Pedestrian accidents are among the most devastating. One clear example is the tragic series of events that unfolded in Newark, Delaware this week. The accident left one University of Delaware student dead and eight others injured. The incident began when police attempted to arrest two individuals in an overdue U-Haul truck. The driver fled the scene, struck a police vehicle, and moments later plowed into pedestrians and parked cars on East Main Street. The chaos claimed the life of a young student and injured several others, leaving a grieving community and many unanswered legal questions.
At Kherkher Garcia, we fight for those harmed in vehicle-related incidents – especially when those incidents stem from reckless or criminal behavior. Below, our attorneys discuss the legal implications of pedestrian accidents and moving truck accidents, personal injury and wrongful death claims, and how our firm can help victims and their families seek justice and compensation.
Tragic U-Haul Crash Causes Injuries and Death
The tragic incident in Newark left one University of Delaware student dead and eight others injured after a police-related crash involving a stolen U-Haul truck. As police approached the truck, the driver fled, striking a police vehicle and speeding off. Officers did not pursue the vehicle.
Minutes later, the U-Haul was seen driving at high speed down East Main Street, where it struck two pedestrians standing by a parked car. One of the victims, later confirmed to be a University of Delaware student, died at the scene despite emergency efforts. The second suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized. The truck also crashed into several parked cars before breaking down.
Police arrested both suspects at the crash site. The driver was hospitalized with serious injuries. Authorities reported that three other individuals were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, while three more sustained minor injuries.
The Newark Police Department’s Traffic Unit is investigating the crash, and East Main Street was closed for hours. The University has stated there is no ongoing threat and is offering support resources to students. Witnesses described the event as chaotic and terrifying.
The Rising Risk of Pedestrian Accidents in Urban Areas
Pedestrian accidents are on the rise in many U.S. cities, driven by increased traffic, distracted driving, and reckless behavior. When a vehicle – especially a large one like a moving truck – strikes a pedestrian, the results are often catastrophic.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 7,300 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States in 2022 alone. These accidents frequently occur in high-traffic areas near colleges, retail centers, or residential zones – just like the location of the Newark incident.
Key risk factors in pedestrian accidents include:
- Speeding or reckless driving in urban zones
- Driver distraction or impairment
- Poor visibility or failure to yield the right of way
- Large vehicles with limited driver visibility
When a pedestrian is struck by a fast-moving vehicle, they are exposed to direct and violent physical trauma. Common injuries include traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal bleeding, and in many cases, death.
The Dangers of Moving Truck Accidents
Moving trucks – like the U-Haul involved in this Delaware incident – pose unique hazards due to their size, weight, and limited maneuverability. These vehicles are often operated by individuals with little to no training in handling large trucks, increasing the risk of accidents.
Common dangers of moving truck accidents include:
- High impact collisions due to the vehicle’s size and weight
- Inexperienced or unlicensed drivers
- Poorly maintained or overdue vehicles
- Cargo shifts that affect balance and control
- Impaired or fleeing drivers, as seen in the Delaware crash
In this tragic case, the suspects were operating an overdue U-Haul truck and allegedly fled from police, eventually causing fatal harm. This reckless behavior is not only criminal, it is a direct cause of wrongful death and personal injury. Therefore, it leaves victims with a right to pursue civil compensation.
Personal Injury Claims After a Moving Truck or Pedestrian Accident
Victims injured by moving trucks, or as pedestrians, have the right to pursue personal injury claims against negligent or reckless parties. A personal injury claim allows the injured person to seek compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial losses they’ve endured.
Types of damages available in a personal injury claim include:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgeries, and rehabilitation
- Lost wages due to time missed from work
- Loss of future earning capacity if the injury causes long-term disability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and mental anguish
In cases like the Newark crash, victims may face months or years of recovery. Mounting medical bills and lost income can put enormous strain on individuals and families. Filing a personal injury claim ensures that victims are not left to shoulder these burdens alone.
Additionally, if the vehicle was stolen, overdue, or improperly rented, other parties – including rental companies or insurers – may share liability, depending on the facts.
Wrongful Death Claims and a Family’s Right to Justice
When a pedestrian accident turns fatal, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim. These claims are civil lawsuits brought against the at-fault party by close family members, such as parents, spouses, or children of the deceased.
Wrongful death claims provide compensation for:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of the deceased’s income and financial support
- Loss of companionship and emotional support
- Emotional suffering of surviving family members
In the case of the University of Delaware student who was killed, the student’s family may have a strong basis for a wrongful death claim against the driver and any responsible third parties. If negligence, recklessness, or criminal behavior directly caused a preventable death, those responsible must be held accountable.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Pedestrian or Moving Truck Crash?
Several parties may be legally responsible for the harm caused in a crash like the one in Newark. Liability often depends on a thorough investigation of the facts, including police reports, witness statements, and forensic evidence.
Potentially liable parties may include:
- The driver of the truck, for reckless or criminal behavior
- The truck’s passenger, if they aided or encouraged the behavior
- The rental company, if they failed to report the overdue vehicle, properly maintain it, or screen renters
- Other negligent third parties, including property owners or government entities if poor infrastructure played a role
At Kherkher Garcia, we conduct in-depth investigations to uncover all liable parties and hold them accountable.
What If Criminal Charges Are Filed?
In many cases, as with the Newark crash, criminal charges will be filed against the driver. In many cases, drivers flee police, cause death or injury, or operate the vehicle without a license. However, criminal proceedings are separate from civil personal injury or wrongful death claims.
Victims and their families do not need to wait for a criminal case to conclude before pursuing civil compensation. In fact, civil cases often uncover more extensive damages than the criminal justice system can address.
A criminal conviction can strengthen a civil case, but a civil lawsuit allows victims to recover compensation for their losses, hold wrongdoers accountable, and find a path toward closure.
How Kherkher Garcia Helps Victims and Families Get Justice
At Kherkher Garcia, we understand how devastating it is to lose a loved one or suffer life-changing injuries in a senseless crash. Our attorneys are fierce advocates for victims of pedestrian accidents, moving truck crashes, and wrongful death.
When you work with our firm, we will:
- Investigate the incident thoroughly to determine all liable parties
- Gather evidence, including surveillance footage, police reports, witness testimony, and vehicle data
- Work with medical and financial experts to calculate the full extent of your damages
- Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and at-fault parties
- Pursue litigation when necessary to secure maximum compensation
We are not afraid to take on powerful corporations, vehicle rental companies, or negligent drivers. Whether you’re a grieving parent or a survivor struggling with injuries, we will stand by your side from day one.
You Don’t Have to Go Through This Alone
Accidents like the Newark crash are sudden, shocking, and profoundly unfair. They leave communities shaken and families devastated. But you do not have to carry the burden alone. The law provides a path to accountability and recovery – and Kherkher Garcia is here to guide you every step of the way.
We offer free consultations and represent clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Contact Kherkher Garcia Today
If you or a loved one were harmed in a pedestrian accident, moving truck crash, or similar incident, don’t wait to get help. The sooner you act, the more evidence can be preserved, and the stronger your case can become.
Contact Kherkher Garcia today to speak with an experienced attorney about your rights. Call 713-333-1030 or submit our online contact form. Justice may start with a phone call or click – but it continues with relentless advocacy and legal strength. Let us help you fight for the accountability and compensation you deserve. Start your free consultation now.
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