The Personal Injury Attorney in River Ridge, 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 River Ridge, 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 River Ridge, 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 River Ridge, 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 River Ridge, 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 River Ridge, 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.
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.
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 River Ridge, 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.
A Personal Injury Attorney in River Ridge, 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.
Latest News in River Ridge, NJ
River Edge wants to reconfigure its elementary schools. Why some parents are pushing back
Stephanie Nodahttps://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/river-edge/2023/01/24/river-edge-nj-school-reconfiguration-for-special-ed-prompts-debate/69827521007/
5-minute readNorthJersey.comThe River Edge school district may reconfigure grades across its three elementary school buildings to address overcrowding and better integrate ...
5-minute read
NorthJersey.com
The River Edge school district may reconfigure grades across its three elementary school buildings to address overcrowding and better integrate students with disabilities into the general population.
The proposal has run into opposition, however, from residents who warned it would create instability for students in the pre-K to sixth grade district who are only now readjusting after the peak of COVID-19 disruptions. Some at a school board meeting last week also said the plan would be a burden for working parents who would need to drop children off at two different schools instead of one.
“The impact on our working families is going to be huge,” said Suzanne Lyons, who would face two different drop-off times for her kids. “It needs to be a major consideration as we move forward and figure out how this is all going to work.”
The proposal, outlined during Wednesday's meeting, would make the Cherry Hill School campus, which includes the district's New Bridge Center, home to pre-kindergarten through third-grade classes. Roosevelt School would host fourth through sixth grades.
Currently, the population of the Cherry Hill campus is 715 students and Roosevelt School has 478 students. If reconfigured, 688 students would attend Cherry Hill and 505 would go to Roosevelt.
Along with easing space constraints, the district wants to address the "unintended consequences" of past projects, which have concentrated students with disabilities in New Bridge Center, said Superintendent Cathy Danahy.
“We evolved to one campus, but really two schools,” she said on Wednesday. “NBC became the 'special education building,' as people refer to it as. I have moral and ethical concerns about that. In addition, the law protects students from this type of separation.”
New Bridge is connected to Cherry Hill School, which currently has kindergarten to sixth-grade classes on the south side of town. Roosevelt. on the north side of town, is now home to kindergarten to sixth grade.
How the school district got here
During a presentation Wednesday, Danahy said she gave a state-of-the-school address last May in which she discussed the space constraints. At that time, there was a thought to bring kindergarten back to New Bridge Center, but ultimately it was decided it was too soon to make that decision.
In December, finance and facilities committees met to revisit where the district was in terms of space. Another idea was brought to the table: the reconfiguration of grades, which was outlined to the public for the first time during Wednesday night's meeting.
Before 2005, the school district offered only half-day kindergarten, but that changed when a proposal to build New Bridge Center, which would have space for modified full-day kindergarten, was approved in a referendum, with the building opening in 2007.
Over the years, more self-contained classes, including the Building Bridges and Building Connections classes, were brought to New Bridge Center, allowing the district to bring back students who were previously sent out of district. There were five self-contained programs in New Bridge Center by 2013.
The Building Bridges program helps students with autism and disabilities from preschool through sixth. Building Connections is a program that serves disabled students in kindergarten to third grade.
In 2015, the student population was overcrowded at Cherry Hill School and needed additional space. Four kindergarten classes left New Bridge Center and went to Roosevelt School to make space for additional classrooms at Cherry Hill.
School district wants more integration between students
Moving kindergarten students to Roosevelt School was a “temporary solution” and a workaround.
“Students in special education have a right to learn in classrooms beside grade-level peers, and the way we have students separated is a challenge we must overcome for the well-being of our students and to be in compliance with the law,” Danahy said.
One of the key components to reconfiguration is to weave the Building Bridges and Building Connections classes more into the school community. The reconfiguration would have students with disabilities and the general student population participating next to one another in assemblies and special programs, such as theater and dance .
Currently, the special education classes lack space for occupational therapy and physical therapy. Some resource room classes are also taught in a dual-use room setup, or a bigger room separated with a partition in the middle, which is not ideal, Danahy said.
“We do our very best with scheduling to make sure those classes don’t occur at the same time, but sometimes they do,” she said. “Special education resource room classes are best taught in designated small group instruction.”
On the staff side, there aren’t adequate parking lots for staff or street parking for teachers. Having a significant number of staff members traveling to different buildings also cuts into instruction time.
“This conversation is not going away,” Danahy said. “We can either find big solutions to our big challenges or we can continue to put in small workarounds that may solve small things along the way, but not the big things.”
Students, parents raise objections
Before any decision takes place, district officials said, they will need to conduct an in-depth traffic study, look at busing considerations, find solutions that would have fewer cars on the road and figure out drop-off and pickup procedures.
There also was a discussion of alternatives at Wednesday's meeting, including adding staff, moving kindergarten to New Bridge Center, redistributing students throughout the district and moving sixth grade to River Dell Middle School. The latter would come with its own challenges, as dual-use rooms would remain, school officials said. Moving sixth grade to River Dell Middle School would require both River Edge and Oradell to pass a referendum measure, parents were told.
During the meeting's public comment session, many students and parents rejected the idea of changing the grades among the three buildings.
Madeline Markman, a fifth grader from Cherry Hill School, said she and many of her classmates were upset by the proposal to move them to Roosevelt School for their last year. This year has felt the most normal since the pandemic hit, and the idea of changing schools makes her and her classmates “upset and anxious.”
“It means a lot for us to finish our last year and graduate at Cherry Hill,” Markman said.
Jenna Dolaghan, a parent who also works as a substitute teacher in both Roosevelt and Cherry Hill, said the plan would “rip the rug out” from under students after they had a one-year return to normalcy from pandemic disruptions.
"If you talk to any behaviorist or counselor out there, what they're going to tell you is that children need routine and consistency," Dolaghan said.
Maria Rivera, a parent who has a sixth grader in the Building Connections program, said her son has been able to participate in activities with the rest of the student body.
“My son does every single activity, he goes into every single class party, he’s included in everything,” Rivera said. “He’s not excluded.”
Stephanie Noda is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: noda@northjersey.com
Twitter: @snoda11
Please support us by turning off your adblocker.
Our reporters live and work in North Jersey. Your support keeps them out in the field.
WWE star Liv Morgan, a Bergen County native, meets fans at Total Wine in River Edge
Lucas Frauhttps://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/river-edge/2024/12/13/wwe-star-liv-morgan-total-wine-river-edge-nj/76968878007/
Hundreds line up in the frigid cold on Friday to take pictures and get an autograph from wrestling superstar Liv Morgan, a New Jersey native, at Total Wine in River Edge.Liv Morgan, who's legal name is Gionna Daddio, is the current Women's World Champion for World Wresting Entertainment, also known as WWE. Morgan has been champion for over 200 days.Morgan hails from Bergen County, growing up in Elmwood Park. Her bio on the ...
Hundreds line up in the frigid cold on Friday to take pictures and get an autograph from wrestling superstar Liv Morgan, a New Jersey native, at Total Wine in River Edge.
Liv Morgan, who's legal name is Gionna Daddio, is the current Women's World Champion for World Wresting Entertainment, also known as WWE. Morgan has been champion for over 200 days.
Morgan hails from Bergen County, growing up in Elmwood Park. Her bio on the WWE website says it has always been her lifelong dream to join the wrestling industry as she played in a makeshift ring that her and her brothers constructed in the backyard in her New Jersey home.
It was a cold day in River Edge, but that did not stop hundreds of die hard fans from bundling up and waiting to meet the wrestler on Friday afternoon.
Father and son, Kenny and Kenny Jr. Feola are diehard wrestling fans who were on line to meet Morgan since 8 a.m. for the 2 p.m. event.
"I've been a wrestling fan for 40 years, him 20," said the father. The River Edge residents said others in front of them had been on the line since 6 a.m.
This is not their first rodeo when it comes to meeting WWE superstars. They recalled meeting the wrestler Edge in 2004 for an autograph signing in New Jersey.
"My favorite memory was probably John Cena's return to the Royal Rumble," said the son. His father's favorite memory was when Cena announced his retirement.
When they are not meeting wrestlers, they are watching them at live events. They last went to "Full Gear," an AEW pay-per-view event at the Prudential Center. They hope to attend Summer Slam which will be hosted at MetLife Stadium in August of 2025.
Others in the back of the line also carried excitement, looking forward to meeting Morgan. Anthony Coppola's love for wrestling goes deep as he says his favorite wrestler of all time is legend Shawn Michaels, other wise known as "HBK" or the Heartbreak Kid.
"It's too hard to pick a favorite moment, there's just too many," said Coppola. The wrestling fan said he is excited to see the wrestling duo the Hardy Boyz when they come to an event in the northeast.
Total Wine would not allow access to the media for photographs of Morgan taking pictures and signing autographs to fans.
The next major wrestling event to take place in New Jersey is WWE's Summer Slam pay-per-view that is set to take place at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 2 and Aug. 3, 2025. Tickets for the show have yet to be released.
The Manhattan Center Hammerstein Ballroom will host AEW's Collision event on Saturday and Sunday Dec. 21 and 22.
Disclaimer:
