation death benefits and/or through a wrongful death claim if negligence was a contributing factor in the crash.

The knowledgeable Princeton fatal motor vehicle accident attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein have a long history and a successful track record of helping injured victims and their families. If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in a New Jersey car accident, please call us at (609) 240-0040 to schedule your free and comprehensive consultation.

A truck driver was seriously injured in a recent New Jersey car accident that involved four vehicles. According to a news report in The Star Ledger, the truck accident occurred on Route 15 near Phipps Road in Rockaway Township. Officials say a car struck a tractor-trailer while attempting to change lanes, causing it to veer out of control and strike an idling vehicle at a traffic light. The stopped vehicle was then forced into an adjacent vehicle.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was airlifted to a nearby medical center with critical injuries. The driver of the vehicle who officials say caused this accident sustained relatively minor injuries. It is not clear if the other motorists were injured or if the at-fault driver was cited for the crash.

According to NJSA 39:4-88 (b): "A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from that lane until the driver has first ascertained that the movement can be made with safety."

Drivers who make unsafe lane changes can be held liable for the damages they cause. In cases involving negligence, at-fault drivers can be held liable for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages. Victims of negligent drivers would be well advised to contact an experienced New Jersey personal injury attorney who will remain on their side, fight for their rights, and ensure that they receive fair and full compensation.

The skilled auto accident injury lawyers in NJ at Lependorf & Silverstein help victims of negligent drivers get the compensation they need and rightfully deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in a New Jersey accident, please call our offices at (609) 240-0040 to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.

Hotel owners have a legal responsibility to prevent hazardous conditions on their properties. There are times, however, when a dangerous condition is unavoidable. In such cases, property owners must ensure that visitors and employees are provided adequate warnings about the hazards that are present, such as dangerous spills or debris. In cases where a hotel owner or manager's negligence results in a slip-and-fall accident, victims can seek compensation for damages by filing a claim.

A NJ premises liability claim is a civil lawsuit that allows an injured victim of a hotel slip-and-fall accident to hold the property owner accountable for the injuries suffered. It is important to remember that not all injury accidents result in valid claims. The injured victim will have to prove that the owner either allowed a dangerous condition to exist or failed to warn visitors about the hazard.

There are several questions to ask in such cases. Were there signs, cones, or warning tape around the dangerous location? If there was signage, was it placed in a location where visitors could have seen it? Was the property owner or management aware of the potential dangers? Were there complaints filed with management about the conditions that went ignored?

In cases involving negligence or wrongdoing, financial compensation may be available for medical bills, rehabilitation such as physical therapy or chiropractic care, lost wages, and other related damages. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to receive fair compensation for a slip-and-fall accident. Hotel companies and owners often deny valid claims and put up a vigorous defense in order to protect their profits and their reputation. A skilled premises liability attorney will know how to prove fault in such cases and how to secure fair compensation for victims and their families.

The experienced New Jersey hotel slip-and-fall accident attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein have a successful track record of handling slip-and-fall accidents. If you have been injured in a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accident, please call our offices at (609) 240-0040 for a free consultation and comprehensive case assessment.

Under New Jersey law, negligent drivers can be held liable for the injuries they cause. This process can become complicated when the injured victim is a passenger and the at-fault driver is the victim's friend or family member. It is common for victims in such cases to worry about hurting their friends or relatives financially and to struggle on their own with the medical bills, lost wages, and other related damages.

It is important to remember that the point of auto insurance is to cover the bulk of the expenses and losses suffered in an accident. When a driver is responsible for a New Jersey car accident injury, their insurance should cover most of the damages suffered by the victim. If the at-fault driver's insurance premium goes up because of the accident, he or she can always shop around for a different policy. Therefore, the financial burdens on the driver should not prevent a passenger from pursuing damages.

There are steps that injured passengers should take following an accident to protect their rights. If possible, passengers should exchange contact information with the drivers involved, get their name in the police report, and seek immediate medical care. Injured passengers have the right to pursue compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation services, and other related damages.

An experienced NJ passenger injury lawyer at Lependorf & Silverstein can help New Jersey drivers and passengers seek the compensation they need and rightfully deserve. If you have been hurt in a New Jersey car accident and you would like to discuss your legal options at no cost, please call our offices at (609) 240-0040 today.

It is easy to take our tires for granted, to assume they are working properly and that they will not suddenly blow out while on the roadway. Tragically, it is common for worn tires to fail and for serious accidents to occur as a result. However, in some cases, a tire may fail not because it is old but because it is defective. In such cases, the tire manufacturer can be held liable for the injuries suffered.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is in charge of monitoring defective products. Updated lists of recent recalls can be found on the safety agency's official website, www.recalls.gov. It is important to remember that the process of recalling defective products to protect consumers is fallible. Simply because a product has not been recalled, it does not mean that it is safe. In cases involving defective tires, it is common for a number of accidents to occur before an investigation begins and for a full recall to occur only after there is substantial evidence that the tires are dangerous.

If you have been involved in an accident involving tire failure, it is important that you preserve the vehicle and the damaged tire for a thorough examination by an expert. The product manufacturer can be held liable for the injuries suffered through an auto product liability lawsuit if it can be determined that the product was defective, the defect resulted in an accident, and the accident resulted in the injuries and damages.

It is important to monitor the wear and tear on your tires as well as make sure that your tires have not recently been recalled. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car accident caused by a recalled or defective tire, please call the experienced New Jersey tire recall attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein. Please contact us at (609) 240-0040 to schedule a free and comprehensive consultation.

Truck accidents often result in serious injuries or even death. Whenever someone is harmed in a New Jersey truck accident, it must be determined who was at fault and who should be held responsible for losses suffered by the victim. In many cases, in addition to the truck driver, the trucking company or the driver's employer can also be held liable.

In order to hold a trucking company responsible for the injuries suffered in a crash, it must be proven that they were negligent in some way. Did the trucking company make sure the truck driver was properly licensed? Was the truck and trailer properly maintained? Did the trucking company fail to properly maintain the vehicle, such as checking on the brakes, lights, reflective tape, and tires that resulted in truck equipment failure? Did the truck accident result from fatigued driving? Did the trucking company fail to test if the driver was overworked or suffering from sleep apnea? Did the company responsible for the truck fail to properly load the trailer? Does the trucking company maintain accurate driver logs and vehicle maintenance records?

Negligent trucking companies can be held liable for the losses suffered by crash victims. Depending upon the circumstances of the case, a trucking company can be responsible for medical expenses, hospitalization, lost wages, the cost of rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and other related damages.

An experienced Princeton truck accident attorney at Lependorf & Silverstein knows how to hold truck drivers and trucking companies accountable for their negligence. If you or a loved one has been injured in a New Jersey truck accident, please call us at (609) 240-0040 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

Three men, aged 40, 34, and 32, were injured in a New Jersey car accident that occurred after a tire blew out on the Ford van they were in. According to a My Central Jersey news report, the rollover accident occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike in East Brunswick. Officials say the driver's side rear tire blew out causing the van to flip across three lanes of traffic. The 40-year-old driver and the 34-year-old front seat passenger had to be extricated from the vehicle and have been listed in fair condition. The 32-year-old back seat passenger sustained minor shoulder pain. It is not clear what caused the tire to blow out.

When a tire blows out on the roadway, there is the potential for the vehicle to veer out of control or even roll over. In such cases, vehicles that are prone to rollover accidents like vans, pickups, and SUVs are particularly dangerous. Victims of these types of accidents would be well advised to preserve the damaged tire and vehicle for a thorough inspection to determine if a defective auto part or mechanical malfunction caused the crash.

To help prevent blown tire accidents, New Jersey motorists would be well advised to check on the amount of wear on their tires. Low tread and uneven wear are signs of potential danger. Drivers also have it in their best interest to search recent tire recalls posted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to see if their tires are on the recall list for defects.

The skilled personal injury lawyers in Princeton at Lependorf & Silverstein have a long and successful track record of representing car accident victims in New Jersey. If you or someone you know has been harmed in a New Jersey car accident, please do not hesitate to call our offices at (609) 240-0040 for a no-cost consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

A 9-year-old child was recently injured in a Newark car accident involving a vehicle in a police pursuit. According to a news report in The Star Ledger, the serious injury accident occurred in Newark's South Ward neighborhood near Clinton Avenue and Bergen Street. Officials say a white pickup truck drove through a red light and struck a sedan. A 9-year-old passenger in the four-door sedan was ejected when the vehicle struck a pole.

New Jersey police pursuit cases can be complex and challenging to handle. N.J.S.A. 59:5-2(b) provides immunity to police officers involved in a pursuit of a suspect. This does not, however, allow police officers to disregard public safety or act recklessly.

In addition, drivers whose negligence causes an accident can be held liable for the damages they cause. Examples of driver negligence include speeding, driving while intoxicated, failing to yield the right of way, driving distracted, and failing to obey traffic control devices. In cases involving serious injuries, the at-fault driver can be held responsible for losses such as medical bills, hospitalization, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

The skilled auto accident injury lawyers in New Jersey at Lependorf & Silverstein know how to hold negligent, careless, and reckless drivers accountable for the injuries they cause. To discuss your legal rights with a skilled car accident attorney at no cost, please call our Princeton offices at (609) 240-0040.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a New Jersey dog attack, you may be wondering who can be held responsible for your losses and how you can receive compensation for your injuries and other damages. New Jersey is a statutory strict liability state. This means that New Jersey dog owners are responsible for the actions of their pet, whether or not the dog had previously shown signs of vicious behavior.

N.J.S.A 4:19-16 states: "The owner of any dog which shall bite a person while such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, shall be liable for such damages as may be suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of such dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness." This means that a dog owner is responsible for the injuries his or her dog causes as long as the victim was not committing a crime at the time of the incident.

In order to prove liability, victims of New Jersey dog attack injuries must show that the defendant owned the dog, the dog caused the injuries, and he or she was in a public place or legally on private property. To prevent these types of incidents, all New Jersey dog owners have it in their best interest to keep their dogs indoors, post "beware of dog" signs, and always keep their dog on a leash. A number of New Jersey dog attacks occur because dog owners allow their pets to run loose.

The skilled New Jersey dog bite attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein know how to hold dog owners accountable for the injuries caused by their pets. If you or a loved one has been injured in a New Jersey dog attack, please contact us at (609) 240-0040 to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.

New Jersey is one of only three states where pedestrians account for more than 20 percent of all traffic accident fatalities. According to the 2010 survey of pedestrian accidents prepared by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), New Jersey had the fifth most pedestrian fatalities in the country behind only California, Florida, Texas, and New York.

A fatality is considered a wrongful death when the at-fault party caused the accident through an act of negligence or wrongdoing. Therefore, cases involving a pedestrian running out into traffic or jaywalking will likely not result in a valid wrongful death claim because the victim was the at-fault party.

However, there may be exceptions in cases where the driver did not exercise due care. For example, if the driver was speeding and struck a jaywalking pedestrian, he or she could still be held liable despite the fact that the pedestrian was not following the rules of the road. New Jersey pedestrian accident cases that could result in a wrongful death claim usually involve drivers who are speeding, distracted, drunk, or otherwise negligent.

Under New Jersey Statute 39:4-36, "The driver of a vehicle must stop and stay stopped for a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk, but shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection."

A wrongful death claim is usually filed by the victim's immediate family members, such as a spouse, children, or parents. Such compensation cannot offer comfort to grieving family members, but it can provide them with financial support for medical bills, lost future wages, funeral expenses, and other related damages.

If you have lost a loved one in a New Jersey pedestrian accident, the skilled auto accident injury lawyers in New Jersey at Lependorf & Silverstein can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please call our offices at (609) 240-0040 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

A 62-year-old man was recently killed in a New Jersey car accident when his motorcycle collided with a car that was making an illegal U-turn. According to a news report in The Star-Ledger, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred on Route 94 in Sussex County. Officials say the man was traveling south on his 2003 Harley Davidson when it crashed into a southbound 2007 Ford Expedition that was making a U-turn. The 42-year-old driver of the SUV has been cited for making an illegal turn and for careless driving.

Under New Jersey law, it is illegal to make a U-turn where there are signs specifically stating that motorists may not make U-turn. Even at locations where it is legal, the law requires motorists to exercise due care and caution, properly yield the right of way to oncoming motorists, and turn only when it is safe to do so.

Very often, we see that motorcyclists are struck by vehicles making left or U-turns because drivers of larger vehicles such as cars, trucks, or SUVs do not consciously look for motorcyclists at street intersections. In such cases where negligent or reckless driving is involved, families of New Jersey fatal car accident victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, and other damages.

The motorcycle crash attorneys in NJ at Lependorf & Silverstein have a long history of successfully handling motorcycle accidents in New Jersey. If you have suffered a loss in a New Jersey motorcycle accident, please call our offices at (609) 240-0040 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

In New Jersey, victims of negligent drivers can pursue financial compensation for their losses by filing a personal injury claim. Losses that can be included in a civil lawsuit include medical bills, hospitalization, the cost of rehabilitation services, lost wages, and other related damages. However, this process becomes more complicated and challenging when the at-fault driver has left the scene of the crash and has not been identified or arrested by the authorities.

Victims of a New Jersey hit-and-run accident or their family are often left facing the financial and emotional burdens in the aftermath of such a traumatic incident. Victims are burdened with hospital bills, medical expenses, surgery costs, and loss of income to mention a few. Fortunately, even in cases where a hit-and-run driver is not found, the injured victim still has opportunities to claim compensation.

In cases involving a hit-and-run driver who has not been identified, the injured victim may have to file a claim through their own insurance company to seek compensation. This will be possible if the victim or someone in his or her family has uninsured motorist coverage. All New Jersey drivers would be well advised to secure adequate uninsured motorist coverage. Not only will this protect them from hit-and-run drivers, but also from motorists who have inadequate or no insurance. This type of coverage is crucial for all drivers. The Insurance Research Council (IRC) recently reported that roughly 14 percent of all drivers in the United States are uninsured.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a hit-and-run driver in New Jersey, the Princeton car accident injury lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please contact us at (609) 240-0040 for a no-cost consultation and comprehensive case assessment.

This holiday season, it is important that parents and gift givers stay abreast of what types of toys are considered safe for children. While the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has had to issue fewer toy recalls this year, there are still many potentially dangerous toys on store shelves. According to a recent news release by the CPSC, there are approximately 180,000 child injuries suffered in toy-related accidents each year. Many of these incidents can be prevented if parents are diligent in keeping unsafe toys away from their children.

In the fiscal year for 2011, there were 34 toy recalls in the United States. This number reflects a decrease from the 46 recalls in 2010, the 50 recalls in 2009 and the 172 toys recalls issued in 2008. CPSC's statistics also show that there was a recent increase in toy-related fatalities - from 15 deaths in 2009 to 17 in 2010. More than half of those deaths involved choking incidents with balloons, rubber balls, and small balls.

Federal safety regulations that were passed last year limit the amount of toxins such as lead and cadmium that can be present in toys. However, this does not mean that all toys are now toxin-free. On the contrary, a number of toys in the market still have unacceptable levels of phthalates, which are industrial chemicals that are known carcinogens.

Parents would be well advised this Christmas to monitor the official CPSC website for recent recall notices and to follow the age recommendations on the side of the box. It's always a good idea to keep small parts and items away from young children.

The product liability attorneys in New Jersey at Lependorf & Silverstein hope you and yours have a safe and happy holiday season. If someone you love has been injured by a defective toy or dangerous product, please contact our law offices at (609) 240-0040 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.