Every morning during the school year, students in New Jersey make their way to class. Those who are too young to drive sometimes use the bus; others who are old enough to drive may get to drive themselves. Parents and students alike expect to arrive at their destinations safely. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and car accidents are too often the cause.
Recently, one young man was killed in a car accident just outside school property. The 18-year-old was on his way to school when the accident occurred. He was riding with two other 18-year-olds; one was the driver, and the other was the passenger in the front seat. At the time of the accident, the driver was attempting to pass a tractor-trailer on the left, apparently not realizing the truck was turning left into a driveway.
According to authorities, the driver lost control of his vehicle. The car did not actually strike the tractor-trailer, but instead skidded past it and underneath a different trailer parked ahead. The driver and the front-seat passenger were taken to a local hospital to be treated for injuries. One boy was released, while the other was listed in critical condition. Sadly, however, the 18-year-old in the back seat was pronounced dead at the scene.
When passengers are injured or even killed due to a driver’s reckless or negligent actions, there are likely to be major medical, financial and legal issues to resolve. Nothing can bring back a lost loved one, but there are options for obtaining some measure of compensation under our state’s personal injury laws. The pain and suffering of losing a young person is immense, and grieving family members need all the relief they can get.
Source: My Central Jersey, “Police identify the Franklin High School student killed in car crash,” Cheryl Makin, May 16, 2012