Across the nation, the rate of deaths due to drunk driving crashes is 3.3 individuals per 100,000 people in the population. That rate is only 1.8 people per 100,000 in New Jersey. As is the case nationally, males are more likely to die because of drunk driving, and the age group most likely to perish because of this type of wreck is from 21 to 34 years old.

Fewer adult drivers in New Jersey report that they’ve driven after drinking too much within 30 days prior to being surveyed. Only 1.5% of survey respondents in New Jersey noted this; however, that rate was 1.9% nationally.

New Jersey takes a harsh stance against drunk drivers, but some still slip through the cracks. Saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints are two of the primary methods of spotting these drivers and arresting them. All patrolmen watch for signs of impairment, which can lead to a traffic stop.

When a drunk driver causes a crash, the victims might be left holding the financial responsibility for the incident. They can seek compensation from the driver so that the liable parties are the ones who have to cover those costs. There really isn’t a reason why an innocent person should be left footing the bill for the actions of a person who chooses to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.

There were a number of fatal accidents involving motor vehicles and pedestrians in recent days. In one incident a gentleman was struck by a car as he crossed Route 42 near Washington Township. This is according to Gloucester County authorities.

The man was crossing the road about midnight when he was struck by a car heading south near Ganttown Road. The man who was hit was transported to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He died as a result of his injuries. The police detained the man who hit him after pulling him over a short time after the crash and he has been charged with drunk driving. Additional charges are pending as the crash remains under investigation.

A person walking from point A to point B probably does not give a second thought as to whether this will be his or her last walk. With increased traffic, the number of pedestrian fatalities is also on the rise. Losing a loved one in such a horrific DWI accident in New Jersey would be horrible to bare. There is nothing that can turn back time and undo the tragedy but a conversation with a personal injury attorney can inform one as to what legal options may be available.

The law recently passed in the state legislature requires the installation of a device in the driver’s car that prevents the engine from starting if alcohol is detected. It is known as an ignition interlock device (IID) and requires that the driver blow into a device before the engine will start. If the IID detects alcohol in the person’s BAC, the engine will not start.

People who are cited for a first offense will be required to have an IID installed in their vehicle for three months. The license suspension for a first offense is reduced to the amount of time required to install the device rather than the previously mandated 45 days. This will apply to first time offenders whose BAC registers between .08 and .10.

Studies have shown that the installation of devices like the IID is a very effective means to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities that can result from drunk driving. It is believed that the passage of this law will make New Jersey roads safer and greatly reduce the chances of being involved in a drunk driving accident. A person facing drunk driving charges may wish to consult with a legal professional who is familiar with the new law. 

The driver of the car was driving with a friend in the early hours of a day during the 4th of July weekend. He reportedly rear-ended a pickup truck, and all who were involved in the crash suffered serious injuries. The car’s passenger, a 29-year-old woman, was pronounced dead at the scene. A 17-year-old girl who was a passenger in the pickup was also pronounced dead at the scene. Both drivers were transported to area hospitals with serious injuries.

The driver, who was reportedly intoxicated, suffered multiple fractures, including a broken arm, a broken leg and cervical fractures. He faces charges of aggravated manslaughter, DWI and vehicular homicide. If convicted on some or all of these charges, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

The loss of a loved one in a traffic accident is a horrible pain to bear. It can be that much worse when it is believed to have been a drunk driving accident, because drunk driving is preventable. No amount of time may ease the pain, and no one can turn back time to erase the tragedy. A civil lawsuit against the party deemed responsible in New Jersey may provide compensation for medical costs, final costs and other verifiable losses.

A pedestrian out for a stroll, returning home or maybe on his way to meet friends, could not have known that the action of crossing a street would be his last. The man was 52 years old. He was struck and killed by the drunk driver as he entered the crosswalk in order to get to the other side of the street.

The driver of the vehicle that reportedly struck him submitted to a blood alcohol test. His blood alcohol level at the time of the incident was reportedly .168, more than twice the legal limit. The judge in the case sentenced the man, who had been charged with vehicular homicide, to 18 years in prison. The prosecutor stated that he hoped the sentence would serve as a deterrent to help prevent people from drinking and driving.

A drunk driving accident in New Jersey might be prevented if more people would make the decision to not drink and drive. Losing a loved one in an accident caused by a drunk driver is a tragedy no one should have to experience. No one can turn back time and bring the loved one back. A conversation with a personal injury attorney can help determine if a personal injury lawsuit against the person deemed responsible is an appropriate option. A successfully litigated claim can provide compensation for medical costs, final costs and other verifiable losses.

The young woman, 19, had just completed her freshman year at MIT where she was attending on a four-year scholarship. She was studying artificial intelligence and computer science. Her 15-year-old sister survived the crash and said her sister was passionate about women and children’s issues and believes she would have used her education to make a positive difference in the lives of women and children around the world.

The two were on their way home from spending some time together when an alleged drunk driver crossed over the yellow line and hit the car head-on. The 19-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. Her sister received minor injuries. The alleged drunk driver fled on foot in an attempt to elude capture but was quickly detained and arrested.

Seeing one’s child begin to succeed in life and then having that life stolen is one of the toughest pains a family can bear. Children are sent off to college leaving their parents to be concerned for their safety while at school. To have a child come home safely from school to New Jersey only to be killed in a drunk driving accident is a cruel twist of fate. Nothing can bring the loved one back but a consultation with a personal injury attorney can inform the family if a civil lawsuit against the party responsible is a viable option. A successfully litigated claim can provide compensation for final costs, medical expenses and other verifiable losses.

A chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions decided to take action in an attempt to make this prom and graduation season a little bit safer. Students participated in a mockup of a crash that could be caused by drunk driving. The mock crash involved multiple students and fake alcohol and blood. In addition, there were bystanders present who described the horrifying moments of the crash.

The students were made up to appear dead and covered in blood as they would be in the aftermath of a fatal accident. Bottles of fake alcohol contributed to the reality of the event. Police officers participated and administered simulated field sobriety tests to survivors. Additional participants included the Franklin Township Fire Department and EMS, as well as paramedics from Hunterdon Medical Center.

Losing a loved one as the result of a DUI accident in New Jersey is a horrible pain to bear. If alcohol was provided by an adult to a person under age, that adult may bear some responsibility for the accident; and any driver whose negligence — whether by the consumption of alcohol or otherwise — materially contributed to the accident may also bear financial responsibility for any injuries suffered, as would the owner of the vehicle involved. Nothing can turn back time and undo the tragedy that occurred. A civil lawsuit against the party or parties deemed responsible may provide compensation for medical costs, final expenses and other verifiable losses. A consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney can help a person determine if a civil suit is a viable option.

A 25-year-old man was driving one recent evening. A Madison patrolman was sent to investigate the report of a crash in the area. When he arrived, he reportedly encountered the man and two parked cars that both had significant amounts of body damage. The 25-year old was sitting in a third vehicle.

The officer approached the young man in the car and asked him about the situation. The man exhibited signs of possibly being intoxicated and so the officer performed a field sobriety evaluation and placed the man under arrest. Charges against him include driving while intoxicated and careless and reckless driving. He was released on bail and is awaiting a court date.

Facing charges for a New Jersey drunk driving accident is no walk in the park. The consequences can involve loss of one’s license, fines and possibly jail time. Anyone facing criminal charges is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. There are rules that must be followed concerning field sobriety tests. A person may wish to seek the counsel of a defense attorney in such a situation as a knowledgeable lawyer can help assess whether proper procedures were followed and can inform the client of available legal options.

The couple lived in the Atlantic Highlands. She was a teacher’s aide and they both were regarded as wonderful members of the community. The school is grieving the loss of one of their own.

The accident happened on a recent Friday night. The driver who is suspected of having struck the couple was uninjured and remained at the scene. The road was closed for approximately 5.5 hours following the accident as police performed an investigation at the scene. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Drinking and driving don’t go together. The pain and shock of such a sudden and preventable death due to a drunk driving accident can be hard to imagine, and survivors may look for answers in such a tragedy but find little solace. Nothing can undo the tragedy or bring back the loved one but a consultation with a New Jersey personal injury attorney may provide some options for legal recourse regarding documented financial losses. A lawyer can review the facts of the case and help a client determine if a civil lawsuit against the party deemed responsible is a viable option.

The driver, a 51-year-old male from Princeton, was accused of driving his car into a motorcycle and killing the rider, who was a 55-year-old man from West Windsor. The accident happened about 1:00 in the afternoon. The driver of the car fled the scene and collapsed in the median a few hundred feet away from the crash.

Pedestrians who were in the area restrained him until police arrived. The motorcyclist died as a result of his injuries. The driver of the car was charged with aggravated manslaughter, reckless death by auto and leaving the scene of an accident. He was sentenced to six years behind bars and must serve 85 percent of the sentence before he is eligible for parole. Once on parole, he will be subject to three years of parole supervision.

Drinking and driving is a lethal combination, and too often, it ends in tragedy. No amount of prosecution or jail time can bring back a loved one lost in a drunk driving accident in New Jersey. Even when a person is penalized for criminal wrongdoing, a civil suit may also be possible against the party deemed responsible. A successfully litigated claim can provide compensation for medical costs, final costs, pain and suffering, and other verifiable losses.

In order to determine if a driver is intoxicated, a Breathalyzer test can be administered that measures the individual’s blood alcohol content. The current acceptable level in most states is below .08 for non-commercial drivers 21 or older. A BAC of .08 or higher will result in a DUI charge. One state has now passed a law lowering that level by 40 percent, to .05. The law took effect on Dec. 30, 2018.

Under the new BAC levels in Utah, a man who weighs 160 pounds and has two drinks in one hour would be considered legally drunk, and for a 100-pound woman, one drink would have the same result. Utah hopes that this change reduces the number of deaths that are caused by drunk drivers every year, and that the change will be adopted by other states. While the number of traffic fatalities attributed to alcohol-related incidents has decreased, there are still an average of about 29 fatalities per day, nationwide, that are considered alcohol-related. This is according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Regardless of changes to existing laws, the chance of a drunk driving accident will never completely disappear. The loss of a loved one due to a preventable tragedy is a nightmare scenario, made worse if it occurs during the holidays. In such a situation people may not be thinking of legal options, but a civil lawsuit in New Jersey against a party deemed responsible can provide compensation for medical costs, final costs and other verifiable losses.

A 57-year-old man from South Bound Brook was driving one night in Dec. 2017. Maybe he was visiting friends or family during the holiday season. As he approached the intersection of at Route 202 and Summer Road near Reading Township, his car was struck by a drunk driver.

The drunk driver was a man from Connecticut. The driver of the car that he hit was pronounced dead at the scene. He pleaded guilty to second-degree vehicular homicide and was recently sentenced to six years in prison.

The death of a loved one at the hands of a drunk driver is horrible and heartbreaking, even more so during the holiday season in New Jersey. The danger is again present as another holiday season approaches. Someone in New Jersey who loses a loved one due to a drunk driving accident may wish to consult with a personal injury attorney. An experienced lawyer can review the facts of the accident and may be able to determine if a civil suit against the party deemed responsible is a viable option. While no one can bring a loved one back, a successfully litigated civil suit may provide compensation for medical costs, funeral costs and other verifiable losses.

Such an accident occurred on a recent morning near New Brunswick. A man was doing his job, working for an independent recycling company, when he was struck by a 2011 Jeep Wrangler. The woman driving the Jeep pleaded guilty to being drunk at the time of the crash.

The accident occurred Pulawski Avenue in South River. The man who was hit was taken to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick where he later died from his injuries. The woman pleaded guilty to second degree vehicular homicide and driving while intoxicated. The woman was sentenced to six years and will have to serve 85 percent of that term, according to New Jersey’s No Early Release Act. Following her release, her license will be suspended for five years.

Car accidents do happen in New Jersey, but a drunk driving accident is so tragic because it is preventable. A family who is grieving the loss of a loved one at the hands of a drunk driver may want to speak with a personal injury attorney regarding the possibility of filing a wrongful death suit. While nothing can bring the loved one back, a successfully litigated claim can provide compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, and pain and suffering.

A gentleman had just exited a taxi cab when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver. The accident victim died from his injuries. The man who had been driving the car that struck him was apprehended at his home in South Plainfield a short time later. His car, which was badly damaged, was also found there.

According to the police report, the man was drunk at the time that he hit the pedestrian. He has been subsequently charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident. He has also been indicted on one count of vehicular homicide.

The sudden death of a family member or a friend due to a DUI accident always comes as a shock in New Jersey. ‘There one minute and gone the next’ is a phrase frequently associated with such tragedies, but it does not adequately reflect the shock and grief of the people close to the deceased. As feelings of grief and shock begin to subside, anger and the desire for some answers may take over. A conversation with an experienced personal injury attorney may provide some answers and possibly some much needed closure. A knowledgeable lawyer can review the circumstances of the case and help the client assess whether a wrongful death lawsuit could be applicable in such a situation.

A gentleman from Monmouth County was heading east on Route 36 when he was hit by an SUV traveling west. The accident happened shortly after midnight. The driver of the SUV was taken to a hospital and was treated and released. The driver of the vehicle that he hit was also taken to the hospital where he died about an hour after the crash.

Charges against the driver of the SUV include driving while intoxicated, having an open container in the car, misuse of a divided highway and reckless driving. There were no passengers in either vehicle. The accident is still under investigation.

When a person dies in a tragic accident such as this one, the person’s family’s and loved ones’ first thoughts will be to deal with their grief and loss. Thoughts of compensation for their loss may not be in the forefront of their minds. However, a consultation with an experienced New Jersey personal injury attorney may be beneficial. No amount of compensation can bring the loved one back or make up for a drunk driver’s bad decision that led to the drunk driving accident. However, a successfully litigated claim may help with medical expenses, final costs and may also provide compensation for pain and suffering.

The woman driving the car was charged with second-degree reckless manslaughter and second-degree vehicular homicide. Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey announced the charges. The driver had previously been charged with driving while intoxicated.

The victim in this case was pronounced dead at an area hospital. The cause of death was blunt force trauma as a result of the accident. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

A family suffering a sudden and tragic loss in New Jersey may be grieving and experiencing shock in the wake of the sudden death of a loved one. As the grief and shock caused by a drunk driving accident lessen, a family and loved ones may be at a loss as to where to turn for answers. While no amount of compensation can bring back the loved one, help may be available to defray some of the costs. A conversation with an experienced personal injury attorney may prove helpful in this instance and a knowledgeable lawyer can guide the family in which legal path to pursue. The attorney may be able to help the loved ones obtain compensation for medical expenses, final costs and other documented losses.

Source: mycentraljersey.com, “South River woman charged with vehicular homicide in alleged drunk driving crash“, Nick Muscavage, May 15, 2018

In Nov. 2014, a 20-year-old man lost his life in an accident caused by a drunk driver. The man, his younger brother, and sister had attended a movie and were walking to a pedestrian bridge when the incident occurred. Police say the driver was speeding at the time when he hit the brothers. The younger brother survived the accident but suffered injuries.

The driver was arrested several weeks after the incident in another state.  He was apprehended after he was found hiding under a bed. Authorities say the man had bought plane tickets and planned to flee the country. The driver pleaded guilty to manslaughter earlier this year and has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

To lose a loved one unexpectedly can be inconceivable for a family, especially when the deceased is very young.  It can be particularly difficult when the death is caused by an irresponsible act of another. In the event of a death resulting from a drunk driving accident, families can file a wrongful death claim. A successfully litigated claim can help cover end-of-life expenses and any other monetary damages. Families facing similar situations would benefit from enlisting the help of a New Jersey attorney to begin the filing process.

Source: njherald.com, “Man gets 15-year prison term in deadly hit-and-run accident”, May 8, 2018

The pair had befriended each other after losing their spouses. On the day of the accident, the couple was returning home from an early dinner on a Sunday afternoon. Unbeknown to the duo, an impaired driver was driving at the same time and ran a red light, colliding with the couple. Shortly after the collision, the 82- and 81-year-old lost their lives from their injuries.

Police arrested the 48-year-old driver at the scene after determining he was intoxicated. He will remain in custody until he appears in court for his motion hearing. Unfortunately, two families are likely continuing to grapple with the loss of their loved ones by a drunk driver. 

Though a victim may not be able to control the actions of others, he or she does have the option of how to respond to damages caused by a drunk driving accident. In the event of a death, New Jersey family members can file a wrongful death claim with the aid of an experienced attorney. Should the claim prove successful, monetary gains can bring a sense of relief after an accident as medical or end-of-life expenses accumulate.

Source: nj.com, “Pair killed in crash by alleged drunk driver were on dinner date, family says“, Amanda Hoover, Feb. 28, 2018

According to police, only one vehicle was involved in the crash. Two men were traveling in Ocean Township when their vehicle veered off the road. What caused the car to leave the road has yet to be determined. The car then hit multiple objects, including a tree, which stopped it.

The driver of the car was taken to the hospital for injuries that were not considered life-threatening. His passenger was also transported to the hospital, though he was tragically pronounced dead upon arrival. The crash is currently under investigation by several agencies, including the city police department, county prosecutor’s office and the Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team.

When a victim dies in a car accident, surviving family members may choose to file a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court against any party or parties believed to be responsible. When these claims are successfully litigated, plaintiffs are typically awarded monetary damages that can be used to help pay for medical bills, funeral costs and other related expenses. Anyone who has lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident could consult experienced New Jersey personal injury attorneys for more information and for assistance in filing claims.

Source: Belleville, NJ Patch, “Lyndhurst Man Hurt, 2nd Man Killed As Car Hits Tree: Prosecutor“, Karen Wall, Feb. 3, 2018

At about 1 a.m. on January 1, a woman was struck and killed by an allegedly drunk driver. The accident occurred on the northbound side of Interstate 676, according to police reports. The victim had exited her car for unknown reasons and was on the shoulder near the exit for Atlantic Avenue.

The driver who reportedly struck the pedestrian had three passengers in her car. None of them were reported to have sustained any injuries. The driver remained at the scene of the accident. She faces charges of vehicular homicide and driving with a suspended license. The accident remains under investigation.

The sudden death of a loved one is never easy to bear. When that death is the result of a drunk driving accident that could have been prevented, loved ones left behind can file a wrongful death civil suit against the party found to be responsible for the tragedy. A successfully litigated claim can result in compensation for end-of-life costs and other monetary damages. Families may wish to enlist the aid of a New Jersey personal injury attorney to initiate the process.