Accelerating Saved This Family’s Life

It’s a day like any other day. The sun is bright, the sky clear of clouds and you have this feeling that nothing can harm you. You, your spouse and kids decide to take a road trip. The entire family takes their seat in your SUV for what ultimately will be its last adventure.

That’s right, the vehicle will be a total loss, but I’ll get to that in a bit.

You see what transpired that day was like a scene out of a movie.

An incredibly surreal, life-altering, Guardian Angel watching, flash before your eyes real event.

The bridge you were about to crossover, which you have done a hundred times, is starting to move while you’re on it. You and your passengers are starting to panic. This mechanically operated drawbridge designed to allow boats to pass under, is now rising. You’re looking around to see if anyone notices you or your car on the bridge. Your family is waving their hands trying to get people’s attention. The gap is getting wider and your car is getting closer to the edge.

Do you stop and drift backwards while the bridge continues to rise? Or floor it and hope that you can get safely to the other side? Either situation has risks. And neither one is safe from injuries.

Is this case for real you’re thinking?

Do situations like this really happen?

Well, this scenario is real and it did happen. And it’s straight out of the news.

You see, just a few days ago in Lower Township NJ, a man and his family had to accelerate when the drawbridge they were crossing started to rise.

Terence Naphys was driving with his wife, daughter and her friend when the Middle Thorofare Bridge lifted about 4 feet as their RAV4 crossed, so Naphys accelerated and jumped the gap.

They landed safely on the other side.

Panic stricken, but alive!

Unfortunately, the RAV4 sustained about $10,000 in damage including a bent suspension.

It was in fact, the brightness of the sun that day that caused the events to unfold the way they did. You see, the incident was due to an operator error on the part of the bridge tender. The operator was blinded by the glare of the sun, and thought all the cars would cross before the bridge lifted. His judgement was wrong, and put the Naphys family in a deadly predicament.

The family although shaken is alive to share their tale, although Naphys admits that he will think twice before crossing any bridges in the future.

Can you imagine the fear that was running through the minds of that family at that moment?

What if the car didn’t make it over the gap? What if the vehicle missed the gap and plunged into the water below?

You might also be thinking that was in New Jersey and nothing like that happens in Indiana, and maybe so. But, there has been similar situations where operator error has led to mechanized equipment causing harm to an individual or groups of individuals. And, when those situations occur you can count on the professional attorneys at The Law Offices of David W. Holub to be there for you. Call (219)736-9700 to consult with an attorney today.