Man Injured in Crash Involving Tree

It’s important to always be alert while driving, even when you’re on your own property. If you’re not watching where you’re going, you could crash into a tree and cause yourself or a passenger to suffer serious injuries.

This is what recently happened in Bridgewater. A car crashed into a tree, causing a front-seat passenger to be ejected and suffer serious injuries. The accident happened on the morning of February 19 on Chimney Rock Road.

The Bridgewater Township Police Department responded to a motor vehicle crash involving a tree. The driver, a 90-year-old woman from Bound Brook, was driving a Subaru Legacy on private property. She backed up the vehicle across the front yard and hit a tree. The impact caused the passenger, a 60-year-old man, to be ejected from the vehicle.

Martinsville Rescue Squad and RWJ Paramedics responded to the accident scene. The Martinsville Volunteer Fire Department secured a helicopter landing site to airlift the victim to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital New Brunswick. He is being treated for serious injuries.

Chimney Rock Road was closed between Washington Valley Road and Gillbridge Road for about two hours. The accident is still under investigation by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office as well as the Bridgewater Township Police Department’s Traffic Safety Bureau.

Car Accidents Involving Trees

Car accidents involving trees are often severe due to the sudden and direct impact. Here are key factors and considerations:

Common causes. Loss of control due to speeding, slippery roads, distracted driving, or swerving to avoid obstacles can lead to collisions with trees.
Injury severity. Unlike hitting another vehicle, a tree does not absorb impact. Therefore a person can suffer serious injuries like head trauma or internal damage.
Insurance coverage. Comprehensive or collision coverage usually covers tree-related crashes, but fault and negligence determine whether or not a claim will be approved.
Prevention. Staying alert, reducing speed in hazardous conditions, and maintaining vehicle control systems can help prevent such accidents.

There are also legal aspects to consider:

Driver responsibility. If a driver loses control and hits a tree due to speeding, distraction, or impaired driving, they are typically held liable for damages and injuries.
Property owner liability. If the tree is on private property and fell due to neglect, such as disease, the property owner may be responsible for damages if they failed to address a known hazard.
Government liability. If a tree was obstructing the road or fell due to poor maintenance by a city or county, the municipality could be held accountable. However, filing a claim against a government entity often requires strict deadlines and procedures.

Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Car accidents can happen anywhere, even when you’re slowly backing up on private property. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings at all times when driving, no matter where you are.

A Morristown car accidents attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff can help you if you or a loved one has been in a crash. We believe in taking every legal step necessary to protect the legal rights of injury victims. Fill out the online form or call (973) 455-1567 to schedule a consultation with our office.

Source:

patch.com/new-jersey/bridgewater/crash-investigation-closes-chimney-rock-road-bridgewater