Written/Reviewed By:
Barry S. Kantrowitz, Esq.Last Updated: Nov 1, 2013
Read Time: 2 mins
According to LoHud.com, police have released the names of a 17-year-old from Chestnut Ridge teen and three other Rockland County residents who were injured in a fatal church van crash on October 1 on the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey.
The website reports that Velma Castro, 39, of Chestnut Ridge was killed in the crash. Andrea Cifuentes, 17, of Chestnut Ridge, Oralia Cifuentes, 46, of Nyack, Rolando Max, 37, of Chestnut Ridge and Oscar Martinez, 29, also of Chestnut Ridge, were hospitalized with injuries.
LoHud.com reported that Martinez was the driver of the van, which was built to carry 15 to 16 passengers but instead contained 23. The van reportedly collided with a NJ Transit bus at 7:35 p.m., near exit 159.
There were no passengers on the bus at the time of the crash, as it was on its way to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. The van was reportedly taking Rockland County residents to Newark for a weekly Bible class at the Ministerio Bethel International Pentecostal Church.
While this accident remains under investigation, any organization has an obligation to protect its members against wrongful death and personal injuries. If the van was overloaded, it is possible that this could have helped ignite the accident.
Overloaded vehicles can lead to tire blowouts as the weight becomes too much to bear, or distracted driving, which can result in fatal car accidents. Aside from death, vehicle accidents can result in catastrophic personal injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and broken bones.
KGG lawyer Barry S. Kantrowitz assists victims and family members of negligent drivers. Contact us toll free at (866) 971-0927 to schedule a free initial consultation or complete the form on this page to let our skilled attorneys review your case.
Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. – Rockland County Injury Lawyers
KGG’s Corner: According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, more than 20,000 people are injured each year in bus accidents.
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Clever and efficient.Posted on Google
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KGG Law, and Barry Kantrowitz in particular, set the bar high for what a thorough, practical, strategic, compassionate and smart lawyer can be. Everything about Barry's advice and representation was exemplary and the stress mitigation that resulted was invaluable. On top of that, the ultimate result Barry achieved was beyond what was reasonable to expect and we are forever grateful. Often, people say that you hire a lawyer to prevent a problem. Sometimes, unfortunately, you need an attorney to solve a problem and I could not recommend Barry and his firm any more highly in that regard.Posted on Google
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My dad had a great experience with this law firm. From the very beginning, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and always willing to answer our questions. They kept us informed throughout the entire process and made what could have been a very stressful situation much easier to handle. We truly appreciated their dedication, honesty, and hard work. Thanks to their support, my dad felt confident every step of the way. We are very grateful for everything they did and would highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for reliable legal representation.Posted on Google
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I had a wonderful experience working with Sam Smith. He was very responsive, thorough, and easy to work with from start to finish. He walked me through everything clearly and made what started as a very stressful situation for me into something completely manageable. I would not hesitate to recommend him and the firm!Posted on Google
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I sought legal advice regarding an employment matter and had an excellent experience working with Sam Smith, Esq. at KGG Law. Sam was thorough, attentive, and took the time to listen carefully to my concerns before providing clear, thoughtful guidance. I appreciated the professionalism and care shown throughout the process, and I would confidently recommend KGG Law to anyone in need of legal assistance.Posted on Google
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I can't say enough about this firm. They manage to comfort you during the whole legal process while staying professional and doing what is right. I would recommend them to anyone and also hire them again if I need legal help.Posted on Google
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Kate is the best. She helped me very quickly, and was very attentive with all of my needs. So thankful for herPosted on Google
Mike Greenspan137 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Kate Carballo is a dedicated, passionate, and creative attorney whom I had the pleasure to lecture with at a state trial lawyer's conference. Kate's lecture demonstrated how she uses her innovative and "out-of-the-box thinking" to achieve outstanding results for her injured clients. That Kate is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney is a testament to her skills, experience and commitment to excellence.Posted on Google
Jonathan Sampson144 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Was referred to KGG law by a friend and could not have asked for better legal representation. They walked me through every step of the process after my accident and began every call with “ how are you feeling” which was just one example of how much they care about their clients. They handled my case very efficiently, professionally and courteously. My attorney Kate Carballo was a rock star! So clearly experienced, she consistently made me feel at ease with the process. Highly recommendPosted on Google
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We had a great experience with the team at KGG Law. While it was a traumatic time for our family, they made it very easy for us and explained all of our options. They even performed due diligence to make sure that after our settlement, there would be no further issues which I think is even more important than the settlement itself. Thank you!