New Brunswick, NJ (December 27th, 2021) – A woman lost her life in a traffic accident on Garden State Parkway on Christmas Eve.
According to reports, two women were ejected from the vehicle upon the accident. One of the victims died as a result of the incident. The second victim sustained serious injuries. A third victim, the driver of the vehicle, suffered minor injuries.
New Jersey State Police indicate that the deceased victim was a resident from New Brunswick. The collision happened on the Garden State Parkway in Woodbridge Township. She has been identified as 47 year-old Devona Hutchinson and the passenger in the vehicle. The victim was declared deceased at the accident scene.
The tragic accident occurred just before 8:00 a.m. on December 24th on the southbound lanes of the Parkway near marker 132.2.
According to authorities, the victims were traveling in a Dodge Caravan when their vehicle careened off the highway to the right. The vehicle traveled up an embankment and hit multiple trees before traveling back toward the highway. The Dodge ultimately hit a guardrail and overturned, resulting in its two passengers being ejected from the vehicle.
The motorist has been identified as 67 year-old Samuel Huff, a resident of East Orange. He suffered minor injuries as a result of the accident. The second female that was ejected from the vehicle has been identified as 46 year-old Tara Garland from Edison. She suffered serious injuries and was rushed to a local hospital for treatment.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation. It is unclear whether speed was a factor in the accident or if drugs and/or alcohol played a role.
Anyone with information about the accident is being asked to contact state authorities.
When most people think of a car accident, the majority will envision a collision involving two vehicles colliding with one another. According to a 2019 report published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), however, 53 percent of all motor vehicle accident deaths in the United States were the result of single-vehicle accidents. In New Jersey, IIHS reports that 56 percent of all vehicle accident-related deaths in 2019 were caused by single-vehicle accidents. This amounted to 314 people who lost their lives in single-vehicle accidents throughout the State of New Jersey.
Single-vehicle accidents can be caused by a number of factors, such as colliding with a stationary object like a pole or guardrail, but these accidents can also be caused by other drivers, companies, or even government entities.
One of the most common causes of all vehicle accidents is driver error. Driver error can involve situations involving distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding, and driving while sleep-deprived. While these dangerous situations can be caused by the driver of the vehicle involved in the single-vehicle accident, it is important to note that an accident involving any of the aforementioned scenarios can also be caused by other drivers.
Single-vehicle accidents can be caused by other drivers even when there was no collision between the two vehicles. For instance, a person can be deliberately forced off the road by another driver who is driving aggressively. Drivers can also be involved in an accident when attempting to avoid a collision with a negligent driver and ultimately swerve into oncoming traffic or be forced off the road.
Aside from attempting to avoid a collision with negligent drivers, people can also experience single-vehicle accidents when attempting to avoid dangerous road conditions. Dangerous road conditions can involve potholes, road debris, or even animals or objects that block the road. When the accident is caused on a road, the party responsible for maintaining the road may be held accountable for the accident.
Finally, single-vehicle accidents can also be caused by design or vehicle-part failures. Motor vehicles undergo rigorous testing while on the assembly line. Despite this, errors in the manufacturing process happen regularly, which often result in serious single-vehicle accidents.
When a vehicle cannot operate properly, the vehicle can become deadly for those inside. Common examples of vehicle failures include defective tires, faulty brakes, errors with the steering, and issues with other safety equipment.
It is also important to note that a failure in the vehicle can happen as a result of errors committed during the vehicle’s routine maintenance. Poor vehicle maintenance can include overlooking safety issues, failure to address obvious mechanical errors, and failing to properly install a vehicle part. In these situations, the auto repair shop or mechanic can be held responsible for the negligence resulting in the accident.
When a person is seriously injured in a single-vehicle accident caused by another party, it is important to know that legal recourse may be available. In the State of New Jersey, injured auto accident victims must seek compensation for their injuries primarily through their own Personal Injury Protection insurance coverage. Unfortunately, many single-vehicle accidents have catastrophic consequences. For accidents that result in devastating injuries, additional compensation can be obtained by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.
For many years, the dedicated attorneys at Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC have successfully represented those who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents throughout the State of New Jersey, including complex single-vehicle accidents. When a single-vehicle accident occurs, those injured can still recover compensation when the accident was caused as a result of the negligence of another party.
Single-vehicle accident claims can be difficult to pursue; nonetheless, injured victims must seek monetary damages when their injuries cause severe hardship, such as long-term pain, disability, and financial distress. If you or someone you love was recently hurt in a single-vehicle accident in New Jersey, take immediate action and seek the support of a well-established attorney. Personal injury lawsuits are subject to a strict statute of limitations. Obtain proficient legal representation right away.
After a single-vehicle accident, Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC can help you obtain the compensation you are entitled to. Consider contacting the proficient law firm today by calling (908) 264-7228 or schedule your free, no-obligation consultation by completing the online contact form here.
