New Jersey Injury Lawyers Blog

The Controversy over Metal Baseball Bats

August 13, 2010 | The Victor Rotolo Law Firm

When the New Jersey American Legion Baseball League Tournament ends this summer, will the use of metal bats in that League end also? If the Commission of the League has his way, yes. (1)

The debate over the use of metal bats in amateur baseball leagues (that includes Little League, high school and college teams) is long-standing. Because metal bats are less likely to break than wooden bats, they are more cost-efficient in the long run. (2) However, metal bats are lighter, making it easier for batters to hit more powerfully. As a result, balls hit by metal bats travel faster. It is this speed which leads some to question their safety.

Rules of the Road Apply to Bicyclists Too

August 3, 2010 | The Victor Rotolo Law Firm

A Belle Mead bicyclist was injured recently after hitting the front end of an SUV while making a left-hand turn on a township road. The woman’s injuries were not life-threatening but, to add insult to those injuries, she was issued a summons for failure to keep right and causing the accident. (1)

Not all bicyclists involved in roadway accidents are that lucky however. Last month, an unidentified man lost control of his bike and flipped over the handlebars while riding on a Teaneck road. He suffered serious head injuries in the accident. Following the incident police began an investigation to determine whether or not the accident was the result of the man being struck by a motor vehicle. (2)

Lawsuits suggest “Jersey Shore” Has Taken Reality Too Far

July 27, 2010 | The Victor Rotolo Law Firm

What happens when reality TV drags innocent bystanders into its plot? In the case of MTV’s popular “Jersey Shore” that technique seems to draw lawsuits.

Earlier this month, an Illinois woman sued MTV alleging she had been assaulted by two of the show’s cast members during taping of the show in Miami this past May. MTV, Viacom, Inc., the show’s producer, and Nicole Polizzi (aka “Snooki”) and Jenni Farley (aka “JWowww”), two cast members, were named in the suit which alleges:

Dog Ownership Carries Serious Responsibilities

July 23, 2010 | The Victor Rotolo Law Firm

Many people get great pleasure from their pet dogs, but responsible dog owners realize they must accept liability along with dog ownership.

A July 22, 2010, article on myCentralJersey.com reported an Akita that had attacked a young child in Warren Township had been euthanized three months after the attack following a Judge’s order. The dog had bitten once previously and, as a result, a hearing was required under the Township’s ordinance. (1)

NJ Motorcyclists Be Prepared

July 14, 2010 | The Victor Rotolo Law Firm

As soon as the snow stops falling and the weather starts warming up, motorcycles become more prevalent among the traffic. Motorcycle registrations are increasing every year, putting more and more motorcyclists on the roads. In New Jersey between 2003 and 2007, 377 motorcyclists died. In New Jersey, every year there are 70 or more fatalities and 2,000 injuries involving motorcyclists. (1)

In East Brunswick on July 11, a motorcyclist with a passenger collided with a BMW, reports nj.com. (2) The passenger was injured and the motorcyclist was killed. Similarly, the Lancaster Mayor Rick Gray was recently involved in a motorcycle accident when he was riding his motorcycle and was struck by a box truck. Gray had no life-threatening injuries and was wearing protective gear when he was struck. (3)

Sadly, motorcycle accidents are becoming more frequent in New Jersey and proper safety procedures may help in the event of an accident.

NJ Waterways Can Be Very Dangerous

July 8, 2010 | The Victor Rotolo Law Firm

Summer holidays and vacations see more and more people turning to water activities as a respite from the rising temperatures. While area waterways provide much pleasure for the local community, they can be very dangerous if safety is not foremost in everyone’s mind.

An article on nj.com reported on Thursday, July 1, a canoe carrying four teenagers and traveling downstream in the Delaware River toward the Milford Bridge overturned in the river rapids and began filling with water. All four teens were rescued and brought to shore.

“Very fortunately, they were all wearing their life vests,” Holland Township police Chief David VanGilson commented. (1)

NJ’s Graduated Driver License Program is Model for Nation, but Changes Draw Controversy

July 5, 2010 | The Victor Rotolo Law Firm

The AAA Foundation for Safety has credited New Jersey stating, “New Jersey’s combination of licensing policies for young drivers is a model for the nation.” Recent changes to this law, however, have sparked controversy among young drivers, parents and lawmakers within this State.

Texting While Driving on NJ Roads

March 11, 2010 | The Victor Rotolo Law Firm

Year-over-year, there has been a decrease in the total number of crashes causing injury in the State of New Jersey. However, despite this decrease, polls show more and more NJ motorists are using phones to text messages while they are driving. Although NJ has instituted cell phone laws that prohibit the use of cell phones while driving, cell phone usage among drivers continues to increase and may negatively impact the safety of our roadways.

New Jersey’s cell phone law, which went into effect on March 1, 2008, prohibits texting and talking on hand-held phones while driving. Motorists violating the law face a $100 fine plus court costs and fees. Despite the institution of the law, the number of total injured in accidents involving hand-held cell phones dropped only slightly from 565 in 2007 to 549 in 2008 while the number of total injured as a result of these crashes increased (765 in 2007 to 795 in 2008) with fatalities rising to 7 in 2008 up from 2 in 2007.

Pam Fischer, Director of the State’s Division of Highway Traffic Safety was quoted as saying, “We’re enforcing this law. Law enforcement is out there. They are writing tickets every day but there are a lot more people out there violating the law than there are police officers writing tickets.”