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MORRIS COUNTY WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT SETTLES FOR $1.75 MILLION | The Law Offices of Smith & Gaynor, P.C.

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MORRIS COUNTY WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT SETTLES FOR $1.75 MILLION

The family of a man who was killed in an auto accident with a tractor-trailerrecently reached a settlement in their wrongful death lawsuit in which the defendants will pay a combined $1.75 million in damages.

This case began on December 3, 2013, when 52-year-old Steven Peltz was driving on Route 280 in Parsippany. Peltz was killed when his car hit a trailer that had detached. Craig Wallenstein was driving the tractor-trailer, which was the property of his employer, Mountain View Development Co. The accident reportedly occurred when the trailer became detached, traveled into the far left lane, and created dust and debris. Peltz was unable to see and subsequently collided with the trailer.

Peltz’s surviving loved ones filed a wrongful death lawsuit against three parties for negligence: the driver (Wallenstein), the company that owned the trailer (Mountain View), and the company’s mechanic (Andrew Pirlozzi). The family claimed that Mountain View was negligent because the tractor trailer in the accident had become detached previously.

Although Pirlozzi said he attempted to repair the trailer, neither he nor Mountain View identified the underlying cause of the issue. No one from the company reached out to the trailer manufacturer to confirm the efficacy of the repairs, and they ultimately chose to resume use of the tractor-trailer. Following the accident, Mountain View filed a separate lawsuit against Talbert Manufacturing, the trailer’s manufacturer, citing defects in the design.

In cases of this kind, the family of the deceased victim can pursue damages under New Jersey’s Wrongful Death Act which include: funeral costs, medical expenses prior to the death, bills to repair damaged property, the loss of income associated with the person, the value of the person’s contribution to household activities, as well as the loss of companionship, spousal relations, support, and parental guidance resulting from the death.

As far as this Morris County wrongful death suit is concerned, Mountain View agreed to pay $1.7 million on behalf of the company and both employees cited in the lawsuit. Talbert Manufacturing agreed to pay $50,000, per the terms of the settlement.

At the Morris County law offices of Smith & Doran, our seasoned attorneys represent victims and families in wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits involving car, truck, and tractor-trailer accidents. If you have been injured or lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence, contact our offices in Morristown today to receive a cost-free consultation.

For additional information pertaining to this case and other recent personal injury lawsuits in New Jersey, access the following: Suits & Deals: Case of Road Fatality Caused by Runaway Trailer Settles for $1.75M

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