New Jersey Injury Attorney Blog

Two people were killed and a third person suffered severe burn injuries in a New Jersey car accident involving a driver who was under the influence. According to a news report in The Star Ledger, the fatal DUI collision occurred on Grand Street near Grove in Jersey City. Officials say a 34-year-old man was under the influence of an undetermined intoxicant when he crashed his truck into the back of a taxi. The taxi then crashed into a pedestrian and burst into flames. A 44-year-old passenger in the taxi and a 41-year-old pedestrian were killed in the crash. The driver of the cab was pulled from the burning vehicle with severe burn injuries. The 34-year-old driver faces two count of death by auto and one count of driving while intoxicated.

Under New Jersey Statute 39:4-50, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher. It is also illegal to drive while under the influence of a "narcotic, hallucinogenic, or habit-producing drug." Drivers who operate a vehicle while under the influence may be held liable for the damages they cause.

The family of someone killed in a DUI collision would be well advised to speak with an experienced wrongful death attorney. It is important to remember that criminal charges and a conviction in the criminal case will not result in financial compensation for victims' families. A civil lawsuit filed by the victim's family against the drunk driver could, however, result in financial compensation for their terrible loss.

The skilled NJ drunk driving victim lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein have a long history of holding drunk drivers financially liable for their actions. If you have lost a loved one in a DUI collision, please contact us at (609) 240-0040 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

Have you been injured in a New Jersey car accident? Was the other driver at-fault for the crash? Are you wondering if compensation is available for your medical bills, lost wages and other related losses? Under New Jersey law, victims of negligent drivers may hold the at-fault motorist accountable for the losses suffered in the crash by filing a personal injury claim. Victims of negligent drivers should contact an experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyer who will help them determine how much their potential claim could be worth.

No two cases are the same, but in general, the most serious injuries result in the largest settlements or awards. The goal of civil litigation is to help a victim of negligence recover monetary compensation for the injuries, damages, and losses he or she has suffered and to hold the at-fault party liable. All physical, financial, and emotional losses will be taken into consideration. The damages should include not only the current medical expenses the victim is facing, but also the cost of future medical and rehabilitative treatment required for a full recovery.

The victim can also pursue compensation for all of the wages lost because of the accident and time spent away from work during the healing process. Additional compensation should be available for those who are disabled and unable to work because of the injuries suffered. A skilled personal injury attorney can also help calculate non-financial losses, such as physical pain and mental anguish. The court will take into consideration the type of negligence involved and how much compensation was given to victims of similar injuries.

The experienced law team at Lependorf & Silverstein helps victims of injury accidents get the compensation they need and rightfully deserve. If you would like to discuss how much your claim might be worth, please call our offices at (609) 240-0040.

A 36-year-old driver of a cement mixer was killed in a New Jersey car accident involving two other vehicles. According to a news report in The Star Ledger, the fatal truck accident occurred on Route 202 at Whitenack Road in Bernardsville. Officials are still investigating the cause of the fatal collision. The driver of the truck succumbed to his injuries after being flown to the hospital. A 24-year-old woman was also flown to a hospital with unknown injuries and a third driver, a 53-year-old woman, was treated and released for her injuries. The photos from the crash site show that the impact was severe enough to overturn the cement truck and crush at least one of the two passenger vehicles involved.

Any time there is a serious NJ intersection accident, it must be determined if one of the drivers failed to properly yield the right of way. Did one of the drivers run through a stop sign or a red light? Were any of the motorists speeding, distracted, under the influence, or otherwise negligent? In cases involving driver negligence, the at-fault driver can be held liable for the losses suffered in the crash.

The family of someone killed in a car accident on the job would be well advised to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who will help them pursue compensation both through workers’ compensation benefits, as well as through civil litigation against the at-fault driver.

The experienced Princeton auto accident lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein know how to help families get the compensation they need after the loss of a loved one. If you have lost someone in a fatal New Jersey accident, please call one of our skilled personal injury attorneys at (609) 240-0040 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

A woman was killed in a recent New Jersey car accident after a dump truck overturned and crushed her SUV. According to a news report in The Courier Post, the fatal truck accident occurred on Haddonfield-Berlin Road near Morris Drive in Cherry Hill. Officials say a vehicle making a left turn forced the dump truck driver to swerve out of the way, causing the sand in the dump truck to shift and making it tip over onto the SUV. The woman inside the SUV was fatally injured in the crash. Neither the dump truck driver nor the driver of the turning car was injured. It is unclear if either of them will be cited for the fatal truck collision.

Under New Jersey law, motorists making a left turn are legally required to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic. When an accident is caused by a driver making a dangerous left turn, there are a number of questions that must be asked. Was the driver distracted or under the influence of alcohol? Why was the oncoming vehicle unable to avoid the collision?

Motorists determined to have been negligent at the time of the accident can be held liable for the resulting damages. When someone is killed in a crash, the at-fault driver can be held liable for the victim's wrongful death. In such cases, compensation may be available to surviving family members for medical bills, lost future wages, funeral expenses, and other related damages.

A skilled fatal auto accident attorney in NJ at Lependorf & Silverstein can help protect the rights of injured victims and their families in New Jersey. Please contact us at (609) 240-0040 to schedule your free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

Victims of New Jersey bus accidents may seek financial compensation for their injuries, damages, and losses from the at-fault bus driver and the bus company. Unfortunately, it is common for victims to have their claims denied and for insurance companies to cut corners by offering inadequate settlements. To protect your rights, here are a few tips you may wish to consider in the event you or a loved one is injured in a bus accident.

Any time there is an injury accident involving a bus, there should be a police report on the incident. It is important that your name is on the police report showing your involvement in the incident. It would be in your best interest to write down the location and time of the crash. It would also be a good idea to write down as much information as possible including the name of the bus driver, the bus company, the identification number of the bus, and the common carrier insurance information. If you have a cell phone with a camera, be sure to take pictures of where you were sitting, the damage to the bus, the crash site, and even of your own auto accident injuries.

It will also be in your best interest to seek immediate medical attention. Your medical records will serve as evidence of when you were injured and how severe your injuries were. During the healing process, journal your struggles, how you felt, and what you could or could not do as a result of your injuries.

Last, but not least, it is crucial that you contact an experienced lawyer who will stay on top of the official investigation and ensure that your legal rights and best interests are protected. A skilled Princeton bus accident attorney at Lependorf & Silverstein knows how to hold bus companies and bus drivers accountable for the injuries and damages they cause. If you have been injured in a New Jersey bus accident, please call our offices today at (609) 240-0040 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

Three people were injured in a New Jersey car accident after a car veered into oncoming traffic. According to a news report in The Press of Atlantic City, the car crash occurred on Ocean Heights Avenue in Egg Harbor Township. Officials say a 38-year-old man let his car cross a double yellow line before striking a car driven by a 47-year-old man. The two drivers and a 36-year-old passenger were all trapped inside their vehicles. They all suffered what were described as minor to moderate injuries. The first driver was charged with failure to maintain his lane, as well as failure to wear a seatbelt.

N.J.S.A. 39:4-88 states: "When a roadway has been divided into clearly marked lanes for traffic, drivers of vehicles shall obey the following regulations: a. A vehicle shall normally be driven in the lane nearest the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway when that lane is available for travel, except when overtaking another vehicle or in preparation for a left turn."

Victims of negligent drivers would be well advised to speak with an experienced injury lawyer who will stay abreast of the ongoing investigation. At-fault drivers may be held liable for losses such as medical bills, time away from work, pain and suffering, and other related damages.

The experienced New Jersey auto accident lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein help victims of negligent drivers get fair and full compensation for their losses. If you or a loved one has been injured in a New Jersey car crash, please contact us at (609) 240-0040 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

A 77-year-old man was killed in a Sussex County car accident after his pickup truck was hit by another vehicle. According to a news report in The Star Ledger, the fatal car crash occurred where Route 15 crosses Ice Plant Road in Lafayette. Officials say the man was traveling west when a southbound 2003 Honda Civic, driven by a 23-year-old woman, struck the man's 2002 Toyota pickup truck. He suffered head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Officials do not believe that he was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. The woman involved in the crash suffered leg injuries and was hospitalized for treatment. There was no mention of citations issued.

A motorist does not have to be cited by the authorities to be held civilly liable for a fatal auto accident in New Jersey. The family of the victim will have to prove that driver negligence was a contributing factor in the collision. Did the other driver run a stop sign or red light? Was the other motorist speeding, distracted, drunk, inattentive, or otherwise negligence? Did the other driver fail to yield the right-of-way at an intersection? These are a few questions that often come up in these cases.

In such cases, the injured victim or the family of the deceased victim would be well advised to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who will help them pursue their legal rights. In cases where negligence is involved, families of deceased victims can file what is known as a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages including medical expenses and funeral costs.

A New Jersey wrongful death attorney at Lependorf & Silverstein will help families receive the compensation they need following a fatal crash. If you have lost a loved one in a New Jersey car accident, please call our offices at (609) 240-0040 for a free and comprehensive case evaluation.

A 63-year-old Newark man was injured after a steel beam dangling from a construction crane on the New Jersey Turnpike swung and lopped off the top of his van. According to a news report in The Times of Trenton, the New Jersey construction accident occurred on the turnpike just south of Interchange 8. State troopers say construction workers who were working on the turnpike-widening project were trying to lift a steal beam with a crane. The force of the impact cut off the top of the man's Econoline van, causing it to overturn. He was left with facial lacerations, but his injuries are not considered to be life-threatening. Officials are investigating the cause of this accident.

Construction crane accidents can result in serious injuries or even fatalities. According to the web site Craneaccidents.com, there were 303 crane accidents in the United States in 2009, in which 197 people died. Crane accidents may be caused by operator error or negligence, a defective or malfunctioning crane, weather or wind conditions, and improper loading.

If a "bystander" or passerby is injured in a construction crane accident, the construction company and/or the agency that is undertaking the construction can be held liable for the victim's injuries. A number of questions may arise in such cases. Did the workers load the crane correctly? Was there a violation of safety procedures at the construction site, which caused or contributed to the incident? Were the workers properly trained and supervised?

Injured victims of crane accidents, whether they are construction workers or members of the public, should contact an experienced lawyer who will remain on their side, fight for their rights, and ensure that they are fairly and fully compensated for their injuries and losses. The skilled New Jersey crane accident attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein have successfully represented individuals and families who have been harmed by someone else's negligence. Please contact us at (609) 240-0040 for a no-cost consultation and case evaluation.

Several people were injured in an Atlantic County car accident that resulted in a female passenger getting trapped in one of the vehicles. According to a WPVI news report, the injury accident occurred near Ocean Heights Avenue and Blackman Road in Egg Harbor Township. Officials have not released information about how the collision occurred. The extent of the victims' injuries is also not known yet. Emergency workers rescued a woman from inside one of the damaged vehicles with the Jaws of Life. An investigation is ongoing.

According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, there were 10,388 reported car accidents in Atlantic County in the year 2010. That number reflects a slight decrease from the 10,685 accidents that occurred in 2009 and the 10,508 accidents that happened in 2008. Of the 10,388 Atlantic County car accidents that occurred in 2010, 2,745 resulted in injuries.

In car accident injury cases, it is important to determine fault and liability. If the crash was the result of negligence or wrongdoing, the auto accident injury victim can hold the at-fault party accountable for the crash with the assistance of a skilled personal injury lawyer. Injured victims can seek compensation for damages and losses resulting from the accident from the responsible party.

The experienced Princeton car accident attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein help the victims of New Jersey car accidents obtain the compensation they need and rightfully deserve. If you have suffered an injury in a car crash, please call (609) 240-0040 to discuss your legal rights and options at absolutely no cost.

Have you suffered some form of personal injury, but you are not sure if you have a "case" against the person or agency who hurt you? An experienced personal injury attorney can determine the value of your case and give you sound advice as to how to pursue your claim. A good personal injury lawyer will always examine your case at no charge, and give you sound advice as to how to proceed to collect damages.

Personal injury comes in a variety of types. While most of us think of personal injury as something relating to car accidents, there are also many successful personal injury cases filed which deal with contaminated drugs or food, a slip and fall, and accidents related to work. Any type of injury which causes pain and suffering is probably a case which can be handled by a professional personal injury attorney.

Personal injury lawyers work with you to determine the value of your case, or how much you can expect to receive in damages. This amount will depend on several factors.

The first thing a personal injury attorney will consider is the extent of your injuries. Despite wide-spread stories of multi-million dollar settlements for a simple accident with minor injuries, this is rarely the case. In most cases, minor injuries mean small settlements. However, if the injury is relatively minor but unfortunately promises to present long-term problems, the figure may be higher. Medical bills will also determine the amount of your settlement; if you have large expenses from being treated for your injuries, a good personal injury attorney will necessarily seek more in damages than if you have only small medical bills.

Another thing a good personal injury lawyer will consider is the nature of the accident and how it was caused. Liability can be a tricky issue, and a good personal injury attorney will consider who caused the accident, where the accident occurred, and who is ultimately responsible for the accident. The answer to this question may be different than you would expect; for example, if someone borrows a car and causes an accident while driving, both the owner of the car and the driver may be liable for the damages caused.

Finally, a lawyer will evaluate what your case is likely to bring if it goes to trial, versus the amount offered in settlement. Most personal injury cases are settled out of court, for a very good reason: you never know if you will win a lawsuit, and rather than risk an expensive and protracted trial process, it may be financially wiser to take a settlement. However, it is usually wise to let an experienced personal injury attorney determine this amount. Determining what is a good settlement amount and what is insufficient is a skill, which is developed through experience and education. Many inexperienced lawyers grossly overestimate or underestimate how much a case should realize. It is far better to secure the services of an expert personal injury attorney if you have sustained an injury, and be sure that your case brings in what it is truly worth.

This guest blog post was provided by the Anaheim personal injury lawyers in California at Bisnar Chase, a law firm with a reputation for honesty and an unparalleled track record of success.

A new federal law prohibiting commercial drivers from using hand-held mobile devices began on January 3. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced that the new ban prohibits drivers of commercial vehicles from "holding, dialing, or reaching for hand-held cell phones." This ban includes phones with a push-to-talk function. Unless the driver has pulled over off the highway, commercial drivers are not even allowed to use their phone at a traffic stop. Drivers are, however, allowed to use a device with a wireless earpiece or a speakerphone function.

Commercial drivers in interstate commerce or those involved in intrastate transportation of hazardous materials face fines of up to $2,750 for using a hand-held cell phone. The companies that employ drivers who violate this new law could face penalties of up to $11,000.

According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drivers are 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident when they are driving distracted. Victims of distracted drivers may pursue financial compensation for their losses by filing a personal injury claim. In such cases, compensation may be available for medical bills, lost wages, the costs of rehabilitation services, and other related damages.

The skilled truck accident injury lawyers in New Jersey at Lependorf & Silverstein have the knowledge, skill, and resources necessary to handle complex distracted driving cases. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a New Jersey truck or bus accident, please call our offices at (609) 240-0040 for a free consultation.

A West Windsor school bus driver has been charged with careless driving after colliding with a stopped police cruiser and injuring the officer within on the morning of January 17, according to The Princeton Packet. Reportedly, the police cruiser was stopped with its emergency lights flashing on Cranbury Road around 7:15 am in an effort to warn other drivers of the icy road conditions that were present when it was struck.

As the school bus neared the police vehicle, the driver lost control of the vehicle, most likely due to sliding on the icy roads during an attempt to slow down, crossed the center line of the road, and struck the officer’s vehicle, according to West Windsor Police. While neither the school bus driver nor any of the 20 students that were onboard the bus were injured in the crash, the officer suffered a neck injury and had to be taken to a hospital. Further details on the officer’s condition have not been given, but he was not reported to be in serious condition.

The onset of winter in the northeast United States means that there is a much greater likelihood for dangerous road conditions in New Jersey. Winter conditions can leave normally safe roads in hazardous conditions and make already dangerous streets even worse. As such, there is a higher chance that any vehicle could be involved in an accident. New Jersey residents should make sure to take extra caution when on the roads during the winter in order to prevent dangerous accidents.

While buses are involved in far fewer crashes than normal passenger vehicles, the accidents they are involved in often lead to many serious injuries. The New Jersey bus accident lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein can help you obtain compensation if you have been in such an accident. For more information on how our law team can help, call (609) 240-0040.

Falls are a part of being a kid. Children are supposed to play in the mud, get dirty, and be clumsy, but this does not mean that falls are not a legitimate danger to their health and well being. Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere and to anyone, regardless of age. If your child is injured in a slip and fall accident as the result of a property owner’s negligence to reasonably maintain or repair their premises, then that owner may be held liable for the injuries your child suffers.

Child Fall Statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading cause of non-fatal injuries among children aged 19 and younger is falls. Nearly 2.8 million children are treated in U.S. emergency departments for fall injuries every year, or about 8,000 every day.

Preventing Child Falls

Not every child fall can be prevented, as a parent cannot have control over the safety of public places and/or other premises, but following these tips from the CDC can help kids avoid fall-related injuries:

• Playground safety – Check the playground equipment that your child uses/plays on, especially if it is in a public park or other space. If it is not maintained or has a faulty design, the risk of a fall increases. Also, if there is not a soft landing surface underneath, the risk of a serious fall injury increases.
• Supervision – All young children should be supervised around fall dangers, such as playground equipment, stairs, and other uneven surfaces.
• Home safety – Make sure children cannot access fall hazards like stairs by using home safety devices like guard rails and gates.
• Sports safety – Children should wear the appropriate protective gear when playing sports.

When to Contact an Experienced Child Injury Attorney

Unfortunately, not all property owners are as concerned with child safety as parents are. If your child has suffered a fall injury as the result of a property owner’s negligence to maintain safe premises, you and your child may be entitled to financial compensation.

This guest blog post is brought to you by the Boston child slip and fall accident lawyers with the Kiley Law Group, a personal injury law firm in Massachusetts dedicated to protecting the rights of those harmed by another’s negligence.

There is a wide range of injuries that victims can suffer in a New Jersey car accident. Often, survivors of serious injury accidents struggle to regain the physical abilities they had before the accident. Unfortunately, some victims may suffer injuries that could lead to permanent disabilities, which can negatively affect their quality of life. In such cases, victims would be well advised to obtain more information about pursuing their legal rights.

Permanent disabilities include injuries and illnesses from which the victim will never fully recover. Examples of the most severe permanent disabilities that can occur in an auto accident include amputations, head injuries that lead to irreversible brain damage, and spinal cord injuries. These types of devastating injuries often make it impossible for a victim to return to his or her "pre-accident state." It is also possible that the victim may never be able to work again or provide for his or her family.

There is disability coverage available through the government for individuals who are unable to work because of a permanent disability. If the serious injuries were caused by a negligent driver, there may also be compensation available through a personal injury claim.

A personal injury claim is a civil lawsuit that allows the injured victim to pursue financial compensation for their losses from the at-fault driver. The claimant must prove that he or she suffered a loss, that the other person was negligent in some way, and that the negligent party's actions led to the victim's losses. In such cases, compensation may be available for the resulting medical bills, lost wages, cost of rehabilitation services, and other related damages.

The experienced Princeton car accident injury lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein have a long history of dealing with permanent disability claims. We know how to get injured victims and their families the help and support they need. To discuss your legal options at absolutely no cost, please call our offices at (609) 240-0040.

Under New Jersey law, dog owners can be held liable for the damages their pets cause. If you have been injured by a dog in New Jersey, you may be wondering who will pay for your medical bills and other damages.

In a number of cases, the compensation for injuries and damages in a dog bite case come from the dog owner's homeowners insurance policy.

Insurance companies and defense attorneys may attempt to convey the image that any award for a victim will come out of the dog owner's bank account. This is not necessarily the truth. Many dog owners include their dog on their homeowner insurance. In such cases, any claim against the dog owner will be covered by his or her insurance policy.

Damages that may be included in a New Jersey dog bite claim include emergency room costs, hospitalization, surgical procedures, time away from work, and past and future pain and suffering. Pursuing fair compensation for these types of dog bite injuries may be challenging. In some dog bite cases, it may be difficult to determine who the dog's owner is. In other cases, the defense may try to argue that the dog was provoked.

A skilled personal injury lawyer can also advise families about how their own insurance policy applies to the incident if the dog's owner is not found, or in a dog bite incident where the owner does not have insurance or the finances to pay for the damages.

The NJ dog attack injury lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein know how to get their clients fair compensation for their suffering. If you or a loved one has been injured in a New Jersey dog attack, please contact us at (609) 240-0040 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

At least two people were injured in a New Jersey car accident, which officials say, was the result of a motorist running a stop sign at a street intersection. According to a news report in The Asbury Park Press, the car crash occurred at Squankum Yellowbrook Road and West Farms Road in Howell. Officials say a 78-year-old Freehold man drove a car through the intersection and crashed into a pickup truck driven by a 47-year-old man from Toms River. Both drivers sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the car was issued a summons for failure to stop or yield.

New Jersey motorists are required by law to obey all traffic signals and traffic safety devices. According to N.J.S.A. 39:4-120.9: "The driver of a motor vehicle shall observe and obey an official traffic control device erected at a public-private intersection in the same manner as those erected at any other intersection." Drivers who fail to obey a traffic control device, in addition to facing citations, may also be held civilly liable for the damages they cause.

Victims of negligent drivers should speak with a personal injury lawyer to help them pursue financial compensation for their car crash injuries. In such cases, at-fault drivers can be held accountable for medical bills, the cost of rehabilitation services, lost wages and other related damages.

A skilled NJ auto accident lawyer at Lependorf & Silverstein can hold negligent drivers accountable for the damages they cause. If you or a loved one has been injured in a New Jersey car accident, please call our offices at (609) 240-0040 for a complimentary consultation.

A 66-year-old Wayne man was killed in a New Jersey car accident that involved an overturned box truck bursting into flames. According to a news report in The Record, the fatal truck accident occurred on eastbound Route 80 near exit 66 in Hackensack. Officials say the box truck and a Honda Accord changed lanes at the same time. The Accord struck the truck from behind, forcing it to overturn and erupt in flames. The driver of the truck was killed in the crash. The driver of the Accord suffered facial injuries and two of his passengers escaped unharmed. It is unclear if the driver of the Honda will be cited for the crash.

Under New Jersey Statute 39:4-88b, "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 ascertained that the movement can be made with safety." Drivers who cause an accident by making an unsafe lane change can be held civilly liable for their actions, even if they are not cited for the crash.

The family of a New Jersey fatal truck accident victim should discuss their case with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help determine liability for the accident. In cases involving negligence, financial compensation may be available through a wrongful death claim for the medical bills, funeral expenses, lost future income, and other damages.

The experienced wrongful death attorneys in Princeton at Lependorf & Silverstein help families of fatally injured victims get the compensation they need and rightfully deserve. Please contact us at (609) 240-0040 to schedule your free, comprehensive, and confidential consultation.

Large trucks are more difficult to handle and control than smaller passenger vehicles. That is why truck drivers must receive special training and hold a special license to operate these vehicles. However, controlling a big rig or truck can become even more difficult when the trailer is improperly loaded or overloaded. Poorly loaded trailers can result in the vehicle veering out of control, jackknifing, or even losing its brakes. These types of dangerous situations commonly result in devastating truck accidents and injuries.

Victims of New Jersey truck accidents must prove that negligence was a factor in the crash in order to pursue financial compensation for their damages and losses. This process can be complicated and injured victims may have to fight against the truck company's insurer and attorneys. In such cases, injured victims would be well advised to speak to a truck accident attorney who will work with investigators to uncover the true cause of the crash.

If the truck crashed into the back of the victim's vehicle, it must be determined if the driver was speeding, inattentive, or distracted, or if the truck's brakes failed because of an overloaded trailer. If the truck veered out of control, was it because of an unsafe lane change or from an unevenly loaded trailer that made the truck swerve? If the truck overturned, was it because the truck driver jerked the wheel or did the trailer have loosely packed cargo that shifted?

If overloading or improper loading caused a serious injury crash, the truck driver and his or her employer can be held liable for the damages. The experienced NJ tractor trailer accident injury attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein have a long history of handling truck accident claims in New Jersey and fighting for the rights of injured victims and their families. Please contact us at (609) 240-0040 to discuss your potential claim at no cost.

Drunk driving is a serious problem in New Jersey. According to data gathered on the Alcoholalert.com, there were 583 fatalities as a result of drunk driving accidents in New Jersey during 2009. Anyone who has been injured or has lost a loved one in a New Jersey DUI collision has the right to pursue financial compensation from the drunk driver. If it is determined that the at-fault motorist was driving while intoxicated, he or she may be held liable for the injuries, damages, and losses caused. To seek compensation in such cases, the victim may have to file a personal injury claim.

It is important to remember that civil litigation is different from criminal proceedings. In order to obtain a conviction in a criminal case, the prosecutor must prove that a driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. However, in a civil case, the plaintiff only has to prove that the driver's negligence caused or contributed to the accident and resulting injuries. In other words, a drunk driver does not have to be cited or convicted of driving while intoxicated in order to be held civilly liable for the injuries suffered.

An injured DUI accident victim can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, and surgery costs, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Families who have lost loved ones due to the actions of a drunk driver can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation.

The skilled Princeton DWI accident victim lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein know how to hold negligent drivers accountable for their actions. If you or a loved one has been injured in a DWI collision, please call our offices at (609) 240-0040 for a no-cost consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

Winter in New Jersey means several months worth of wet, icy, and snowy conditions. While no amount of caution can prevent all New Jersey slip-and-fall accidents, there are steps you can take to reduce your chances of suffering an injury this winter. Remember to always exercise caution whether you are driving or walking on a driveway or parking lot.

The first thing you can do to help prevent a winter slip-and-fall injury is to select appropriate footwear. In general, the best types of shoes for slick conditions include footwear with rubber or neoprene composite soles that can grip the walkway. Shoes with worn soles and high heels are particularly dangerous to wear on ice.

When walking in the winter weather, it may be in your best interest to choose your route carefully. Paths that are less traveled tend to have the most ice. Therefore, staying on the main roadways or thoroughfares that constantly get cleared may be your best way to avoid accidents or injuries. If you do have to walk over a slippery area, shorten your stride or shuffle your feet to increase your stability.

Once you make it inside a building, it is important to remember that you are still in danger of slipping. Be sure to use the floor mats provided and to knock any snow off your feet. If you are injured in a slip-and-fall accident because of someone else's negligence, then it is important that you understand your rights. For example, if a property owner or property manager fails to clear a walkway within a reasonable time causing a slip-and-fall accident, he or she can be held liable for the injuries and damages caused.

An experienced NJ slip-and-fall accident attorney at Lependorf & Silverstein know how to get injured victims the compensation they need for their medical bills, lost wages, and other related damages. If you have been hurt in a New Jersey slip-and-fall accident, please call our offices today at (609) 240-0040 for a free consultation.

An Ohio State University student was killed in a New Jersey car accident after the vehicle in which he was a passenger, careened off the roadway and crashed. According to a news report in The Star-Ledger, the fatal car accident occurred along Interstate 78 near exit 17 in Clinton Township. Officials say a rental SUV left the roadway before crashing into several trees and a streetlight. A male passenger was killed at the scene of the crash and two men and two women were hospitalized. All occupants were reportedly between 19 and 21 years old. It is unclear at this time what caused the crash, but officials say based on preliminary investigations that fatigue may have been a contributing factor.

Fatigued driving is when a motorist is sleepy or has actually fallen asleep while operating a vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 100,000 reported crashes each year result from fatigue. These estimated accidents result in approximately 1,500 deaths and 71,000 injuries nationwide. Many believe that these numbers are conservative because it is often difficult to prove that a motorist was tired or exhausted.

The family of someone killed in a single vehicle crash would be well advised to retain the services of a skilled New Jersey personal injury lawyer who will stay on top of the official investigation and make sure that their legal rights are protected. If it is determined that the driver was negligent in some way, financial compensation may be available for the victim's family.

The experienced New Jersey auto accident injury lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein have a long history of upholding the rights of injured victims and their families. If you have suffered an injury or have lost someone you love in a New Jersey car accident, please call our offices at (609) 240-0040 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

In 2011, New Jersey experienced the highest number of fatalities resulting from car accidents since 2007. According to a news report in The Statehouse Bureau, there were 594 fatal accidents in New Jersey resulting in 635 deaths in the year 2011. Of those fatalities, 371 were drivers, 144 were pedestrians, 103 were passengers, and 17 were bicyclists. The most common age range for victims of a fatal New Jersey car accident was 50 to 64.

One way to help reduce the chances of suffering a fatal injury in a New Jersey car accident is to obey the law by buckling up. The state’s Division of Highway Traffic Safety found that 94.51 percent of front seat passengers and drivers wore seat belts. This is a slight increase from the 93.73 percent who wore seatbelts in 2010 and a drastic increase from the 35 percent who wore seatbelts in 1986.

Despite the 2010 New Jersey law requiring backseat occupants to wear a seatbelt, the same study found that only 61 percent actually buckled up in the back seat. This number does reflect an increase from the 48 percent of backseat seatbelt wearers in the year 2010.

Anyone who has lost a loved one in a New Jersey car accident should contact an experienced lawyer who will help protect their legal rights. In cases involving negligence or wrongdoing, financial compensation may be available for families to cover medical bills, funeral expenses, lost wages, and other related damages.

The skilled Princeton wrongful death attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein wish you and yours safe travels in the year 2012. If you have been injured in a New Jersey car accident, call our offices at (609) 240-0040 for a free consultation and case assessment.

A 12-year-old boy was killed in a New Jersey car accident, which, officials report, involved a hit-and-run driver. According to a news report in the Asbury Park Press, the fatal hit-and-run accident occurred on South Clover Street near Lake Shenandoah County Park in Lakewood. Officials say the vehicle involved in this New Jersey fatal auto accident was a dark-colored minivan or a large, dark vehicle that likely has front-end damage and a broken windshield. Anyone with information regarding the driver or the vehicle has been asked to contact the authorities right away.

Under N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.1, "The driver of any vehicle, knowingly involved in an accident resulting in injury or death to any person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close thereto as possible but shall then forthwith return to and in every event shall remain at the scene until he … provides his name, address, driver's license and registration."

The family of a deceased hit-and-run accident victim would be well advised to contact an experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyer who will stay on top of the official investigation to ensure that the at-fault driver is held accountable for the crash. In cases involving a hit-and-run driver who is not found by the authorities, compensation may still be available for the victim's family through their own insurance policy.

The knowledgeable hit-and-run attorneys in NJ at Lependorf & Silverstein have a long history of successfully handling hit-and-run cases in New Jersey. If you have lost a loved one in a fatal crash, please call our offices at 609-240-0040 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.