Posted in Personal Injury
In one recent week, Newark saw two fatal hit-and-run crashes, including an early morning collision that killed one pedestrian and gravely injured another. When the person responsible flees, victims and their families are left with pressing questions about accountability and recovery.
What Happened in Newark
Around 4:30 a.m. on a Friday, a hit-and-run struck two pedestrians on the 100-block of Empire Street, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. One pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The other was left in grave condition. The vehicle fled, and investigators had not yet released the victims’ identities.
This was the second fatal hit-and-run in Newark that week. Days earlier, a driver struck and killed two women who were crossing at Park Avenue and North 7th Street. Prosecutors later announced an arrest in that case. The suspect faces charges that include vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a fatal crash.
Why Hit-and-Run Cases Are Different
A hit-and-run adds a layer that ordinary crashes don’t have. The at-fault driver is unknown, at least at first. That changes how a case moves forward and where compensation may come from.
Several issues tend to come up:
- Identifying the driver through cameras, witnesses, and police work
- Locating the vehicle and any physical evidence
- Sorting out which insurance coverage applies
- Meeting deadlines for claims and reports
New Jersey drivers carry uninsured motorist coverage, which can matter when the responsible driver is never found. That coverage sometimes provides a path to recovery even without an arrest.
Pedestrians and the Law
Under state rules, drivers must stop for people in a marked crosswalk. The women killed earlier that week were reportedly in a crosswalk when they were struck. When a driver ignores that duty and then leaves, both the crash and the flight can matter to a civil claim.
Injuries in pedestrian crashes are often severe, since there’s nothing between a person and a moving vehicle. Head trauma, spinal damage, and broken bones are common. A family facing a death may also confront funeral costs and lost income.
Building a Newark Personal Injury Claim
Evidence fades fast after a hit-and-run. Surveillance footage gets recorded over. Debris is cleared, and memories blur. A Newark personal injury attorney can act to preserve records, request nearby camera footage, and work alongside investigators while the trail is fresh.
An experienced Newark, NJ personal injury lawyer reviews the police reports, the insurance coverage available, and the facts of how the crash happened. Fault questions in a Newark personal injury case aren’t always simple, and a careful account of the evidence often shapes the outcome.
For families weighing their options, the Law Offices of David A. DiBrigida can explain how a claim works and what a fair result might look like.
Moving Forward After a Hit-and-Run
Nothing restores what a hit-and-run takes. Still, a steady legal process can hold a driver accountable and help a family plan for what comes next. If you or someone close to you was hurt in a Newark hit-and-run, reach out to the Law Offices of David A. DiBrigida to talk through your situation and understand the paths available to you.
