When a life is lost due to the negligence of another party, the victim’s surviving family may chose to investigate their rights under New Jersey’s personal injury laws. Such investigation may include determining whether the family is eligible to seek damages through a wrongful death claim. Though not yet determined, such a claim may be exactly what one family chooses to do after a recent tragedy.
A 22-year-old New Jersey man is facing criminal charges following a fatal car accident. The man reportedly lost control of the vehicle that he was driving, leading to the death of two of his passengers. What makes the accident all the more tragic is that one of the deceased passengers was his brother.
The accident occurred when the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to careen into a stand of trees, a utility pole and finally a fence. The passengers, a 28-year-old female and a 20-year-old man, both died at the scene. Another 21-year-old passenger was injured, though the extent is not yet clear.
The driver is facing two counts of aggravated manslaughter and is being held after being unable to pay the bail of $1 million. Early reports following the accident have not indicated whether any civil claims will be filed in addition to the criminal charges. As the official investigation continues and the families work toward laying their loved ones to rest, these families will have to decide if they will be pressing any wrongful death or personal injury lawsuits against the driver to seek compensation for their very tragic loss.
Source: “Two dead in early morning accident in Perth Amboy,” Cheryl Makin, Dec. 16, 2012
