Maple Shade has grown steadily in recent years, attracting families, businesses, and visitors from surrounding areas. With that growth has come an increase in vehicle traffic, crowded recreational spaces, and, unfortunately, preventable accidents. If you or someone in your family has been injured due to another party’s negligence, Petrillo & Goldberg Law is here to help.
Local corridors like Route 73 have become increasingly congested, especially near shopping centers, restaurants, and event venues. It’s not uncommon for drivers unfamiliar with the area—coming in for a birthday party or weekend outing—to cause serious crashes. Crowded conditions and minimal supervision can also lead to injuries inside Maple Shade’s recreational spaces. Whether your case involves a traffic collision, a fall on unsafe property, or an incident at a local attraction, our firm can help you understand your legal rights and next steps under New Jersey law. Our Maple Shade personal injury lawyers understand how a serious injury can disrupt your life—and we’re ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 1-856-486-4343.
Common Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Over the last 25 years, the personal injury attorneys at Petrillo & Goldberg Law have been fighting for people in South Jersey who have suffered serious harm due to preventable accidents. From car and truck crashes to premises liability claims and wrongful death cases, we’ve recovered over $120 million for our clients—and achieved successful outcomes in 97% of our cases. When you put Petrillo & Goldberg in your corner, you get a team of dedicated injury lawyers who work together to pursue the compensation you deserve.
We handle many personal injury claims in Maple Shade and throughout Burlington County.
- Car and truck accidents. Whether you were rear-ended on Route 73 or sideswiped near the intersection at Kings Highway, we can investigate the cause and hold the negligent driver accountable.
- Slip and fall injuries. Falls inside busy diners, grocery stores, or retail chains along the Route 73 commercial corridor often lead to broken bones, concussions, or joint injuries—especially when wet floors or uneven surfaces are left unaddressed.
- Trip and fall on public or private property. Uneven sidewalks, poor lighting in parking lots near Laurel Lanes, or unmarked hazards can all lead to preventable injuries.
- Dog bites and animal attacks. If a dog owner fails to restrain their animal at a local park or neighborhood gathering, they may be liable for the harm caused.
- Trampoline park and recreational injuries. Even when a waiver has been signed, accidents at Sky Zone may still lead to valid legal claims, especially when equipment is unsafe or supervision is lacking.
- Injuries at bowling alleys, arcades, or party venues. Venues like Laurel Lanes or family arcades can become dangerously overcrowded during birthday parties or school breaks, creating real safety risks.
- School and daycare negligence. Injuries at Maple Shade schools or daycare centers may result from poor supervision, unsafe equipment, or untrained staff.
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents. Maple Shade’s growing foot and bike traffic, especially near schools or residential developments, has led to more injuries caused by distracted or reckless drivers.
If you were hurt in any of these situations—or under similar circumstances—our Maple Shade personal injury lawyers can help determine who’s responsible and pursue full financial recovery.
Understanding Duty of Care in New Jersey Injury Claims
To succeed in a personal injury claim in New Jersey, you must first establish that the person or entity who caused your injury owed you a legal duty of care. In everyday terms, this means showing that someone had a responsibility to act reasonably safely and failed to meet that responsibility.
The law applies this concept differently depending on the setting. A business owner in Maple Shade—like a local grocery store or retail chain—must inspect the premises and correct or warn you about dangerous conditions, such as slippery aisles or damaged steps. A driver owes a duty to other motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians to obey traffic laws and remain attentive behind the wheel. A property manager owes tenants and guests a duty to maintain walkways, entrances, and lighting to reduce the risk of accidents.
These legal duties are not vague—they are recognized by New Jersey courts and outlined in decades of case law. If someone breaches their duty and causes your injury, they can be held liable under the theory of negligence.
Even if the person who caused the accident claims it was an unforeseeable mishap, the law focuses on what a “reasonably prudent person” would have done in the same situation. In other words, was the risk avoidable? Was it something a responsible person should have noticed and addressed?
According to the most recent New Jersey Department of Transportation, there were over 60,000 injury-causing crashes on New Jersey roads in the last full reporting year, many stemming from simple failures to yield, stop, or pay attention. The same standards apply inside businesses, schools, and public spaces.
If someone failed to take reasonable precautions and that failure led to your injury, you may have a valid claim under New Jersey negligence law.
Who Can Be Liable for Your Injuries
Identifying who is legally responsible for your injuries is one of the most important steps in a personal injury case. Under New Jersey law, liability may fall on one or more parties, depending on where and how the accident occurred. In many situations, fault isn’t immediately obvious—especially when multiple people, businesses, or property owners are involved.
In Maple Shade, potentially liable pirates in personal injury cases include:
- Property owners who fail to correct or warn about unsafe conditions—such as icy walkways, loose railings, or hazardous entryways—may be liable for injuries on residential or commercial property;
- Business owners and operators who neglect routine safety inspections, allow spills to remain unattended, or leave stairwells and aisles cluttered pose a serious risk to customers and employees alike;
- Recreational venues and event organizers can be held accountable when injuries occur during public events or private functions due to overcrowding, faulty equipment, or inadequate staff supervision;
- Municipal entities or school districts that neglect facility maintenance, ignore reports of hazards, or fail to supervise may be liable if someone is injured on government property or during a school-related activity; and
- Drivers and delivery companies operating in residential neighborhoods, commercial parking lots, or near crosswalks may be responsible for crashes caused by speeding, distraction, or failure to yield.
For example, if your child is injured during a group outing at a local indoor climbing facility because safety harnesses were not adequately secured, that business could be liable even if you signed a waiver. Waivers may limit certain legal claims, but they do not protect a business from responsibility for gross negligence or dangerous conditions.
Likewise, if you trip over crumbling pavement outside a strip mall or twist your ankle due to an unmarked hole on a rental property, the owner may be responsible for failing to maintain the premises or post visible warnings. In New Jersey, premises liability law requires owners to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable injuries—especially in places open to the public.
Unfortunately, many of these incidents are not rare. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, slip and fall accidents account for over one million emergency room visits annually in the United States. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are a leading cause of non-fatal injuries among children and young adults nationwide. These statistics highlight how often preventable injuries occur in everyday settings—often due to someone else’s carelessness.
If you’re unsure who may be responsible for your injuries, the personal injury attorneys at Petrillo & Goldberg Law can investigate the facts, review evidence, and identify all parties who may be held accountable under New Jersey law.
What Evidence Can Strengthen Your Personal Injury Case?
In the aftermath of an accident, the steps you take can make a major difference in the success of your claim. Strong evidence not only helps prove that someone else was at fault but also supports the extent of your injuries and their impact on your daily life. Whether your injury occurred at a business, in a crosswalk, or during a recreational activity, thorough documentation is essential under New Jersey personal injury law.
When you speak with an attorney at Petrillo & Goldberg Law, we’ll guide you in gathering the following types of evidence:
- Photographs or video from the scene of the accident;
- Medical records and discharge summaries showing your diagnosis and treatment;
- Incident reports filed with police, businesses, or property owners;
- Eyewitness statements from people who saw the event happen;
- Expert opinions from doctors, engineers, or safety professionals; and
- Proof of lost income due to missed work.
Collecting and preserving this documentation early in the process can help your claim move forward more efficiently and protect your right to compensation. If you’re unsure what evidence applies to your situation, our legal team is ready to help.
How Comparative Negligence Works in New Jersey
In many personal injury cases, the other side may try to argue that you were partly at fault. This is especially common in slip-and-fall claims, pedestrian accidents, and multi-vehicle collisions. Fortunately, New Jersey follows a comparative negligence system, which allows you to recover damages even if you share some blame—so long as your share does not exceed 50%.
Here’s how it works: If a jury finds that you were 20% responsible for your injury, your compensation would be reduced by 20%. However, if you’re found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages at all.
This system can significantly affect the outcome of your case, and it’s one reason why having a knowledgeable attorney is critical. For example, if you were hit while crossing a parking lot near a busy Maple Shade shopping center, the driver’s insurer might argue you weren’t paying attention. However, if the driver was speeding or distracted by a phone, a strong legal argument can be made that their share of fault is much greater—and that you still deserve compensation.
Cases involving shared fault are common.
Our attorneys at Petrillo & Goldberg Law are familiar with how local courts and insurance companies apply New Jersey’s modified comparative fault rules. We conduct thorough investigations, gather surveillance footage, interview witnesses, and retain experts when needed to ensure your share of blame isn’t exaggerated or misrepresented. When your financial recovery depends on narrowing the percentage of fault assigned to you, the details matter.
Whether your accident occurred in a Maple Shade crosswalk, a commercial parking lot, or inside a local business, we’re here to advocate for your rights under New Jersey law.
Call Petrillo & Goldberg Law After an Injury in Maple Shade
An injury can upend your life in an instant—but that doesn’t mean you’re without options. Whether you were hurt at a recreational facility, struck in traffic along Route 73, or suffered a fall at a local business, you deserve answers and a legal team that takes your recovery seriously. At Petrillo & Goldberg Law, we’ve been standing up for injured individuals and families in South Jersey for more than 25 years. We know the neighborhoods, we understand the local risks, and we’re ready to hold negligent parties accountable. Every case starts with a conversation. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your rights under New Jersey law, and develop a strategy that fits your unique circumstances. You don’t have to take on insurance companies or corporate defendants alone. Call 1-856-486-4343 today to speak with a Maple Shade personal injury lawyer and schedule your free consultation.
