New Jersey requires the following mandatory coverage:

• Liability insurance – covers damages to another if you are found responsible for the accident.

Slip and fall accidents can result in sprains, broken bones and even traumatic brain injuries, all of which can lead to extensive medical costs, high rehabilitation expenses and possible lost wages as the victim recovers.

To be able to recover damages to help with these expenses, it must be shown that the accident was the result of negligence. It is possible for both the victim and property owner to share in that negligence.

In an effort to help accident victims and their families recover, lawmakers earlier this year introduced legislation in both the state senate and state assembly to provide victims with better compensation, as well as improve accountability and transparency in these cases. To learn more, read “Those hurt in N.J. car crashes …”

Essentially e-bikes are bicycles with motors, making them more powerful than ordinary bikes but less than motorcycles. These vehicles are often operated by children as young as 11 or 12 with little to no knowledge of the rules of the road. Concerns over this lack of knowledge and experience have some people pushing for more safety controls over the use of these vehicles. To learn more and see if you agree stronger regulations are warranted, read “Push for new regulations as e-bike accidents involving children on the rise.”

Drivers who flee a crash scene despite State laws requiring them to stay and report any accident involving injuries, fatalities or property damage valued at more than $500, face the possibility of being charged with a third-degree crime (for accidents resulting in physical injuries) or a second-degree crime (for accidents resulting in fatalities).

Because leaving the scene prolongs the investigation into that accident and, more importantly, can delay getting aid and other assistance to the victims, some say existing laws don’t provide enough of a deterrent. To learn what NJ lawmakers are currently considering read, “New Jersey’s Push for Stricter Hit-and-Run Penalties. . .”

One of the biggest risks is fire resulting from an accident. The lithium batteries that power electric vehicles will cause these vehicles to burn hotter and longer than their gas-powered counterparts. Extinguishing EV fires and extricating victims takes special techniques and training, putting not only drivers and passengers at greater risks, but also the first responders themselves. Not all fires happen immediately after the accident. There have been increasing reports of accident-related fires flaring up hours or even days later when the car could be at the repair shop or wherever it had been towed.

Who is responsible for injuries or property damages resulting from an accident-related EV fire? That’s one of several questions accident lawyers are now grappling with. The learn more read, “Electric Vehicles Fires and Accidents: The New Risks on New York Streets.”

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission will manage the registry, which is available to residents beginning at the age of 14. To learn more about the registry and how to participate read, “Next-of-Kin Registry.”

When prescription medications fall into the wrong hands, it can lead to serious and sometimes fatal injuries. It has been found that often the people who misuse or abuse prescription drugs get them from the medicine cabinets of family or friends. By properly disposing of unused or expired medications, both prescription and over the counter, we can each do our small part in helping to reduce these accidental overdoses. To learn more about how and where to dispose of medications you no longer need, visit the DEA’s Take Back Day page for details about this month’s event.

Children who run on board or lean over the deck can quickly turn an enjoyable activity into a tragic event. For tips on keeping your young passengers safe and injury-free, and avoiding possible legal actions, read “Boating Safety – Kids On Board.”

According to reports, there have been more than 80 reports to date of unintentional activation involving these stoves, resulting in about 28 fires that led to hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damages, minor injuries to individuals, and the death of several family pets. To learn if this recall affects your electric range and what to do if it does, read “Pets Killed, Homes Damaged: 500K Electric Stoves Recalled Over This Fire Risk.”