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 Fort Lee, 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 Fort Lee, 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 Fort Lee, 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 Fort Lee, 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 Fort Lee, 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 Fort Lee, 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.
FORT LEE, New Jersey (WABC) -- A new lawsuit accuses a school district in New Jersey of ignoring pleas for help from two former students who say they were abused by a teacher.The lawsuit was filed Wednesday against the Fort Lee School District and the Fort Lee Board of Education over allegations stemming from 2012 and 2017.The lawsuit says a former special education math teacher was inappropriate with two middle school students at Lewis F. Cole Middle School.Kaylie Quezada is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. The oth...
FORT LEE, New Jersey (WABC) -- A new lawsuit accuses a school district in New Jersey of ignoring pleas for help from two former students who say they were abused by a teacher.
The lawsuit was filed Wednesday against the Fort Lee School District and the Fort Lee Board of Education over allegations stemming from 2012 and 2017.
The lawsuit says a former special education math teacher was inappropriate with two middle school students at Lewis F. Cole Middle School.
Kaylie Quezada is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. The other victim is identified as 22-year-old Jane Doe.
Both say the school district and school board were negligent in responding to their complaints about the teacher.
Jane Doe accused him of harassment in 2012 and Quezada says he touched her inappropriately beginning in 2017. She described being touched on her shoulder and on her waist several times as well as being squeezed so hard around her waist that she couldn't breathe.
She said she reported it to school officials and they did not follow protocol.
"However they did not report this to the state as they are required to do so, and I was told to just go back to class and not speak about this with anyone else," Quezada said.
The lawsuit argues more should have been done to protect the students.
"When a child makes a complaint or allegation of abuse, we know that there are two things that need to happen: they need to be taken seriously and there needs to be immediate action to protect those, and that action needs to be taken by those in charge - the administrators," said Quezada's attorney Jeffrey Fritz.
Eventually in 2018 the teacher was found guilty in municipal court of harassment for offensive touching and he lost his teaching certificate.
Eyewitness News reached out to the Fort Lee School District for comment.
"The Fort Lee School District has a long tradition of academic success for all of our students by offering a positive learning environment for everyone," the superintendent said. "We are unable to comment on any pending or potential litigation."
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FORT LEE, New Jersey (WABC) -- Weather is causing destruction across the Tri-State as damaging wind has knocked down several trees and even caused damage to buildings.A wind gust sent a tree crashing onto a car in Brooklyn, and in Rockland County a tree topped onto a power line in Ramapo, forcing ground closures.There are also several reports out of New Jersey where the wind has caused trees to fall across the area.And crews are on the scene after high winds caused a wall to partially collapse at a building under constru...
FORT LEE, New Jersey (WABC) -- Weather is causing destruction across the Tri-State as damaging wind has knocked down several trees and even caused damage to buildings.
A wind gust sent a tree crashing onto a car in Brooklyn, and in Rockland County a tree topped onto a power line in Ramapo, forcing ground closures.
There are also several reports out of New Jersey where the wind has caused trees to fall across the area.
And crews are on the scene after high winds caused a wall to partially collapse at a building under construction on Main Street in Fort Lee around 11 a.m.
ALSO READ | Empty tractor-trailers and tandem trucks banned on 7 NYC bridges due to wind
Officials say the strong winds took out the top section of a hollow, block wall and part of it fell on the building next door, which caused damage to the roof.
Debris also fell onto the sidewalk. No injuries were reported but there is property damage left behind.
Meanwhile in Hoboken, a 33-year-old from Jersey City was struck in the back when an awning fell off a vacant storefront at 200 Washington St. The woman was taken to the hospital with complaints of lower back pain.
RELATED | Passaic River expected to crest as heavy rain triggers flooding concerns
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New Fort Lee football coach Mike Gerst is adding to the team motto.“We’ve been 'Protect the Fort' for a while and I love it, but I love the bridge thing and now we’re going to 'Guard the Bridge' too,” Gerst said. “So it’s going to be Protect the Fort and Guard the Bridge.”The 30-year-old, once a standout running back at Bergen Catholic, was approved as Bridgemen's new head football coach Monday night by the district’s Board of Education.“Mike brings us ...
New Fort Lee football coach Mike Gerst is adding to the team motto.
“We’ve been 'Protect the Fort' for a while and I love it, but I love the bridge thing and now we’re going to 'Guard the Bridge' too,” Gerst said. “So it’s going to be Protect the Fort and Guard the Bridge.”
The 30-year-old, once a standout running back at Bergen Catholic, was approved as Bridgemen's new head football coach Monday night by the district’s Board of Education.
“Mike brings us years of offensive coordinator experience from one of the prime programs in the Super Football Conference,” Fort Lee athletic director Mike Raftery said. “He is high energy and will fit in perfectly with our program. I am excited to see him continue our recent years of success and bring the program to the next level.”
It will be Gerst's first head coaching job. He started as an assistant coach at Passaic Valley under Chet Parlavecchio in 2017, and for the last three years has been on the offensive staff at Wayne Valley under Roger Kotlarz.
“When you’re around so many great leaders of men, and so many good organizers for practice and the game of football, you learn what it looks like," Gerst said. :You just try to learn something from it and then put it into your own style. That’s where I have tried to focus all of my attention.”
After graduating from Bergen Catholic, Gerst played at Columbia and later transferred to Garden City Community College in Kansas, where he lined up opposite current NFL star wide receiver Tyreek Hill. The two remain friends. Gerst eventually finished up playing Division II football in Texas.
When he got back to New Jersey with his degree, Gerst started working as a substitute teacher and latched on with the Hornets, originally in a volunteer role. When Parlavecchio retired, he went over to Wayne Valley.
Gerst, now a teacher in Livingston, had some connections to Fort Lee from his days at Bergen Catholic and liked the pride he sees throughout the town.
“During the interview process, you could see the pride everyone has in the town and the school,” Gerst said. “Everything Charles [Salame] did the last few years… they built the foundation where we can take it to the next level. With the facilities they have here, and the potential, it was a no-brainer as a first-time coach.”
Fort Lee has played in the SFC’s Ivy Division for the last four seasons, winning the Ivy Division title in 2022 and finishing 7-2 last year. Ivy Division teams are ineligible for the NJSIAA playoffs.
Gerst said playing in the Ivy Division is just another step in the process of building a championship program. He’s already been assembling a staff, which includes some former Bergen Catholic teammates, and meeting with returning players.
“My message to Fort Lee is when football is rocking, it’s like nothing else,” Gerst said. “My passion for it and all the experiences the game has given me, I am just trying to give back to the game. Every coach wants to win every game and I’m very dedicated to that, but at the same time it’s about helping the kids and that’s where it starts.”
Homefront Local uses a unique algorithm to score roof repair companies based on important factors like user reviews and how popular they are in your area.6Companies Analyzed2Companies SelectedTable of contentsBest roof repair in Fort Lee...
Homefront Local uses a unique algorithm to score roof repair companies based on important factors like user reviews and how popular they are in your area.
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The temperatures in Fort Lee, New Jersey can wear down your roof. Professional roofers can replace shingles, repair leaks and reinforce your roof to prevent future issues. Some roofing companies also handle gutter installation, siding replacement and similar projects.
Roofing contractors usually need a license for roofing work, but the state of New Jersey doesn't require one. Check your local regulations to ensure your roofer is properly licensed.
Before selecting a roof repair company, check their ratings on platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Google Reviews. Look for a company with at least 3.5 out of 5 stars on customer review platforms.
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Even properly maintained roofs eventually run into issues after years of wear and tear. Proactive inspections and roof maintenance are vital in catching problems before they escalate into expensive repairs.
During your inspection, look for the following common problems.
One of the most frequent roofing problems you may face is shingle damage or wear and tear. While asphalt shingles typically last 20–30 years, exposure to harsh weather, wind, rain and ultraviolet radiation erodes them over time, resulting in cracking or lifting. Curled, cracked or missing shingles can lead to leaks, mold and structural decay by letting in moisture.
Flashing is the metal sheets around the valleys, vents, skylights, joints, dormers and chimneys of a roof. Its primary function is to block rainwater, snowmelt and runoff from entering the home by deflecting and redirecting it away from vulnerable seams and transition points. When flashing hasn't been fitted properly or has deteriorated over time, water can leak into your home. Warning signs of flashing failure include leaks coming from joints, drips from ceilings that align with flashing seams, moisture stains, sagging areas or peeling paint.
Roof leaks develop when watertight joints, such as seams and flashing, shift and open gaps for water to seep in. Repairing leaks as soon as possible helps avoid more substantial damage down the line.
Inadequate insulation in your attic can result in your heating and cold air seeping out through your roof. This leads to higher energy costs, mold growth, leaks, ice dams and damaged rafters. Ensuring your attic is properly insulated for Fort Lee's weather is a must for energy efficiency.
Pooling water usually happens when your roof's decking has low areas and debris accumulation. Your roof can begin rotting if the water doesn't drain within 48 hours. Additionally, it adds substantial weight stress and could indicate a need to replace your roof surface due to improper slope or drainage. Routine roof cleaning and ensuring proper drainage helps stop these issues from happening.
You may need to get in touch with a roof repair expert if your roof displays the following signs:
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Multiple factors, such as your roof material, quality of installation, maintenance frequency and climate influence your roof's life expectancy. Installation quality plays the biggest part in determining how long a roof will last.
The average life span of asphalt shingles is 20–30 years. Architectural shingles are on the higher end at 25–30 years, and traditional three-tab shingles usually last 15–20 years. Well-maintained shake roofs or wood shingles can last about 20–25 years. However, they are susceptible to insect damage, mold and rot.
Most metal roofs last 40–70 years or more. Concrete roofs can last 50 years or more and sometimes last over a century with proper maintenance. Slate is one of the most durable materials, with slate roofs lasting for over a century.
Roof repairs can be very expensive, but the following measures can help you reduce costs.
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