In September of 2026, NBC News reported that a senior driver had crashed her vehicle into a restaurant in Lavallette. The impact injured several people and killed one victim. Local community members are still reeling from this incident, which is yet another example of a storefront crash in New Jersey. Over the past few months and years, it seems as though drivers have crashed into buildings with increasing frequency. What can you do if you were injured in a crash like this? What if your loved one was killed by a vehicle smashing into a building? Can a New Jersey car accident lawyer help in this situation?
Driver Pressed Accelerator Instead of Brake When Trying to Park
Officials say that a 93-year-old woman accidentally pressed her accelerator instead of her brake pedal, sending her Buick Encore into the front of the restaurant in Lavallette. The collision sent her SUV through an outdoor dining area and the exterior wall before coming to a halt inside the building. In its wake, the vehicle left seven injured patrons and one deceased victim.
The person who died was a 56-year-old woman and the wife of a local Fire Chief. An investigation ensued, and local police subsequently revealed that the 93-year-old driver (who was also injured in the collision) was not facing any criminal charges. That being said, they did give the driver a ticket for careless driving. Furthermore, the police officially recommended that the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission re-examine the woman’s driving abilities, and her days behind the wheel could be over after this incident.
The fact that this senior motorist will not face any criminal consequences will likely infuriate many of the victims and their family members. Although sources have not revealed the extent or type of the injuries involved, it is likely that many of them are life-altering. The SUV seems to have barreled straight into an outdoor dining area that seated a large crowd of people. One can only imagine the carnage of an SUV driving through the victims and possibly crushing them in the process.
People Often Mistake Accelerators and Brake Pedals
The truth is that people are constantly mistaking their brake pedals for accelerators in New Jersey. A few days after this incident, another driver made the same error and sent their vehicle straight into a building in Larchmont. Although no one was injured in the collision, the building faced the very real risk of collapse after the impact. As a result, the New Rochelle Collapse Unit arrived at the scene and helped stabilize the structure. Everyone escaped without injury, but the building is now uninhabitable thanks to significant damage.
Earlier in September, another New Jersey motorist mistook their brake pedal for the accelerator, sending their vehicle careening into a pedestrian. This incident occurred at a parking lot in Hillsborough, and it claimed the life of the pedestrian. As of this writing, the crash remains under investigation, and it is worth noting that the individual responsible for this fatality is a senior citizen.
Do Drivers Ever Face Consequences For Slamming on the Accelerator Instead of Their Brakes?
Unfortunately, “intent” is a necessary element of many crimes in New Jersey. In other words, accidentally hitting the accelerator instead of the brakes may not rise to the level of criminal conduct in New Jersey. Although this “mistake” is an example of serious recklessness and negligence, police often conclude that no criminal charges apply. One notable exception is if the driver was intoxicated at the time.
With that said, a driver who makes this careless mistake does not necessarily escape all consequences. The civil courts in New Jersey represent an alternative pathway toward accountability for victims, and you can sue these reckless drivers for causing your damages. Since pressing the accelerator instead of the brake pedal is a classic example of negligence, it may be relatively easy to file a claim and recover compensation.
Can a New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Whether you were injured in a storefront collision or any other kind of crash, a New Jersey auto accident lawyer may be able to help you recover the compensation you need. A verdict or settlement allows you to pay for medical bills and cover missed wages. Your compensation may also help address psychological issues after your crash, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. has been serving injured victims in New Jersey since 2000, and the firm has recovered many millions for its clients over the years. Contact us at (609) 240-0040 or contact us online for more information.
The firm’s principals, Gabriel R. Lependorf and David E. Silverstein, have each been representing injured victims in the State of New Jersey for over thirty years.
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