The morning of the 21^st saw a multi vehicle accident on the New Jersey Turnpike that left at least 17 people with injuries, none of which fortunately, were serious ones. The crash involved at least two buses, and a total of 90 passengers. Across northern New Jersey, dozens of other accidents were reported, all as a result of the blizzards that rushed in over the weekend. In another weather-related crash that could have turned into a disaster, four police troopers had a narrow escape when a tractor trailer smashed into an accident scene they were at on Interstate 80 in Hope. The officers were responding to the scene of a crash involving a spin out. A tractor trailer approaching the scene lost control, and skidded into another vehicle before slamming into the fire truck that was stopped nearby. The truck protected the troopers from taking the direct impact of the tractor trailer. 

The holiday season is often an extra busy time for state traffic enforcement officers, and this time it looks as though the holiday accidents statistics will be made worse by the poor weather. As thousands of people begin driving cross state to meet up with family, driving experts are warning motorists not to that assume they are protected by their car and can afford to drive in their usual manner. Consider this - most deaths that occur due to a winter storm are not due to hypothermia, but weather related accidents!

Here are some tips on driving safely in wintry weather:

• Have a mechanic check the battery, anti freeze, ignition systems, thermostat, and brakes in a complete check up of your car before you venture out.
• Install good winter tires. 
• Keep a significant distance between your car and the one in front of you.
• Keep your cars stacked with food, a first aid kit, blankets, newspapers for insulation, and bottled water. Have a piece of colored cloth in the car – it can serve as a flag if you are caught inside your car in the middle of a blizzard.
• Keep your radio turned on for weather warnings, and reschedule your plans if possible.
• If you can, stick to public transport during the holidays.

Heed all warnings, drive extra cautiously, and stay safe this season!

As the administration tries to push through these regulations in a mad rush before it vacates office, truck safety groups and trucker groups continue to worry that these long hours on the job are not good for truckers nor for highway safety. The administration claims that studies have proved that accident rates have declined since the longer work hour rule was introduced.    

Meanwhile, concerned citizens are joining in concerted efforts to fight the administration's rule. 

Although the number of truck accidents has declined, there are still far too many truck accident related fatalities on our highways, compared to passenger car and other traffic accident related fatalities. Any rule that hopes for a change in this situation must take into consideration the unique duties and responsibilities of truck drivers – long hours staring at the road ahead without a break, time away from family, lack of sleep, rest, and timely meal breaks. All these affect a truck driver's capacity, and must form the basis of a long term policy on trucking work hours, hopefully by the new administration. Any losses to the trucking industry must not be an excuse for putting truck drivers' health, and the lives and safety of countless motorists on the streets, at risk.

Truck accident liability

Truck accident litigation in the event of an accident can be an extensive process, requiring the expertise of a truck accident lawyer who can build a winning case for you. If you've been inured in a semi, big rig or 18 wheeler truck accident, contact an experienced New Jersey truck accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Scott Grossman for a free consultation.

 As a Monmouth County and New Jersey car accident attorney I have represented hundreds of victims that suffered critical injuries because of alcohol related car accidents.  This news story above highlights a all too common scenario whereby alcohol appears to have impaired this driver’s sense of judgment. The alleged intoxicated driver may have destroyed the lives of these innocent grocery shoppers who never would have imagined that they would fall victim to a drunk driver while going through their normal every day routine of pushing their grocery carts at their local supermarket.  Drinking and driving frequently leads to victim's extreme suffering.  I have witnessed first hand clients that have suffered at the hands of drunk drivers’ : traumatic brain injury, loss of limbs, spinal cord injuries including paralysis fractures, herniated disc injuries leading to spinal fusion or inter-body fusion surgery and a myriad of other life altering injuries and even death.  So as a seasoned New Jersey and Monmouth County accident attorney lawyer I can attest unequivocally that alcohol mixed with driving of motor vehicles, motorcycles or trucks many times equates with the total destruction of innocent life and also destroys both individuals and their families.  We can significantly reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities in New Jersey by never ever driving while intoxicated or in any way impaired.  

State Police Deputy Superintendent of Operations Juan Mattos said, "Four of the seven fatal motor vehicle accidents on Memorial Day 2007 were alcohol related. This is a pointless waste of lives we will attempt to avoid by relentlessly pursuing intoxicated drivers." Superintendent Fuentes added "We can only do so much to encourage safe behavior. In the end, New Jersey's drivers must decide to act responsibly."

As a Monmouth County and New Jersey auto accident lawyer attorney, I have witnessed over the past decade the horrific shattering of lives far too often as the direct result of alcohol consumption while driving cars, trucks and motorcycles. Obviously, we should never ever drink and drive. More safety tips can be found at The American Society of Civil Engineers link and I hope this information will be useful and if applied may even help to reduce the number of traffic related fatalities and severe injuries.

1. impaired drivers
2. text messaging while driving
3. big trucks that tailgate
4. aggressive driving
5. using a hand-held cell phone while driving.

New Jersey motorists surveyed also identified the top five driver distractions:
1. reading
2. using a PDA or Blackberry
3. personal grooming
4. talking on a cell phone
5. eating or drinking.

THAT'S RIGHT if you are injured while on a motorcycle or in a cab ride or on a bus or in a commercial vehicle, your medical bills will not be paid by available insurance.  Thus, it becomes even more important to make sure that you retain a personal injury attorney who is proficient in New Jersey motorcycle accident law, truck accident law or taxi related motor vehicle injury law.  This is because your attorney will seek compensation for your pain and suffering and for your outstanding medical bills from the at fault driver.  This area of law has become very complex and requires counsel that has extensive experience in representing persons injured in truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, taxi cab accidents and bus accidents.  This is particularly true in the case of victims of serious injuries because their mounting current and future medical debts with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injuries (SCI) could leave a family into life altering financial ruins. 

My clients are often times totally shocked when I explain to them the realty of the PIP laws in New Jersey.  They often ask how is this possible that I was riding in a taxi and the driver was in a major accident and his insurance company is not responsible for payment of my injury related medical bills? I tell them to thank the powerful insurance lobby who has done an amazing job blaming the "trial lawyers" like myself  for your exorbitant insurance rates while netting BILLIONS in record profits and shielding themselves by succeeding in having the New Jersey legislature pass laws exempting them from payment to their insured's or insured's immediate family member's medical providers where medical claims have become exempt from coverage.  

Representing clients throughout New Jersey including but not limited to Manalapan, Marlboro, Holmdel, Freehold, Millstone, Colts Neck, Howell, Old Bridge, Jackson, Red Bank, Hackensack, Saddle Brook, Paramus, Ridgewood, Teaneck, Demarest, Dumont, Pompton Plains, Glen Rock & Fairlawn the Law Offices of Scott D. Grossman, LLC brings extensive experience, individual attention and compassion for all of our clients.  Please visit our website for further information.