A driver has decided to plead not guilty to a slew of serious charges stemming from a crash that claimed the life of a New Jersey man. The family members of the victim are sitting on the sidelines, waiting to see whether this individual will face consequences. Meanwhile, they are also struggling with serious financial pressures as they attempt to deal with the loss of their loved one. While the details of the crash will undoubtedly become clearer during the upcoming trial, there are many unanswered questions. One thing is clear: This was a very strange incident – and the driver must have made a serious error in order to smash directly into an Apple store.
Family of Slain New Jersey Man Forced to Create GoFundMe Page After Apple Crash
It is not clear what caused the driver to crash straight into the Apple store. According to him, his foot became “caught in the accelerator pedal,” and he tried to hit the brakes before the impact. However, a detailed investigation has determined that he never actually applied the brakes before the crash. Even if his foot was caught in the accelerator, it is difficult to imagine how this would have prevented him from applying the brakes. After all, he could have used his other foot. What makes this situation even more puzzling is the fact that the defendant told investigators that he attempted to apply the brakes but failed. But how can someone “attempt” to apply the brakes without actually doing so? This is just one question that will be addressed during the trial.
An investigation also determined that the driver was traveling at 60 miles per hour before the impact. In response to these questions, the driver’s defense attorney has implied that the car’s data recording system is not reliable. The official position is that this was an accident.
In any case, the driver is facing serious legal consequences. He has been charged with 22 counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon – plus one count of second-degree murder. Not only did he kill the man from New Jersey, but he also injured many other bystanders.
The family members of the deceased victim have been forced to create a GoFundMe page to cover funeral expenses and other costs. This suggests that they cannot pursue compensation through other methods, such as insurance claims or personal injury lawsuits. A lawsuit may technically be possible, but there is really no point unless the defendant has the ability to pay out damages. The average person does not have millions of dollars in assets, which is how much a death in the family tends to cost when you consider the long-term damages.
Criminal Consequences are Not the Same as Civil Penalties
Although criminal charges can help family members experience a sense of justice, a criminal trial may not provide them with any compensation whatsoever. In some cases, defendants are forced to pay restitution to victims, but there are no guarantees. Someone may face both criminal charges and civil penalties, however, and this driver may face a civil lawsuit at some point in the future. Too often, family members are left with the bittersweet satisfaction of seeing the defendant behind bars while simultaneously swallowing serious, long-term financial losses.
One option is to file a claim through New Jersey’s no-fault insurance system. The benefit is that you do not need to establish fault. Furthermore, injured pedestrians can file claims through their no-fault car insurance – even if they were not actually driving at the time of the crash. As long as you were involved in an auto accident, your no-fault auto insurance may provide coverage.
Where Can I Find an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in New Jersey?
If you have lost a loved one in a New Jersey car crash, you might be in desperate need of compensation. A GoFundMe page is a start, but you may be eligible for compensation via a lawsuit instead. The only way to know for sure is to book a consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in New Jersey. During your first consultation with Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C., you can discuss the details of your situation and determine whether it’s worth filing a personal injury lawsuit. You may also pursue compensation through New Jersey’s no-fault system in many situations. Internet research only gets you so far, and you have nothing to lose by booking a no-obligation consultation. Reach out today to get started.
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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