New Jersey Injury Attorney Blog

Super Bowl weekend is nearly upon us. As we gather with friends to watch the New York Giants take on the New England Patriots, it is important we remember that there will be an increased number of drunk drivers on the roadway. Every Super Bowl weekend, motorists who have been drinking while watching the game take to the roadway assuming that they are capable of driving safely. If you are celebrating the Super Bowl game with friends, please remember to use caution and drive safely.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Super Bowl Sunday has become one of the most dangerous days nationwide on our roadways because of fatal auto accidents caused by impaired drivers. The NHTSA states that 48 percent of fatalities nationwide on Super Bowl Sunday involve a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher.

If you drink this Super Bowl Sunday, please do not make the mistake of thinking you are sober enough to drive. It only takes two to four drinks for a driver to be considered under the influence of alcohol. Any amount of alcohol can impair your ability to think clearly, focus, and react appropriately to your surroundings on the roadway.

It is important to remember that other drivers on the roadway may be under the influence of alcohol. Be on the lookout for drivers who are behaving erratically. If you see a driver who is behaving erratically, stop and notify the authorities. If you or a loved one is injured by a drunk driver this Super Bowl Sunday, please contact an experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyer who will help you better understand your legal rights and options.

The experienced Princeton drunk driving victim lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein wish you and yours a safe and enjoyable Super Bowl Sunday. If you are looking for advice, please contact our law offices at (609) 240-0040. We provide free consultations to anyone who has been injured in a New Jersey accident.

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.

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.

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.

Under New Jersey law, negligent drivers may be held civilly liable for the damages they cause. Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) is a common form of negligence that results in many injuries and fatalities each year. According to The New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety, 127 people were killed in alcohol-related car accidents in New Jersey in 2009 while 133 died in 2010. If you or a loved one has suffered a loss because of a drunk driver, please understand that you do have legal rights.

If you are involved in a New Jersey DUI accident, you would be well advised to contact the authorities, take down detailed notes about the accident, exchange information with the other motorist, and seek immediate medical care. If you have suffered a serious injury or if you worry that the at-fault driver's insurance will not provide you with fair compensation for your injuries, you should contact a skilled attorney who can explore other avenues of compensation such as your own auto insurance policy.

In a DUI case where you were the victim, it is important to get a copy of the police report. It is also critical that you stay on top of the criminal case. However, it is important to remember that although it might help you if the driver is found guilty or pleads guilty to drunk driving, you must file a civil claim in order to receive compensation. Such a claim or lawsuit will help you seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, loss of wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

The experienced New Jersey DUI accident injury attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein have a successful track record of holding drunk drivers accountable for the damages they cause. If you or a loved one has been injured in a New Jersey DUI collision, please call our offices at (609) 240-0040 for a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation.

A police officer was injured in a New Jersey car accident involving a driver who officials say was under the influence of alcohol. According to Fox News, the car accident occurred on Bayshore Road in Lower Township when a car that had veered out of control and jumped the curb struck the police cruiser and drove away. The officer suffered neck and back injuries and was treated at a nearby hospital. Officials were able to track down the New Jersey hit-and-run driver after he was injured in a subsequent crash.

Drunk driving continues to be a serious problem in New Jersey. According to a 2009 report by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), of the 583 fatally-injured victims of New Jersey car accidents that year, 185 of them were killed in alcohol-related car accidents. That means that approximately 32 percent of all fatal New Jersey car accidents involved alcohol consumption.

Under New Jersey Statute 39:4-50, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or higher. Drunk drivers may be held criminally liable for their actions by the authorities as well as civilly liable for the injuries they cause if the victim chooses to file a personal injury claim. Losses such as medical bills, physical therapy fees, and lost wages may be included in a civil lawsuit.

The experienced Princeton drunk driving injury attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein know how to hold drunk drivers accountable for the damages they cause. To discuss whether you have a valid claim against a driver or to find out what your claim may be worth, please contact our law offices at (609) 240-0040. We always offer free consultations to injured victims and their families.

Every holiday weekend comes with a potential increase in New Jersey drunk driving accidents. Many people on the roadways over this last Labor Day weekend would be well advised to keep their distance from drivers behaving erratically and to limit the amount of travelling they have to especially after it gets dark. Drunk driving is often the cause of serious injury or fatality crashes in New Jersey during the summer months.

After last year's Labor Day weekend, The Gloucester County Times chronicled deadly traffic accidents that had occurred throughout New Jersey in the summer months. In the year 2010, five people were killed in a total of five crashes on Garden State roads between the start of the holiday weekend, Friday at 6 p.m., and its conclusion, Tuesday morning at 6 a.m. These fatalities involved three car accidents, one motorcycle crash and the death of a 16-year-old boy who was riding a bicycle. The fatal bicycle accident involved a reckless driver who left the scene of the crash.

Prior to the 2010 Labor Day weekend traffic fatalities, six people were killed over Memorial Day weekend that year. Five people were also killed during the 2009 Labor Day holiday. Victims of those fatal accidents included a pedestrian and four motorcyclists.

As the fall and winter holidays approach, the Princeton drunk driving accident lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein would like to remind you to drive safely, and to encourage your family and friends to do so as well. If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident caused by a drunk or negligent driver, do not hesitate to call our office at 609-240-0040 to discuss your legal rights and options. You can also follow Gabriel Lependorf on Twitter for more news, helpful information and other topics of interest.