$5M Settlement to Family of N.J. Woman Killed in 2014 Car-Truck Crash

The family of a 50-year-old Freehold, N.J., woman who was killed when her car burst into flames after being rear-ended by a tractor-trailer at a red light in 2014 will receive a $5 million settlement in the case.

The victim, Heidi Bennett, was killed on March 31, 2014, as she sat in her automobile and was struck by the truck as she was waiting at a red light on the southbound side of Route 9 at Old Mill Road in Old Bridge, N.J., according to a March 21 story on NJ.com.

Her Hyundai Accent was pushed through the intersection by the truck, which was being driven by truck driver Stephen Seidl, of Robbinsville, N.J., who was 52 when the crash occurred, the story reported. Seidl was under the influence of methadone and Xanax at the time of the crash, based on blood tests taken following the incident, according to the story. He pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in 2015 after a grand jury charged him in a multiple-count indictment in connection with the crash and Bennett’s death, the story continued.

The victim’s family filed a lawsuit against the trucking company which employed Seidl and recently settled the case during mediation for $5,040,910, the story reported. The trucking company’s name was not revealed as a condition of the settlement, according to the story.

Photo credit: iStockphoto.com/tillsonburg

The tractor-trailer “did not brake while approaching the red light,” and smashed into the rear of Bennett’s car, causing the crash, according to traffic video that captured the incident at the scene, the story reported. The car was pushed about a quarter-mile down the road by the impact, according to NJ.com.

These kinds of tragic legal cases occur every day when innocent victims are severely hurt or killed in vehicle crashes through no fault of their own due to the actions, inattentiveness or indifference of others. That’s why it is critical to have a legal team on your side that uncovers every fact to bolster your case and maximize your damage award.

We here at MyPhillyLawyer stand ready to assist you with your legal case if you or a loved one is ever seriously injured in a vehicle incident or accident anywhere in the United States.

We represent the families of victims who die in such tragedies as well, to ensure that their families receive every penny of damages that they are eligible to receive.

Call MyPhillyLawyer at 215-227-2727 or toll-free at 1-(866) 352-4572 anytime and our experienced, compassionate, aggressive team of attorneys and support staff will be there for you and your family every step of the way as we manage your case through the legal system.

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