Author: Ernest Blair, Esq. I recently took a 10-day trip with my wife to Ghana, a country in the western part of Africa. The atmosphere and environment felt easy, comfortable, and warm. Ghana, especially its capital, Accra, is more metropolitan than I had envisioned. There were so many people milling about selling their wares on the streets–from shoes, to clothes, to breads, to peanuts, and all varieties of trinkets–you name it, it was there for the buying.  Ghana has 42 languages in total. Interestingly, most speak English. In fact, most speak a minimum of two languages, English and Ga.  There were numerous sites to visit. Our first stop was the Cape Coast Castle. Ghanaian men and women were captured and imprisoned…

“Better late than never” is an old saying that applies to so many things, including justice.  Here at CourtLaw, we were recently reminded of this when we prevailed in a very significant appeal before the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court. This victory on appeal is proof that at CourtLaw, we mean what we say when we promise to fight for you. A CourtLaw client was involved in two different motor vehicle accidents.  In 2020, a Superior Court Judge dismissed her claims related to the first accident.  We asked that Judge to reconsider that decision and he refused.  Undaunted, and believing this was very wrong, CourtLaw appealed to a higher court.  In May of 2022, we won!!!!  This isn’t…

Most Uber and Lyft drivers are professionals who get you where you want to go, safely.  Sometimes, though, accidents happen. Essential Guidance for Uber and Lyft Passengers Involved in an Accident If you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft that is, unfortunately, in an accident during your ride, make sure you have proof of your ride. Save all text messages and emails which Uber or Lyft send to you and keep them. You know, the kind you get before you are picked up which confirms your ride, gives you a ride number, etc. In New Jersey, Uber and Lyft are required to have $1.5 million of liability coverage as well as $1.5 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage,…

Now more than ever, people are looking for ways to save money.  And that goes for car insurance, too.  One way to save money on car insurance is to get the so-called “verbal threshold” or “limitation on lawsuit” option.  Your premium will be lower but in exchange, you give up your right to sue for injuries, except in serious cases.  Most people don’t want to do that, and at Courtlaw we don’t recommend it, but economic reality sometimes forces people’s hands.  They just can’t afford the higher auto insurance premiums. What to do?  One thing you can do is take Uber or Lyft. Under New Jersey law, the limitation on lawsuit/verbal threshold “shall not be . . . be asserted…

It seems like the price of everything is going up and many people are looking for ways to cut corners.  Auto insurance is required by law and the cost puts a squeeze on many people.  This is one area where it’s best not to cut any corners.  Don’t drive an uninsured vehicle.  Don’t even be a passenger in an uninsured vehicle.  Under New Jersey law, N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.5a, if you are a vehicle owner required to maintain PIP coverage (which is most people) but you fail to do so, you are barred from bringing a lawsuit if you’re injured while “operating” the uninsured vehicle.  The term “operating” in this context has been interpreted very broadly and includes an uninsured owner who…