New Jersey law requires the driver and all passengers in a car to wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt while the vehicle is in operation on any street or highway in this State.  We all know, however, that not everyone always complies with this law.  If you don’t and are injured in an accident, your failure to comply with New Jersey’s seat belt law could have a very negative impact on your case. Where a driver raises the so-called “seat belt defense,” it unleashes a whole series of questions for the jury to answer.  Initially, a jury must make two separate decisions about fault. The first one concerns the cause of the accident. The second is as to…

In Summer, teens  spend more time on the road attending graduation parties, holiday celebrations, road trips, and outdoor activities.   It is among the most dangerous times for teen drivers, as we posted in a recent blog. The Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education offers a few helpful tips for parents: Let your child know you trust them Insist on knowing the details of where they are going Set firm check-in times Offer to pick them up, no questions asked Click here to watch an important video with your teen Teens Do your best to remain focused Driving drowsy is dangerous, if you are feeling tired, you should not be driving Take a pair of comfortable shoes to change into for driving; fancy high…

According to the National Safety Council motor vehicle fatality estimates, 20016 may have been the deadliest year on the USA roads since 2007.  Estimated cost to society was $432.5 billion, including wage and productivity losses, medical and administrative expenses, employer costs and property damage. As a result of NSC driver safety public opinion poll released last month, NSC is calling for immediate implementation of life-saving measures that would set the nation on a road to zero deaths: Mandate ignition interlocks for convicted drunk drivers and better education about the nature of impairment and when it begins Install and use automated enforcement techniques to catch speeders Extend laws banning all cell phone use – including hands-free – to all drivers, not just…

What should people do if their cars are stuck on railroad tracks with a train rushing toward them?. It’s a terrifying question, but on Wednesday, the day after a Metro-North Railroad train barreled into a sport-utility vehicle in Valhalla, N.Y., killing six people, safety experts emphasized some best practices. Rule number one, of course, is get as far away from the tracks as possible. But some experts say there is a particular direction you should try to run: Away from the tracks at a 45 degree angle, in the direction from which the train is coming. “That actually means run toward the train,” said Joyce Rose, president of Operation Lifesaver, a nonprofit rail safety education group. “I know it seems counterintuitive,…

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety IIHS has released their list of top safety picks for 2017 models: To qualify for 2017 TOP SAFETY PICK+, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the five crash-worthiness tests, an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention and a good or acceptable headlight rating. Small cars Chevrolet Volt Hyundai Elantrasedan only; built after March 2016 Mazda 34-door sedan | 4-door hatchback Toyota Corolla Toyota Priusbuilt after August 2016 Midsize cars Honda Accord 4-door Mazda 6 Nissan Altima Nissan Maxima Subaru Legacy Subaru Outback Toyota Camry Toyota Prius v Volkswagen Jetta Midsize luxury cars Audi A4 Lexus ES 350 Volvo S60 Volvo V60 Large luxury cars Genesis G80 Genesis G90 Lexus RC Small SUVs…