Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motorcyclists Are Among the Most Vulnerable on the Road – What More Can Be Done to Protect Them?

September 15, 2023 | Kearns Rotolo Law

The number of motorcyclists killed in traffic accidents in 2021 represents 14% of all reported traffic fatalities nationwide for that year, yet motorcycles accounted for less than 1% of vehicle miles traveled, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last month in New Jersey alone, there were at least five reported motorcycle fatalities.

New Jersey already has laws in place to help protect motorcyclists, but the stark numbers have led at least one State news publication to call for the establishment of a task force to study what more can be done to protect these riders from death or serious injuries. Read “Task force needed to combat motorcycle deaths | Jersey Journal editorial” to learn more.

The Consequences of Leaving the Scene

June 15, 2023 | Kearns Rotolo Law

Most drivers know that if they are involved in a crash, the right thing to do is remain calm, assess the situation, and report the accident to the proper authorities. Running is never the answer. Still, according to the AAA, the number of hit-and-run accidents has been on the rise across the nation recently.

Leaving the scene of an accident, no matter how minor, can only complicate the consequences. New Jersey law states that anyone who leaves the scene after hitting a person or property could be charged with a hit-and-run. This holds true even if you only hit a mailbox or sideswipe a parked car. The consequences of these charges are in addition to any charges resulting from the accident itself and will vary depending on the severity of the crash. To learn more about what leaving the scene of an accident could cost you, read “What to do after a hit-and-run in New Jersey.”

A Glaring Problem for Nighttime Drivers: Why Implementing A Solution in U.S. Is So Tough

May 15, 2023 | Kearns Rotolo Law

A combination of new LED lights, taller vehicles and fewer checks for headlight misalignment adds up to a glaring problem for nighttime drivers in the U.S. Although it is difficult to calculate how many motor vehicle accidents can be attributed to headlight glare, statistics do show that the fatality rate for nighttime accidents is three times higher than that of daytime accidents. Improving conditions to help reduce these crashes has long been a goal of safety regulators and the U.S. automobile industry.

Europe has been using adaptive driving beams to combat this problem for over a decade. Why is it taking so long to implement this technology in the U.S.? Read “Blinded by the light: Cars in the U.S. still lack glare-reducing headlights” to learn more.

Distracted Driving Remains a Major Cause of NJ Crashes

April 15, 2023 | Kearns Rotolo Law

Distracted driving continues to be a serious problem on roadways throughout the country and, unfortunately, New Jersey is not immune.

According to the NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety, in about half of the accidents reported over a five-year period, distracted driving was cited as a contributing factor. In 2021, the latest period for which statistics were available, New Jersey State Police records showed this behavior was involved in almost 200 of the fatal crashes reported that year.

In view of these sobering statistics, police departments throughout that State currently are taking part in National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a campaign intended to deter drivers from engaging in any behavior that takes their attention off of the road. To learn more about what constitutes distracted driving and the efforts behind the U Drive. U Text. U Pay campaign, read “Driver Inattention Cited in Half of Crashes on NJ Roads.”

‘Do Not Drive’ Warning Issued on Certain Popular Vehicles

February 15, 2023 | Kearns Rotolo Law

About 10 years ago, U.S. drivers were hit with the largest automotive recall in this country’s history over defective Takata airbags. Today, those who ignored that recall notice are receiving a “Do Not Drive” warning for certain popular Honda and Acura models.

The warning, which affects millions of vehicles, states that the airbags in certain older model cars, including Honda’s popular CR-V and Civic models, can explode when deployed after long-term exposure to high temperatures and humidity. The inflators in these airbags are at least 20 years old and have a 50-50 chance of erupting in even minor collisions causing serious injury and/or death. To learn more and to see if your car is among the models affected, read “’Do Not Drive’ Recall on 2 of NJ’s Most Popular Vehicles.”

NJ Fatal Accidents Continue to Increase; DUIs Now Noted as Leading Cause

January 15, 2023 | Kearns Rotolo Law

Fatal traffic accidents in New Jersey have increased for the third consecutive year, according to a recently released NJ State Police report analyzing traffic accidents in 2021. A total of 667 deadly accidents occurred in the state that year; of those, 210 accidents were said to have been the result of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI). This is the first time in 10 years DUIs were cited as the leading cause of fatal accidents. During those 10 years, distracted driving or driver inattention was the top factor.

Impaired driving covers various substances, not just alcohol. While there are tests for analyzing the level of alcohol in a driver’s system at the time of an accident, determining the level of other substances such as marijuana is not as easy. Officials are now working on strategies to further educate drivers on the risks of driving under the influence of any substance, legal or illegal, as well as continuing their campaign against distracted driving. More information on the findings of this report can be found here.

How Much Information Do You Need to Divulge Following A Car Accident?

September 15, 2022 | Kearns Rotolo Law

No one ever plans on crashing their car, yet it has been reported that 1 out of 5 motorists are involved in a motor vehicle accident every year. Even minor fender-benders can leave drivers shaken and not thinking clearly. That’s why it’s important to have a plan in place—just in case.

The first thing to do in a car accident, if possible, is to assess your injuries and those of all others involved. The next step is to call the police so that an official accident report can be filed and processed. Then comes the exchange of information—but how much personal information are you obligated to divulge to the stranger you just accidentally bumped into? Read “You’ve Been in A Car Crash in NJ. What Info Should You Exchange?” to learn more.

Use Your Navigation Apps Safely and Avoid A Ticket

April 15, 2022 | Kearns Rotolo Law

These days it’s hard to find drivers who don’t rely on their smartphone’s navigation apps, especially when traveling along unfamiliar roads or looking for ways around traffic jams. And for good reason. These electronic guidance systems provide drivers with the clear direction they need to proceed with confidence rather than hesitantly trying to find a way out on their own and risking an accident. If you are planning to use your phone’s navigation app, though, consider activating it before pulling out of your driveway to avoid breaking any distracted driving laws.

Technically New Jersey’s ‘don’t text and drive’ laws don’t apply to opening apps on your smartphone. However, these distracted driving laws may come into play if you are required to do anything more than simply tap the screen to open your app. Read “Using A Navigation App Could Get You A $200 Ticket in NJ” to learn more.

Increased Pedestrian Fatalities: A Pandemic Side-Effect?

February 15, 2022 | Kearns Rotolo Law

Across the country, pedestrian fatalities have risen at alarming rates, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, according to recent traffic safety reports. Last year, New Jersey reported the highest number of pedestrian deaths due to motor vehicle accidents in 30 years

Why the drastic increase? Some traffic specialists attribute it to a side effect of the recent pandemic citing rising anxiety levels, increased anger, pandemic drinking, and “social disengagement” as having a negative impact on drivers’ attention to basic safety measures. Others believe that an aging population more vulnerable to such accidents, as well as the increased popularity of larger vehicles play a role. Read “Pedestrian Deaths Spike in U.S. as Reckless Driving Surges” to learn more.

A Refresher for New Drivers and Their Parents

January 15, 2022 | Kearns Rotolo Law

For many teens, a driver’s permit is the first step toward independence and for many parents, it’s a step toward relinquishing their chauffer duties. This initial stage of the driver’s licensing process, however, is a learning period heavily regulated by State mandated restrictions designed to lessen the chances for accidents. While it may be tempting to relax the rules once your teen driver becomes comfortable behind the wheel, doing so could lead to serious consequences for both drivers and their parents.

One northern New Jersey police department recently reported a series of incidents involving permitted drivers operating motor vehicles without adult supervision, a violation of State driving laws. To discourage this behavior, the department issued reminders of New Jersey’s driver’s permit restrictions and the possible consequences for both drivers and their parents for violating those restrictions. For a refresher read, “Police: NJ Teens With Learner’s Permits Driving Without Adults Face Serious Consequences.”