Numerous New Jersey Drivers Arrested for Serious Recklessness

Over the past month, numerous New Jersey drivers have faced criminal charges for various acts of recklessness behind the wheel. However, while criminal charges might put a driver behind bars, no amount of incarceration can take back the damage they cause. This includes not only damage to property but also serious injuries to average people. Fortunately, injured victims do not have to rely solely on the criminal justice system to ensure accountability. A personal injury lawsuit may provide injured victims and their families with compensation for missed income, medical costs, and other damages. Many of the drivers recently arrested for car crashes in New Jersey may also face personal injury lawsuits. 

Drunk Driver Arrested After Causing Fatality in Windsor

In November of 2024, it was reported that a drunk driver had been arrested for causing a traffic fatality in Windsor. The incident occurred on Route 130, and it involved a pedestrian attempting to cross the highway. Although the pedestrian may have been jaywalking at the time of the crash, this still represents a crime because the driver was intoxicated.

Drunk Driver Arrested After Causing Train Crash

Also in November, a drunk driver was arrested in Bergen County after allegedly causing a train to crash. The intoxicated motorist’s vehicle stopped on the tracks and was subsequently struck by a NJ Transit train. Somehow, no one involved in this incident was injured – including 450 people on the train and two people inside the vehicle. 

Driver Faces Numerous Charges After Causing Thanksgiving Crash

Another notable incident occurred on Thanksgiving when a driver ran a red light in Edison. The incident occurred at around 1:30 AM, and police arrived to find two wrecked vehicles. One of these vehicles was occupied by a family, and many of these occupants suffered serious injuries. While the father’s condition eventually stabilized, his 15-year-old daughter and his wife both suffered critical injuries in the collision. First responders stated that they were fighting for their lives and that their injuries were life-threatening. 

The driver of the other vehicle suffered minor injuries, and she was later arrested on numerous charges for causing the collision. Police determined that she had run through a red light, and she was charged with three counts of third-degree assault by auto. She was also charged with driving under the influence and several other traffic offenses. 

New Jersey Police Sergeant Arrested for Allegedly Causing Fatal DUI Crash

In early November, various sources reported that a New Jersey police sergeant had been charged with vehicular homicide. He was accused of killing a man in a wrong-way crash while intoxicated. The incident occurred on Route 23, and the sergeant was reportedly driving on the wrong side of the road when he smashed his pickup truck into a smaller sedan. 

The impact killed a 55-year-old Paterson resident who was reportedly carpooling to work when he lost his life. Wrong-way crashes occur at a worrying pace in New Jersey, and there is virtually no excuse for this type of reckless driving. 

Criminal Charges vs. Civil Car Accident Lawsuits

Although all of the drivers in these reports  have faced criminal charges for their recklessness, it is not clear whether any of them will be sued by injured plaintiffs and their families. However, this is certainly a possibility. The truth is that criminal charges may provide only limited consequences – and they fail to offer much closure or compensation to affected families. 

In criminal courts, prosecutors must prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a high “burden of proof,” and it means that many reckless drivers escape criminal consequences. If there is not enough evidence to convict them – or if prosecutors make a mistake during trial – the defendant may walk free. 

In contrast, only a “preponderance of evidence” is required to establish negligence in a civil case. In theory, this means it is easier to ensure accountability with a lawsuit than with criminal charges. 

Can an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in New Jersey Help?

If you were injured by a negligent motorist, a New Jersey car accident lawyer may be able to help you pursue justice, closure, and compensation. While criminal charges may keep drivers off the road, they typically fail to help victims and their families cover medical expenses, missed earnings, and many other damages. To learn more about a potential car accident lawsuit, contact Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. We have guided numerous injured plaintiffs toward fair compensation – and we can do the same for you.