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New law in NJ aims to eliminate traffic accident fatalities for drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians and passengers - blue 10 speed bike lying in crosswalk with car nearbyAddressing a significant increase in traffic-related fatalities in the State, Gov. Phil Murphy recently signed a bill into law creating a new commission to study ways to eliminate deaths and serious injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents by the year 2040.

New Jersey State Police reported that nearly 700 individuals died on New Jersey roadways last year. Between 2023 and 2024, road fatalities in the State rose by 14%, with pedestrian fatalities increasing by 32%. This latest law tasks the newly-created, multi-departmental Target Zero Commission with identifying strategies to reverse this trend. To learn more, read “Following 692 Deaths, NJ Law Creates Ambitious Road Safety Goal.”

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Woman on ladder hanging Christmas lights on outside of house -- one of the leading caused of holiday-related injuriesThe holiday season is a festive occasion for both young and old. It is also a season fraught with hidden dangers. Everything from the decorations to the toys to the food holds the potential for causing injury unless care is taken.

Some of the more common injuries include falls from ladders while decorating, food poisoning or allergic reactions to ingredients, ingestion of small items or button batteries by children playing with the toys they received and burns from fires caused by cooking or decorations. Each year, these and other holiday-related injuries send tens of thousands of people to emergency rooms. For tips to help ensure you and your family enjoy the holiday from the safety of your home, read “8 Surprising Ways People Get Hurt During the Holiday.”

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Small long-haired tri-color dog looking sideways at camera - holiday stress can cause even gentle dog to bite.With the holidays quickly approaching, it’s important to note that the chaos of the season can affect your pets as much as it does you.  Increased activity, new faces, loud noises, and lack of routine, especially when you are hosting family and friend gatherings, can adversely affect your dog’s behavior, causing even the most mild-tempered pup to act out.

Dogs react when they are stressed and/or provoked, even when the provocation is accidental. The worst-case scenario would be your usually friendly pooch biting an unsuspecting guest. As pet-owner and host, you have a double responsibility: controlling your dog and protecting your guests. To understand exactly what your liabilities are, read “Dog Bite Law in New Jersey.”

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Person holding cell phone to read Terms & Conditions document while having coffee.It seems every time you open a website or engage in an online transaction these days you are presented with a lengthy Terms and Conditions document, which you’re expected to read before proceeding. Many of us are guilty of simply clicking “Agree” and moving on. But have you ever wondered what rights you may be signing away by doing this? A New Jersey couple recently learned the answer to this the hard way.

The couple had been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident when the Uber they were riding in ran a red light. A New Jersey high court recently denied their right to sue the ride-share company for their injuries. Why? Because a couple of months prior to the accident the couple’s minor daughter used her mother’s phone to order a pizza through Uber Eats. While using the app, she checked a box agreeing to waive trial rights. To learn why it’s important to read the fine print before agreeing to terms, read “Couple can’t sue Uber after daughter clicked away trial rights on Uber Eats.”

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Minors-personal-injury--300x200If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you could have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. Personal injury cases seek to recover financial compensation for damages relating to your injury, including lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering you have endured. What happens, though, if either the injured person or the person responsible for the injury is a minor?

Generally speaking, minors do not have the legal capacity to either sue or be sued, but that doesn’t mean their involvement in a personal injury case – either as the injured party or the party who caused the injury – is ignored. Personal injury cases involving minors require unique legal considerations. To learn more read, “Can you sue a minor for a personal injury?”

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Road safety tips for cyclists; women opening car door in front of man on bicycleThis is the time of year, with summer winding down to an end, we see an increase in traffic caused by people returning from vacation and heading back to work and school. At the same time, because the weather is still nice, we also see people continuing to enjoy their daily walks and bike rides. All of this leads to an increased risk of accidents.

In 2023, accidents involving cars vs. bikes resulted in 24 cyclist fatalities in New Jersey. For tips on what you as a cyclist can do to share the road safely with motor vehicles, read “How to Ride a Bike in Traffic.”

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New-NJ-Boating-Laws-PI-blog-300x200Just as motorists are obliged to follow the rules of the road, boaters have laws to follow, too. For example, vessel operators can be cited if they fail to obey posted speed limits or adhere to right-of-way passing rules, or if they operate their vessels while under the influence, just like motorists can be. These laws and others like them are intended to help prevent accidents and keep the waterways safe for all to enjoy.

With summer now in full swing, there are plenty of opportunities to take to the water. Before you launch your boat, though, make sure you are up-to-date on all the rules affecting you, including two new laws recently passed in New Jersey regarding the use of boats and other personal watercrafts. To learn more, read “Two New Boating Laws in NJ You Absolutely Need to Know About.”

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Drunk driving prevention: women taking car keys away from man who has drink in his hand.Despite all the driver education programs, the Drive Sober campaigns, and the strict penalties, drunk driving is still one of the leading causes of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. In fact, in 2023 DUI-related traffic accidents resulted in more than 13,000 fatalities, or 35% of all traffic-related deaths that year.

In another effort to crack down on this risky behavior, Congress passed an act last November that, in part, directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to draft new safety standards that would require future passenger vehicles be equipped with technology to detect alcohol levels and prevent drivers exceeding legal limits from starting their vehicle. The NHTSA has until this coming November to submit a final ruling, or reasons why it couldn’t, and is currently seeking input. To learn more, read “Will cars in the future be equipped with devices to prevent drunk driving? …”

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Backyard gas grills with food and smoke; grilling mistakes that can lead to serious injury.The unofficial start of summer is just around the corner and for many of us that means it’s time to fire up the backyard grill. Moving the cooking outdoors gives us more time to enjoy these longer days with family and friends, but these friendly gatherings can quickly turn tragic if you fail to use caution.

There are several common mistakes people make – from the way they start their grills to the way they clean them – that can easily result in property damage and/or bodily injury. To avoid turning your next backyard barbeque into a hospital trip, read “Grilling Mistakes Some in NJ Make That May Cause Explosion.”

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Mishandled Botox injections could lead to serious injuries.Whether due to the influence of social media or sheer vanity, many people today – men and women, alike – are obsessed with looking younger. Capitalizing on this, there is an abundance of products and treatments on the market today that promise users a means to hitting pause on the aging process. Botox injections, said to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, are one such treatment.

In addition to its cosmetic applications, Botox has a number of FDA-approved medical uses. It has proven effective in treating certain chronic conditions, including migraines, excessive muscle contractions, and overactive bladders, when administered by licensed professionals. However, in the hands of unlicensed and untrained providers, the results could be quite different, leading to serious injury. This was evident recently when several people, including some from New Jersey, were given questionable Botox treatments. For more information, read “19 Hospitalized from Botched Botox Shots Sold in NJ, Elsewhere: CDC.”

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