Reckless drivers don’t play favorites. Anyone, from a novice to the most experienced motorist, can become the victim of a Passaic County driver who ignores the safety of others. Criminal punishments and civil penalties do not make up for the loss of a loved one in a senseless crash, but they can ease some hardships for families struggling with grief and financial difficulties.
A Brick Township man was killed in a motorcycle accident authorities said was caused by a reckless Jackson driver. The man blamed for fatally injuring the motorcyclist turned left into the path of the victim’s bike. The 28-year-old victim, a Watchung police officer, later died at a hospital.
Authorities reported the driver was uninsured and had no valid license. The 38-year-old man also was charged with reckless driving, failure to yield and causing a death while driving with a suspended license. The man was jailed on $50,000 bond.
The Washington Post highlighted cross-path traffic accidents in an April report, with statistics from federal transportation officials showing left-turn crashes occurred at a rate 10 times higher than right-turn accidents. Over 53 percent of cross-path collisions involved left turns, while fewer than 6 percent occurred during right turns. More than one-third of all motorcycle fatalities happen just like the Jackson accident – a driver turns left into the path of an oncoming bike.
Safety becomes an issue any time a vehicle cuts across traffic. Turning car and truck drivers can misjudge the speed and distance of an approaching motorcycle. Some drivers also may feel motorcyclists can maneuver easily out of the way to avoid the bigger vehicle.
New Jersey motorcyclists have the same legal responsibilities and road rights as other drivers. When a bike rider dies in a traffic accident, the victim’s family may file a wrongful death claim. Evidence of a car or truck driver’s negligence can result in a damage award.
Source: NJ.com, “Motorcyclist killed in Jackson crash was a Watchung cop” Walter O’Brien, Jun. 09, 2014
