The Personal Injury Attorney in Lodi, NJ, You Can Trust

Did you know that as a state, New Jersey has the 3rd most personal injury cases per capita? In fact, personal injury cases occurred at a rate of 30.34 per 100,000 capita, which is 218% higher than the national average of 9.53%. Perhaps even more alarming, personal injury cases account for 31% of New Jersey's entire caseload - 166% higher than the U.S. average, which lies at 11.65%. One look at those stats, and it's clear that thousands of men and women in New Jersey suffer from the unfortunate negligence of others.

The truth is, when an accident happens out of nowhere, even the most prepared New Jersey native can become a victim. Imagine driving home after a tough day at work, looking forward to relaxing, but suddenly, your life takes an unexpected turn due to someone else's negligence. Coping with the aftermath of personal injury accidents is a daunting task involving long-lasting pain, concerns about work, and worries about your loved ones.

Unfortunately, victims often fall prey to lowball settlement offers and provide official statements to insurance companies without a personal injury attorney in Lodi, NJ. Once you accept a settlement offer or make an official statement, it becomes challenging to correct the situation. That's where William Gonzalez Law Group comes in - to protect your rights and fight on your behalf for the compensation you deserve.

Service Areas

The William Gonzalez Law Difference

William N. Gonzalez was Born in 1961 in the Bronx. He moved to Puerto Rico in 1973, where he attended Middle School, High School, and freshman year at the Catholic University of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Ultimately, he transferred to John Jay College of Criminal Justice C.U.N.Y., earning a B.A. degree in 1984.

After completing that achievement, he attended Seton Hall School of Law from 1987 through 1990, earning a J.D. and admission into the New Jersey State Bar. Shortly after, he began working for various law firms until2002, when he became a solo practitioner in the Township of West New York.

Since that time, he has dedicated his practice to serving the community with honesty, integrity, and hard work. His practice was founded with the main purpose of helping those who face crisis and are in need of a personal injury lawyer in Lodi, NJ, who sticks by their side.

Mr. Gonzalez focuses on a range of personal injury cases, including but not limited to.

Auto Accidents
Truck Accidents
Car Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Workers' Compensation Cases
DUI Cases
Municipal Court Cases

If you're looking for a fearless attorney to fully represent you and to fight the good fight on your behalf, look no further than the William Gonzalez Law Group. Now that you're up-to-date on William Gonzalez's background and accomplishments, let's dig a little deeper into the nuances of personal injury law and the areas of law in which he focuses.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in New Jersey

While there are many different types of personal injury cases in New Jersey, some are more common than others - especially those that involve motor vehicles and driving under the influence. Some of the most common types of personal injury cases that William Gonzalez helps clients overcome include.

Did you know that driver error is the leading cause of car accidents in New Jersey? The truth is that negligent drivers don't pay attention. They also don't adhere to traffic laws or use the right safety precautions. They often cause serious injuries by.

Driving Too Fast
Talking or Texting While Driving
Driving Under the Influence
Making Improper Lane Changes
Running Stop Signs and Red Lights
Rear-Ending Other Drivers

If you have been injured in a car accident that was caused by someone else's negligence, it is important to have a personal injury attorney in Lodi, NJ, whom you can rely on. Your lawyer will help protect your rights and fight for the maximum compensation possible according to local laws. Your car accident attorney will also collaborate with specialists such as investigators and accident reconstruction experts to determine the cause of your injury and establish who is responsible for any damages.

There are more than eleven million trucks that operate daily across the United States, with drivers who work long hours and carry sensitive materials. In 2016, there were over 470,000 large truck and semi accidents, with human error accounting for 90% of those accidents. Truck accidents can cause injuries in several ways, such as if a truck carrying hazardous materials explodes or spills its contents, causing damage to surrounding drivers and property. Commercial trucks can also jackknife or lose control of their steering wheel, which can result in injuries to the driver or others involved in the accident.

Due to the massive size of semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles, accidents involving these vehicles often result in catastrophic injuries. If you have been injured due to a negligent truck driver who was speeding, distracted, impaired, or whose vehicle was poorly maintained, it's time to hire a trucks accident lawyer. Doing so quickly after your accident will help protect your rights against insurers and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

If you ride a motorcycle in New Jersey, you are at a higher risk of dying in an accident compared to other drivers. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are on the rise. The good news? William Gonzalez is highly skilled when it comes to representing motorcycle accident clients and the injuries they sustain, including.

Injury from negligent drivers who are reckless, distracted, or are involved in blind-spot wrecks
Injury due to serious road defects such as unsafe intersections, potholes, and more

If you were recently involved in a motorcycle accident because of another party's negligence, you can count on William Gonzalez as your advocate. It all starts with an initial consultation with a motorcycle injury attorney who truly understands New Jersey injury law.

If you have been injured while working, it can be a painful, confusing, and emotional experience. It can also be financially devastating for you and your family. Therefore, it is important to take the necessary steps to protect yourself and seek the guidance of a qualified workers' compensation lawyer in New Jersey. The William Gonzalez Law Group has been successfully assisting injured workers for years. Mr. Gonzalez's goal is to get the full compensation you need to cover your medical bills and take care of your family while you recover. If you've suffered an injury while on the job that resulted in lost wages or ongoing pain and suffering, it's time to fight for financial compensation.

Injuries resulting from trips, slips, and falls can be severe and may include fractures, brain trauma, neck, and back injuries, among others. Recovering from a serious fall can take months, and the victim may experience lifelong health issues and incur substantial medical bills.

However, in New Jersey, property owners have a legal obligation to maintain their property in a safe manner. If someone gets injured on their premises or property due to their negligence, the owner can be held liable. The victim has the right to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for the cost of medical treatment, lost income, and pain and suffering caused by the injuries.

Some of the most common contributors to slip-and-fall accidents in New Jersey include.

Poor Lighting
Narrow Stairs
Wet Floors
Missing Handrails
Uneven Flooring
Defective Sidewalks

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a drunk driving accident, a personal injury lawyer in Lodi, NJ, can provide assistance. Despite decades-long efforts by civic organizations to curb drunk driving, it remains a problem throughout the United States, including in New Jersey, which has strict DUI laws and enforcement.

William Gonzalez believes that prosecuting drunk driving accidents not only helps clients recover compensation for their injuries but also serves as a warning to others who may consider driving under the influence.

What are Personal Injuries in New Jersey?

When an accident, incident, or illness causes you physical injury or emotional pain and suffering, it is referred to as personal injury. For example, suppose you are involved in a car accident and experience a traumatic brain injury. In that case, you have the right to seek compensation for the expenses related to treating and recovering from your physical injuries. You're also entitled to financial compensation for the emotional distress you may have suffered as a result of the injury.

There are three general terms you should be familiar with as it relates to personal injury law in New Jersey:

Pain and Suffering
Bodily Harm
Emotional Distress

Pain and Suffering in New Jersey

Experiencing pain and suffering is not always limited to physical injuries. It can also affect one's emotional well-being, which may require the help of a mental health professional to properly document. Consulting with a mental health professional can help determine the extent of any potential psychological issues that may have arisen from your incident.

To provide accurate documentation of your emotional pain and suffering, it is important to record how your daily activities have been impacted and how you may no longer be able to participate in activities that you once enjoyed. This might include difficulties in communication or the inability to enjoy outings that were once pleasurable.

Bodily Harm in New Jersey

When someone experiences physical injury as a result of an accident, such as a car accident, they may sue for compensation for the harm done to their body. This compensation can help cover the costs of medical bills, surgeries, physical therapy, home care equipment, or any other expenses needed to aid in their recovery from the injury.

Emotional Distress in New Jersey

Emotional distress can be difficult to prove, especially when it involves defamation of character or threats to one's physical safety. It's important to understand, however, that emotional distress is valid. You have the right to seek compensation for any fear or trauma you have experienced and should not hesitate to fight for what you deserve.

If you have suffered a serious injury due to an accident, it's time to protect yourself and your family with the help of a personal injury attorney in Lodi, NJ. Unlike your lawyer, the insurance companies involved in your personal injury case are not on your side and are known for presenting offers that don't fairly compensate you for your losses.

How Negligence Affects Your Personal Injury Case in New Jersey

In New Jersey, determining who is legally responsible for an accident usually involves assessing the negligence of the person at fault. Proving negligence or negligent acts as the cause of serious injuries and damages can be one of the most challenging aspects of a personal injury case. While some accidents are just that - accidents - in other cases, such as drunk driving car accidents, it is clear that the act of criminal negligence caused the accident, and the person responsible should be held liable for the damages.

According to New Jersey law, there are four elements that must be covered when trying to prove negligence in personal injury cases. Those elements include the following.

Let's Talk

Legal Duty

According to legal duty, the defendant has a responsibility to ensure the safety of the victim and prevent harm. In New Jersey, drivers have a legal obligation to operate their vehicles safely in regard to other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Businesses are legally obliged to maintain their premises in a safe manner, ensuring there are no hazards such as ice, snow, or slippery floors.

Breach of Duty

To prove that the defendant is responsible for an accident, it must be shown that they behaved in a way that they knew could cause harm to others. Additionally, it must be demonstrated that a reasonable person in the same situation would have acted differently. For instance, it is common knowledge that driving a car, truck, or motorcycle under the influence can lead to an accident.

Causation

One of the biggest reasons to hire a personal injury lawyer in Lodi, NJ, is so they can prove that your injuries are a direct result of the other party's breach of duty. This means that you need to demonstrate that your injuries occurred due to the defendant's actions. To do so, it is recommended that you seek medical attention from a physician who can document your injuries and confirm that they were caused or worsened by the defendant's negligence. It is crucial to document your injuries with a doctor, as it can be difficult to obtain compensation for injuries that were not properly documented.

Damages

When filing a claim, you must show proof of loss, which may include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering compensation.

William Gonzalez Law Pro Tip

If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence, you should act fast to file a claim and hire a lawyer. In New Jersey, you only have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit or claim. If you fail to file a claim within the time frame set by the statute of limitations, you will lose your opportunity to do so. In most cases, if you attempt to file a claim after the two-year deadline, the defendant will file a motion to dismiss. There are very few exceptions where a personal injury claim may be filed beyond the two-year mark.

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A Personal Injury Attorney in Lodi, NJ, You Can Count On

The William Gonzalez Law Group specializes in helping you get back on track after a setback. With decades of experience in personal injury law, Mr. Gonzalez can assist you in cases such as car crashes, truck accidents, slip and fall incidents, motorcycle accidents, DUI accidents, workers' compensation cases, and more.

When you are unable to work, have mounting bills and medical expenses, and your quality of life is affected, you need a strong and reliable advocate on your side, and William Gonzalez is the man to call for help. Whether you need assistance with a complex personal injury case or need trustworthy, easy-to-understand legal advice, contact the William Gonzalez Law Group today.

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Looking for things to do near Lodi? Borough dance instructor shares itinerary

Alyson Daleo can teach you a thing or two. Whether you want to learn jazz, tap, ballet or fractions, this Lodi native has you covered.Daleo started dancing when she was five years old."Growing up, going to dance with my friends was my favorite thing to do," she says. "The studio was my second home."When she turned 15, Daleo started volunteering at her Hasbrouck Heights studio. She began teaching there two years later and eventually worked her way up to become the studio's assistant director.In ...

Alyson Daleo can teach you a thing or two. Whether you want to learn jazz, tap, ballet or fractions, this Lodi native has you covered.

Daleo started dancing when she was five years old.

"Growing up, going to dance with my friends was my favorite thing to do," she says. "The studio was my second home."

When she turned 15, Daleo started volunteering at her Hasbrouck Heights studio. She began teaching there two years later and eventually worked her way up to become the studio's assistant director.

In June 2023, the owner was preparing to move and offered to pass the studio along to Daleo. This sparked the idea of going into business for herself. "I decided to open my own studio in a new location instead," she says. "Many of my students followed along."

To keep the legacy of the original studio alive, Daleo changed the name slightly, and in September 2023, Act 1 Dance (1 S. Main St., Lodi; act1dance.com; @act1dancenj) was open for business.

"I have always wanted to give children a safe space to express themselves and have a ton of fun in the process, just like I had as a child," she says.

Act 1 Dance offers dance classes in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, pre-pointe, hip hop and acro/gymnastics for children ages 2 and up. It also offers weekly Zumba classes for adults.

"We pride ourselves on being a very close-knit, family-oriented dance studio," she says. "Our motto is, 'Act 1 Dance: Where friends become family, and the studio becomes a second home.'"

During the day, however, Daleo does a different type of teaching. "I am currently in my second year of teaching fourth grade in Cliffside Park," she says. "I actually opened the dance studio in the same year that I started my first year as a teacher, which was a lot to juggle!"

Here are a few of Daleo's favorite things to do in and around Lodi.

Breakfast

After teaching dance on a typical Saturday morning, my go-to breakfast spot is Bagel Buffet (395 Route 17, Hackensack). I always order a Taylor ham, egg and cheese sandwich on a plain bagel with salt pepper and ketchup. The staff and owner are always friendly and willing to support the dance studio in any way they can.

Lunch

My favorite place for lunch is a Lodi classic called Hank's Franks (210 Route 46), a small Sabrett hot dog shop that has been in business for more than 60 years. I always order either a hot dog with ketchup or a hot dog with cheese. And as a drink, I get an orange drink out of the fountain. The staff is always so friendly and the service is so quick.

Dinner

One of my favorite dinner options is The Risotto House (203 Boulevard, Hasbrouck Heights). I always start with an order of fried calamari and for my entree, I get the chicken parmigiana with a side of penne pasta with marinara sauce. I can always count on The Risotto House to have quick service, large portions, reasonable prices and a wonderful ambiance.

Dessert

I recently started going to New Venice Bakery (173 Ray St., Garfield) when a different bakery my family always went to unfortunately closed. Since then, it has become a weekly tradition on Sunday to get bread for dinner and the best cheesecake cupcakes I ever had. It is a mini cheesecake in a cupcake wrapper with fresh whipped cream and a strawberry on top. The prices are unbeatable and the desserts are so fresh.

Working Out

My favorite place to work out is Act 1 Dance. Since dancing has always been my passion, Zumba workouts are the absolute best. Every Thursday, the studio has a Zumba class that I love to attend. It is a high-energy class in which you are able to stick to your own pace and take breaks as needed. I love it because it is fun and not dreadful like going to a gym and lifting weights.

Outdoor Activity

One of the best outdoor activities is going to the New Meadowlands Flea Market (Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford). They are open most Saturdays unless have many cool vendors. I enjoy going to the food stands for shish kebabs and crepes. It is always an adventure because you never know what you’re going to find. I once found a brand new gymnastics air tumbling track for only $1!

Indoor Activity

A classic Lodi spot for indoor fun is bowling at Lodi Lanes (58 Terhune Ave). My fiancé, John, and I love to have bowling date nights ever since we started dating almost 10 years ago. It was one of our first dates. The prices are reasonable and the staff is great. They have a fantastic food station and bar. I recommend going after 9 p.m. for cosmic bowling.

Shopping

A typical Friday night for me is a night at the mall and my favorite is American Dream (1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford). The amount of stores and activities are endless. I love that all the places I like to shop (Bath & Body Works, Sephora, Ulta, Old Navy, and PINK) are all in the same section which makes for easy access.

Get To Know Lodi

Established: 1894

Total Area: 2.29 square miles

Population: 25,969 people, 9,471 households and 6,109 families

Median age: 38.7

Median household income: $80,044

Median property value: $423,900

Borders: Garfield, Hackensack, Hasbrouck Heights, Maywood, Rochelle Park, Saddle Brook, South Hackensack and Wood-Ridge.

(Source: United States Census and datausa.io)

Notable Natives

The punk rock band Misfits was formed in Lodi by singer and songwriter Glenn Danzig in 1977. The band's original bassist, Jerry Only, is also a Lodi native.

Danzig graduated from Lodi High School in 1973. He also started the band Samhain which would eventually change its name to Danzig, and has written songs for other musicians, including Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison.

Joram Mushinske is the art director for (201) Magazine. He also writes monthly columns in (201) about local influencers and asks business owners to share their favorite things to do in Bergen County. Joram is a Ridgewood native and his work appears regularly in The Record and on NorthJersey.com. He also manages the @201magazine account on Instagram. Click here to have (201) Magazine delivered to your mailbox each month.

NJ school districts' April election results for Bergen and Passaic counties

Polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday for a handful of New Jersey school districts opting to hold April school board elections.Of the state's almost 600 school districts, 16 hold spring elections, and the others have them on Election Day in November.The districts with spring elections are: Cliffside Park, Fairview, Lodi, Garfield, Irvington, Newark, Monroe, North Bergen, Weehawken, West New York, New Brunswick, Randolph, Passaic, Totowa, Byram and Westfield.All state school elections were held in the spring until...

Polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday for a handful of New Jersey school districts opting to hold April school board elections.

Of the state's almost 600 school districts, 16 hold spring elections, and the others have them on Election Day in November.

The districts with spring elections are: Cliffside Park, Fairview, Lodi, Garfield, Irvington, Newark, Monroe, North Bergen, Weehawken, West New York, New Brunswick, Randolph, Passaic, Totowa, Byram and Westfield.

All state school elections were held in the spring until 2012, when a new state law allowed districts to switch their elections to November.

Some towns have switched back to April. Garfield was the latest, just making the ballot deadline in February after the school district and current Board of Education tried to stop the City Council from making the move. Lodi changed back to the spring in 2023.

With the change, districts no longer had to seek public approval to pass their budgets unless they exceeded the then-new state-mandated 2% cap on increases.

Only voters whose districts held elections in April had a say on school spending plans, but that was recently changed.

Last year, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law that took the public budget vote away for districts with April elections unless the school district was raising taxes above the 2% cap. With bank cap exceptions, it gives a school district the opportunity to raise taxes over the 2% cap before a public vote can take place.

Bergen County school board unofficial results

CLIFFSIDE PARK (Three open seats)

FAIRVIEW (three open seats)

GARFIELD (three open seats)

LODI (three open seats)

Passaic County

TOTOWA (three open seats)

CITY OF PASSAIC (three open seats)

He's inspired by Andy Warhol and Anna Wintour. Meet this NJ fashion and pop culture artist

Each year, (201) Magazine spotlights Bergen County artists for its annual Arts Issue. This year's crop features artists originally from Beirut, Hong Kong and the Bronx who create art as unique as their upbringings. Their choice of mediums might vary, but they all share the joy of creating. Here's a Q&A with one of those artists, Rafael Flores.When did you become an artist?I think it was always in me, but...

Each year, (201) Magazine spotlights Bergen County artists for its annual Arts Issue. This year's crop features artists originally from Beirut, Hong Kong and the Bronx who create art as unique as their upbringings. Their choice of mediums might vary, but they all share the joy of creating. Here's a Q&A with one of those artists, Rafael Flores.

When did you become an artist?

I think it was always in me, but I didn’t really harness it until I took an art class in college. Everything took off from there.

How did the place where you grew up affect your art and creative process?

How couldn’t it? Jersey City oozed art from the bus stop to the galleries to the courthouse. There was always some form of mural or graffiti tag somewhere.

Where do you find inspiration?

I am inspired by Andy Warhol, Anna Wintour, Manhattan and my parents.

When did you realize that you wanted to make art professionally?

In college, I took an art class and my professor — a working artist — showed us local artists at the school’s gallery. Once I met them and realized they made art their life, I asked myself, 'Why can’t I do that, too?'

Is creating art your full-time job?

No. Right now, I’m helping out the team at PAPER magazine for work. It’s fabulous.

Can you describe your creative process?

I dream of a fantasy and ride the coattails of that fantasy all the way to the final details. If I’m illustrating a magazine cover, I imagine myself on set in the middle of all the gorgeous chaos. If I’m drawing clothes, I imagine seeing them in the wild.

Is there a common theme to your work?

Fashion and pop culture.

How has your art evolved?

When I first started creating art, I was letting a lot of stuff out from within. Art was my therapy, and the wilder my work looked the better I felt afterwards. Today, that energy is still there but I walk it in on a refined leash.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve encountered in your career?

Finding relevance and holding on to it. Trying to become someone on the scene has been exhausting but I’ll never stop.

Do you have a favorite piece?

I cannot pick just one. But if I had to pick some, I’d say “Lady Liberty Wears Schiaparelli,” Rihanna for Interview magazine, and my ode to Diane Keaton’s recent book Fashion First.

"Life is a lot better when you start believing in yourself and your abilities." —Rafael Flores

What advice would you give to aspiring artists?

Learn to take rejection. Don’t lose yourself in the hard parts. Try to remember that art is supposed to be fun!

What are some of your favorite places in Bergen?

I like the Barrymore Theater in Fort Lee, Steve’s Burgers in Garfield and Maywood Marketplace in Maywood.

What’s next?

I’m gearing up to work full-time in the editorial world. I’d love to continue working with magazines.

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