Hamilton, NJ (December 27th, 2021) – According to New Jersey State Police, three people lost their lives when a vehicle on the eastbound Atlantic City Expressway collided with Egg Harbor toll plaza and immediately combusted.
According to reports from Sgt. Goez from State Police, a Honda struck the Egg Harbor toll plaza just after 9:10 p.m. and quickly burst into flames.
The person driving the Honda has been officially identified as 31 year-old Rachthon Khiev, a resident of New Hampshire. Two passengers have also been identified by authorities as 14 year-old Keotepie Khiev of Atlantic City and 27 year-old Reachsieh Khiev, also of Manchester, New Hampshire. All three of the occupants were tragically killed in the accident.
A fourth vehicle occupant, only identified as a 12-year-old girl, was rushed to a local hospital for treatment. She is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.
A toll attendant suffered moderate injuries as a result of the accident but is said to be in stable condition. His or her identity has not been made public. Authorities have also not released the relationship between those in the vehicle.
According to a follow-up report, those who perished in the vehicular accident along with the fourth vehicle occupant who suffered non-life threatening injuries were all siblings. The Khiev family’s GoFundMe page reveals that those who died in the accident were the older siblings of the injured 12-year-old girl. They were also the sole providers for the entire family of nine.
Every eastbound lane near the toll was closed for roughly 7 hours post the accident for investigation and cleanup purposes. Police continue to investigate the cause of the deadly accident. Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is being asked to contact state authorities.
The New Jersey State Police reports that as of December 31st, 2021, a total of 587 people lost their lives in traffic accidents across the state. Sadly, some of these accidents are fiery collisions that affect the lives of many.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that vehicular fires accounted for roughly 13 percent of all fatal fire incidents in 2018. In addition to this, the agency reports that fires in vehicles driving on a highway occurred at a rate of about one every 3 minutes.
Fiery car accidents are often directly caused by faulty fuel systems but they can also happen as a result of the impact itself. In cases where the accident involved only one vehicle, these incidents are more likely to be the result of defects in the vehicle design or auto body parts. Since motor vehicles involve a combination of complex electrical and mechanical systems, it can be difficult to determine the exact cause of the accident without a thorough investigation.
Based on New Jersey’s product liability laws, manufacturing companies have a legal obligation to consumers to ensure their products are safe to use as directed and will not cause injury. If a consumer is injured based on a defective product, the state’s product liability laws would then allow the consumer to seek damages from the responsible company, retailer, or both. These laws apply to automobile makers and designers.
An auto-related products liability lawsuit in New Jersey can be based on vehicle design, manufacturing defects, as well as warning and marketing defects. When it comes to fiery car accidents, these accidents can sometimes be caused by defects such as fuel leakages, an electrical system failure, overheating catalytic converter, or a poorly designed vehicle battery. When the vehicle maker or manufacturer has failed to meet the duty of care owed to the consumer, the negligent company can be held responsible for the victim’s losses.
Vehicle accidents can result in a variety of catastrophic injuries. Sadly, injuries that result from fiery car accidents can lead to even worse injuries and suffering. A few of the most debilitating and painful injuries that can result from fiery car accidents are burn injuries, where a surviving victim can face a lifetime of hardships and agony.
Burn injuries can sometimes be minor, but when it comes to a car accident, these injuries are often widespread and profound. A burn injury can lead to severe scarring, breathing issues, bacterial infections, bone, and joint problems, and other medical complications. In most cases, severe burn injuries will cause the skin to shorten and become tight.
Filing an injury claim against the responsible party may be challenging but it is nonetheless necessary. When the victim suffers devastating injuries, the at-fault party must be held responsible for the victim’s damages. Depending on the case, recoverable damages can include hospitalization costs, long-term healthcare, disfigurement, disability, and even a loss of income.
If the accident victim died as a result of the accident, his or her loved ones can seek monetary damages through a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the negligent party. Additional damages recoverable in a wrongful death lawsuit can include funeral costs, burial expenses, and the loss of foreseeable wages. It should be noted, however, that certain non-economic damages are not attainable in wrongful death claims.
At Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC, the law firm is proud to conduct comprehensive investigations in all motor vehicle accident cases they represent. The law firm has the resources needed to obtain the evidence needed to build a strong case and will employ experts who can help the court clearly understand the evidence presented.
If you or a loved one was recently harmed in a car accident in New Jersey, it is recommended that you take swift action and obtain the support of a skilled attorney. When the vehicular accident involves the sudden combustion of the vehicle, the accident will require an in-depth investigation, which a proficient attorney will know how to handle. Allow a proficient attorney to represent your case and advocate on your behalf so that you obtain the financial compensation you deserve. Consider obtaining the legal support of the auto accident attorneys at Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC today. Call (908) 264-7228 or schedule your free complimentary consultation by completing the online contact form here.
