Criminal Charges And Wrongful Death Claim May Follow An Accident
A fatal accident on a recent Sunday evening devastated the lives of the families of two high school friends. The New Jersey accident happened in the late evening in mid-November when a car driven by a 20-year-old man hit the concrete divider of a highway. The impact led to the death of the 19-year-old passenger. Despite the possibility of criminal charges, the young driver may also have to answer to a wrongful death claim.
Another man was driving home after visiting his family when he saw the accident happen. The camera installed on his dashboard recorded the devastating accident. The recording shows how the car crashed into the divider and then flipped. According to the witness, there was an explosive sound and a bright light, and debris was flying all over the road. The front-seat passenger was thrown from the car by the impact.
The driver of the car was arrested and had to spend Sunday night in jail. He faces a charge for death by auto. On Monday morning, bail was set at $250,000. The case is currently under investigation and the police are asking any other witnesses who can provide information on the accident to contact them.
Although a criminal case is pending, the family members of the deceased man may institute a civil claim as well. In New Jersey, wrongful death claims may be filed in the case of fatal motor vehicle accidents. Damages awarded in successfully presented claims may assist the families left behind with recovering from unexpected expenses, such as burial and funeral costs.
Source: New York Daily News, “Dashboard camera of passing driver captures New Jersey car crash that killed teen“, Rachelle Blidner, Nov. 12, 2014
