Specifically, a 28-year-old man has been charged in connection with his passenger's death, which was caused by an early-morning crash on April 29 on Route 80. The man faces drunk driving charges because of the car accident.
]]> The man lost control of his 2006 Mercedes at about 6 a.m. near Totowa, according to official reports. He struck a guardrail, ran back onto the road and flipped the car before he struck the left-hand highway divider. The vehicle's occupant was pronounced dead on the scene.It is not clear where the pair was heading when the accident occurred.
The younger driver was transported to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson after sustaining injuries to his face and back. Officers report that the man was in stable condition. He faces charges including drunk driving and careless driving. The man's bail has been set at $50,000, and authorities have not yet said whether he was released.
Ultimately, the man may be criminally liable. However, this accident may warrant civil liability. For example, the family of the deceased passenger may pursue a wrongful death suit against the motorist. While no amount of money could ever bring back the victim, a surviving family could potentially be compensated by the wrongdoer for any expenses associated with the accident. If an investigation concludes that the driver was at fault, the surviving family of the victim might consider this option.
Source: NorthJersey.com, "Driver charged in connection with passenger's death in Totowa," Matthew Kadosh, May 3, 2012.
]]>A woman who drove the wrong way down I-95 for more than six miles, causing a fatal crash, has been sentenced to three to nine years in prison for the crime. Reports indicate that the accident was caused by drunk driving.
]]> The 26-year-old Ozone Park woman committed the crime on July 24, 2011, when she crashed head-on into another vehicle, killing that car's passenger and severely injuring the driver. Both victims were 29-years-old.The woman pleaded guilty on Jan. 31 to three felony counts, including aggravated vehicular homicide and first-degree vehicular assault. She also pleaded guilty to two counts of driving while intoxicated and reckless driving. At the time of the accident, the woman's blood alcohol content was about 0.2, which is more than twice the legal limit in the state of New York.
Official reports show that the woman had attended a series of social events before the accident, including her mother's birthday party, the christening of a relative's son and a party for her boss that lasted late into the evening.
The victims in the crash had been driving a four-door Nissan sedan southbound on I-95 as the woman was driving northbound on the wrong side of the road. The driver of that car sustained injuries including a broken leg.
The crash caused by the woman comes in the wake of a similar accident that occurred two years prior to this incident. In that case, eight people were killed when a drunk driver collided head-on with another vehicle. The driver, along with four children, perished in the accident on the Taconic Parkway.
Source: LoHud, "Woman, 26, sentenced to 3-9 years for I-95 wrong-way crash that killed NJ man," April 24, 2012
Source: NBC New York, "Drunken wrong-way I-95 driver gets 3 years in death," April 24, 2012
]]>The girl, age 18, was a passenger in a Saturn sedan that was involved in a car accident with a Ford pick-up truck. The driver of the vehicle, also an 18-year-old student, survived the collision, as did another 18-year-old passenger who was ejected from the vehicle. All of the vehicle's occupants were transported to the hospital after the crash.
]]> According to reports, the driver of the Saturn attempted to make a left turn in front of oncoming traffic. It was at that point that the driver of the pick-up truck sideswiped the sedan. The force of the collision sent both cars off of the roadway. The 47-year-old driver of the pick-up truck was not injured.Media representatives have not been able to obtain additional information about the other teens' medical conditions.
More than 200 of the girl's friends and family members gathered at the site of the crash for a vigil shortly after the crash. The girl's mother, father, sister and grandmother spoke at the event, recounting personal stories and remembering the girl's achievements during her short life. A make-shift memorial has been left at the accident site to commemorate the young woman's life.
Officers say they are uncertain whether alcohol, speed or distracted driving played a role in the crash, but many local law enforcement agencies are continuing to urge teens to drive carefully, especially when they have passengers in the car. The girl's parents have also spoken out, encouraging young people to drive safely, hoping to prevent future accidents like the one that killed their daughter.
Source: NJ.com, "Nikki Kellenyi, Washington Township High School senior, killed in car crash," April 15, 2012
]]>A man is in police custody after a tragic late-night accident that resulted in the death of two people in Lodi. The fiery car accident occurred on I-80 at around 11 p.m. earlier this month.
]]> The Bogota man who caused the accident was driving his 2005 F-150 pickup truck when he struck a 1989 Honda Civic from behind. The Honda Civic had become disabled in the center lane of the eastbound lanes of the interstate. The 29-year-old driver of the truck attempted to swerve to avoid hitting the Honda, according to police reports, but he struck the back of the vehicle at a high rate of speed.Both vehicles burst into flames upon impact and the driver of the Honda was trapped inside the car, along with two other passengers. Emergency responders were unable to extract the 24-year-old Passaic resident from the vehicle before he died. Another passenger also perished in the flames. The third passenger, a 28-year-old man, was transported to a nearby hospital, where he remained in critical condition, according to physician reports.
The driver of the pickup truck sustained only minor injuries during the crash. The man had been driving with a suspended license and he has been charged with causing death while driving suspended. That charge is a criminal infraction. Drug and alcohol tests showed that neither was a factor in the accident.
The man is currently being held on $20,000 bail in Bergen County.
Source: NJ.com, "Driver faces charges in fiery overnight crash that killed two in Lodi," S.P. Sullivan, April 11, 2012
]]>One of the primary determinants of brain injury incidence is the presence of a graduated driver license (GDL) program, which restricts teen drivers during their first years of vehicle operation. New Jersey is among the states that have implemented such legislation.
]]> The new study, which was released this month by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance, showed that 30 percent of the 55,000 teen drivers and passengers injured in car accidents sustained brain injuries in those crashes. The data was collected during 2009 and 2010. Those head injuries included skull fractures, concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Although there has been a nationwide drop in the number of teen driver fatalities during the past six years, car accidents remain the foremost cause of TBI-related death among youngsters aged 15 to 19.These injuries are particularly concerning because TBI often causes permanent, long-term disability, according to medical experts. Full recovery from TBI effects is often impossible. Physicians say that because the brain is the organ that is least resilient, prevention should be considered as the best medicine for reducing the impact of TBI in teen populations.
Although these brain injuries are having a significant societal and medical impact, experts say that one of the best ways to combat the disabling injuries is through a comprehensive GDL initiative. States with strict GDL laws have significantly lower injury rates than those with more lax requirements, according to the study's authors.
GDL systems enact restrictions upon youngsters during their first years of driving, which allow the teens to become more confident and capable before they take on heightened responsibility. These restrictions can include curfews, passenger limits, seatbelt requirements and cell phone restrictions. Teens are also required to complete at least 50 hours of adult-supervised driving time before they can obtain a full-fledged license.
New Jersey is among the states that have enacted such legislation. Others include Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. Those states have fewer than 10 crash-related fatalities per 100,000 teens in the general population.
Source: Forbes, "Car crashes are the leading cause of fatal head trauma among teens," Jim Gorzelany, April 2, 2012
]]>On a narrow stretch of road, two bicyclists were involved in the motor vehicle accident. The two men on bicycles both collided with a 2002 Honda after they drifted into the car's lane.
]]> The driver, 20, saw the bicycles as he came around a sharp curve and slammed on brakes. By the time the bicycles hit the front end of the car, it had almost come to a complete stop. His car suffered front-end damage, authorities said. They credit his reflexes with avoiding a deadly accident.When paramedics arrived to the scene around 10 a.m., they saw that one of the cyclists had suffered a head injury and decided to send both bicyclists to a trauma center. They were first taken to a local school, and then they were airlifted to the trauma center.
The cyclists, ages 42 and 56, have received summonses for failure to keep right on a bicycle, according to the local police blotter. A lieutenant who arrived at the scene around the same time as the paramedics reported that one of the bicyclists said they were going too fast around the curve to stay on their side of the road.
Also at the scene were a sergeant and patrolman who reported seeing the damaged Honda and one cyclist on the ground and the other sitting on a guardrail. The bike rider on the ground suffered a leg injury as well as other abrasions and his fellow cyclists had suffered a head injury.
As of Monday, the rider with the leg injury had been treated and released with a bad contusion to his right leg and some cracked ribs. The other rider was released last weekend, said a hospital spokesman.
Local police received assistance from a first aid squad, the local fire department, paramedics, the New Jersey Police Aviation Unit, as well as personnel from Atlantic Health Aviation.
Accidents like this highlight the importance of all roadway users to follow the rules set out for them. So often we hear about bicycle accidents where the motor vehicle operator was at fault for the accident. In this case, we learn that it is necessary for cyclists to also be safe and aware of the consequences of their actions. Fortunately, this accident did not end up being more severe.
Source: NorthJersey.com, "Bicyclists airlifted after Kinnelon crash," Donna Rolando, March 22, 2012
]]>The social worker hit her head on her car door while retrieving her security badge. Her head injury was work-related and therefore treatment was paid for by workers' compensation insurance.
]]> The woman was hospitalized for eight days following her injury and received extensive treatment. In the six months following her discharge, she received treatment from a neurologist, a neurosurgeon and a neuropsychologist. Her employer's insurer paid for both her medical treatment and temporary disability benefits.When the social worker applied for permanent partial disability benefits, she argued that her health insurer's last payment to her psychologist qualified as the last payment of compensation and would extend the limitation period. The court, however, said that if she believed her counseling was compensable, she should have directed the claim to the workers' compensation insurer. Her failure to do so resulted in those payments not extending the two-year limitations period.
The worker said that her supervisors had been notified about her counseling but not that it was due to her work-related injury. Her previous psychological counseling was due to psychological effects from the stress of her job, including anxiety, depression and eating disorder behaviors. The court also saw no evidence that she was unaware that her counseling could be compensable.
Source: Risk & Insurance Online, "Payment by health insurer does not extend 2-year statute of limitations," March 15, 2012
]]>The worker, a full-time employee of D Rice Contracting Company, was performing work at a private residence on scaffolding. He claimed that the scaffolding was improperly erected by the defendants. In 2007, his attorney filed a lawsuit naming the owners of the residence, two construction companies and several others.
]]> At the time of the accident, the owners of the home told the injured man to file a workers' compensation claim with their construction company's provider. That company and Cambridge Integrated Services were then sued by the owners of the residence and construction companies. The insurance company, in turn, filed a counter suit, also naming C.C.S. Services of East Hanover.The suit was sent to federal district court but was later remanded back to the New Jersey Superior Court.
According to federal court records, the insurance company paid the injured worker more than $250,000 in benefits. In the worker's suit, he claimed he had to pay to defend himself against the insurance company's lawsuit in addition to medical expenses related to the accident. He also sought to hold the owners of the construction company responsible.
In 2008, the construction company pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges. Between 2004 and 2005, they paid a construction manager approximately $90,000 to secure a concrete contract. The building was being constructed on Princeton's campus. Since that time, the company has not conducted any substantial business.
Source: NJ.com, "Injured construction worker settles for $3.7 million," Lillian Shupe, March 7, 2012
]]>Recently, a daylong presentation was given by representatives from Taser on the benefits of using the stun guns. There were approximately 150 law enforcement officials from neighboring states present. According to Taser, the use of stun guns has dramatically reduced workers' compensation claims from officers as well as complaints of excessive force from civilians.
]]> The police chief in one New Jersey town says that he has put in the order for 10 Tasers and plans to order more. Once the officers receive the proper training, the department can begin using the devices.Adopting the use of Tasers will ultimately save the government money, officials hope. In one state, approximately 3,000 officers were given stun guns and workers' compensation claims decreased more than $2 million.
"If your officer doesn't have to engage, your injuries go down," said Taser's Vice President of Public Relations and Government Affairs.
Though there has been some public backlash on negative effects from the use of stun guns, the CEO of Taser said that serious injuries stemming from the use of Tasers are rare. It is reported that compared to other "means of force," death will occur in about one of every 2,000 arrests using Tasers.
Officers in New Jersey who are excited about using the new tool will have to follow strict protocol, among the most stringent in the country. Only if a suspect might cause death or serious injury to a person can an officer use the stun gun. Those offering passive resistance are not to be stunned.
Both Taser models authorized for use are equipped with a camera to record their use.
Source: Cherry Hill Courier Post, "Police say use of stun guns will save lives, cut down on injuries," George Mast, March 1, 2012
]]>An accident that occurred the week prior to the previously mentioned accident, however, was very serious. When a dump truck and school bus collided, 18 out of 25 students on the bus, as well as the bus driver, were treated for minor injuries and released. A set of triplets was seriously injured in the crash; one of the 11-year-old girls died in the crash while one of her sister was in stable condition and the other in critical condition. A boy, also 11, was also in critical condition at the same hospital as the girls.
]]> The causes of the accidents are still unknown and tests are being done on all the drivers' blood. There is no reason to believe anyone was intoxicated at the time. The drivers involved in the second incident were in good standing at the time of the accident.While investigating the crashes, it was learned that the bus involved in the first accident belonged to Garden State Transport. In October and December, 248 of the company's school vehicles were inspected. Thirty-five percent passed, 49 percent required substantial repairs and 16 percent were given 30 days for repairs.
Though the numbers seem high at first glance, a spokesman for the Motor Vehicle Commission said that they are within the normal range. At second inspection, 91 percent of the vehicles were approved.
The National Transportation Safety Board has taken an interest in the case and said that its investigation would take about a year to complete. They are interested to find out if there was any safety issues involved in the crash, such as the use of seat belts.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, "Police in New Jersey probe another school-bus crash," Edward Colimore, Feb. 22, 2012
]]>While vacationing in New Jersey in 2004, a man, his wife and their children were crossing the street to their hotel. A drunk driver struck the man with such force that he was launched 26 feet before hitting the pavement head first. The impact caused serious personal injuries and required emergency brain surgery.
]]> The man was in a coma for two weeks and remained in the hospital for two months after emerging from the coma. He suffered permanent cognitive and speech problems and lost his sense of smell and taste.In the weeks following the accident, the man began manifesting a strange new symptom: uncontrollable tears. A formerly calm and stoic man, he was embarrassed by his new inability to control his emotions and his family was confused and concerned as well. He was prescribed antidepressants, but no marked improvement was seen.
As the man improved, his bouts of crying did not. He began to avoid social situations in which his crying would be embarrassing and became withdrawn and depressed.
A new doctor began to suspect a new cause: pseudobulbar effect. PBA can accompany a severe brain injury and cause involuntary and inappropriate reactions such as crying when happy or laughing when angry. It is sometimes seen in stroke patients as well as those who have multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and Lou Gehrig's disease.
Given a new drug, the first approved by the FDA to treat PBA, the man saw drastic improvement. Uncontrollable outbursts diminished from several times a week to a couple times a month. He no longer takes antidepressants and is able to volunteer with others affected by brain injuries.
Source: Washington Post, "Medical mysteries: Was crying caused by man's severe depression?" Sandra G. Boodman, Feb. 20, 2012
]]>A group of family members of those killed and injured in the accident are suing the man who was behind the wheel and the bars that supplied him with the alcohol that afternoon. Three bars are named along with the defendant, who is a retired New Jersey police officer.
]]> The suit claims that the workers at each bar should have been able to tell that the man was already intoxicated and refused to serve him. He had three beers at one bar and four or five alcoholic drinks at another, but the third bar's involvement has not been released by the police.The driver of the pickup has been charged by police with aggravated assault and vehicular homicide while driving drunk. The accident occurred at 4:50 p.m. and killed two men, ages 52 and 47. The man is awaiting trial and out on $50,000 bail.
In addition to causing the deaths of two men and the injury of four, the suit filed by the family members includes pain and suffering caused to the wife of one of the injured bikers. The suit also says that he was negligent in his failure to be alert, sober, stay in his lane and drive within the speed limit.
The state police corporal who reconstructed the accident said that, according to his reconstruction, the man was in the wrong lane. He gave his evidence at the preliminary hearing.
Source: The Morning Call, "Motorcyclists, widows sue driver and bars over Bangor crash that killed 2," Frank Warner, Feb. 8, 2012
]]>It was about half an hour before sunrise, and it is believed that the second driver hit the steer because it was black and he could not see it. Fortunately, everyone was wearing their seatbelt and no one was seriously injured in the car accident.
]]> The steer wandered into the road after escaping from a nearby farm, said a New Jersey state police trooper. It is unknown from what direction the steer entered the road, because there are multiple farms in the area. Once the scene of the accident was cleared, the owner of the steer picked up the animal's body.Charges have not been filed against the farmer. The state trooper said that insurance should take care of the damages and that, in a rural community, such accidents happen from time to time.
The steer's body came to rest near the end of a driveway. The resident in the home said that he did not see the accident, but he heard it. He said, "It sounded like someone was scraping a shovel on the road." That sound was probably produced by the vehicle traveling on its roof. The local fire department responded at 6:36 a.m. and stayed on the scene for 55 minutes. Life Support offered assistance for 55 minutes, as well.
Source: NJ.com, "Vehicle flips, lands on roof after striking dead steer on Route 45 in Mannington Township," Phil Dunn, Feb. 2, 2012
]]>When watching professional football, it seems like the players hit each other with the force of semi-trucks. Although there are measures in place to protect players, like prohibitions against helmet-first tackles and "horse-collar" tackles, many complain that the rules are inadequate and not properly enforced.
]]> A slew of lawsuits have been filed against the NFL in states including New Jersey. A panel of judges recently ruled that the many, scattered claims will be consolidated at one court. If the former players and their families win the lawsuits, part of the claims will be used to create a fund for former players.The allegations launched by former players and their families include that the NFL knew about the dangers of repeated head trauma and misled players. The NFL counters that player safety has long been a priority and they continue to do their best to protect players while furthering scientific and medical understanding of the treatment of head trauma.
Claimants complain of symptoms as varied as headaches, sleeplessness and dementia. One former player from New Jersey has suffered bouts of depression and memory loss. He has been retired for more than a decade from the Jets. His wife says that the worst part is not necessarily dealing with the symptoms, but dealing with them alone. She hopes that a support group can be organized for the families of suffering players.
The legal battle is expected to be a drawn-out process, and new plaintiffs are emerging periodically.
Source: CNN, "Head-trauma lawsuits against NFL swell," David Ariosto, Feb. 4, 2012
]]>A recent New Jersey collision had a fatal result. According to authorities, a speeding motorist collided with a tanker truck filled with approximately 8,500 gallons of gasoline. Local residents claim that they heard the car speeding. This noise was followed by a loud screeching and crashing sound. The result was an explosion that sent a cloud of fire into the sky.
]]> Fortunately, the driver of the tanker truck escaped. Nevertheless, no one made it out of the trapped vehicle, which immediately burst into flames. Fire officials say that at least one passenger in the car died. Firefighters are focused on determining if there are more casualties of the accident inside of the car.While details are yet to be determined, the residents' statements suggest that this accident was a consequence of careless driving. It is possible that the car was driving well over the speed limit. Unfortunately, the result was the loss of a life. This story is an example of how car accidents tend to end in serious injuries, or even death.
If you are a victim of an injurious car accident, you may have a potential personal injury claim. Furthermore, if you have lost a loved one as a result of another's negligence, you may have a wrongful death case. If this is the case, you can contact a lawyer about your various avenues of recovery. You deserve to be compensated for your harm or loss.
Source: WPIX-TV, "1 dead after car crashes into full gas tanker in NJ," Jay Dow, Jan. 24, 2012
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