Roxbury Township, NJ (December 24th, 2021) – On the evening of Thursday, December 23rd, a young boy was tragically killed in a multi-vehicle accident in Morris County, New Jersey.
A spokesperson from the New Jersey State Police has stated that the accident also involved six other individuals who sustained non-lethal injuries.
The multi-vehicle collision occurred shortly before 8 p.m. on Interstate 80. Based on preliminary investigation reports, an unknown vehicle collided with a Chevy Equinox near milepost 28.5. This resulted in the Equinox colliding with a Honda HRV. This vehicle was then hit by a Nissan Altima. The Chevy Equinox was also hit by a Honda Passport.
The deceased victim has been identified by authorities as 6-year-old Lorenzo Vandine, a resident of Budd Lake. The young victim was a passenger of the Honda HRV. One other person sustained moderate injuries while the other five individuals suffered minor injuries.
The eastbound lanes on Interstate 80 remained closed for about 2 hours after the accident, which prompted heavy traffic.
According to the spokesperson, the collision remains under investigation. Those who may have witnessed the accident or the events that led to the accident are being asked to contact New Jersey State Police.
Any auto accident in New Jersey can be a traumatic experience. While an accident can last just a few seconds, the impact an accident can have on those affected can last a lifetime. Unfortunately, the impact can be more egregious in accidents that result in a person’s death. In these situations, the surviving family members are usually left to face emotional distress and severe financial hardship.
According to the New Jersey State Police website, there were 550 traffic accidents in the state for the year 2020. Of the reported accidents, 587 people involved in those accidents lost their lives. When a person loses a loved one in an auto accident in New Jersey, the surviving family member may have the opportunity to file a wrongful death claim against the party responsible for the victim’s death.
Based on New Jersey’s Wrongful Death Act, surviving family members could have the legal right to seek compensation on behalf of their loved one in a manner that the victim would have through a personal injury lawsuit had he or she survived the accident. In the State of New Jersey, children, spouses, parents, grandchildren, siblings, and others who can prove their dependency on the deceased victim may be eligible to file the case in court.
The primary focus of the Wrongful Death Act is to compensate the victim’s survivors for their economic losses resulting from the victim’s sudden passing. In a vast majority of auto accident cases that result in wrongful death, significant financial losses are usually a consequence and for those who seek compensation for their loved one’s passing, loss of financial support is usually sought. Recovery for the loss of financial support is a monetary amount that is based on the contributions in which the victim may have reasonably been expected to make to the claimant. This is not an amount that is based on the survivor’s needs.
Under the Wrongful Death Act, intangible losses such as the loss of emotional support may not be recoverable. Instead, survivors can be compensated through other legal avenues, such as another tort action for the negligent infliction of emotional distress.
Losing a loved one in a sudden and unexpected accident can lead to significant losses, including both emotionally and financially. Depending on the facts of each individual case, surviving family members can seek compensation for their losses, which may include hospital bills, funeral costs, burial expenses, pain and suffering, loss of future income, loss of household services, loss of companionship, loss of love, and loss of inheritance.
Grieving the tragic loss of a loved one can be challenging for any family and for this reason, it is always difficult for families to begin the process of filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Still, seeking compensation to cover expenses and other losses is necessary,
Although wrongful death accident cases in New Jersey demand an extensive amount of work to thoroughly investigate the case and prepare a strong lawsuit it is important to understand that these cases also require swift legal action.
According to New Jersey law, wrongful death claims must be brought forward within a set period of time. In the state, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim is two years from the date of the victim’s passing. This means that once the statute of limitations has expired, the claimant will no longer have the opportunity to seek monetary compensation for his or her losses from those responsible. It is important to note, however, that there are few exceptions to this rule. To ensure the right to file a claim is not lost permanently, it is critically important to discuss the case with a well-versed wrongful death attorney.
A New Jersey attorney who is experienced in handling these types of cases can ensure the evidence of the case is thoroughly reviewed and the case is filed before the deadline has expired. A proficient attorney will also work diligently to ensure a strong case is filed against the wrongdoer so that maximum compensation is secured.
The compassionate and dedicated attorneys at Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC are committed to supporting surviving family members through this very difficult time. The law firm is poised to help grieving family members understand their legal rights and seek monetary compensation from those who are responsible for their loved one’s passing.
If you have recently lost a loved one in a motor vehicle accident in New Jersey, consider contacting the attorneys at Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC for proficient legal representation. The law firm understands that after losing a loved one in an accident, a wrongful death lawsuit will likely be the last thing on your mind. At the end of the day, no amount of money will ever diminish the sadness and grief caused by the victim’s passing. Still, by filing a claim, obtaining financial support during this challenging time can help you cover the expenses caused by the victim’s passing. For this reason, you are encouraged to obtain experienced legal support.
Get justice for your family and obtain the compensation you deserve – complete the online contact form to discuss your case with the attorneys at Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC firm today. The law firm proudly represents clients throughout the State of New Jersey.
