photos by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, No injuries were reported following a late Thursday afternoon, 02/06, two (2) vehicle crash in the 200 block of North Pleasant Avenue. The rear of a parked SUV was struck by a 4-door sedan that was traveling southbound on North Pleasant Avenue. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. Ridgewood Police responded; no word as to whether any summonses were issued in connection with the incident.
Car accidents are always sudden and unexpected. No matter how good and careful of a driver you are, you may still be involved in an auto accident. It usually takes seconds for a lot of damage to occur, and it is crucial that you remember to take certain actions, as well as avoid a few more after the collision.
Due to how fast accidents happen, and the rapid adrenaline rush that may stun you, it is normal that you aren’t able to think straight in such a situation. Getting acquainted with the actions that need to be taken immediately at the scene, and those you need to do later on, is vital to avoid issues with your insurance claim and any potential legal consequences of the collision.
Steps to do Immediately at the Scene of the Accident
Never drive away or leave the area where the accident occurred even if you think the collision wasn’t your fault. Try to stay as calm as possible, and avoid making accusations to the other drivers involved in the accident.
You should never hesitate to call the police even if you think that the car crash is minor, or if others try to convince you to just handle it among yourselves. Without an official report from the authorities, your insurance company won’t pay for any of the damages or injuries that happened, even if you were not at fault during the crash.
Keeping your flashers on or putting up flares prevents more accidents from occurring. Use your phone to take as many photos as possible of the scene and the crash, including damage to the vehicles or properties involved in the accident. You should also take pictures of anything that may have contributed to the collision, such as a damaged roadway. Moreover, take photos of your injuries, as well as insurance policy information of the other parties involved in the crash.
You should gather information on all vehicles and parties involved in the accident. This may include:
Don’t leave out any details, and explain any aches to your physician. And remember to keep track of all your medical expenses. That said, don’t do anything on your own. Consult your attorney as soon as possible after the accident. You must receive professional legal advice before making any statements. Remember that you shouldn’t carry on without a lawyer. An experienced attorney will help protect all your legal rights, and you could see if you are entitled to compensation for your accident, especially if you have been injured during the car crash. This can be very helpful since personal injury lawyers can deal with the insurance company while you focus on recovering and getting things back on track.
Most insurance policies demand an immediate report of a car crash as soon as it has occurred. If nothing is hindering you from notifying the company, then do that at the scene. However, you are still able to notify your insurance company 24 hours after the crash has happened. Give them a basic report of how the accident happened as you remember it.
Being acquainted with the steps that need to be taken after a car accident protects your civil rights and makes sure that you get compensated when you file a claim. Such steps are vital after auto-collisions to ensure that you receive a fair settlement for damages that may have occurred to your vehicle as well as any injuries you may be suffering from. But it’s equally as important to avoid doing any actions that might take those rights away from you, and those include:
Fleeing the scene of the accident.
Admitting responsibility or accepting blame for the crash.
Forgetting to obtain a copy of the police report.
Accepting quick settlements from the other parties’ insurers.
Being involved in a car crash can be highly stressful to you and your family. Dealing with the wreck, the insurance company, the medical bills, or even a possible lawsuit might be too much to take all at once. Remember that you should never handle things on your own. It is best to contact your attorney immediately after the crash.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
West Orange NJ, New Jersey State Troopers reported that at 10:22 a.m., a dump truck struck two troopers outside of their patrol cars and multiple pedestrians at an accident investigation on I-280 EB MP 9.8 in West Orange. Both troopers were transported by ambulance to an area hospital.
No serious injuries reported by pedestrians. Dump truck remained on scene. All lanes closed due to the investigation. Expect delays. No additional information is available.
Continue reading Dump truck hits three NJ State troopers investigating an accident on Interstate 280 in West Orange
Glen Rock NJ, A 15-year old male Glen Rock resident riding his bicycle was struck by a car and injured at the intersection of Ackerman Avenue and Rock Road on Tuesday morning, 08/04. The youth’s injuries were minor; he was treated on the scene by members of the Glen Rock Volunteer Ambulance Corps. The driver of the car that struck the victim remained on the scene and cooperated with Glen Rock police officers. The incident was reported shortly after 10 AM.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
Minivan and pickup collide in Ridgewood
October 15, 2014
Boyd A. Loving
6:03 PM
Ridgewood NJ, A Ford pickup truck collided with a Chrysler Town & Country minivan at the corner of Robinson Lane and Oak Street, Ridgewood at approximately 2:15 PM on Wednesday, 10/15. The minivan driver sustained a minor injury, but refused medical aid. The pickup truck driver was uninjured. A flatbed tow truck removed the minivan from the scene. The pickup truck drove off on its own power; damage to it was limited to a dented front bumper. The pickup truck driver told police that the minivan had run a stop sign. Police at the scene did not say if any summonses had been issued in connection with the crash. Ridgewood PD, EMS, and FD responded.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
Chevrolet Traverse vs. tree – tree wins
September 24,2014
Boyd A. Loving
12:05 PM
Ridgewood NJ, The driver of a silver colored Chevrolet Traverse escaped injury after crashing her vehicle into a tree at the intersection of Frederick Street and North Pleasant Avenue in Ridgewood on Wednesday morning, 09/24. The incident occurred shortly after 0915 hours. Ridgewood PD, FD, and EMS all responded to the scene. The driver refused medical treatment. Ridgewood Police Department Lieutenant William Amoruso indicated via phone that the driver reached down to retrieve a soft drink and lost control of her vehicle. No summonses were issued in connection with the incident.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
Lexus plows through fence onto railroad right-of-way
April 7th 2014
Boyd A. Loving
3:06 PM
Ridgewood NJ, The driver of a Lexus sedan wound up on the wrong side of a chain link fence on Monday afternoon while attempting to pull into a parking space in the rear of a medical office building located at 505 Goffle Road, Ridgewood. Ridgewood Police Department officers removed both uninjured occupants of the vehicle and safely escorted them away from an active railroad line. Ridgewood Fire Department personnel assisted in the removal of a portion of the fence to facilitate recovery of the Lexus. It is believed the driver may have mistaken the accelerator pedal for the brake pedal. A flatbed tow truck removed the car from the scene.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
