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What To Look for When Hiring a New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Attorney

The Right Lawyer Can Make a Big Difference in the Outcome of Your Case

What to Look for When Hiring a Motorcycle Accident AttorneyYou’ve been hurt while riding on a motorcycle. If your injuries were caused by the carelessness of another motorist, you have the right to take legal action to pursue full and fair compensation for your losses. The right attorney can have a big effect on the outcome of your case. What should you look for when hiring a New Jersey motorcycle accident attorney?

The Important Skills, Knowledge, and Experience You Want in a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle accidents can be very different from other types of motor vehicle accidents, particularly when you’re trying to recover monetary compensation for your losses:

  • The injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident are typically severe. You want a lawyer with experience handling serious and catastrophic loss. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney will understand your potential injuries, even those that might take some time to develop.
  • A knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to anticipate the types of defenses put forth at trial and take steps to counter them. For example, many motorists use the excuse that they “didn’t see you.” An experienced motorcycle accident attorney knows how to produce evidence that the other motorist negligently failed to look for you.
  • Defense attorneys often try to foster bias or prejudice against you because you’re a “biker.” A proven lawyer knows how to overcome such efforts with solid legal arguments.

Let Attorney David J. Karbasian Protect Your Rights After a Motorcycle Wreck

You have the right to seek full and fair compensation when you’ve suffered injury in any type of accident caused by another person’s wrongful act, including a motorcycle crash. 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.

We take all motorcycle accident injury claims on a contingency basis. We charge legal fees only if we recover compensation for your losses.

What Do You Have to Prove to Recover Compensation in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

What Is the Burden of Proof? What Must the Evidence Show for You to Recover Compensation?

What Do You Have to Prove to Recover Compensation in a Personal Injury LawsuitYou’ve been hurt because of the carelessness of another person. Maybe another motorist ran a red light or stop sign and collided with you. Maybe you slipped and fell on icy or snow-covered steps at a business or personal residence. When the wrongful act of another person causes you to suffer any type of injury or loss, you have the right to take legal action to recover for your losses. What do you have to prove to recover full and fair compensation in a personal injury lawsuit?

Potential Losses Related to a Personal Injury

After an accident, you have the right to seek damages for the following:

  • Wages and income lost because you couldn’t work
  • Any medical expenses related to the accident that are not covered by insurance
  • Any physical or emotional pain or suffering caused by the accident
  • Your inability to do things you could do before the accident
  • Your inability to have close family relationships because of your injuries
  • Any property damage or loss due to the accident

What Is the Burden of Proof in a Personal Injury Lawsuit in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, to successfully obtain a verdict in a personal injury claim, you must prove your case “by a preponderance of the evidence.” Unlike the criminal standard of “beyond a reasonable doubt,” this standard requires only that you demonstrate to the jury that your version of the facts is more believable than the defendant’s version.

What Must You Prove to Prevail in a Personal Injury Lawsuit in New Jersey?

Most personal injury claims in New Jersey are based on a legal theory of negligence. To successfully prove negligence, you must demonstrate to the jury that:

  • The defendant (person from whom you seek compensation) failed to act as a reasonable person would under the same circumstances;
  • The failure by the defendant to act reasonably caused an accident; and
  • You suffered actual losses as a result of the accident.

How Does the Jury Determine What Is “Reasonable” Conduct?

The law imposes a duty on everyone in society to act as a reasonable person would in all actions, whether driving a car, maintaining property, or designing and building a product. There is, however, no specific criteria for identifying when a person’s actions are considered “reasonable.” Instead, a jury must look at the evidence provided and determine whether the defendant acted in the same manner as w0uld an “ordinary person of average prudence, care and foresight.”

How Is Cause Established in a Personal Injury Claim?

To prove causation in a personal injury lawsuit, the injured party must show that the defendant’s carelessness was both the actual and proximate cause of the accident and the ensuing injuries. “Actual” cause is commonly defined as “but for” cause—the accident would not have occurred but for the carelessness of the defendant. Proximate cause, however, requires a bit more. To establish proximate cause, an injured person must show that the accident and the resulting injuries were reasonably foreseeable as a consequence of the carelessness.

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.

We handle all personal injury claims on a contingent-fee basis. You will not incur any legal fees unless we recover monetary compensation for your losses.

The Most Important Things to Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident

Steps You Should Take to Protect Your Health and Your Legal Rights

The Most Important Things to Do after a Motor Vehicle AccidentWhen you’ve been involved in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, your whole life can change in an instant. The things that you do in the immediate aftermath of a crash can make a significant difference in your physical, as well as your financial, recovery. What are the most important things to do after a motor vehicle accident to ensure that your health and your legal rights are protected?

The Potential Consequences of a Motor Vehicle Accident

When you’ve been involved in a collision because of someone else’s carelessness, you may not be able to work right away or for the foreseeable future. You may need extensive medical care, which may not be entirely covered by insurance. Your injuries may cause chronic pain and suffering to the extent that you have to give up activities that brought you joy or fulfillment before the accident. You may be unable to have close personal relationships because of the trauma you’ve suffered. But there are things you can do to maximize your physical recovery and protect your legal rights.

Get the Medical Care You Need

After any type of accident, your first priority should always be your health. Do a quick assessment and determine the nature and severity of your injuries. If you’ve suffered any type of bump or blow to the head or neck, stay right where you are, provided you can do so without further risk of injury. Wait until emergency responders arrive and defer to their expertise. They’ll know how to determine the scope of your injuries, and they can help ensure that you don’t do anything to exacerbate an injury. Be willing to travel to the hospital in an ambulance, if necessary.

Even if you are able to walk away from the crash, you want to get medical attention as soon as possible, either by taking yourself to a hospital emergency room or urgent care facility, or by scheduling an immediate appointment with your primary care provider. The sooner you seek medical care, the more options doctors will typically have. In addition, getting timely medical treatment will help your legal claims, as doctors can confirm that your injuries resulted from the accident.

When you seek medical attention, be certain to tell doctors about anything that seems unusual. Don’t focus only on obvious injuries, such as a broken bone. Often, injuries that take some time to develop are the ones that cause the most long-term challenges. Ask medical personnel to document everything in writing, so that you have a permanent record.

Gather Information, If Possible

If you can, try to get as much information as you can from the other driver and from potential witnesses, including names, phone numbers, email addresses, and other contact information. Be willing to ask the at-fault driver for the name of their insurance company. In addition, get your phone out and take pictures of everything that may be relevant to the crash, including the injuries you’ve suffered, the damage to all vehicles, weather conditions, skid marks, and any roadway issues that may have contributed to the accident.

Contact an Experienced Attorney

The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner your rights will be fully protected. Your attorney can be your liaison with insurance companies, helping you get the benefits you need and deserve. Your attorney will also know what steps to take to ensure your rights are protected in court.

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 motor vehicle accident caused by the carelessness of another person. We can help. Send us an email today or call us at 856-667-4666 / 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.

We take all personal injury claims on a contingency basis. We will charge legal fees only if we recover compensation for your losses.

What to Do When You Slip and Fall on an Icy Sidewalk

Protecting Your Rights and Your Health

What to Do When You Slip and Fall on an Icy SidewalkIt’s winter in New Jersey and that usually means snowy and icy conditions. As a general rule, property owners have a duty to respond reasonably to winter weather, thereby minimizing the risk of injury to others on their property. What steps should you take in the immediate aftermath of a slip and fall on ice or snow on residential or commercial premises?

Step #1—Determine the Full Extent of Your Injuries

Often, when slip and fall on icy sidewalks or pavement, you’ll land on your back, neck or head. If so, it’s important that you don’t try to move too quickly. If you can do so safely, stay where you are until emergency responders arrive. They’ll know how to determine the seriousness of your injury and what needs to be done to maximize your safety.

Step #2—Get the Medical Care You Need

Be willing to travel to the hospital by ambulance, if necessary. Don’t try to minimize or shake off your injury, as it will make it more difficult to argue your case in court. Make certain you tell medical professionals of anything that seems out of the ordinary. Ask that everything be documented in writing. 

Step#3—Gather Information, If Possible

In many instances, you’ll be able to file a claim against the property owner, based on a legal theory of premises liability. To succeed, you’ll want tangible and convincing evidence to support your claim. That may include pictures of the scene of the accident, of the injuries you suffered, and of any other factors that may be relevant. You’ll also want to get names and contact information for the property owner, as well as any potential witnesses. 

Step #4—Hire an Experienced Attorney

The sooner you retain a proven lawyer to handle the legal issues related to your slip and fall, the sooner you’ll have an advocate to protect your rights. Your attorney will know what needs to be filed and when, and can be your liaison with insurance companies, helping you get the benefits promised by your policy.

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.

The Most Common Types of Personal Injury Claims in the Winter

The Most Frequent Winter Accidents | What You Can Do to Avoid Them

The Most Common Types of Personal Injury Claims in the WinterIt may or may not come as a surprise to you to learn that the likelihood of suffering a personal injury increases in the winter months. What are the most common causes of personal injury when the weather gets cold? What can you do to minimize the risk of injury this winter?

The Most Common Causes of Personal Injury in New Jersey Winters

As a general rule, a significant percentage of the personal injuries claims arising in New Jersey in the winter are a consequence of snowy and icy conditions:

  • Slips and falls account for the largest percentage of those accidents, as snow and ice accumulate on sidewalks, driveways, steps, stairs, porches, decks and other thoroughfares.
  • Motor vehicle accident rates also go up in winter weather, as motorists confront black ice, snow and ice on the road, and diminished visibility
  • Winter typically sees an increase as well in the number of car wrecks involving drunk drivers

The types of injuries suffered cover the full spectrum, from sprains, strains and muscle pulls to broken bone, from spinal cord or traumatic brain injury to neck and back trauma.

What Can You Do to Stay Safe This Winter?

If you’re heading outside, take the time to ensure that you’re properly dressed. That includes footwear that will maximize your traction on frozen or snowy sidewalks. Good gloves and proper headgear can also reduce the risk of injury.

If you plan to drive somewhere, pay heed to the following guidelines:

  • Make certain your car is fully winterized, with good tires and brakes. It’s also critical that your heater and defrost units work properly.
  • Plan extra time to get where you need to go—you’ll likely have to drive more slowly and may need to make more traffic stops
  • Remove all snow and ice from windshields, windows, hoods and the roof of your car—doing so will improve your visibility and that of drivers around you

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 claim. Evening and weekend consultations are available upon request. We can come to your home or the hospital to meet with you, if necessary.

Winterizing Your Motor Vehicle in New Jersey

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.

Wishing You And Yours A Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Karbasian NY

Motorcycle Safety in New Jersey in the Winter

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.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

Tips for Safe Winter Driving in New Jersey

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.

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