New Jersey Accident and Injury Law Blog : New Jersey Injury Lawyer & Attorney : The Grossman Law Firm : Serving Monmouth County, Bergen County

A new report looks at whether colleges around the country have been able to implement recommendations to minimize college drinking. The report found that many colleges have either failed to effectively implement the recommendations made by the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, or continue to be unaware of these.

The NIAAA made the recommendations back in 2002. The organization had recommended a four-tier program that went all the way from the most effective strategies contained in tier 1, to the least effective ones contained in tier 4. However, a study by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health found that about 98 % of the colleges were providing tier 4 programs, which included alcohol education and awareness programs. These are some of the least effective measures, but most of the colleges are focusing their attention on these. 

Just about 50% of the colleges had some kind of intervention program in place. Intervention programs are part of the tier 1 measures, and are some of the most effective programs to minimize college drinking. Intervention can be both on or off campus, but only half of the colleges had any kind of such measures in place. When it came to other recommendations, like restricting access to alcohol on campus, just about 7% of the colleges had any such mechanism in place. Overall, the report found that even the colleges that were implementing the recommendations, had very little success with these.

What the study seems to suggest is that colleges have still not been able to effectively implement recommendations to prevent drinking among college goers. Whether this is because of a lack of resources or lack of will, it's hard to say. However as a concerned citizen and New Jersey accident lawyer who frequently comes across families of victims of drunk driving accidents, I seriously hope that colleges will step up and play their part in minimizing dangers of teen drunk driving.

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A new study rates highways based on fatal accidents between summer of 2004 through summer of 2008, divided by the total number of miles on the highway. Interstate 76 in New Jersey had 1.64 fatal deaths per mile, making it the second deadliest in the country.

The results of the study come during an opportune time. Thousands of new Jerseyans are getting ready to travel across the state on holiday. Summer has traditionally meant a higher risk of accidents because of all that traffic. When there are more numbers of vehicles on the road, there are likely to be more accidents, and that's a fact.

However, it doesn't have to be that way. . As a Freehold accident lawyer, I believe that no matter what highways you're driving on, you can increase your risks of getting home safe and sound. There's not much you can do to control the behavior of other motorists around you, but you're entirely responsible for the actions that you take when you're traveling. For starters, make sure that you are in the right condition to drive. Avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs at all costs.

The biggest thing you could do to prevent fatal injuries to occupants of your vehicle is to encourage everyone to wear seatbelts and buckle up yourself to. Seatbelt use has found to be the single biggest factor in minimizing highway crash fatalities over the past few years. Seatbelt use across the country is at record highs at about 84%.

Drive at safe speeds, and switch off your cell phones and other electronic devices while at the wheel. Minimize distractions as much as possible.

Hat Tip: Texas Personal Injury Lawyer

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Approximately one out of every four motorcyclists does not wear a helmet while riding, while more than 50% have never taken a motorcycle safety training program. Those disturbing statistics come via a survey by Consumer Reports.

The survey found that although a majority of motorcyclists have a high opinion of their own motorcycling abilities, far too many of them continue to indulge in dangerous behaviors like driving without protective gear. According to the survey, just about 50%woreprotective boots and 25% wore protective jackets. Less than 10% bothered with protective pants or brightly colored clothing to increase visibility. Three out of five motorcyclists admitted to riding wearing shorts. Not surprisingly, more than one third of all accidents ended with the motorcyclist suffering road rashes. Approximately 25% of all crashes result in fractures.

The Consumer Reports survey results are disturbing because they indicate that far too many motorcyclists are riding with little protection to prevent serious injuries or death during a crash. Motorcyclist fatality rates have been increasing steadily over the past 11 years. This year saw a significant drop of 10% in motorcycle crash fatalities over the previous year, and also marked the first year in over a decade that there was actually a decline in these fatality rates. However, it's important to remember that the recession likely played a big role in this.

If there's one thing that motorcyclists can do to increase their chances of surviving an accident, it is wearing helmets and other protective gear. As a New Jersey motorcycle accident lawyer, wearing a helmet is the one piece of advice I would offer any motorcyclist. It not only increases your chances of surviving an accident, but also reduces the risk that you will suffer brain injuries during a crash.

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A controversial new law that will require New Jersey motorists driving under a permit or probationary license to display a red decal on the license plate, will go into effect on May 1^st.

The law is called Kyliegh’s Law, and is named after Kyliegh D’Alessio , a teenager who was killed in a car accident caused by a probationary driver. It will require all drivers, both new and current, holding a probationary license to place the red decals on the top left corner of the license plate. Probationary license holders will be required to purchase the decals at four dollars a pair. After a teen motorist completes the probationary term, he or she can remove the decals from the license plate. The decals are removable, so if other family members want to use the same car, they can merely remove the decal.

The law has not been without its share of controversy. Critics believe that it discriminates based on age, and filed a lawsuit which was dismissed early this month after a judge ruled that there was nothing unconstitutional about the law. With the new law, New Jersey police will be able to better enforce the state's GDL laws.

It will be a while before the dust settles around this new piece of legislation. Teen motorists are likely to continue to complain. The fact is however, that teen motorists are at a high risk of death in automobile accidents. If a law like this can encourage teen motorists to follow rules regarding the number of passengers they have in their car, or the hours they are allowed to drive, then it’s worth it.

Scott Grossman is a New Jersey accident lawyer, representing injured victims of auto and car accidents in Monmouth, Bergen, Passaic and Ocean Counties and across the state of New Jersey.

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An intoxicated motorist who caused an accident that seriously injured three of his passengers, has been charged with DUI and leaving the scene of the crash. The driver Luis Barrera was driving on the Garden State Parkway in Eaglewood Township, when his car veered off the road, and crashed into a few trees. After the crash, Barrera got out of the vehicle, and pretended to be a witness. He then tried to flee the scene of the crash. He has been arrested and jailed. 

The passengers Ingrid Gomez Reyes, Xikun Zhu, and Walter Torres suffered serious injuries, including broken bones, and had to be admitted to a hospital in Atlantic City.

Every time injury lawyers in New Jersey feel hopeful at the declining rates of drunk driving crashes in the state, comes an accident like the one here.  Incidents like these continue to remind us that there remains a threat from those who believe they have a right to drive when they are a danger to themselves and others.

New Jersey has strong laws that hold intoxicated motorists responsible for their actions. Our dram shop liability laws allowing persons who have been injured by a drunk driver to hold the establishment that served him alcohol, liable for the injuries. We also have strong civil laws that allow victims of drunk driving crashes and families of people who are killed in such accidents to recover compensation for their losses. These help to act as a deterrent to reckless motorists.

Scott Grossman is a New Jersey drunk driving accident lawyer representing injured victims of alcohol-related car accidents in Monmouth, Bergen, Passaic and Ocean Counties, and across the state of New Jersey.

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This week, I moved my injury law firm practice in Freehold to a brand new building, under a brand new name. So as of the 1^st of February, the Law Offices of Scott D. Grossman is now The Grossman Law Firm, LLC.  

Monmouth County residents can locate us at our new office:

The Grossman Law Firm, LLC.  

Pinho Professional Center,  

57 Schanck Road, Suite C-13

Freehold

The telephone and fax numbers for the Freehold office remain the same.

Phone:          732-625-9494

Web: www.GrossmanJustice.com

Blog: www.NJinjuryBlog.com

Our Northern New Jersey office remains at its current address in Bergen County.  

The new expanded premises are at a convenient location, and will help Freehold, Manalapan, Marlboro, Howell, Old Bridge, New Egypt and Jackson area residents, who need to consult with an experienced injury lawyer in Monmouth County.  

Those of you who know me on a personal level, or have given me the honor of representing you over the years, know that my objective in starting my own personal injury law firm practice was to help victims of negligence fight for their rights.  Over these years, I have noticed how shattered victims of accidents and serious injuries can be. When a person walks into my office, he or she has been through one of the most traumatic experiences imaginable. He or she has often been seriously injured because of someone else’s negligence, and has been off work for several days. Medical debt will soon pile up and he or she may soon find it hard to meet rent, mortgage payments, utility and grocery expenses.

For most of these people, it is the very first time they have been seriously injured. It is also the first time they have been unable to work and support their families. The strain of dealing with physical pain and financial expenses, and worry over a future that is so uncertain - these are some of the common characteristics I see in so many of the clients who walk in for a consultation at my office.

For me, being a personal injury lawyer in New Jersey is not just about helping these people navigate their way through the complexities of the NJ insurance law, and obtain the compensation they deserve for what is often a life altering experience. It’s also about helping them find the resources they need to move forward again.

While there may be nothing I can do to make injured clients or bereaved ones feel whole again, I am committed to doing all I can to put them back on the road to physical, financial and emotional recovery, all with a very personable hands-on approach.  As I settle down at our new beautiful, state of the art, conveniently located Freehold office, it’s a commitment my staff and I will maintain.

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New Jersey, like most of the rest of the country, has seen a drop in the numbers of drunk driving accident fatalities on its streets every year. However, there still continue to be far too many drivers on the streets driving under the influence, in spite of the prospect of fines, jail time or license suspensions.

Between July 2008 and July 2009, police arrested 37,597 people for drunk driving in the state. According to the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, 151 people died in drunk driving accidents last year.

One of the measures that experts suggest to avoid driving under the influence - and one that New Jersey auto accident lawyers strongly support - is to have a designated driver, when you go out in a group. Unfortunately, that idea doesn’t always work the way it’s meant to. Designated drivers may find it hard to keep off the drinks themselves, thereby placing themselves and the passengers who trust them, at risk of an accident.  

Enter a designated driver service. These services are not unheard of in New Jersey. But as this feature report shows,  in some places in South Jersey, where finding a cab at night may be next to impossible, a designated driver service is the only thing standing between an intoxicated patron and a serious accident.  For instance, Camden County, and Cherry Hill in particular, seem to have large rates of drunk driving accidents.  Asking a drunk motorist to take a cab home doesn’t work, because it might take hours before a cab shows up outside a bar. A designated driver service, on the other hand, will drive you home in your own car for a fee.  Another car follows your car, picking up the designated driver to take him back.

As a New Jersey auto accident attorney, I support any measures that can prevent motorists from being drunk and behind the wheel. We lose too many of our citizens ever year to drunk drivers, and if we can keep at least a few of these motorists away from the wheel even for a single night, it could mean the difference between life and death for innocent motorists out there.

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A Freehold man involved in a fatal car accident last year has been sentenced to five years in prison for fleeing the scene of the crash. Adam Grillon will also have his license suspended for one year.

On June 29th 2008, Grillon, the owner of a land was driving a car on route 79 with Angel Franyutti who worked for Grillon's landscaping company. The car veered across the center lane into the opposing lane, went over a curb and crashed into a utility pole, leaving the two men injured.  Two passersby stopped to help Grillon and Franyutti. After they helped Grillon get out of the wreck, they began to offer help to Franyutti. By the time police arrived at the scene, Franyutti was dead, and Grillon had fled the scene. The car was registered to Franyutti. At the time of the crash, he was a husband and father of three little boys, aged between three and thirteen. 

Over the next 16 hours, the Freehold Township police department launched a massive manhunt for Grillon, who surrendered later. In June, Grillon pleaded guilty to a second degree charge of leaving the scene of the fatal accident.

Grillon’s behavior has shattered a family, who were likely traumatized by his leaving his injured employee - and their loved one - in his car. 

Scott Grossman is a New Jersey car accident lawyer, representing victims of auto accidents in Monmouth, Bergen, Ocean and Passaic Counties, and across the state of New Jersey.

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