Camden County, New Jersey, Motor Vehicle Accident Law Blog

A motorcyclist was recently killed in New Jersey after being hit head-on by another vehicle. And while few details are available at this time, the incident does highlight the fact that with warmer weather all drivers out on the roadways need to be more cognizant to the fact that motorcyclist are also out on the roads.

In this recent motorcycle accident, it took place on one of the roadways inside of the MetLife Stadium. At the time of the crash, it was the morning of the last day of a three day car club meeting.

Quite often we post about the dangerous of using a cellphone while driving. And while in New Jersey it is illegal to talk or text on a handheld device while behind the wheel, many people still do it anyway. However, while those who cause accidents due to their negligence can end up being held liable for other people's injuries, now a Morris County judge is grappling with whether or not the person who sent the message to the driver can also be held liable.

Looking back at the accident, it was in September 2009 when a 19-year-old crashed a vehicle into a motorcycle. Both people on the motorcycle ended up seriously injured each having to go through amputations to one of their legs.

On Friday, nine high school students were taken to the hospital after an accident involving a school bus and three cars. The bus accident happened in Trenton, New Jersey, and was the second school bus accident in the state that day.

According to the bus driver, it was around 3:30 p.m. when the bus was going through an intersection when another driver "jumped through the sign" and hit the front left wheel of the school bus. This impact caused the wheel on the bus to break and sent the bus careening into a house.

A recent survey reveals that the majority of motorists -- approximately 94 percent of respondents -- agree that the practice of texting while behind the wheel is a real threat to safety. Additionally, 87 percent think it should be illegal to text and drive.

However, what's interesting to note is the fact that the same study, which was conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, also revealed that even though most agree that texting while driving is dangerous and can increase the risk of getting into a motor vehicle accident, 33 percent of drivers did admit to either reading a text or email while behind the wheel in the past month. Additionally, almost 70 percent stated they talked on cellphone while driving.

A 25-year-old truck driver was recently charged with a number of equipment violations following an accident that involved multiple other vehicles. Of those violations, it turns out that the brakes and braking system were of concern. Speed also appears to have played a role in the truck accident.

According to a spokeswoman for the state's Department of Public Safety, the truck had not gone through or passed an annual federal inspection since 2009. These annual inspections are done through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Just two days after a bus accident claimed the life of two women and injured 34 other passengers we posted on the fact that one of the bus tires had reportedly blown out right before the crash. Now, the teenage daughter and husband of one of the women killed in the crash have filed a lawsuit against not only the bus driver, but also the tire maker Bridgestone Americas Tire, Motor Coach Industries and Bedore Tours.

The fatal bus accident happened on July 17. The passengers on board the bus were all tourists who were making the trek to Niagara Falls when the bus suddenly ran off of the interstate and overturned.

Motorcycle accidents in New Jersey leading to injuries and deaths happen for a number of reasons, including other motorists not watching out for motorcycles. However, recent studies also point to the fact that a motorcyclist's lack of experience can play a role in the likelihood of a motorcycle crash.

According to Matthew Moore, the vice president of the Highway Loss Data Institute, the first 30 days that a motorcyclist is out riding is more dangerous for that rider than the entire second year that he or she is riding.

In New Jersey drivers are already banned from using any kind of handheld cellphone while behind the wheel. However, that being said, there are still a number of drivers who choose to not follow the law and therefore put not only themselves, but everyone else who is out on the roads, in danger.

Right now, with April being National Distracted Driving Awareness month, New Jersey officials are reminding people that driving while using a cellphone is not only illegal, it is extremely dangerous and can lead to fatal motor vehicle accidents.