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Fatal accident in New Jersey caused by wrong way driver

On Behalf of | Jan 9, 2014 | Wrongful Death

Highways and interstate highways can create dangerous situations due to the relatively high speeds of vehicles driving on them and the amount of vehicles that may be present. It is important that all drivers are attentive and do not create any unnecessarily dangerous conditions.

A fatal accident recently occurred on Interstate 80 in New Jersey. The collision involved two vehicles, one of which was driving the wrong way on the road. The accident occurred in the early morning hours around 3:30 a.m. One of the occupants in the vehicle traveling in the correct lanes was killed in the accident. More details are forthcoming regarding the circumstances causing the accident.

When the death of a person is caused by the negligence of another person, it is considered a wrongful death. The family of a wrongful death victim may bring legal action to collect any damages that are sustained as a result. To be successful in such an action, they must establish than certain elements are present. These elements are the death of a person, caused by the negligence of another, surviving family members that sustain financial injury as a result and the victim’s estate having a personal representative appointed to it.

If they are able to prove the existence of each of these elements, the next determination to be made is the amount of damages to award. This amount is based on the financial injury sustained by the family as a result. It is measured through the use of many factors including medical expenses, loss of support and loss of inheritance, among many others.

The damage award will not come close to making up for the loss of their family member, but it can help a family alleviate the associated financial stress. The surviving family members may seek the assistance of a personal injury attorney to assist them with such an action and in recovering the maximum amount of compensation to which they may be entitled.

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