2 dead in Saturday night solo-vehicle crash on New Jersey Highway 55
MANTUA, NJ, (November 02, 2024) - New Jersey State Police are investigating a Saturday night single-vehicle accident in Mantua that claimed the lives of two 18-year-olds.
18-year-old Zembalist Lewis was fatally injured Saturday night in a single-vehicle accident along New Jersey Highway 55 in Mantua.
According to authorities, a Toyota traveling northbound along New Jersey Highway 55 left the roadway, slammed into two trees, and rolled over around 10:39 p.m.
A passenger, identified as Glassboro resident Zembalist Lewis, was ejected and tragically died from his injuries.
The 18-year-old man driving also died in the crash.
An investigation into the incident is underway.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Victims like Lewis are killed in motor vehicle accidents across our country, and it is often not their fault.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 42,915 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2021, an increase of over 10 percent from 2020.
While the cause and liability of the crash are being investigated, Andrew G. Finkelstein, Managing Partner at Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices, said it is important that a competent attorney handles investigations into cases such as this to protect the rights of the victim's family.
"It is essential to reconstruct the accident to identify all the vehicles involved and determine the circumstances that led to the accident or the driver at fault."
"Insurance companies are never on the side of a victim injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident,” said Finkelstein.
“According to the Insurance Research Institute, on average, an injured person who receives help from a lawyer ends up receiving three and a half times more money than those who do not."
Well-known lawyers like Finkelstein are experienced in such aspects and can help protect your rights by guiding you through every step of the process.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of Zembalist Lewis may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident such as this tragic incident.
"People who get into an auto accident suffer unimaginable consequences in the form of mental and physical pain, and, in cases of fatalities, the victim's family and loved ones are left devastated," added Finkelstein.
"It is always recommended that, as a victim, you don't give statements right away after the crash to an insurance company."
"You might be in shock, and anything said at the time may lower the chances of getting justice. Hiring an attorney will be the best route to protect your rights," added Finkelstein.
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(Andrew G. Finkelstein, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices to help you, please call 855-976-8163 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).