Jose Calderon, 49, a Patterson City employee, and Ana Perez, 34, were killed when the car they were in struck a tree off Route 3 in Clifton. Sadly, the couple had been married within just a few months of the crash. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing, and the Clifton Police Department has asked any witnesses to come forward. 

Single-car crashes where the only occupants have died can be challenging to investigate. However, in circumstances such as these where the fatally-injured are leaving behind children, the loss of the family’s main source of income can be a major blow. Often, funeral costs or medical bills which accrued prior to the family member’s passing can make the financial burden even greater, while the family is already in a state of grief. There may be potential sources of liability for the accident that a skilled attorney can investigate, in order to lighten the financial burden:

*Automobile failure: If a badly-designed component of the car, or a later-replaced part of the car, failed and caused the accident, then you may be able to bring a lawsuit against the manufacturer, distributor, and/or designer of the car or car part. An experienced attorney will know of a skilled auto mechanic who can properly inspect for this sort of failure.

*Faulty repair leading to automotive failure: Similarly, if a car was recently repaired but the repairs were faulty, and the ensuing accident was of a type that would be expected from the faulty repairs, the repair shop may be liable for all or part of the victim’s damages.

*Dangerous road conditions: Hazards on the road such as inclement weather are outside anyone’s control. However, if the road is in a state of disrepair of which the responsible government entity is aware, if an object was left in the road, or if the road is under construction and is unsafe, then the government or another entity may be responsible for resulting accidents.

Recovering compensation as a result of single-car crashes can be an investigation-heavy, complex task, requiring the assistance of experienced attorneys. If you or a loved one have been involved in a single-car crash, and believe you may have a legal claim, contact the knowledgeable New Jersey car accident attorneys at Smith and Doran for an evaluation of your claim. For a free consultation on a potential lawsuit in Morristown, Whippany, Brookside, Cedar Knolls, and throughout Sussex and Warren County, call 973-292-0016.