The roads of New Jersey aren’t just paths of asphalt; they’re lifelines, weaving through our communities, connecting us to work, home, and adventure. But for those of us who experience these roads on two wheels, they’re often filled with more risks than rewards. That’s why, since March 1, 2022, New Jersey has put its heart into protecting its most vulnerable road users with the Safe Passing Law (NJSA 39:4-92.4). This isn’t about control; it’s about caring. It’s about ensuring that every cyclist who sets out can return home safely to their families.

Suit Up to Show Up – Visibility is Vital

Imagine you’re a beacon on the road, a guiding light in the twilight. Dressing in neon or fluorescent colors isn’t just about style—it’s about survival. Here’s how you can light up your life:

Wear Your Brights

Choose gear that screams to be seen, whether it’s your jersey, jacket, or pants. Bright yellow, fluorescent green, bright pink — rocking these colors may not win you fashion points, but may save your life.

Reflect Your Intent

Add reflective tape to your bike, helmet, and clothing. Shine like you mean it—because your life depends on it.

Flash Your Path

Equip your ride with flashing front and rear lights. Make sure they know you’re there and where you’re headed.

Riding Right – The Road is a Stage, Not a Battlefield

This road we share is a stage for stories, not a battlefield for supremacy. Here’s how to write a story that ends with you rolling into your driveway, safe and sound:

Always Obey the Beat of the Traffic

You’re part of the rhythm of the road. Stick to bike lanes, signal your intentions, and respect the reds and stops.

Lock Eyes, Not Wheels

Make eye contact with drivers. Let them see your humanity, not just your helmet.

Steer Clear of the Shadows

Stay out of blind spots. If you can’t see a driver’s eyes, they probably can’t see you.

Predict Your Plot

Signal clearly and early. Make your next move obvious—surprises are for birthdays, not for bicyclists traveling with cars and trucks.

Claim Your Chapter

Sometimes, the safest place to ride is right in the center of the lane. Own it if you need it.

Love Your Ride: A Well-Tuned Bike is a Safe Bike

Treat your bike like it’s part of your family. Keep it in tune, and it will look out for you.

• Brakes: They’re your best friends. Keep them tight and responsive.
• Tires: Keep them full and firm. They’re the only thing between you and the road.
• Lights and Reflectors: Keep them clean and bright. They’re your voice in the darkness.

Protect Your Brain

No matter what you do, always wear a good helmet that fits just right. Make sure you buy the highest quality helmet you can possibly buy. Do your homework by researching the Virginia Tech Star rating system.

You only get one brain.

In Closing: A Shared Journey

Riding a bike isn’t just about moving from point A to B; it’s about feeling the wind, owning your journey, and being present in every moment. But it’s also about coming home. Every pedal you push is a promise to someone waiting for you, expecting you back as you left, whole and happy.

Let’s respect each other on the road. Let’s make every journey safe, and let every story have a happy ending. Because on these roads we share, every turn you take is a choice—and I hope you choose safety, choose respect, choose life.

In New Jersey, people 65 and older are at a higher risk of being hit by a car.

Fatal pedestrian accidents have increased dramatically over the last 10 years nationwide. But a closer look at New Jersey’s fatal pedestrian accidents reveals a disturbing problem – older residents are over-represented among victims. In 2021, for example, people 65 and older accounted for more than 30% of fatal pedestrian accident victims in New Jersey. Meanwhile, this demographic only makes up about 17% of the state’s general population.

Safety advocates say that to address this issue and reduce the number of pedestrian accidents involving older adults, it is essential to focus on improving infrastructure, promoting traffic safety education, and implementing policies that enhance pedestrian safety.

Pedestrians of every age face hazards

While seniors are at greater risk, everyone on foot has to contend with New Jersey traffic hazards. Overall, about 200 pedestrians died in New Jersey crashes last year. So far, in 2023, 81 fatal pedestrian accidents have occurred in the state. Middlesex County, as well as Bergen, Essex, and Ocean counties, are reporting the highest numbers of fatal pedestrian accidents. Recent deadly pedestrian accidents have occurred statewide, including devastating incidents in:

• Caldwell on Rte 506.
• East Orange on Rte 508.
• Freehold on SH 9.
• Hazlet on SH 35.
• Middletown on Garden State Pkwy.
• Newark on Rte 603, Monroe St, North 9th St, Washington St, and Mulberry St.
• Ocean on SH 66.
• Upper Freehold on Rte 539.

Pedestrian deaths are a nationwide problem

The issue of pedestrian safety isn’t isolated to New Jersey. In a recent report by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), it was revealed that pedestrian fatalities reached a 41-year high in 2022, with over 7,508 pedestrian deaths recorded nationwide.

That’s the highest pedestrian death toll since 1981.

Nationwide, pedestrian fatalities have also seen a dramatic increase of 77% since 2010, a figure significantly higher than the 25% rise in all other traffic-related deaths. Factors such as dangerous driving, poor infrastructure, and heavier vehicles have contributed to this ongoing pedestrian safety crisis.

The GHSA report also identified several key trends in pedestrian fatalities from 2010 to 2021. Notably, most pedestrian deaths occurred at night and in areas without sidewalks, with a significant increase in fatalities involving SUVs due to their larger size and weight.

Additionally, the risk of death for pedestrians increased exponentially with vehicle speed. The report suggested measures such as focusing traffic enforcement on dangerous driving behaviors, educating drivers about pedestrian safety, and adopting a Safe System approach to road safety.

This approach, first implemented in Sweden in the 1990s, aims to eliminate road deaths by designing better infrastructure, enforcing lower speeds, and creating a safety net to lessen the impact of crashes. Despite these alarming figures, the GHSA emphasizes that pedestrian accidents are preventable and that concerted action is needed to reverse this trend.

Claims involving pedestrian accidents are complicated

If you were hit by a car or a loved one died in a fatal pedestrian accident, take immediate action and talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. Navigating pedestrian accident claims can be complex, and drivers frequently attempt to blame the victim on foot.

Likewise, insurance companies are in business to make a profit, meaning they often try to limit or deny compensation in order to minimize their costs. They may do this by disputing the severity of your injuries, asserting you had pre-existing conditions, arguing that you were partially or fully at fault for the accident, or claiming that you did not seek appropriate medical attention in a timely manner. That’s why it’s crucial to have experienced legal representation on your side to counter these tactics and fight for the compensation you deserve.

For nearly 100 years, Shebell & Shebell, LLC has offered highly-skilled legal representation to accident victims in New Jersey. Our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers understand the unique challenges injury claims often present and can handle every aspect of your potential case. Don’t wait to reach out. Contact us today for a free consultation to see how we can help you. We have offices in Shrewsbury and Newark, and we serve clients throughout New Jersey.

To share the road safely with bicyclists, drivers must follow certain steps.

Bicycling is popular in Shrewsbury, Newark, and throughout New Jersey. Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles. But some drivers think of bicycles as little more than an annoyance and don’t act responsibly. The result is often a bicycle accident that can leave the cyclist with serious injuries.

Sharing the road with bicyclists can be a challenge for some drivers. But aside from the legal responsibility to drive safely, it’s often just a matter of common sense.

Here are some steps that drivers can take to share the road safely with bicyclists:

1. Give bicyclists a lot of space.

When passing a bicyclist, drivers must leave at least three feet of space between the car and the bicycle. This helps prevent accidents, keeping both the driver and the bicyclist safe.

2. Yield when turning.

It’s important to always look for any bicycles on the road when driving. When you are turning, yield to any bicyclists in the intersection or on the road.

3. Signal your turns well in advance.

This gives bicyclists time to anticipate your movements and adjust their position on the road. Put on your turn signals well before turning to help avoid a collision.

4. Slow down when passing.

Passing too quickly can take the bicyclist by surprise and cause them to lose control. Instead, maintain a safe speed as you pass the bicycle, and only pass when it is safe to do so.

5. Check your mirrors before opening the car door.

This is especially important if the car is parked on the side of the road. A door opening suddenly can cause severe injuries to a bicyclist in a dooring accident. Always check your mirrors first to make sure a bicyclist is not approaching.

6. Respect the bike lanes.

Many roads in New Jersey have designated bike lanes. Remember, these are intended for the use of bicyclists to help keep them safe. Be aware of these lanes, and don’t drive in them.

7. Avoid distractions.

Any kind of distraction – such as texting, using a phone, adjusting dashboard controls, eating, or drinking – takes your attention away from the road. If you look away for even a few seconds, you might not see a bicyclist near you.

8. Take extra care at intersections.

Intersections are particularly dangerous for bicyclists, as cars travel in many directions. So be on the lookout for bicycles as you make your way through.

9. Be patient.

Bicycles may travel slower than cars, but bicyclists have the same right to use the road that you do. Driving recklessly or too fast can easily result in a collision.

10. Be courteous.

Everyone needs to remain calm and courteous toward other road users, including bicyclists. They are only trying to get to where they’re going, just as you are.

Because bicyclists have almost no protection, they can be seriously injured in a bicycle accident. Medical expenses for treating their injuries can add up very quickly, and a bicyclist may not be able to work. Recovering financial compensation can be complicated, as drivers deny doing anything wrong, and insurance companies look for excuses to pay as little as possible.

If you’ve been hurt in a crash, you need an experienced New Jersey bicycle accident lawyer. The attorneys at Shebell & Shebell, LLC build strong cases that get results and are committed to helping you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.

A “Never Event” can lead to serious health consequences

When we seek medical care, we put our trust in healthcare professionals to provide us with safe and effective treatment. Unfortunately, there are instances where preventable medical errors occur, resulting in devastating consequences for patients and their families. These types of errors are known as “Never Events,” as they are serious, unambiguous, and totally preventable.

Never Events are a subset of sentinel events, which are unexpected occurrences involving death or severe injury. The National Quality Forum (NQF) developed a list of 29 Never Events that are grouped into seven categories:

• Surgical or procedural events: Errors that occur during a surgical or invasive procedure, such as wrong-site surgery.
• Product or device events: Injuries or deaths resulting from the use of contaminated drugs, devices, or biologics.
• Patient protection events: Incidents that compromise patient safety, such as elopement or suicide.
• Care management events: Errors that occur during patient care, such as medication errors or falls.
• Environmental events: Injuries or deaths resulting from unsafe conditions in a healthcare setting, such as electric shocks or burns.
• Radiologic events: Injuries or deaths resulting from improper use of radiology equipment or exposure to radiation.
• Criminal events: Incidents of abuse, assault, or impersonation of a healthcare provider.

These events are devastating to patients and their families, and they may indicate a fundamental safety problem within a healthcare organization. While individual events are uncommon, on a population basis, many patients still experience these serious errors. For instance, a 2013 study estimated that more than 4,000 surgical Never Events occur annually in the United States.

What’s being done to prevent “Never Events”?

As the name Never Events implies, healthcare organizations are under significant pressure to eliminate them completely. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced all the way back in August 2007 that Medicare would no longer pay for additional costs associated with many preventable errors, including those considered Never Events. Since then, many states and private insurers have adopted similar policies. Since February 2009, CMS has not paid for any costs associated with wrong-site surgeries.

In addition to financial penalties, Never Events are being publicly reported to increase accountability and improve the quality of care. Eleven states mandate reporting of Never Events whenever they occur, and an additional 16 states (including New Jersey) mandate reporting of serious adverse events, including many of the NQF Never Events. Healthcare facilities are accountable for correcting systematic problems that contributed to the event, with some states mandating performance of a root cause analysis and reporting its results.

Holding negligent healthcare facilities accountable

Healthcare organizations must prioritize patient safety to prevent Never Events from occurring. They must implement systems and processes that identify and prevent errors before they occur, such as surgical checklists and bar-coded medication administration systems. Furthermore, healthcare professionals must be adequately trained and educated on safe and effective practices to provide high-quality care.

When Never Events occur, healthcare organizations must be held accountable for the damage caused to the patient and their family. With the help of a medical malpractice lawyer, patients and families can seek compensation for the damages they have suffered as a result of a Never Event. This may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other costs associated with the event.

At Shebell & Shebell, LLC, our dedicated team can provide guidance and support throughout the legal process, ensuring that patients and families receive the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to a Never Event or other preventable medical error, contact us today for a free case consultation to see how an experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you. Our offices are in Shrewsbury, NJ, and Newark, NJ.

Video can serve as objective evidence in support of your claim or lawsuit.

Surveillance videos have become ubiquitous in contemporary society, and in certain situations, they can play a critical role in the resolution of a slip and fall accident claim. Video can provide visual evidence of the hazardous conditions that led to the slip and fall, thereby assisting in the handling of the claim.

In such cases, the footage captured by the cameras can serve to corroborate the victim’s account of the incident. Furthermore, the video can also provide insights into the duration of the hazardous condition and events preceding and following the accident. These details can be critical in establishing negligence by the business or property owner.

Slip and fall accidents can be devastating and often occur due to negligence. For those seeking compensation, it is important to take immediate action to protect their legal rights. If you were injured in a New Jersey slip and fall, contact Shebell & Shebell, LLC, to see how an experienced attorney from our law firm can help you build a strong case for the compensation you deserve.

How long is surveillance video saved?

The preservation of surveillance footage is a critical aspect of slip and fall cases. Many businesses, including retail stores, hotels, and banks, use closed-circuit television (CCTV) to monitor patrons, but each has its own set of standards for retaining videos. Information on the length of time businesses hold onto security videos is often anecdotal, and it is not uncommon for companies to selectively retain footage for their own purposes.

It is essential to understand that CCTVs have limited storage and typically overwrite older videos or images unless someone intervenes. This is why it is crucial to consult with an experienced slip and fall attorney before such evidence is lost or destroyed. The events leading up to the accident captured by the surveillance footage may hold the key to establishing liability and securing compensation for your damages.

How can a slip and fall accident lawyer help?

If video evidence of your slip and fall exists, obtaining the footage can be an invaluable asset in your case. However, getting access to such footage can be challenging. An attorney can help you by sending a letter to the party that has the footage (typically the owner of the premises) and requesting the preservation of the video footage. This serves multiple purposes, including informing the party that you have legal representation and ensuring that the footage is preserved.

Likewise, if someone recorded your accident using a cellphone, the video could serve as evidence in your case. Your attorney can track down and interview eyewitnesses and may request a copy of the cellphone video as part of the investigation into your accident.

Contact Shebell & Shebell if you’ve been injured.

Slip, trip, and fall hazards pose a constant threat in public spaces. These hazards can lurk in unexpected places, from bustling shopping centers to cozy dining spots. Poorly maintained floors, inadequate lighting, and trip hazards are just a few examples of the dangers that can lead to serious accidents. Even residential properties, such as apartment complexes or condominium associations, may not take the necessary precautions to ensure a safe environment, leaving residents and visitors vulnerable to dangerous slips and trips.

In the aftermath of a slip and fall accident, it’s essential to take steps to protect your legal rights. A crucial part of this process involves determining whether any surveillance cameras captured the incident. At Shebell & Shebell, LLC, our dedicated legal team has years of experience investigating slip and falls and can help you find the facts that matter to your case. To learn how an experienced New Jersey slip and fall accident lawyer can help with your potential legal case, contact us today for a free consultation.