Joseph M. Ghabour & Associates LLC Blog

Left Lane v. Right Lane

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the entire country- most everyone knows this. Considering, how crowded this small state is, it's no surprise that our roads and major highways share the same issue. Recently, the New Jersey Senate Transportation Committee proposed a fine increase for drivers who do not stay right, except to pass. The proposed increase has the $50 fine change to $200 and the $100 fine change to $300. Also, $50 from each of those fines would be put towards highway signs to inform drivers of the state's 'Stay Right' law.

New Jersey should accept this proposal right away! I don't know about some people on the roads, but when I drive, I'm driving to go places and I need to be there at a certain time. My frustrations behind the wheel hits a peak when I am in the left lane and trapped behind a car and next to a row of tractor trailors on my right side. Where can I go?? Definitely not to my destination. If you're driving in the left lane and everyone driving to the right of you is passing you, you shouldn't be driving in New Jersey. Holding up the 'passing lane' causes 'road rage' for many other drivers and that can lead to many accidents. If you plan on driving below the speed limit, stay to the right and let everyone else pass.

Texting and Driving

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Texting while driving leads to consequences as severe as drinking while driving. The driver is completely unable to focus on driving when their mind is so distracted! Hearing about a car accident caused by a driver on their phone seems to be as common, or even more prevalent, as accidents caused by drunk drivers. If someone gets pulled over for texting they get a ticket and have to pay a fine. But when that action can cause deaths, shouldn't the consequence be more severe?!

Somerset County has started a pledge for high school students to "Put it Down" and stop texting while driving. That effort is great, but unfortunately that pledge won't last indefinitely. Self-monitoring by teenagers does not sound very secure. Instead of an optional pledge, how about an across-the-board law that makes a serious enough consequence for this act to STOP.

Admitting Fault After an auto accident can wreck your case!

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

You just got into an accident. It is important to remain calm while talking to the other driver and don’t say anything that could be construed as an admission of fault. A harmless apology, made in an attempt to placate the other driver’s anger, can be twisted by an insurance company lawyer into a confession that the accident was the result of your negligence.
How you feel towards the other driver after the accident—enraged, indignant, sheepish or remorseful—isn’t necessarily a reflection of who was actually at fault. I’ve heard of drivers who were clearly in the wrong but acted as though they were innocent victims of another’s recklessness. And I’ve known others who apologized profusely in spite of having done nothing wrong. Regardless of who you feel is at fault, it’s best to avoid discussing with the other driver the details of the accident and how it happened, no matter how much you may be tempted to do so. Do not argue with another driver or passengers—nothing good can come of it. At the same time, keep an ear open to what the other driver says and write down any admission or apology as quickly as possible.

School Bus Drivers and DWI

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

A New Jersey school bus driver was arrested yesterday after crashing into a tree in East Brunswick , accused of driving while intoxicated. This is not the first time we hear about school bus drivers driving while intoxicated. How do they get behind the wheel to begin with? Granted if a driver doesn't have a DUI on his or record, there is no reason to believe they will get a DUI....but then again, there is no reason to think they WILL NOT get a DUI either. And it is impossible to keep constant eye on all drivers before they get behind the wheel. Or is it?

In certain circumstances Courts in NJ have ordered interlocatory devices be installed on the vehciles of repeat offenders to make sure they are unable to turn the car on if they are drunk. The devices are not too expensive, but they do save lives. It only makes sense that they be installed in all school buses to make sure that no driver will operate a school bus while drunk, endangering the lives of the children on the bus or people on the road.

A Blog that led to a lawsuit!

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

One of the major gripes people have with lawyers is that lawyers sue just for fun. While I strongly disagree with that characterization, reading about a lawyer that sued another lawyer for defamation because of what was written about him on that lawyer's blog is ridiculous. For one, freedom of speech is screaming here!!! You can't sue me because I express my opinion (unless I am making a statement of fact that I know to be wrong--FACT is the keyword here). An opinion is just that, an opinion. Nothing more or less.

Apparently there is a shortage of work for this law firm. I guess when clients are hard ot come by, you become your own client. Really people, grow up!

Facebook can wreck your injury case

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

A quick view of Facebook photos and I quickly noticed how nothing stays private. Not only did I manage to look at photos of "friends," I was able to look at photos of people I did not know... Total Strangers!!!! Shocking, right? When did privacy go out the window?

If you have a personal injury case, you must be careful what you post on Facebook! The insurance companies are searching for you and when they find pictures of you doing things you claimed you can no longer do as a result of an accident, you can bet they are going to use them against you.

Have you heard of the Miranda warning in Criminal cases? Well, here is my version of it in PI Cases.....

"You have right to post photos on Facebook. Anything you post will be used against you by the insurance company and will be shown to the judge and jury. "

Be careful....Insurance companies are watching!

Seatbelts Save Lives

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

A 25-year-old woman was killed in a car accident today on the New Jersey Turnpike near exit 8A. Police say she was not wearing her seatbelt and was thrown out of her Ford Explorer upon impact. She was killed instantly.

Don't risk your life. Buckle up! Not only will you save money on a "no seatbelt" ticket, you will save your life!

NJ Hospital Accused of Overcharging Accident Patients

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center in Secaucus has been accused by insurance companies of billing them as much as 3,000 percent more than its own outpatient surgery centers charge for the same treatment. New Jersey is looking to close a fee loophole that has allowed such greedy conduct to continue.

The hospital is managed by outpatient surgery center operators, having been purchased by 3 nearby surgicenters last year. According to the report, which alleges that the new owners have been referring auto accident victims from their facilities to the hospital to take advantage of a fee loophole. New Jersey limits what surgicenters may charge, but it doesn't regulate what hospitals may charge for most outpatient care.