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 North Bergen, 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.
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 North Bergen, NJ, who sticks by their side.
Mr. Gonzalez focuses on a range of personal injury cases, including but not limited to.
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.
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.
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 North Bergen, 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.
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.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of a drunk driving accident, a personal injury lawyer in North Bergen, 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.
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:
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.
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 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 North Bergen, 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
One of the biggest reasons to hire a personal injury lawyer in North Bergen, 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.
When filing a claim, you must show proof of loss, which may include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering compensation.
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.
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.
Lucas FrauThat was not your imagination. New Jersey and other areas on the East Coast experienced a 4.8 magnitude earthquake on Friday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey.Af...
That was not your imagination. New Jersey and other areas on the East Coast experienced a 4.8 magnitude earthquake on Friday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey.
After Friday's unusual experience, many may wonder what caused the earthquake and how strong it was compared to others in the state or worldwide. Here are what the experts say about the science behind an earthquake.
An earthquake occurs because of slippage between the earth's tectonic plates, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The edges of the plates, or plate boundaries, are made up of many faults, and most earthquakes occur on these faults. "Since the edges of the plates are rough, they get stuck while the rest of the plate keeps moving," according to the USGS. "Finally, when the plate has moved far enough, the edges unstick on one of the faults and there is an earthquake."
In New Jersey and elsewhere, earthquakes usually occur "when slowly accumulated strain within the Earth's crust is suddenly released along a fault," according to "Earthquake Risk in New Jersey," a publication of the New Jersey Geological Survey.
More:The April 8 solar eclipse is almost here, North Jersey. Here's your complete viewing guide
"The energy from this movement travels as seismic waves along the ground surface and within the earth," the publication says.
The earthquake waves are caused by the release of energy as the Earth's plates move, said Dr. Matthew Gorring, an associate professor of Earth and Environment Studies at Montclair State University.
The surface where that slippage occurs is called a fault.
While there are many faults in New Jersey, the best known is the Ramapo Fault, which runs northeast-southwest in North Jersey. The majority of New Jersey's quakes occurred around this fault area.
History:Friday's earthquake was the strongest in NJ since 1783. A look back at quake history
The Ramapo Fault system runs from southeastern New York to eastern Pennsylvania, according to the earth Institute at Columbia University. "These faults were active at different times during the evolution of the Appalachians, especially in the Mesozoic when they served as border faults to the Newark Basin and other extensional basins formed by the opening of the Atlantic Ocean approximately 200 million years ago."
In New Jersey, fault lines do not generally break the Earth's surface, but are based several miles below.
Earthquakes east of the Rockies are generally less intense than to the west, but because of geologic differences, eastern earthquakes tend to affect areas 10 times larger than western ones of the same magnitude, according to the New Jersey Geological Survey.
The location below the earth’s surface where the earthquake starts is called the hypocenter and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the epicenter. The epicenter for Friday's earthquake was near Readington in Hunterdon County according to a post on X from Gov. Phil Murphy.
Earthquakes are recorded using seismographs and magnitude measures the strength of an earthquake. A 4.8 earthquake usually calculates minor to no damage to the surrounding areas.
As the magnitude increases by one whole number, the size of the earthquake increases by a factor of 10. So an earthquake that measures a magnitude of 5.0 would result in 10 times more ground shaking than one with a magnitude of 4.0. — and about 32 times as much energy would be released.
According to a New Jersey Office of Emergency Management report, "New Jersey is in an area where the rarer plate interior-related earthquakes occur. As plates continue to move and plate boundaries change geologically over time, weakened boundary regions become part of the interiors of the plates. These zones of weakness within the continents can cause earthquakes in response to stresses that originate at the edges of the plate or in the deeper crust."
Friday's earthquake will go down in the history books in New Jersey as it was the largest in the state in centuries — in fact the largest since 1783.
New Jersey may not be in the path of totality for the solar eclipse on Monday — that band across the continental U.S where the moon totally blocks out the sun — but that hasn't kept local businesses from preparing for a day of celebration on April 8.Sellers of ice cream, doughnuts, chips and fast food are putting out special products for the s...
New Jersey may not be in the path of totality for the solar eclipse on Monday — that band across the continental U.S where the moon totally blocks out the sun — but that hasn't kept local businesses from preparing for a day of celebration on April 8.
Sellers of ice cream, doughnuts, chips and fast food are putting out special products for the solar eclipse, while businesses are putting together watch parties for their staff and the public.
And that’s on top of the dozens of watch parties being held at observatories, libraries and universities across North Jersey.
“There’s going to be events all over the state,” said Anthony Minick, senior lecturer at the International School of Hospitality, Sports and Tourism Management at Fairleigh Dickinson University and a former director of marketing for the state’s tourism board. “There’s certainly opportunities for people who want to eat and dine… prior and after the experience.”
Jim Kirkos, who heads the Meadowlands Chamber, a local business association based in Lyndhurst, called the eclipse “a real tourist attraction” for businesses and viewers alike.
“I’m sure I’d find a bunch of places that are getting creative with some outdoor dining or use it as an attraction, as a business activity,” Kirkos said. “I think that’s the smart thing to do.”
At Beenie’s Ice Cream in Morristown, patrons can buy special black cocoa waffle cones with edible stardust — only on April 8, the day of the eclipse.
Tony Franco, the ice cream shop’s owner, said he's giving away a free pair of solar eclipse glasses with the first 50 purchases. The shop opens at noon Monday and the eclipse is expected to take place between 2.09 p.m. and 4:37 p.m., reaching a maximum dimness at 3:25 p.m.
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The flavor of this special cone is expected to be “very similar to Oreos,” Franco said. He expects that with the number of businesses, shops and schools in downtown Morristown, business should be booming on Monday.
“We’re always trying to think of how can we make today different from the last day, maybe not on a daily basis, but we definitely like to change things up and make things exciting,” he said.
In Rutherford, local Realtor Jennifer Darby Metzger, owner of ERA Justin Realty, is hosting a watch party between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. The party comes complete with goodie bags that feature space-themed treats like Moon pies, Starburst, Eclipse Gum and Sun Chips. RSVP is available online
On top of the party, the firm has been giving out 500 free eclipse glasses, and there are about 100 left, Metzger said.
“It’s literally just for fun, to get the community together,” said Metzger, who incidentally studied earth and space sciences education in college to be a middle or high school teacher.
Krispy Kreme is offering a Total Solar Eclipse doughnut now through Monday.
Meanwhile, you can get SunChips Solar Eclipse Limited-Edition Pineapple Habanero and Black Bean Spicy Gouda chips by going to SunChipsSolarEclipse.com beginning at 2:33 p.m. on Monday — about when the eclipse begins in the U.S. — to get a free bag, while supplies last.
Also on Monday, members of Burger King’s Royal Perks loyalty program can text the word ECLIPSE to 251251 to get a special buy-one-get-one-free Whopper. The offer is redeemable April 8 through 15 using the BK app or on the Burger King website. You can join the Royal Perks program in the app or on BK.com
Also on eclipse day, get any large pizza from Pizza Hut for $12. You can create your own pizza with up to 10 toppings or order any of Pizza Hut's recipe pizzas, as well as Thin ‘N Crispy, Hand Tossed Pizza and Original Pan Pizza.
Applebee’s is offering a “Perfect Eclipse'' margarita through April 14, while the beer brand Blue Moon is offering a $25 special eclipse edition. 7-Eleven is selling eclipse glasses at participating stores, and selling whole pizzas on Monday for just $3 to 7NOW Gold Pass subscribers.
Sonic Drive-In is selling its new limited-edition Blackout Slush Float through May 5, and handing out free eclipse glasses with every purchase of the float while supplies last.
Daniel Munoz covers business, consumer affairs, labor and the economy for NorthJersey.com and The Record.
We have all heard the old saying, "April showers bring May flowers." But so far, 2024 has been along the lines of January, February and March showers bring more April showers and eventually we might see the May flowers.New Jersey has seen an exceptionally rainy start to 2024 with above normal levels of rain, below normal levels of snow, and around half of the year's days seeing some sort of precipitation.Here is a recap of 2024 so far based off of ...
We have all heard the old saying, "April showers bring May flowers." But so far, 2024 has been along the lines of January, February and March showers bring more April showers and eventually we might see the May flowers.
New Jersey has seen an exceptionally rainy start to 2024 with above normal levels of rain, below normal levels of snow, and around half of the year's days seeing some sort of precipitation.
Here is a recap of 2024 so far based off of data from the National Weather Service.
The first three months of 2024 were quite rainy, with a fair amount of dark and dreary days to ring in the spring season.
According to the National Weather Service, the Mount Holly Weather Forecast Office recorded 17.61 inches of rain between Jan. 1 and March 31. The normal amount of rain for this period is 10.08 inches.
The Newark area saw 15.26 inches of rain, almost 5 inches more than the normal amount of 10.53 inches.
Now, more rain, thunderstorms and a wind advisory have kicked off April, with 2 to 3 inches of rain expected in New Jersey through Thursday.
On the other hand, the first three months of many years have been met with snowfall. This year, however, the snow fell short.
Mount Holly recorded only 12.4 inches of snow between Jan.1 and March 31 as compared to the normal amount of 20.4 inches.
The Newark area saw 12.2 inches of snow compared to a normal 24.8 inches.
January, February and March account for 91 of 2024's 366 days.
During these first 91 days of the year, Mount Holly recorded 46 days with some type of precipitation. This equals about half, equating to 50.55%.
The Newark area saw over half of its days with precipitation, totaling 50 of 91 days, or 54.95%.
By the end of the first week of April, days 93 through 95 will also be on the books as precipitation days.
Each month the NOAA's Climate Prediction Center issues a climate outlook for the month ahead including temperature and precipitation. While these outlooks are not forecasts with specific temperatures or precipitation amounts, they do provide some insight on what the month could look like.
According to the U.S. climate outlook for April 2024, most of New Jersey has between a 40% and 50% chance of leaning above normal precipitation amounts. The average precipitation amount for New Jersey in April is between 3 inches and 4 inches.
In terms of temperature, New Jersey has between a 33% and a 40% chance of leaning above normal. The average temperature for New Jersey in April is between 45 and 55 degrees.
3-minute readSome school districts in Bergen, Passaic, Morris and Sussex counties will hold board of education elections on April 16, while a handful of municipalities have elections on May 14 for local officials.All school elections in New Jersey were held in the spring until 2012 when a state law passed that allowed districts to switch elections to November. Some switched to November and then switched back to the spring.Any district that held its elections in the fall no longer had to seek public appro...
Some school districts in Bergen, Passaic, Morris and Sussex counties will hold board of education elections on April 16, while a handful of municipalities have elections on May 14 for local officials.
All school elections in New Jersey were held in the spring until 2012 when a state law passed that allowed districts to switch elections to November. Some switched to November and then switched back to the spring.
Any district that held its elections in the fall no longer had to seek public approval for their budgets unless they exceeded the state-mandated 2% cap. Only voters whose districts hold elections in April still have a say on school spending plans.
Of New Jersey's almost 600 school districts, only 12 held elections last April.
In Bergen County, Cliffside Park, Fairview and Lodi will have races. This is the first April election Lodi will have since approving the switch from November last year.
Last year, Cliffside Park and Fairview held school board elections. Cliffside Park had a 3.65% voter turnout and Fairview saw 4.17%. Both budgets passed.
In Passaic County, the city of Passaic and Totowa have spring school elections. In Morris County only East Hanover schools do and in Sussex County, only Byram Township will hold spring school elections.
North Jersey municipalities that will hold elections for local officials are Paterson and Ridgefield Park.
The following will have April school board elections. (*Denotes incumbents).
Cliffside Park: Four candidates are running for three, three-year terms.
Fairview: Three candidates are running unopposed for the three, three-year terms.
Lodi: Six residents are running for three, three-year terms. The candidates are split into two brackets running together.
East Hanover: Two candidates are running for two, three-year terms.
Passaic: Eight candidates are running for three, three-year terms.
Totowa: Three candidates are running for three, three-year terms.
Byram: Two candidates are running for one one-year term.
The following municipalities will hold elections for local officials.
Ridgefield Park: The Village of Ridgefield Park will have an election on May 14 for five, four-year term commissioner seats. Seven candidates are running, with five candidates running together. Mail-in-ballots were sent out to 709 voters by the Bergen County Clerk's office on March 27.
Paterson: The city has 22 challengers for six city council seats.
Additional reporting by Joe Malinconico, Paterson Press
12 / 22Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey JournalRockslide in North Bergen damages carsThe Duchess, right, at the foot of the Palisades cliffs at 7601 River Road in North Bergen, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. (Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal)...
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Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal
Rockslide in North Bergen damages cars
The Duchess, right, at the foot of the Palisades cliffs at 7601 River Road in North Bergen, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. (Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal)Get Photo
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Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal
Rockslide in North Bergen damages cars
Boulevard East right above the Duchess is closed from 74th to 78th streets for a stability assessment due to the rockslide, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. (Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal)Get Photo
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Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal
Rockslide in North Bergen damages cars
Netting on the face of the Palisades cliffs behind the Walgreens next door to the The Duchess at 7601 River Road in North Bergen, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. (Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal)Get Photo