An accident involving a New Jersey Transit bus and a car occurred recently that injured seven people. The accident took place in Newark on a recent Thursday morning in March, investigators say. When New Jersey residents are injured in drunk driving accidents or as a result of an individual’s negligence, they are typically entitled to file personal injury suits against the party or parties responsible.
The accident occurred around 7:30 a.m. Investigators said a vehicle ran an intersection and slammed into a New Jersey Transit bus and two other vehicles. At least one individual in the car that ran the intersection received treatment for injuries suffered in the crash.
Around 20 passengers were riding the bus at the time of the accident. Five individuals, as well as the bus driver, were rushed to a local hospital. Additionally, another passenger in one of the other vehicles that was struck was also taken to the same hospital. None of the victims’ injuries were considered life-threatening. Police took one individual into custody, and sources say the collision involved a DWI as open containers were discovered in the car.
The investigation regarding this accident is ongoing. Those injured in this car accident may decide to pursue a civil claim against the alleged drunk driver for the damages they incurred. Once criminal charges are formally filed and if prosecutors secure a conviction on a charge related to the car accident, the conviction could be offered as evidence in a personal injury claim. The conviction could be used to establish negligence on the part of the driver, which is required to be proved before a civil court will consider an award of damages. Individuals in New Jersey who are seriously injured as a result of being involved in drunk driving accidents typically consult experienced personal injury attorneys to establish the validity of proposed personal injury claims and to provide legal advice and guidance throughout the claims process, including any necessary litigation through the civil justice system.
Source: abc7ny.com, “New Jersey Transit bus, car collide in Newark, New Jersey“, March 10, 2016