Often motor vehicle accidents occurring in the Somerville area are the fault of those behind the wheel of the vehicles involved. This of course is not always the case however. Sometimes, issues with a vehicle are to blame. This was the case in a car crash that occurred last week on Bennetts Lane.
The accident was caused by a Ford van travelling on the road experiencing a tire blowout. When the tire blew, the van was headed west on Bennetts Lane. As a result of the blowout, the driver lost control of the van and it crossed over to a lane occupied by oncoming traffic. In that lane the van apparently sideswiped a Chrysler before crashing head-on into a Pontiac.
After the crash, the 65-year-old woman who was driving the Pontiac was unable to get out of her vehicle. She was ultimately rescued by Middlebush Fire department and Somerset Fire and Rescue after which she was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, located in New Brunswick. She reportedly hurt one of her legs. The 81-year-old behind the wheel of the Chrysler was also taken to the hospital to be examined. The woman operating the van was apparently unhurt in the crash.
This incident illustrates the fact that though less common than some other causes of car accidents, equipment failure on a motor vehicle and can result in crashes. When someone is seriously injured as a result of an accident that is not his or her fault, that person may be able to recover financial compensation for their injuries.
Source: myCentralJersey.com, “Three-car crash entraps senior driver,” June 22, 2012