Recently, the U.S. Postal Service paid a multi-million-dollar settlement to the New Jersey family of a two-year-old girl who was killed by a U.S. Postal Service truck. The lawsuit, Chacon v. U.S. Postal Service, resulted in a $4.9 million settlement that was paid on January 15, 2019. The tragic event highlights the need for drivers to adhere to traffic safety regulations and be aware of pedestrians in their immediate surroundings. Continue reading “Postal Service Pays Multi-Million Dollar Settlement to Family of a Toddler Killed by Truck”
Tag: car accident injury
Who Pays for Injuries in an Accident Involving Uber or Lyft?
As the holiday season comes to a close, so does one of the most profitable times of the year for ride-share services. Although ride-share services are seen as a safer and more convenient way to travel, the drivers of these vehicles are often involved in car accidents. The issue with accidents involving ride-share services such as Uber or Lyft is that they operate in a middle ground with respect to liability.
Continue reading “Who Pays for Injuries in an Accident Involving Uber or Lyft?”
Rear-End Collisions – Who’s at Fault?
The holiday season is upon us, and forecasters are predicting the upcoming holiday weekend to be among the busiest weekends in history. AAA expects a total of 112.5 million people to travel this holiday season, up 4.4 percent from last year. Due to lower gas prices, it is predicted that nearly 102 million of those people will be traveling via car. Unfortunately, with more cars on the road, more accidents are likely. Continue reading “Rear-End Collisions – Who’s at Fault?”
No-Fault Insurance in New Jersey
The concept of no-fault insurance claims first began in the United States in the early 1930’s, though it did not gain much popularity until it was refined in 1965 by Professors Robert Keeton and Jeffrey O’Connell. No-fault insurance, sometimes referred to as Personal Injury Protection (PIP), allows for the payment of medical expenses and other damages such as lost wages due to injury resulting from an auto accident. PIP was constructed with the intent to reduce the incentive to litigate as well as shorten the settlement wait-time brought on by the litigation process. If medical debts are being taken care of through each party’s personal auto insurance, the injured parties will be able to reap their full compensation immediately, regardless of who may have caused the accident. Continue reading “No-Fault Insurance in New Jersey”
No Matter How Minor the Injuries Are, You May Still Be Able to Recover Damages
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2016 there were 826 fatal crashes in New Jersey. Further, those involved in serious accidents suffer from severe injuries that may result in a permanent disability that requires long-term care. Injuries from an automobile accident differ in severity as a result of a number of factors, which include:
- The speed the vehicles are traveling;
- The impact location;
- The weight and size of the vehicles;
- Safety features in the vehicle; and
- Seatbelt usage at the time of the crash, among others.
Continue reading “No Matter How Minor the Injuries Are, You May Still Be Able to Recover Damages”
Be Aware of Intoxicated Drivers
Driving under the influence is a choice that many people decide to make, which too often tragically results in serious injuries and the deaths of others. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol has become one of the leading causes of death or serious injuries in the United States. It accounts for one-third of all traffic accident fatalities. These accidents occur when an intoxicated person engages in reckless driving, including:
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Be Cautious while Driving because the Unofficial Marijuana Holiday is Approaching
Across the United States, April 20th has become an unofficial marijuana holiday. A study conducted by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), revealed that the number of crashes increases on April 20th, as a result of recreational marijuana use in celebration of this day. The use of marijuana impairs an individual’s ability to operate a motor vehicle. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol negatively affects a person’s cognitive skills and motor skills.
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How Legalizing Marijuana May Affect the Frequency of Car Accidents
New Jersey’s Governor Phil Murphy has caused concern among residents of the state for his push to legalize recreational marijuana. The new Governor plans to pass legislation along with the legalization that would regulate marijuana use similarly to the way alcohol is currently regulated throughout the state. However, states with legalized marijuana for recreational use contradict federal statutes that outlaw any use of the substance. In addition, the Governor’s fellow lawmakers—mostly on the Republican side—have been vocal about their opposition to legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes, believing it will only cause harm to the population. Continue reading “How Legalizing Marijuana May Affect the Frequency of Car Accidents”
IIHS Says Raising Speed Limits Will Increase Traffic Deaths
States have been raising the maximum speed limit since the national 55 mph limit — which was set be the federal government in 1973 — was repealed in 1995. According to recent data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), none of the 50 states has a maximum speed limit at 55 miles per hour (mph). Hawaii has the lowest at 60 mph and Texas has the highest at 85 mph. Twenty states have theirs set at 70 mph and, in New Jersey, the maximum speed limit is 65 mph. The IIHS says that increasing the speed limits — allowing more people to drive faster — will mean more fatalities on the road.
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Winter Walkers Beware
As the snow continues to fall, it is important for pedestrians to be aware of the risks of walking during the winter weather. While many pedestrians are continuously focused on vehicles and commonly distracted drivers, it is important to be conscious of the dangers posed by icy sidewalks and roadways as a result of inclement weather conditions. Continue reading “Winter Walkers Beware”
