January 2, 2012

Lakewood Boy Killed in Hit-and-Run Collision

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.

December 6, 2011

How to Claim Compensation for a New Jersey Hit-and-Run Accident

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.

October 19, 2011

The Struggles of New Jersey Hit-And-Run Victims

New Jersey hit-and-run victims face substantial financial struggles with limited legal options. While victims of most New Jersey car accidents have the opportunity to hold the negligent driver responsible for their injuries through civil litigation, victims of hit-and-run crashes are often left wondering whom to hold accountable.

Between the years 2003 and 2009, there were between 29 and 49 fatal hit-and-run car accidents in New Jersey each year. A recent article by The Courier Post stated that 15 of the 16 fatal hit-and-run crashes that occurred in Camden County in the year 2005 resulted in arrests. Investigators in Gloucester County were able to arrest the two at-fault drivers involved in fatal hit-and-run accidents that occurred during the same year as well.

Injured victims of hit-and-run crashes may file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver if the authorities are able to arrest the driver. These investigations often take a long time and injured victims are left wondering what to do while their bills pile up. A skilled personal injury attorney can stay abreast of the ongoing investigation and advise victims about the options available to them. In cases where the hit-and-run driver is not found, compensation may still be available for the injuries suffered through the uninsured/underinsured clause of the victim's own insurance policy.

The skilled New Jersey hit and run car accident attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein have successfully handled claims relating to hit-and-run accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a New Jersey hit-and-run crash, contact our law offices today at 609-240-0040 today for a no-cost consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.