Most New Jersey residents know that intoxication and operating a motor vehicle don’t mix. Additionally, most know that driving while texting or talking on the phone are often just as effective at taking a driver’s attention off the road, enabling poor decision-making processes and considerably slowing reaction times. However, many car accidents still occur every day in this state, many due to some form of distracted driving.
In a recent car accident, use of a cell phone came into play. The accident occurred in late May in Lacey. According to police, a man of undisclosed age was operating a motor vehicle while using a cellular device.
He crossed over the middle line and sideswiped a pickup truck operated by a 48-year-old man. The resulting impact sent the pickup off the road, where it collided with several trees. Trapped in his vehicle, he had to be removed by members of the local fire department. He was then airlifted to a local medical center.
Although the man who caused the accident has been charged with assault by auto, the victim may still be lying in a hospital bed. He may be facing a slew of problems, both financially and physically: lost wages and medical bills can send most crash victims into a financial tailspin. In the state of New Jersey, there is legal recourse for victims of car accidents when the evidence points to negligence on the party of another party to the collision. A consultation with a personal injury attorney is often the first step in this difficult process, as the lawyer can explain the victim’s rights and also advocate for those rights in pursuing a claim for monetary damages.
Source: Lacey, NJ. Patch, “Lacey Police Charge Beach Haven Man With Assault By Auto After Crash“, Patricia A. Miller, June 4, 2015