Morristown, New Jersey Personal Injury Law Blog

Motor vehicle accidents: 5 dead in New Jersey

On behalf of Smith & Gaynor, LLC posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Thursday, May 21, 2020.

A horrific accident claimed five lives, including that of a toddler, on the evening of May 17, according to local sources. New Jersey authorities have not released the names of the deceased, pending notification of their next-of-kin, and as with many motor vehicle accidents, their investigation is not yet complete. However, they have stated they do not believe any criminal activity led to the crash.

According to the limited information available, it appears that, at around 11 p.m., an SUV was heading westbound on Route 3 when the accident occurred. For reasons currently unknown, the SUV struck a front-end loader, which was moving at the time. The driver of the construction vehicle was uninjured in the crash and has cooperated with authorities on the scene.

Motor vehicle accidents: 3 badly hurt in New Jersey

On behalf of Smith & Gaynor, LLC posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Thursday, May 7, 2020.

An apparent wrong-way crash has set three people to the hospital with serious injuries, according to local sources. Police and emergency services in New Jersey responded to the accident, which occurred in the westbound lanes of Interstate 78. For the moment, no charges have been filed against the wrong-way driver, but as with many motor vehicle accidents, the investigation is still underway as of this report.

According to the report, it appears a 51-year-old woman from out of state somehow managed to end up driving east in the westbound lanes of Interstate 78 around 2 a.m. the morning of May 3. Her vehicle sideswiped a pickup truck before colliding head-on with a westbound car. Somehow, she escaped the collision with only minor injuries. The pickup truck driver also sustained only minor injuries.

Motor vehicle accidents: How to recognize a drunk driver

On behalf of Smith & Gaynor, LLC posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.

Many motorists in New Jersey have suffered the consequences of drunk driving crashes. Many drivers who would never drive after consuming alcohol fall victim to motor vehicle accidents caused by impaired drivers. The only defense that sober drivers have against drunk drivers is to learn how to identify them and then to do what they can to avoid crossing paths with them.

The most common signs to indicate possible impairment include drivers who weave, drift or swerve through traffic. Tailgating and driving on the wrong side or in the middle of the road could also indicate a driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drunk drivers often fail to turn the headlights on when they drive at night, and some drive very slowly -- often to avoid catching the eye of police officers.

How do I defend myself against a New Jersey DUI?

On behalf of Smith & Gaynor, LLC on Thursday, April 16, 2020.

Facing DUI charges could profoundly affect your life. You may face jail time, and you will likely be unable to drive for a significant amount of time. This could mean that you are unable to get to work and earn an income. These far-reaching effects of DUI charges are partly why it's so important to take action to defend yourself.

Everyone has the right to defend themselves against a criminal accusation, no matter how obvious the evidence seems to be. Therefore, you should be positive about your possibilities to successfully defend yourself. The following are some defense options that you may not have already considered.

Criminal defense: New Jersey police accuse man of drug crimes

On behalf of Smith & Gaynor, LLC posted in Criminal Defense on Thursday, April 9, 2020.

Police in New Jersey and elsewhere may arrest someone on suspicion of a drug crime. However, it takes a lot more than mere accusation to obtain a conviction in court. To fully adjudicate a case, the person accused must be afforded an opportunity to present a criminal defense against the charges he or she is facing.

A 35-year-old man was recently arrested after police searched his home. The officers were acting as part of a drug task force that has been investigating a supposed organized drug operation with which they suspect the man in question is connected. Police claim to have seized a substantial amount of cash from the man's home as well as substances they alleged were heroin and cocaine.

Motor vehicle accidents: student dead in New Jersey

On behalf of Smith & Gaynor, LLC posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Thursday, March 26, 2020.

A teenager has tragically lost her life following a head-on collision in Washington Township, according to local sources. New Jersey authorities confirmed the death of a teenage girl and the critical injury of a 6th-grade student and their grandfather. No charges have been filed at this time, but a GoFundMe has been set up to support the family of the deceased girl. Motor vehicle accidents of this type are always carefully investigated by New Jersey police, and this one is no exception.

According to the limited information in the report, it appears that, at around 3:25 p.m. on the afternoon of Feb. 14, the two students were riding in a vehicle with their grandfather, a 65-year-old man, when, for reasons unknown, the vehicle drifted into the oncoming lane. This prompted a crash between their vehicle and one driven by a 52-year-old Washington Township man. The force of the impact damaged both vehicles.

Motor vehicle accidents: 4 hospitalized in New Jersey

On behalf of Smith & Gaynor, LLC posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Wednesday, March 11, 2020.

A serious accident on Valentine's Day afternoon sent four people to a local hospital, according to news sources. New Jersey police in Warren County responded to the two-car crash, which took place on Route 31 South in Washington Township. As with most motor vehicle accidents, this required significant investigation, and police have yet to file any criminal charges against either driver involved in the crash.

According to the report, around 3:20 p.m. a sedan collided head-on with a pickup truck on the southbound side of Route 31. Three people in the sedan were rushed to a medical center in Morristown via airlift. The driver of the pickup truck was also injured and was taken to a hospital in Phillipsburg by the Franklin Township Rescue Squad.

Motor vehicle accidents: 4 injured in Warren County

On behalf of Smith & Gaynor, LLC posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Tuesday, February 25, 2020.

Four people were taken to a local hospital following a serious two-vehicle crash in Warren County, according to local sources. New Jersey authorities have confirmed that three medical helicopters were used to transport the injured parties. Police are still investigating the accident, as is common with many motor vehicle accidents causing injury. For the moment, no charges have been filed.

According to the report, all three injured parties were occupants of a sedan headed southbound on Route 31 South. Around 3:25 p.m. the afternoon of Feb. 14, their vehicle reportedly crashed head-on into a pickup truck heading the opposite direction. The force of the impact totaled both vehicles, injuring both drivers and two passengers in the sedan. It is not clear which of the drivers, if either, were at fault for the crash.

Common driving behaviors that lead to accidents

On behalf of Smith & Gaynor, LLC on Wednesday, February 19, 2020.

Every year, car accidents take tens of thousands of lives in the United States. Most of these accidents happen because someone made a mistake. Human error gets cited constantly, and it really sheds light on the dangers you face every day. You can only control whether or not you avoid these mistakes, not what the drivers around you do.

That said, you can watch for dangerous driver behaviors that may lead to an accident. When you see them, you can practice defensive driving and get as far from those drivers as possible. This can, in some cases, keep you out of an impending wreck. So, what are some of the most common behaviors that lead to accidents?

When unexpected issues arise that necessitate criminal defense

On behalf of Smith & Gaynor, LLC posted in Criminal Defense on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.

Most New Jersey readers would agree that life is a series of ever-changing events, some of which might occur more suddenly or unexpectedly than others. In certain situations, such as if police suspect someone of illegal drug activity, the need for criminal defense mat arise. That seems to be the case regarding a recent police investigation in Newark.

Investigators say it is not uncommon for drug dealers to stamp brand names into wax folds on packages of drugs. The officers involved in this particular investigation claim they were able to trace brand stamps found at overdose scenes, which, they also claim, led them to one specific location. They searched that location and claim to have found stamps with brand names on them that are connected with drug overdoses in at least six counties.

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