Bergen County Personal Injury Law Blog

Businesses must keep entryways clear during winter

On behalf of Breslin & Breslin, P.A. posted in Slip-and-Fall on Friday, January 11, 2019.

The winter season is filled with snow and wintry precipitation in New Jersey. Businesses should be prepared for this ahead of time by having protocols in place for when entryways have snow and water tracked in. Without a plan in place, there is a chance that customers who come into the building might slip and fall, which can lead to serious injuries.

Keeping the entryways safe for customers starts with clearing the snow and ice from sidewalks and walkways outside. Even if they aren't perfect, having them mostly clear can help reduce the amount of snow and ice that clings to a customers' shoes when they come in.

Ban On Smoking in Beaches, Parks Among NJ Laws Taking Effect in 2019

By Christian Caminiti of Breslin & Breslin, P.A. posted in (client-fulfilled) personal injury on Friday, January 11, 2019.

A ban on smoking at public beaches, a state mandate for health insurance and the ability for courts to take away guns from people who pose a danger are among the laws going into effect in the new year in New Jersey.

NJ High School Sports Have Inherent Risk That Tackles Lawsuit

By Christian Caminiti of Breslin & Breslin, P.A. posted in (client-fulfilled) personal injury on Friday, January 11, 2019.

Watchung Hills Regional High School senior Keith Garcia was playing in an away soccer game against Franklin High School on Oct. 29, 2015.

Most common causes of car accidents

On behalf of Breslin & Breslin, P.A. on Thursday, January 3, 2019.

Imagine driving to work in Hackensack on a clear but cold Monday morning. You take the same route as usual and even stop by your favorite café for a cup of coffee and croissant. The week is off to a good start. That is, until you approach the final intersection before the parking lot of your workplace.

As you come to a stop at the light, you glance up to your rearview mirror just in time to see the car that is going too fast to stop before it hits you. Now, you have a damaged car, pain in your back and neck, and you will have to miss work for at least several days if not weeks.

Nursing home neglect cases must be taken seriously

On behalf of Breslin & Breslin, P.A. posted in Nursing Home Negligence on Friday, December 28, 2018.

Nursing home negligence is a serious problem that nobody who is seeking care in this type of facility should have to worry about. Residents pay a lot of money to have their needs taken care of. Unfortunately, some people who seek employment here will see it as easy money and will try to do as little as possible, even if it means that the residents suffer. We don't like to think about this happening, but we do need to be realistic about it.

Some people who are residents don't have anyone to watch out for them. This is a tragedy because they might not feel able to speak up about what is going on. If you have a loved one in a nursing home, make sure that you are paying close attention to what's going on.

Protect yourself from a dog attack

On behalf of Breslin & Breslin, P.A. on Thursday, December 27, 2018.

Even if you are a dog lover, it can be difficult to determine whether an unfamiliar dog will bite. After all, given the right (or wrong) set of circumstances, even a friendly family pet will lash out with bared teeth.

Dog bites can produce devastating and disfiguring injuries — and some can be fatal. Whether the dog is your own, a family member's or a strange canine on the street, it's a good idea to learn how to recognize signs of potential aggression.

Avoid these car insurance claim mistakes

On behalf of Breslin & Breslin, P.A. posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, December 13, 2018.

If you are part of a car accident, the first thing you should do is receive medical treatment. Your health is more important than anything else, so don't hesitate to administer first-aid and call 911 for an ambulance and police assistance.

As time allows, you'll contact your insurance company to file a claim. While this sounds simple enough, there are many potential mistakes lurking. Here are a few to avoid:

Giving a written or recorded statement: You don't want to do this until you're completely sure of your coverage and what you're entitled to.
Signing a release: You should never put your signature on anything unless you know what it is and how it will impact your legal rights.
Accepting a check for final payment: It's okay to do this, as long as you realize that "final means final." Don't make this decision without considering the impact.
Ignoring the time limit: There are time limits in place, so review your policy to ensure that you know what's expected of you.
Letting your insurance company off the hook: Your insurance policy is a contract, so make sure you receive the coverage you've been paying for.

Do these things if you're part of a car accident

On behalf of Breslin & Breslin, P.A. posted in Car Accidents on Friday, November 30, 2018.

If you're involved in a car accident, it's difficult to calm yourself down. Subsequently, it's a challenge to make sound decisions.

When you know the steps to take after a car accident, it's much easier to avoid trouble and to put yourself on the right path to a fast and full recovery. Here are five things to do:

Check yourself and passengers for injuries: Even if it's a minor fender bender, you should check for injuries, as you never know what can happen as the result of a collision.
Move to safety: If you're capable and your vehicle is in good enough condition, you should move to the shoulder of the road. Before getting out, make sure it's 100 percent safe to do so.
Call 911: It's best to do this right away, as the dispatcher can send local police and an ambulance to the scene.
Document the accident: If possible, exchange information, take photos of your injuries and damage and speak with witnesses.
Receive medical treatment: This may be the last item on the list, but it's a top priority. In addition to initial treatment, work closely with your medical team throughout the recovery process.

Do these things to prevent a winter season car accident

On behalf of Breslin & Breslin, P.A. on Wednesday, November 28, 2018.

If you live in the state of New Jersey you know that the winter season can bring all sorts of weather. From rain to snow, from ice to fog, you never know what you'll run into when you get behind the wheel.

Although you don't have control over other drivers, there are steps you can personally take to lessen the risk of a wintertime car accident. Here are several things you must do:

Use the right type of tires: For example, you may want to swap out your every day tires for snow tires. When doing so, make sure you're using four of the same kind. Mixing radial tires with other types actually increases the risk of a crash.
Don't use cruise control: Using cruise control on slick roads, such as those covered in rain or ice, increases the likelihood of losing control of your vehicle.
Increase your following distance: It takes more time to stop your vehicle on wet roadways, so a greater following distance is a must. As a general rule of thumb, aim for a distance of eight to 10 seconds.
Don't stop when traveling uphill: This doesn't mean you should push the limit by tackling a hill that's covered in snow and/or ice. However, if you are heading uphill, do your best to maintain your momentum. If your vehicle stops completely, you may find it difficult to get moving again.
Steer in the direction you want to go: If your car begins to skid, don't panic. Take your foot off the gas, don't slam the brakes and do steer in the direction you want to go.

Recent recall on electric scooters that are breaking in half

On behalf of Breslin & Breslin, P.A. posted in Product Liability on Friday, November 16, 2018.

Several weeks ago, the fast-growing electric scooter company, Lime, issued a statement that their scooters were breaking apart "when subject to repeated abuse." Now, Lime is recalling scooters from every city worldwide, after users report them breaking in half under normal conditions.

This recall comes only weeks after Lime recalled several scooters for concerns over battery fires that may have contributed to two deaths and multiple other injuries.