Man killed by car in New Jersey pedestrian accident

A man was struck and killed by a vehicle recently while crossing a street in Mt. Ephraim. According to authorities, the man became trapped under the vehicle after being hit. Some witnesses rushed to help the man by locating a jack and lifting the car off the victim so that emergency workers could assist the man. The man was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, but he died a short time after arrival. Police continue to investigate the cause of the incident.

Accidents involving pedestrians and motor vehicles often result in serious consequences for the pedestrian. Because of the size and mass differential between the colliding objects, as well as lack of protection for the pedestrian, debilitating, and sometimes fatal, injuries result. This can mean large amounts of medical expenses along with the possible loss of the ability to earn an income, as well as the obvious pain and suffering caused by the injuries themselves.

Whether or not criminal charges are forthcoming, if a person is hurt in a pedestrian accident, they may be able to recover monetary damages if another party was at fault. Because the evidentiary standard that must be met in a civil suit is lower than that needed to gain a conviction in a criminal trial, the outcomes of the two can differ, even if the same evidence is presented at both.

Therefore, a victim or a victim’s family may still receive compensation even if the other party involved is acquitted of or never charged with a crime. Keeping this in mind, everyone injured in a pedestrian accident should carefully consider all their legal options. Such actions will not only help with managing the financial consequences of a terrible accident, they can also help to bring closure to a victim and their family members.

Source: WPVI-TV, “Pedestrian hit, pinned under car dies in Camden Co.,” Feb. 12, 2014