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Winterizing Your Motor Vehicle in New Jersey

December 30, 2024 by

Things You Can Do to Minimize the Risk of an Accident

Winterizing Your Motor Vehicle in New JerseyWinter driving—even though we know it’s coming, most of us don’t look forward to it. Ice and snow on the roads can make it difficult to control your vehicle, and flurries and fog can impede visibility. What can you do to your vehicle to minimize the risk of an accident?

Pay Close Attention to Your Tires

Before you do anything else, carefully inspect your tires. While snow tires will always give you more traction and control, most all-season tires are fine, provided they have good tread and are properly inflated. Your tread should be at least 1/8th of an inch, if not more, to ensure proper handling of your vehicle. Though it may be counterintuitive, it’s actually a little safer to have slightly less than the recommended tire pressure if you’ll be driving mostly on snow-covered roads or slippery surfaces, as you’ll have more tire surface on the road and therefore more traction.

Make Certain All Your Fluid Reservoirs Are Topped Off

Check your windshield wiper fluid and coolant or antifreeze. You can expect to use a lot more washer fluid in the winter, so you’ll want to check the levels on a regular basis. You may also want to consider using a different motor oil when temperatures are colder. An oil with a lower W number—a 5W oil, for example—will move through your engine more easily than a heavier oil, such as a 10W.

Your brakes are also essential to safety in the winter. Make certain your brake fluid levels are good, and have your mechanic check the mechanical parts of your braking system.

Get a New Battery, If Necessary

Cold temperatures slow down the chemical processes that create electrical charges in a battery. If you’ve had your battery for a couple of years, it may be time to get a new one. You don’t want to get stuck out on the road with a dead battery in a snowstorm, where you can be an easy target for a rear-end collision.

Contact the Law Offices of David J. Karbasian, PC

Send us an email today or call us at 856-667-4666 / 856-600-HURT to schedule an appointment to discuss your personal injury claim. Evening and weekend consultations are available upon request. We can come to your home or the hospital to meet with you, if necessary.

Filed Under: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Tagged With:

Wishing You And Yours A Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

December 24, 2024 by

Karbasian NY

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Motorcycle Safety in New Jersey in the Winter

December 23, 2024 by

Strategies for Minimizing the Risk of Injury in Snowy or Icy Weather

Motorcycle Safety in New Jersey in the WinterIf you love to ride a motorcycle, you’re not inclined to let a little inclement weather keep you off the roads. While riding a bike in the winter in New Jersey is potentially more dangerous than at other times of the year, you can still enjoy the freedom of the open road, even in December or January. Here are a few tips for maximizing your safety on a motorcycle this winter in New Jersey.

Winterize Your Bike Before You Hit the Road

Start by checking out your tires. Make sure you have at least 1/8th of an inch of tread. While the cold weather will actually cause your tires to deflate a little, that can be helpful, as slightly underinflated tires will have more surface area in contact with the road, potentially giving you more traction.

You’ll be creating your own wind chill when riding a motorcycle in the winter. You can minimize the impact with the right windscreen and the use of hand guards. While motorcycles don’t typically have windshield wipers similar to those on a passenger vehicle, there are some accessories that can be added to either a windshield or your helmet to help keep your vision clear.

Dress Properly

While every part of your body can be at risk of hypothermia, it’s your extremities that are most susceptible. Think “fingers, toes, ears, and nose.” Those are the body parts that will most quickly be in danger of frostbite. Well-insulated gloves and boots are an absolute must. You may also want to consider wearing a balaclava or knit cap under your helmet.

To keep your torso and legs warm, you’ll want to layer. A number of thin layers of waterproof fabric will be better than a single bulky overcoat.

Adapt for the Weather

You can’t ride like you do in the summer. You’ll likely need to reduce speeds and pay a lot more attention to the road in front of you. You’ll generally need more distance to come to a complete stop, and you can be at risk of skidding on any sharp turn.

Contact the Law Offices of David J. Karbasian, PC

You have the right to seek full and fair compensation when you’ve been hurt in any type of motorcycle accident caused by the carelessness of another person. We can help. Send us an email today or call us at 856-600-HURT to schedule an appointment to discuss your claim. Evening and weekend consultations are available upon request. We can come to your home or the hospital to meet with you, if necessary.

Filed Under: New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Injury Claims Tagged With:

Happy Thanksgiving

November 27, 2024 by

Happy Thanksgiving

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Tips for Safe Winter Driving in New Jersey

November 26, 2024 by

Steps You Can Take to Minimize the Risk of Injury

Tips for Safe Winter DrivingIt’s winter and, in New Jersey, that usually means snow and ice. Statistics show an increase in motor vehicle accident rates when conditions become more treacherous in New Jersey winters. There are, however, simple measures you can employ to reduce the risk of mishap on slippery roads this year.

Always Make Certain You Have Maximum Visibility

Don’t ever get behind the wheel of a car until you’ve brushed all the snow off and scraped any accumulated ice from the windows. When cleaning snow off the car, make certain you get it all. Brush snow from the hood and top of the car, as well as all the windows. In addition, let the car run for a few minutes, so you can defrost your windows before you hit the streets. If you’re driving and accumulate snow or ice on your windshields, pull over and clear it off to reestablish maximum visibility.

Keep Your Vehicle Maintained

Don’t let a mechanical breakdown put you at risk. Make certain your tires have ample tread, that your windshield wipers do what they’re supposed to do, that your heater is fully functional, and that your brakes respond.

Give Yourself More Time to Get Where You’re Going

It’s a psychological reaction… you’re running behind, so you accelerate just a bit to try to get there on time. In snowy or icy conditions, that can be extremely dangerous. Plan ahead, adding a few minutes to your normal drive time. Be willing to be late and be safe.

Use More Caution on the Roads

In winter weather, you’ll typically find that it takes longer to bring your vehicle to a stop. With that in mind, keep your speed down just a little. Don’t drive too slowly, though, or you’ll cause more problems than you’ll avoid. In addition, give yourself a little more distance from the car in front of you.

Contact the Law Offices of David J. Karbasian, PC

Send us an email today or call us at 856-600-HURT to schedule an appointment to discuss your personal injury claim. Evening and weekend consultations are available upon request. We can come to your home or the hospital to meet with you, if necessary.

Filed Under: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Tagged With:

Injured on Commercial Property While Holiday Shopping?

November 18, 2024 by

Increased Risk During the Holiday | The Duties of Property Owners

Injured on Commercial Property While Holiday ShoppingStudies routinely show that premises liability accidents—slips and falls—go up during the holiday season, particularly at retail establishments. There are many reasons for this:

  • The holiday shopping season means bigger crowds almost everywhere you go, typically making it more challenging to get from one place to another.
  • People tend to be in a greater hurry during the holiday season.
  • An accumulation of snow and ice is more likely during the holidays, making foot travel precarious.

The Duties of Commercial Property Owners in New Jersey

In New Jersey, as in most states, the duties owed by the owner (or person in control) of premises will vary, based on the legal status of the person injured. As a general rule, property owners have a legal obligation to reasonably maintain property in a way that minimizes the risk of injury to visitors. Legal visitors are generally categorized as either licensees or invitees:

  • Invitees are persons with either an express or implied invitation to enter the property for business or commercial purpose. In situations involving commercial property, customers are considered to be invitees. Property owners in New Jersey owe the highest duty of care to invitees. The owner must either fix all potential dangers or reasonably warn invitees of any hazards. In addition, owners must reasonably inspect the premises to discover any potential dangers or defects.
  • Licensees are typically persons invited onto property for a social purpose. While an owner owes licensees the duty to fix or warn of dangers or hazards, there is no duty to inspect the premises for hazards. An owner can be liable only for injuries caused by hazards they actually knew about or reasonably should have known about.

Contact the Law Offices of David J. Karbasian, PC

You have the right to seek full and fair compensation if you’re hurt in a slip and fall on commercial property. We can help. Send us an email today or call us at 856-600-HURT to schedule an appointment to discuss your claim. Evening and weekend consultations are available upon request. We can come to your home or the hospital to meet with you, if necessary.

Filed Under: New Jersey Premises Liability Claims Tagged With:

Suing a Friend After a Motor Vehicle Accident Injury

October 30, 2024 by

Why It’s the Right Thing to Do

Suing a Friend After a Motor Vehicle Accident Injury imgIt happens all the time. You’re traveling in a car or truck with a friend who runs a red light or fails to stop at a stop sign, causing an accident. You’re injured and can’t work or need extensive medical care. You need compensation for your losses, but it’s your friend who caused your injuries. You don’t want to risk losing the friendship, but you also need your losses to be covered. What do you do?

Are You Really Suing Your Friend?

Motor vehicle insurance is required for all drivers in the state of New Jersey. The purpose of insurance is to provide compensation for losses caused by the insured. Think of it this way… when you seek to recover damages from your friend, you’re not really asking them to personally pay for your losses. You’re asking their insurance company to honor its agreement to pay for losses caused by the policyholder. If you file a lawsuit, you’ll need to name your friend as the at-fault party, but the actual damage award or settlement will be paid by the insurance company.

Here’s another way to look at it. If it were someone you didn’t know, you wouldn’t think twice about pursuing compensation for your losses. Under the law, you are entitled to seek damages from anyone who wrongfully causes you injury. You shouldn’t forego a personal injury claim because you happen to know the person who caused the accident.

It’s also likely that your friend will want you to be able to recover compensation for all your losses. Ideally, you’ll be able to work out a settlement without going to trial, and you’ll both be relieved that the matter has been put behind you.

Contact the Law Offices of David J. Karbasian, PC

Send us an email today or call us at 856-600-HURT to schedule an appointment to discuss your personal injury claim. Evening and weekend consultations are available upon request. We can come to your home or the hospital to meet with you, if necessary.

Filed Under: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Tagged With:

Safety Tips for E-Bikers

October 23, 2024 by

Things You Can Do to Minimize the Risk of Injury

Safety Tips for E-BikersE-bikes are here to stay. In 2023 alone, more than a million Americans took to the streets on electric motorized bicycles, a nearly four-fold increase from just before the pandemic. And why not…it’s a great way to get outside and get back into shape. The motor on most e-bikes only works when you pedal, but you don’t have to work quite so hard to get to speeds of up to 28 mph.

But, like so-called “analog” bicycles, as well as motorcycles, e-bikes and their riders often go unnoticed by distracted or careless drivers. There are, however, things that you can do to reduce the risk of injury out on the roads:

  • Always wear a helmet — It’s not just the law in many states (including for anyone under 17 and all Class 3 riders in New Jersey), it’s a good idea. An approved helmet can reduce the impact if you’re thrown from the bike, and it’ll keep you from skinning your noggin.
  • Wear bright clothing — The flashier, the better, as it increases the likelihood that you’ll be seen. If you’re taking your e-bike to work, or somewhere you can’t wear neon bike clothing, get yourself a reflective vest.
  • Know the rules of the road — In New Jersey, an e-bike is treated the same as a motor vehicle and must follow the same rules. That means you must obey traffic signals, lights, and signs, including speed limits. You must also use turn signals and lights, if necessary.
  • Pay attention to routine maintenance — You should have your bike serviced on a regular basis, ensuring that all lights work properly, the brakes are functioning, and there are no other potential concerns.
  • Check your bike before you get on the road — Make certain your tires are properly inflated, and do a quick spin in the driveway to test the brakes. If anything is amiss, either fix it or find another way to get where you’re going.

Contact the Law Offices of David J. Karbasian, PC

You can do everything right, but you’ll still be at the mercy of other drivers. If you’ve been hurt on an e-bike because of someone else’s negligence, we can help. Send us an email today or call us at 856-600-HURT to schedule an appointment to discuss your claim. Evening and weekend consultations are available upon request. We can come to your home or the hospital to meet with you, if necessary.

Filed Under: New Jersey Motor Personal Injury Claims Tagged With:

Minimizing the Risk of an Accident in School Traffic

September 26, 2024 by

Steps You Can Take to Reduce the Likelihood of a Crash

Minimizing-the-Risk-of-an-Accident-in-School-Traffic-Img.jpgSummer’s over and school is back in session. That means significantly increased congestion on the roads in the morning and late afternoon, with many new school-age drivers lacking experience behind the wheel. Though you can’t completely avoid the risk of a crash, there are steps you can take to stay safer during school traffic times.

Give Yourself More Time

Get started a little earlier when you head out for work in the morning, so that you don’t feel the need to rush or run a traffic light or stop sign to make it on time. It’s better to arrive early and safe than to take unnecessary risks to get to work or school on time.

Carpool If You Can

Statistics gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have shown for decades that more cars on the road consistently translates to more accidents. If you can find coworkers or friends to carpool with, you’ll not only help make the roads a little more safe, you can also share the cost of gas.

Be Hypervigilant in School Zones

Adolescents are notoriously inattentive. It’s a good strategy to assume that students walking nearby are paying less attention to you than to their friends. Keep them on your radar, and be ready to take evasive action, if necessary. Don’t let any distractions get in your way. Turn off your cell phone until you get to work. Do your grooming before you leave the house, and don’t have your breakfast in the car. These are all potential ways that you can take your eyes off the road.

Expect That You Will Encounter School Buses

You need to take extra precautions when school buses are nearby. You may have less space to safely pass the bus. You can expect frequent stops and starts. And you may not be able to see students getting on or off the bus.

Contact the Law Offices of David J. Karbasian, PC

Send us an email today or call us at 856-600-HURT to schedule an appointment to discuss your personal accident injury claim. Evening and weekend consultations are available upon request. We can come to your home or the hospital to meet with you, if necessary.

Filed Under: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Accident Injury Claims Tagged With:

Rear-End Accidents—Who’s Responsible?

September 20, 2024 by

Is It Always the Driver in the Trailing Car?

Rear-End-Accidents—Whos-Responsible-Img.jpgThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that rear-end collisions account for nearly one in every three traffic accidents, more than any other type of crash. The most common causes are distracted driving, excessive speed, and failing to compensate for poor weather conditions.

There’s an assumption that the trailing driver is always responsible for hitting the car in front of them. Is that true? Are there situations where the driver in front is at fault? If so, what are those circumstances?

Establishing Liability for a Rear-End Collision

Liability for losses sustained in most motor vehicle accidents is almost always based on the legal theory of negligence. To determine whether a party is negligent, the jury will look at the facts of the case and consider whether the actions of that party were reasonable under the circumstances. Because the trailing driver initiated the impact with the other car, a jury commonly looks first at the actions of that driver:

  • Were they driving at a reasonable speed?
  • Were they tailgating the other vehicle, so that there wasn’t adequate room to brake safely?
  • Did they take adverse weather conditions into consideration and adjust their driving accordingly?
  • Was the driver unreasonably fatigued or under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
  • Was the accident caused by an unreasonable failure by the trailing driver to maintain their vehicle?

The jury may also look at the conduct of the driver in the front vehicle to see if they have any liability:

  • Was the accident caused because the front driver had defective or broken brake lights or turn signals?
  • Is there evidence that the driver in front accidentally shifted their car into reverse?
  • Did the driver in front suddenly swerve into the path of the trailing driver?
  • Did the driver in front engage in needless “brake checking” or suddenly slam on the brakes unnecessarily?

Contact the Law Offices of David J. Karbasian, PC

Send us an email today or call us at 856-600-HURT to schedule an appointment to discuss your personal injury claim. Evening and weekend consultations are available upon request. We can come to your home or the hospital to meet with you, if necessary.

Filed Under: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Tagged With:

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