Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice Blog

A new study has revealed a shocking fact: 50 percent of parents are using cell phones while they are driving with their young children in the car. We have all heard about the dangers of distracted drivers, but many think an accident will never happen to them. Unfortunately, car accidents can and do happen, and children can be seriously injured. In addition to cell phone calls, according to the study, other sources of parental distractions included reading text messages (33.7 percent), sending text messages (26.7 percent), and using social media (13.7 percent) – all while driving young children. There are approximately 421,000 Americans injured every year because of distracted driving. One out of every four accidents in the United States » Read More

Many people enjoy the thrill and excitement that an amusement park offers, but when the amusement park rides are not properly maintained or operated, serious and sometimes fatal injuries can occur. New Jersey requires all amusement parks to report any injuries sustained no matter how minor they may seem, but a recent independent news investigation found that many of the entertainment parks are not complying with these laws. Head, neck, and back injuries are common for those riding high speed rollercoasters and gravity-defying rides. The speed at which the ride operates its twists and turns can cause riders to strain muscles, twist their neck, or suffer neurological injuries as their brains bounce against the inside of their skulls. Concussions are » Read More

Federal investigators are looking into the causes and details surrounding the rise in Amtrak train accidents over the past ten years. According to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the rate of Amtrak accidents compared to the miles traveled rose from 41.1 in 2008 to 58.8 in 2017. In that time, the number of people fatally injured in Amtrak crashes went from 119 in 2008 to 167 in 2017. Of these deaths, only 12 of those killed were passengers on the trains. Pedestrians and collisions with vehicles crossing train tracks account for the majority of train accident fatalities. A spokesperson for Amtrak said the company is focused on improving railroad safety and reducing the number of accidents that occur, specifically at » Read More

Driving with worn out tires can cause accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), worn out tires are responsible for 11,000 car accidents and 200 fatalities every year in the U.S. As a result, most states have policies regarding the acceptable depth of a tire tread for public safety. In New Jersey, tires with a tread depth of 2/32nds of an inch or greater are legal. But legal does not necessarily mean safe. The summer weather can make the odds of a blow out or skid even greater as the hot pavement tends to thin rubber. As tires lose their grooves, they become unable to process airflow necessary to cool tires, causing them to break apart. According » Read More

Although fewer children are being injured in bicycle accidents, a recent study has shown that 25 children an hour, on average, visit an emergency room because of an injury sustained while riding their bikes. Although most of the injuries to children are minor – such as cuts, scrapes, bruises, and fractures – there are some very serious injuries as well. Eleven percent of the children who visit emergency rooms have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can result in cognitive impairments, problems with memory or concentration, mood swings, and depression. The risk of a brain injury is higher if a child is not wearing a helmet. During the summer, more kids are out riding their bikes, and that means » Read More

According to an investigative report recently posted in USA Today, pedestrian accident fatalities have increased almost 50 percent over the last decade. Over 6,000 pedestrian deaths were reported in 2016. The investigation also found a 69 percent increase in the number of fatal pedestrian accidents involving sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Factors Contributing to the Rise in Fatal Pedestrian Accidents Involving SUVs A 2015 report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concluded that pedestrian accidents involving SUVs are more likely to result in death than similar accidents involving passenger vehicles. SUVs are bigger, heavier, and more powerful than passenger cars and trucks. However, it is the higher front end of an SUV that tends to strike pedestrians in » Read More