Too often, drivers get behind the wheel when they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. As the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports, nearly 13,400 people died in DUI accidents in 2021. These accidents are especially tragic because they would never have occurred if drivers simply refrained from operating their vehicles while intoxicated. A recent news article illustrates the consequences of driving under the influence.
According to the recently published news report, a man lost his life after a DUI accident in Gloucester County, New Jersey. The accident occurred when a drunk driver was traveling south on Egg Harbor Road and ran a red light at the intersection with Ganttown Road. As a result, she collided with an SUV traveling west. The impact of the crash then caused the SUV to crash into a minivan heading east. Sadly, the SUV driver died from his injuries. The driver of the minivan, who suffered only minor injuries, was charged with reckless vehicular homicide, strict liability vehicular homicide, and assault by auto.
What Compensation Is Available After a New Jersey DUI Accident?
Anyone who suffers injuries in a New Jersey DUI accident can bring a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible driver. These cases are based on the legal theory of negligence. In a negligence lawsuit, New Jersey allows accident victims to pursue several types of damages awards. The most common type of damages awards are compensatory damages, which intend to place the plaintiff in the same position as if the accident had never occurred.
Compensatory damages can help victims recover economic losses from the accident, including past and future hospital bills and lost wages. They can also include non-economic damages, such as emotional pain and suffering. Finally, the victim’s spouse can bring a loss of consortium claim against the responsible driver. Loss of consortium damages seek to compensate an accident victim’s spouse for the loss of the victim’s companionship and comfort after the accident.
If a victim dies in a DUI accident, certain family members can seek economic damages through a wrongful death lawsuit. These types of damages often include lost future earnings or loss of companionship. Typically, the deceased’s spouse and children can receive damages from a wrongful death lawsuit.
Have You Been Injured in a New Jersey DUI Accident? DUI accidents can be devastating for accident victims and their loved ones. If you or someone close to you has been seriously injured or killed in a New Jersey DUI accident, contact the experienced attorneys at Bathgate, Wegener & Wolf, P.C. Making a case for damages is not always simple, and plaintiffs may struggle to prove they suffered emotional pain and suffering. Our skilled legal team can gather evidence, work with experts, and develop a strategy to prove you are entitled to compensation under New Jersey law. To discuss your case with an attorney on our team, call our office at (732) 363-0666 for a free initial consultation. We will not charge you any attorney fees unless we recover money damages on your behalf.
