Category: New Jersey car accident

Pivotal Ruling for Distracted Driving Coming Soon

May 08, 2012   Staff   No comments
Texting while Driving

A pivotal court ruling about your rights when sending a text message to a driver could be just around the corner. In a hearing scheduled for May 25th, a New Jersey Superior Court judge must decide whether Shannon Colonna is responsible for a text message she sent to then 19-year-old Kyle Best that led to his distraction while driving back in 2009. The lawsuit filed David and Linda Kubert claims that the text message directly contributed to the car accident that resulted in each spouse losing a leg.

Best was driving the pickup truck in 2009 that crossed a double-yellow line in Mine Hill and side-swiped the Kuberts who were riding together on a motorcycle.

If the judge in this case rules in favor of the Kuberts, it could set a precedent for all future cases involving distracting driving. Imagine a world where you send a text message to a driver who causes an accident, and you get the bill – sounds extreme right? That could be a reality, if the rulings in this case lead to the judge laying a portion of liability on Colonna for the accident.

This case isn’t the only legal maneuvering currently in the works for drivers caught texting behind the wheel. Proposed legislation in the New Jersey Senate would increase penalties for those who cause accidents while using handheld devices, including cell phones. The penalties would be on par with those who drive while intoxicated or reckless driving. That means drivers who cause injuries while texting could face assault by vehicle charges. Those who cause fatalities could face vehicular homicide or manslaughter charges.

What do you think? Should drivers who text behind the wheel receive treatment on the same level as drunk drivers? And what about those who text the drivers? How can we possibly know where everyone is every second of the day to make sure we don’t inadvertently text someone who’s behind the wheel?

Those who sustain injuries in accidents still retain their rights to pursue those responsible for compensation. If you or someone you loved has suffered injuries at the hands of another driver, contacting a team of knowledgeable New Jersey car accident attorneys is an important part of your legal strategy. Don’t allow the insurance company to take advantage of you or delay your rightful claim.

Photo Credit: Car Insurance.Org

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Father of Rider University Student Killed in Truck Crash

May 04, 2012   Staff   No comments
New Jersey truck accidents

An investigation into a truck accident that killed one and injured four others on Thursday is still ongoing. Police say a minivan carrying members of a family headed back to their native China struck a dump truck on U.S. Route 1 in South Brunswick. Chunhua Jin, 53, was sitting in the backseat of the minivan when it collided with a Mack Truck. He died on impact. Jin’s family is receiving treatment at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at this hour. Doctors list Jin’s wife, 52-year-old Juing Zhang, and the couple’s seven-year-old grandson in stable condition. Jin’s daughter, Rider University student Xiayun Jin, 21, sustained minor injuries, was treated, and released.

At this time, it’s unclear which vehicle caused the accident. Police are asking anyone with information relating to the incident to contact Investigator Greg Morris at 732-745-3300 or Officer Frank Mongalieri 732-329-4646.

My heart goes out to the victims and their families during this impossible time. Losing a loved one is difficult enough without the event occurring in a foreign country. Hopefully, the results of the police investigation yield some closure for them.

In 2011, Middlesex County had more fatal car accidents (54) than any other county in New Jersey, according to the New Jersey State Police. As of May 2012, Middlesex is still the leading county for accident fatalities in New Jersey with 23. Nine deaths have occurred in South Brunswick in Middlesex over that two-year span.

Losing a loved one in a car accident is a devastating event. The emotional upheaval can make performing even mundane life tasks difficult. Even as you grieve and attempt to settle the final affairs of your family member, an insurance company may attempt to convince you they’re not responsible for any payout on an existing policy. Don’t allow them to take advantage of you. Contacting a team of experienced New Jersey car accident attorneys is the first important step in preventing underhanded insurance company tactics and preserving your rights to compensation from those at-fault for your loved one’s death.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

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Police Identify Woman Killed in Library Hit-and-Run

May 02, 2012   Staff   No comments
Newark hit and run accidents

Police have identified an elderly woman killed in a hit-and-run accident in front of the Newark Free Library. Helen Yang, 76-years-old, died of injuries she sustained while crossing the street at 750 Library Avenue, according to MSNBC. Investigators reconstructing the accident believe a Honda Accord struck Yang and failed to stop to render aid. Other drivers in the immediate area did stop to help the elderly woman. One of those motorists, Jonathan Feliciano, called 911 while another pair of good Samaritans performed CPR.

Investigators are searching for a black Honda Accord between model years 1998 and 2002. The vehicle could have front-end damage on its right side, including the rearview mirror. Police are asking anyone with information relating to the crash to please contact Newark Police Cpl. Thomas Smith by phone or email as quickly as possible.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family during this difficult time. The loss of a loved one can be unbearable at any age, and I hope the investigation brings them a measure of closure. Holding the person responsible for Yang’s death is important for all concerned: her family, the people who stopped to help her on the street and the investigators reviewing her case.

In 2011, 29 of Essex County’s 52 traffic fatalities occurred in Newark – that’s 55 percent. The city is a mix of congested local roads and well-traveled highways presenting accident risks at nearly every turn. As of May 2012, six out of Essex County’s 10 accident fatalities occurred in Newark, according to the New Jersey State Police. That’s 5 percent higher than the previous year, though fewer total traffic deaths in the city could lower this percentage by the end of the year.

Losing a loved one or sustaining injuries in a car accident presents sudden, seemingly insurmountable difficulties. If your injuries leave you unable to work, you could fall behind on your bill payments and risk losing your home and ruining your credit rating. Having a team of experienced New Jersey car accident lawyers on your side is important to stand up to those responsible and win just compensation for your injuries.

Photo Credit: Written Word

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Accident on NJ Turnpike Leaves Child Dead, Two Injured

May 01, 2012   Staff   No comments
Southbound_New_Jersey_Turnpike

A car accident on the New Jersey Turnpike in South Brunswick left a child dead and injured two others early Monday afternoon. Eight-year-old Ayanah Paxton, of Queens, New York, died from her injuries at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital after emergency medical personnel airlifted her from the scene. The vehicle Ayanah was riding in, driven by 48-year-old Pricilla Paxton, struck a median on the highway and overturned. The impact ejected the eight-year-old from the vehicle. Police have not yet determined what caused the accident. Police have not said, if the driver or any passengers were wearing seatbelts when the accident occurred.

Pricilla and 17-year-old Maurice Corney sustained undisclosed injuries in the accident. Both were taken to the hospital, though no word is available on their conditions at this hour.

My heart goes out to the victim’s family; both as they struggle to recover from their injuries and make sense of this sudden tragedy. Their loss is unimaginable.

In 2011, there were 54 traffic fatalities in Middlesex County, New Jersey – 11 percent of the state’s total 628 accident fatalities during that year. Of those deaths, six occurred in South Brunswick Township. Half of those fatal accidents occurred on sections of the New Jersey Turnpike running through the township, according to the New Jersey State Police. As of May 2012, this accident marks the second fatal crash in South Brunswick for the year, but the first on the NJ Turnpike in this particular area.

Losing a loved one in an accident can leave more questions than answers. The sudden emotional burden may make daily tasks seem impossible and complicate your efforts to make final arrangements for your family member. If you lost your loved one due to the negligent actions of another, you may be entitled to compensation. A settlement can help you replace your loved one’s income and pay resulting medical expenses from the accident while holding those responsible accountable. Contact a trusted team of New Jersey car accident attorneys today to discuss your rights and options to pursue damages.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

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Unlicensed Teen Driver Hits Police Officer

April 24, 2012   Staff   No comments
Police K-9 Unit

An Egg Harbor Township police officer was injured in a crash involving an unlicensed teenaged driver Monday night. The unidentified 17-year-old drove a Lexus SUV through a stop sign striking a patrol car driven by K-9 Officer William Reed. Medical personnel responding to the scene examined the officer’s K-9 partner, Santino, for injuries. He was reportedly uninjured in the car accident.

Both the driver and passenger – also 17-years-old—of the SUV remain hospitalized at Shore Medical Center with what investigators term as “moderate” injuries, according to NJ.com. Officer Reed, 35-years-old, is also hospitalized at Atlanticare Regional Medical Center at this hour with undisclosed injuries. The SUV’s driver, charged with careless driving and failure to observe a stop sign, was operating the vehicle under a supervised permit, which required him to have an adult in the vehicle at all times.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victim during what must be a tumultuous time. These kids made a serious error in judgment in deciding to drive that SUV without an adult present. Even with the injuries involved in this crash, the outcome could’ve still been much worse. Had anyone died in the accident, the driver could face serious criminal penalties that could net him years in a New Jersey state prison.

As of April 2012, there have been two fatal car accidents in Egg Harbor Township claiming the lives of as many people. Both accidents have occurred on state highways in the early morning hours. In 2011, there were 15 accident fatalities in the township on various county and state roadways, including six on the Garden State Parkway.

If you or someone you love has sustained injuries in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. A settlement can help you pay your medical bills from the accident, replace income lost from missing work and help maintain your quality of life. Experienced New Jersey car accident attorneys are waiting to advocate on your behalf. Don’t give in to pressure from an insurance company to sign documentation before you speak to your legal team. Accepting a settlement before your attorneys can review the paperwork can severely limit your ability to pursue just compensation for your economic loss.

Photo Credit: Town of Clayton

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Accident Kills College-Bound Teen

April 16, 2012   Staff   No comments
Car Crash

A car accident late Saturday night left an 18-year-old Washington Township High School senior dead and several others seriously injured. Nicole Kellenyi died when the car she was riding in collided with a pickup truck on Pitman Downer Road. Three other occupants, including 18-year-old Taylor Petner, were taken to Cooper Hospital Trauma Center for treatment. Joann Finnegan, 48, the driver of the pickup truck, received treatment for her injuries at Kennedy Hospital Washington Township. Only one person, Patrick Finnegan, escaped the accident without sustaining any physical damage.

The Gloucester County Times reports that police are investigating the accident to determine, if alcohol was involved in the collision.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families and friends. Their sudden loss is unimaginable. On Facebook, friends of Kellenyi are distributing a petition asking for a traffic signal at the intersection where the accident occurred, according to Philly.com. Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the accident that killed Nicole to please contact Cpl. Preston Forchion of the Traffic Safety Unit.

As of April 2012, six people have died in traffic accidents in Gloucester County, according to the New Jersey State Police. This latest crash represents the second fatal traffic incident in Washington Township. Last year, there were 26 traffic-related deaths in Gloucester County with two deaths occurring in Washington Township. With eight months to go until the end of the year, the township has already equaled its fatal accident total from 2011.

Losing a loved one in a car accident is a life-changing event. Making final arrangements and dealing with insurance companies can seem impossible in the face of paying your bills and preserving your emotional health. If your loved one died because of the actions of another, you may be entitled to compensation. Hiring an experienced team of New Jersey accident attorneys is an important part of preserving your rights to damages. A knowledgeable legal team can help you pursue the parties responsible for your loved one’s death to replace lost income and pay for remaining medical bills from the accident. Don’t sign a single piece of paperwork from an insurance company or other responsible party until you speak with a firm you trust.

Photo Credit: Nicholas Baker Law

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