New Jersey Injury Lawyers Blog

School may be coming to a close for the year but attempts are already underway to increase the safety of school buses for our children when they return to class next September.

This past school year has seen what appears to be a rash of accidents involving school buses:

• Last June, 39 Pennsylvania school children, aged 9 and 10, were treated for minor injuries after two of the four buses they were riding in were involved in a rear-end collision on Interstate 80 in New Jersey as the children were being transported to an outing at Six Flags Great Adventure. (1)

Springtime and its milder weather attract more motorcyclists to the roads, and more vehicles on the road means a greater chance for accidents. Unfortunately, data shows that the fatality rate for motorcycle accidents nationwide has increased for the 14th time in the last 15 years. (1)

A motorcyclist’s risk of being involved in a fatal accident is 35 times greater than someone riding in a passenger car, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA also noted that motorcycles are involved in 11% of all motor vehicle accidents in this country. (2)

Head injuries are the leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents, and the recent rise in fatalities has been linked to the ongoing trend by states to repeal their helmet laws.(1) NHTSA data shows that motorcyclists who don’t wear helmets face a 40% greater risk of death from head injuries than those who do wear helmets. The NHTSA’s data further shows that it is estimated that helmets cut the risk of fatalities in motorcycles crashes by 37%. (2)

Spring weather has finally arrived in Hunterdon County and with that comes thoughts of outdoor activities. For some, that means hitting the water. Boating enthusiasts need to take special care this time of year because, while air temperatures may be getting warmer, water temperatures have yet to catch up, posing extra dangers. Staying safe in the cold water may take a little more than simple adherence to maritime laws.

Last week, a 54-year-old fisherman from New York drowned in the Round Valley Reservoir in Clinton Township. The man was not wearing a life jacket when his canoe capsized, yet he was abiding by New Jersey boating laws. (1)

According to the New Jersey State Police website for maritime safety, all boats must carry one personal flotation device for every person on board. These devices must be accessible and of an appropriate size for the intended wearer. Boats 16-feet or larger must also carry one throwable flotation device. (2)

Most teenagers cannot wait to get their driver’s license, but a little patience can avoid years of frustration as one New Jersey teen learned recently.

Last month, an unidentified 15-year-old learned he may not be eligible for his driver’s license until he turns 35, all because of an impetuous act. According to reports, the teen took his father’s brand new car for a joy ride without permission. Things went from bad to worse when the teen lost control and crashed into the pickup of an off-duty New Jersey police officer. No injuries were reported in the accident, but the pickup was totaled. (1)

While that penalty may seem stiff, New Jersey takes its driving laws seriously, particularly where teen drivers are concerned. In this State a person can obtain a probationary driver’s license at 17. This license restricts these young drivers from having more than one additional passenger (parents, guardians and dependents excluded) in the car, and prohibits driving between the hours of 11:01 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., with certain exceptions allowed for work and religious reasons. (2)

They were introduced as a safety measure, but do red light cameras actually cause more problems than they prevent? That is the question being raised yet again by at least one New Jersey official.

Red light cameras have been installed throughout the State at intersections that are busy and/or considered dangerous as a proactive measure to lessen the number of traffic accidents at those intersections. However, recent statistics show the number of accidents – most particularly rear-end collisions – have increased, at least in some areas. It seems some drivers hesitate to make right turns on red at intersections monitored by cameras for fear of getting “caught” going through a red light and this hesitation can result in rear-end collisions. (1)

In New Jersey, it is legal for a driver to make a right turn on a red signal, unless otherwise posted. The rules for right on red, however, require drivers to come to a complete stop before proceeding through the intersection once it is safe to do so. (2)

The groundhog may not have seen his shadow in February (1), but there is still some life left in this winter. When winter storms dump snow and ice on us, New Jersey residents have some responsibility for keeping our roads and streets safe.

New Jersey has stringent laws regarding removal of snow and ice from vehicles. The law, which took effect in 2010, requires motorists to remove snow and ice from the roofs and hoods of their vehicles before getting on the road. (2) This is to prevent the snow and ice from flying off their cars and trucks into the path of other motorists. Flying snow and ice can cause damage to property, injury to others, and even result in traffic accidents.

Failure to clear your vehicle before driving can result in fines of between $25 and $75. If the snow and ice blows off your vehicle causing damage or injury to others, these fines can increase to between $200 and $1,000. (2) Snow and ice that is allowed to fall freely from uncleared vehicles can also hinder efforts to clean the roads which, in turn, can lead to hazardous driving conditions.