New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Deemed As Hit-And-Run
Just one day after the start of the New Year, a motorcyclist was killed in an accident. New Jersey authorities have classified the motorcycle accident as a hit-and-run because the driver of the other vehicle was not at the scene of the accident when police arrived. The driver has since been arrested and charged.
The 43-year-old motorcyclist had been slung off his bike and was found approximately 45 feet from his motorcycle by police when they arrived at the scene of the accident around 11:35 p.m. that Friday night. The motorcyclist was taken to a New Jersey medical center. Shortly after 12:00 a.m. the next day, he was pronounced dead by doctors.
According to the authorities, the motorcycle’s rear had been badly damaged, which points to it having been rear-ended by the other driver. A 29-year-old driver of a minivan has since been arrested and charged. Not only is he facing charges for leaving the scene of a fatal accident, but also tampering with evidence and hindering an apprehension. Bail has been set at $60,000.
Regardless of the outcome of the criminal case against the driver, the family of the deceased New Jersey victim may choose to file a wrongful death claim against the man. A civil claim arising from a fatal motorcycle accident may lead to damages being awarded, should the evidence document that the negligent actions of the driver were the root cause of the accident. Any monetary damages awarded may assist the family of the deceased to cope financially during an understandably difficult time.
Source: nj.com, “North Bergen man charged with leaving scene of fatal motorcycle crash, police say“, Mike D’Onofrio, Jan. 4, 2015
