One Killed and Another Injured in Recent New Jersey DUI Accident

Drinking and driving is never an acceptable action. Though some drivers may make it to their destinations without incident, many people have the potential for causing injury when they practice this type of behavior. One man has been killed and a woman injured in a recent DUI accident in New Jersey.

Police stated that a surveillance camera caught the crash on video. It showed a driver in an SUV accelerate through an intersection and hitting another car from behind before hitting a motorcyclist. The force of the impact knocked the motorcyclist off of his bike. Authorities said that it looked like the SUV driver did not attempt to brake until after striking the first vehicle.

Tragically, the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim in the first car that was struck suffered a concussion and herniated disks. Emergency responders had to cut her from the car. Police stated that in addition to the SUV driver allegedly admitting to being drunk, an open bottle of alcohol was found in his vehicle. He is now facing charges of death by automobile, leaving the scene of a fatal collision and having an open container of alcohol.

Though criminal charges have been filed against the driver who supposedly caused the wreck, the injured victim and the surviving family of the deceased victim may be entitled to file a personal injury claim and a wrongful death claim, respectively. If these types of claims successfully prove drivers negligent, claimants are typically awarded monetary damages that can be used to help pay for medical bills, funeral costs or any other related expenses. Those who have been injured or lost a loved one in a DUI accident can consult experienced New Jersey personal injury attorneys to obtain more information.

Source: nj.com, “Driver charged with drunkenly killing motorcyclist staying jailed“, Brandon Scalea, Aug. 3, 2017