New Jersey and Pennsylvania Accident, Traffic, and Legal News

A motorcycle accident involving a retired New Jersey State Police Trooper Sunday has left one dead and two injured. Preston Fairlamb Jr, 64-years-old, was riding his motorcycle with his wife Kathleen in Sussex County when a car driving in the opposite direction struck his vehicle. There are conflicting reports that say 55-year-old Kenneth Arent crossed the double-yellow line on Route 94 resulting in the accident. Medical personnel at St. Clare Hospital pronounced Fairlamb, a 28-year veteran of New Jersey State Police, dead on arrival. His wife, Kathleen Fairlamb, survived the crash, though still remains at Morristown Medical Center with undisclosed injuries. Arent is also hospitalized at this hour.

The accident remains under investigation by Sussex County’s Fatal Crash Reconstruction Unit.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims’ families. My hope is that the results of the investigation will bring some answers as to the accident’s cause, though no amount of information can make up for the loss of a loved one.

Motorcycle accidents can be particularly violent because of the rider’s proximity to the roadway. Wearing proper protective gear, including an approved helmet from a state-recognized manufacturer, provides additional safety benefits and may prevent severe head trauma in an accident. In 2011, there were 11 traffic-related deaths in Sussex County. Two of those deaths occurred on Route 94, according to the New Jersey State Police. As of May 2012, there have already been six accident deaths in the county, including Fairlamb’s. Half of these deaths occurred on state highways, including Route 94.

Sustaining injuries in a motorcycle accident can lead to extensive surgeries to repair the damage and long periods of physical therapy to recover your strong. In some cases, you may not regain full use of your limbs and be unable to return to work or pursue a previous career path. If you sustained injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact an experienced team of New Jersey car accident attorneys today to discuss your rights and options to pursue damages. Failing to do so could leave you unable to recoup a settlement needed to pay your rising medical bills and replace your lost wages.

Photo Credit: Low County Bikers

A Bucks County police officer is in critical condition Friday after a head-on collision in Levittown earlier that morning. The officer, 28-year-old Matthew Killeen, suffered a broken pelvis and broken hip along with severe bruising and lacerations in the car accident, which occurred around 4a.m. As of Friday afternoon, medical personnel at St. Mary’s Medical Center listed Killeen in fair condition after undergoing surgery. The driver of the oncoming Mercedes – police aren’t releasing the name – that struck the police cruiser is in critical condition at this hour. Authorities are stating that the Mercedes crossed the double-yellow line on Tyburn Road and crossed into the police vehicle’s path.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families as they struggle to recover from their injuries. Hopefully, the accident investigation, which is still ongoing, yields concrete information as to why the Mercedes driver crossed into oncoming traffic so suddenly. No word on when police will complete the inquiry and release further details.

In 2010, there were 4,571 head-on collisions on Pennsylvania roads, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Those accidents resulted in 149 deaths. More than 80 percent of all accident fatalities involved crashes where no adverse road conditions were present. That means no rainy weather or extra windy roads were present in the vast majority of all fatal crashes.

Head-on car accidents can be particularly violent, especially for those who aren’t wearing seat belts. The force of the impact can carry a person through the vehicle’s windshield causing extensive damage over their entire body. If you or someone you love has sustained injuries in this manner due to the fault of another driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Contacting a team of experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers is essential to holding those responsible for your injuries accountable. Failing to do so could limit your rights to compensation and affect your ability to win damages to pay for future medical bills and lost wages.

Photo Credit: Buxmont News

The stormy weather in Pennsylvania over the weekend had deadly consequences for multiple motorcycle drivers in the state. Police reported several fatalities on PA roadways over Saturday and Sunday, including motorcycle accidents in Adams and Washington Counties. Jason Brown, 32, was driving at a high rate of speed Sunday when his motorcycle crashed on State Route 40 in Bethlehem Township, according to WTRF.com. Emergency responders transported Brown to nearby UPMC Presbyterian where he later died.

On the same day in Adams County, 22-year-old Matthew Sanders was riding his motorcycle on the Carlisle Pike when he lost control going around a curve. His vehicle hit an embankment and Sanders was thrown from the motorcycle. Rescue workers flew Sanders to York Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead. He was not wearing a helmet.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families. The sudden loss of loved ones presents difficult challenges at any age, but are more pronounced when the departed are so young. Hopefully, an increase in safety awareness can come from these tragic events and prevent future accidents. Pennsylvania law (PA Vehicle Code § 3525) does not require motorcycle drivers who are over 21-years-old and have had a license to operate a motorcycle for at least two years to wear helmets.

In 2010, motorcycles were involved in 4,108 accidents in Pennsylvania resulting in 223 deaths, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Of those who died, 55.6 percent were not wearing helmets at the time of the accident. Motorcycle passengers accounted for only 9.4 percent of motorcycle accident deaths in 2010.

A motorcycle accident presents significant risk of injury for both the riders and any passengers involved. Wearing protective gear and a helmet is important to limit injuries and increase the chances for survival. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another, you may be entitled to compensation. Contacting a Philadelphia injury lawyer is an integral step in standing up for your rights and to hold at-fault drivers responsible for their actions.

Photo Credit: Road Safety Blog

Drunk drivers are some of the deadliest threats on the road. Being able to spot them may well save your life. Here are some things that you should keep an eye out for. Remember that context matters. If you see these behaviors soon after the nightclubs and bars around Dallas let out, there’s a better chance that you’re dealing with someone who should not be driving.

Stop and Go

Drunk drivers have a hard time keeping focused. This sometimes translates to them stopping and going erratically, oftentimes in the middle of their lanes. Be sure you anticipate this. Stay back, try to get off of the road they’re using and watch out for how other cars are reacting to them. If you’re on a crowded road, back off of the drivers around the drunk so that they can get away, too.

Swerve

The classic sign of drunk drivers is swerving. Their reflexes tend to be very erratic, so they’ll either not adjust their path of travel to compensate for drift or they’ll over adjust it to the point where they swerve back into their lane or into others. Be sure you watch out for this. This type of driving is one of the deadliest that drunk drivers engage in. It’s hard to predict and it’s very easy for them to end up sideswiping you or even causing a head-on collision.

No Lights

This is another classic sign of an intoxicated driver that police look for. It’s not that hard to take off without your lights on in a city like Dallas. The streetlights sometimes outshine headlights. It’s not normal to drive without them on for a long time, however. Most of the time, people notice and correct the problem. Drunk drivers oftentimes fail to correct the problem and give themselves away because of that.

Very Slow Driving

Drunk drivers sometimes slow down to a crawl, particularly on corners. If you see this, beware. It’s best to try to get away from that driver as fast as you can. In fact, the only way you can really be safe in a situation where you spot a drunk driver is to get away from them.

Contacting the police is up to you but, if a drunk driver hits you, be sure to contact a Dallas car accident attorney. A car accident lawyer Dallas drivers rely on to file successful lawsuits may well be able to get you compensation.

With the death toll on Las Vegas roads climbing, Las Vegas Metro Police, along with other Nevada law enforcement agencies are trying to help slow down the traffic fatalities. Pedestrian accidents are triple what they were a year ago, and now officers are targeting drivers not paying attention in addition to watching all the major intersections for drivers violating the law.

Tickets have been being handed out in the hundreds for all sorts of violations, everything from speeding to jaywalking, and a huge amount to distracted drivers on cell phones. This is all an effort to get the message out to the public that the death toll on Southern Nevada Roads is out of control. 45 people have been killed this year in traffic related accidents.

Officers will be out in record numbers this week watching busy intersections, and looking for drivers and pedestrians not obeying the laws. This is the first of many of these types of events. Hopefully it results in fewer traffic related deaths.

Las Vegas Traffic Attorney

If you are issued a citation, contact an experienced Las Vegas ticket attorney. The consultations are free, and Ticket Busters can help you with all ticket types. We assist with Las Vegas DUI, Criminal, Warrants, Traffic School, and all Traffic Citations. Contact us today. Please be careful while driving, and walking throughout the city, we all want our Las Vegas communities to be safer, and the deaths to stop.

Sources: ”Police Hand Out Tickets Targeting Bad Drivers”, by Joe Bartel

Our Michigan dog bite lawyers represent victims of dog bites and animal attacks in cases throughout Michigan. We represent a wide range of clients in these cases, including children, postal workers, and utility workers. However, 50 percent of dog bites injuries involve dog attacks on children under 12 years old.

According to the American Humane Association, 88 percent of fatal dog attacks among 2 year olds occurred when the child was left unsupervised. Approximately 4.7 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, with 58 percent of deaths involving an unrestrained dog on the owner’s property.

Safety Tips For Children to Avoid a Dog Bite Attack

There are many safety tips a parent can share with their child to prevent child injury from a Michigan dog attack. Here are a few tips that The American Humane Association suggests:

• Don’t hit, slap, or bite a dog or pull on his ears, tail or paws

• Never bother dogs when they are busy playing, eating, or sleeping

• Don’t approach a dog you don’t know

• Stay calm, never shout

• Stay still if a loose dog approaches you. For example, stand like a tree, keep your hands at your sides, and stay quiet and calm while looking away from the dog.

77% of dog bite victims are friends of the dog’s owner, or a member of the owners’ family. Therefore, these victims were familiar with the dog prior to the dog bite attack. Surpassing playground injury, dog bites rank second in causes for childhood injury.

Victims of Michigan dog bite injuries and attacks do have legal rights. If you or your child suffers dog bite injuries from an animal attack you should contact an experienced dog bite injury lawyer in Michigan immediately. The Michigan dog bite lawyer that you hire should hire specialized investigators to document the incident, supplementing all evidence you have been able to collect for your Michigan dog bite lawsuit.

A reckless driving spree in Norristown involving several parked cars, a wall, and a police vehicle ended in police apprehending the driver responsible – only after officers tasered him. Police charged Jayson Williams, 29, of Atlantic City, with driving under the influence, aggravated assault on a police officer, reckless driving, eluding police, resisting arrest, causing car accidents, and several related traffic offenses, according to “The Times Herald”. Two people in vehicles struck by Williams received treatment for minor injuries at Montgomery Hospital.

The incident began shortly after 5p.m. when Norristown police noticed a Honda driving erratically on West Main Street. When officers attempted to pull over the vehicle, the car sideswiped several parked cars and attempted to flee the scene before crashing into a wall. Officer Edward Butterworth pulled his police cruiser behind the Honda – driven by Williams – to cutoff the vehicle’s path of escape. Williams promptly threw his vehicle into reverse and rammed into the cruiser to force his way back onto the road. Butterworth, undaunted drove his police vehicle forward and pushed Williams’ Honda against the gate of a local business.

But it doesn’t end there folks. With his car trapped, Williams attempted to flee on foot. An officer fired a Taser at him in attempt to subdue him, but Williams pulled the wires from the device and ran headlong into Officer Christopher Narkin’s idling police car. He struck the front panel of the cruiser as well as the windshield. Authorities found a vial suspected of containing PCP in the car driven by Williams in the accident.

As daunting as this task was for the Norristown Police Department, it could’ve certainly been much worse. Had this driver made it to a major highway or even well-populated road, the damage he could’ve caused would’ve been life threatening for everyone involved.

If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a car accident involving a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you may be entitled to compensation. Contacting a skilled team of Philadelphia car accident lawyers is an important part of your legal strategy to pursue damages relating to your medical costs, lost income due to your injuries as well as your pain and suffering in the accident.

Photo Credit: Conicelli

Brian McCauslin, 39, who fatally injured a New Jersey woman in a hit-and-run accident, last June, received a seven-year prison sentence this past week. McCauslin hit and killed 23-year-old Tiffany Jantelle on Weston Canal Road as the young woman stopped to help a wounded dog. After he struck Jantelle, The York Springs, Pennsylvania resident exited his vehicle, looked at her briefly and then fled the scene. He later admitted to authorities that he’d been drinking at the time of the accident.

The court ordered McCauslin to repay the victim’s family $13,000 in funeral expenses as well as pay a $200 fine for careless driving. He becomes eligible for parole after just a year, four months and 18 days behind bars, according to NJ.com.

My heart goes out to Tiffany’s family who are no doubt still grieving this tragic loss. Only a year in prison for the man responsible doesn’t seem an adequate punishment for snuffing out a young life with such promise. Who knows what the outcome of this event may have been had Tiffany received prompt medical care.

In 2011, 19 people died in traffic accidents in Somerset County, according to the New Jersey State Police. Of those killed, five lost their lives in accidents in Franklin Township with two accidents involving multiple deaths on county roadways. As of April 2012, no fatal traffic accidents have occurred in Franklin Township.

Losing a loved on through the negligent actions of another generates both anger and heartache. The struggle to make final arrangements for your loved one while seeking justice can wear you down emotionally as well as physically. Securing the services of knowledgeable New Jersey personal injury attorneys is essential to hold the at-fault party accountable for their actions. With the help of a trusted legal team, you can pursue the at-fault individual for damages related to the loss of your loved one as well as for your continued pain and suffering.

Photo Credit: U.S. First Responders Association

The first charges under Pennsylvania’s new bicycle laws will be issued to a 17-year-old driver who struck a bicyclist on the Fahy Bridge in Bethlehem. The bicycle accident in question occurred on April 9 when the teenager clipped 50-year-old bicyclist Frank Pavlick with his vehicle and then attempted to leave the scene. A local bus driver, Richard Gubish Jr., witnessing the accident turned his commercial vehicle into a roadblock to prevent the teen from escaping, according to CBS Atlanta. Police charged the driver with two separate traffic violations in connection with the bicycle accident. Pavlick suffered extensive bruising and lost his bike, but was otherwise unharmed.

Under Pennsylvania’s new regulations, all drivers must give bicyclists a minimum four feet of clearance when attempting to pass them on the road. It’s a relief that Frank has no lasting damage from the accident. Thanks to the heads up play of that bus driver, police were able to hold the right person accountable for the event. The teenaged driver also avoided much more serious charges in remaining at the scene.

In 2010, there were 1,483 accidents involving bicycles in Pennsylvania. This total was the highest in five years, according to the PennDOT. Those accidents resulted in the deaths of 21 bicyclists in the state – also a five-year high. Pennsylvania’s new bicycle laws aim at improving driver safety in an attempt to curb the rising number of bicyclist deaths. With gas prices on the rise, the number of cyclists on PA roads may continue to increase, especially in urban areas like Philadelphia.

If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian or bicycle accident, your extensive injuries may entitle you to compensation from an at-fault driver or responsible insurance company. Hiring a knowledgeable Philadelphia accident lawyer provides you with a strong advocate for your interests who won’t back down in the face of tough opposition. An experienced attorney can help determine your rights to pursue damages, find proper medical care for your physical injuries and put you on the road to recovery much sooner.

Photo Credit: The Next Wave Futures

Maceij R. Lewandowski, 35, died Wednesday morning when his vehicle crashed head-on into a support wall of the New Jersey Turnpike. The car accident occurred at a T-intersection of Rising Sun Road and Old York Road. The retaining wall separates the NJ Turnpike and local Bordentown traffic. Authorities investigating the scene believe Lewandowski simply failed to stop his car in time to avoid the collision, though toxicology and other determinative reports are still outstanding. No other vehicles were involved and no one else was injured. Law enforcement officials are asking anyone with any information relating to the accident to contact the Bordentown Police Department, according to NJ.com.

My thoughts are with the victim’s family during this uncertain time. As answers emerge detailing the cause of this fatal car accident, hopefully they’re able to draw some closure.

In 2011, 52 people were killed in car accidents in Burlington County out of 628 in the entirety of New Jersey. Five of those vehicle-related deaths occurred on roads in Bordentown Township. This accident represents the first fatal crash in Bordentown of 2012, according to the New Jersey State Police.

If you or a loved one were hurt in a car accident, you may be entitled to damages for your injuries. A trusted team of New Jersey accident attorneys can provide the needed support to pursue your case while you attend to your physical recovery. Signing any documents or accepting a settlement from an insurance company without legal help can reduce your rights to future compensation to pay for your lost wages and continuing medical expenses.

Photo Credit: Jefferson Township Fire Department