New Jersey teen killed in tractor-trailer collision

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An 18-year-old was killed early on Oct. 9 when his pickup truck was hit by a tractor-trailer, according to a statement released by the Green Brook Chief of Police. A bystander who attempted to help the driver out of the pickup was seriously injured. The incident occurred at the intersection of Route 22 East and Cramer Avenue. The pickup truck was stopped at the red light when the tractor-trailer struck it from behind. The 2005 Dodge Ram pickup caught fire immediately after impact with the 2015 Mack tractor-trailer, which was driven by an Arizona man. The bystander who attempted to pull the teen from the fiery pickup received serious injuries and was flown to Saint Barnabas Medical Center. When someone dies in a tractor-trailer accident, the death can have dramatic consequences on the deceased's family. Not only does something like this bring about a heavy emotional toll, but it may also bring a harsh financial burden due to things like funeral expenses. In a situation like this, consulting with an attorney may be able help bring clarity with regard to what can be done in terms of financial compensation. A lawyer may be able to build a case against a driver using police reports, crash reconstruction and witness accounts. A tractor-trailer driver's negligence can lead to a crash. This could be because the driver was under the influence of alcohol or other drugs or perhaps was distracted by a cell phone or other device. It could be that the trucking company is to blame. Many times these companies place strict time frames and deadlines on their drivers that don't allow for sufficient rest. This can lead to driving impairment and a higher risk of a crash. Source: NJ.com, "18-year=old driver killed in fiery truck crash on Route 22 in Green Brook", Walter O'Brien, October 09, 2014