Truck strikes young girl getting off school bus

On behalf of Rosenberg, Kirby, Cahill, Stankowitz & Richardson | Nov 30, 2018 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

Many in Toms River may initially question the motives for filing a lawsuit following a car accident. The fact that such incidents are termed “accidents” in the first place may seem to indicate a sense of randomness. Yet oftentimes, the legal action initiated after a car accident is not necessarily meant to be punitive, but rather to assist with handling the enormous expenses that can accompany them. Families may be left facing huge medical expenses, not to mention the psychological and emotional toll that an accident can exact. 

A recent auto-pedestrian collision that occurred in Maryland reaffirms this fact. A 7-year-old currently sits in a medically induced coma after she was struck by a truck immediately after getting off her school bus. Authorities investigating the accident say that the school bus’s stop sign was extended and that its lights were flashing, yet the driver of the truck did not stop or even slow down. It was not reported whether the driver has yet been charged with anything. Three young boys who were with the girls were also nearly hit; all three are said to be struggling to cope with what happened to their friend. 

In a case such as this, many may think that a certain statute has to have been violated in order to pursue a liability claim. While that often is the case (just as it appears to be here, as the driver reportedly did not stop for the school bus), people are ultimately charged with following safe driving practices at all times. Any instance where a failure to do that results in an accident, legal action may be warranted. Those looking to initiate it might do well to first consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. 

Risky driving behaviors on the rise

On behalf of Rosenberg, Kirby, Cahill, Stankowitz & Richardson | Nov 18, 2018 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

Thanks to advancements in technology, cars on New Jersey highways and streets are safer than ever before, from airbags and lane departure warnings to automatic braking systems and 360-degree cameras. However, these safety features cannot protect drivers when they engage in risky behaviors. At Rosenberg, Kirby, Cahill, Stankowitz & Richardson our experienced attorneys represent clients seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents due to driver negligence.

The AAA Foundation 2017 Traffic Safety Culture Index reports that while many drivers want to be safer on the roads, their activities while behind the wheel do not echo that sentiment. Distracted driving has taken center stage in recent years. When you are on the highway, and the driver next to you is using a hand-held cell phone, texting or reading an email, there could be severe repercussions if their attention wanders from the road for even a few seconds.

If you have witnessed a vehicle go through a stoplight or spotted a car going more than 15 miles per hour over the speed limit on surface streets or highways, you have observed risky and aggressive driving behaviors. Despite the social disapproval and deleterious effects of these behaviors, almost half of drivers admit to them.

Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is against the law in all 50 states. Although the vast majority of drives consider operating while intoxicated a safety risk, most admit that they may have gotten behind the wheel and likely been close to the legal limit.

If you have been injured in an accident and the driver exhibited any of these behaviors, there may be grounds for a negligence claim. Visit our webpage for more information on this topic.