Fatal Car Accident Claims in New Jersey

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When a person dies in a car accident caused by another person’s negligence, the family can suffer both emotional and financial devastation. While nothing can bring your family member back, the civil justice system can hold the negligent party accountable for the financial impact of the loss, as well as for the emotional loss of no longer having that person in your life.

At Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP, our attorneys represent family members of personal injury and wrongful death victims throughout New Jersey. Our NJ personal injury law firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for our clients. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case.

Establishing Liability in Fatal Car Accidents

Establishing liability in a fatal accident can be complex. Your family member is no longer here to say what happened. Unless there are witnesses, police only hear one version of the accident: that of the other driver.

Determining who was responsible can be complex and may involve comparative fault. In New Jersey, your family members can still file a wrongful death lawsuit if your loved one was up to 50 percent at fault — as long as he or she was not more than 50 percent at fault. Your recovery will be reduced by any percentage of fault that is assigned to your loved one.

Our New Jersey car accident lawyers work with prominent independent experts in the field of accident reconstruction to ensure that the accident receives a full and fair investigation. You will pay no attorneys fees or other costs until and unless we recover compensation for you. We often represent multiple family members who are entitled to compensation under New Jersey’s wrongful death statute.

Fatal truck accidents are increasing

Traffic fatalities from large truck crashes increased to their highest level in 29 years last year according to newly released data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). Deaths in large truck crashes rose 16%, from 725 (the previous year) up to 841. Of those fatalities, about 40% of the vehicle occupants were not wearing seatbelts. Traffic fatalities in all other categories – such as passenger car crashes, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian and pedal cyclist crashes – decreased by two percent in 2017, making fatal truck accidents the outlier.

Why are more trucks involved in fatal accidents?

The truth is, no one knows yet. Because the traffic fatality data are so new, the NHTSA has not yet had a chance to determine the precise cause of the increase in commercial truck occupant fatalities. The federal traffic safety regulators will explore many factors that contribute to truck and other motor vehicle crashes such as distracted driving, drunk and drugged driving and speeding, and how advanced technology features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, and rear cameras are contributing to traffic safety for large trucks.

The numbers were released in a conference call hosted by the NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). In an article in Transport Topics News, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration chief, Ray Martinez, said that large truck occupant fatalities is a category which required more research. Martinez also mentioned that as the U.S. economy strengthens, more commercial vehicles are traveling the highways. It is somewhat of a corollary that as the economy grows, and more vehicle miles are traveled, the potential for crashes and injuries increases.

Experienced New Jersey Car Accident Lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP Represent Families Who Have Lost a Loved One in a Fatal Car Accident

To discuss your case with an experienced New Jersey car accident lawyer, call our office at 732-777-0100 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation. Evening and weekend appointments available. We have offices in Edison, Red Bank and Toms River. If you are unable to travel to one of our offices, our attorneys will come to you.