Cherry Hill Wrongful Death Attorney

Experienced Cherry Hill Attorneys Help Families After an Accident Claims a Loved One’s Life

Cherry Hill connects the bustling metropolis of Philadelphia with the cities and towns of New Jersey. With over 75,000 residents, Cherry Hill is Camden County’s largest municipality and the 12th largest municipal area in New Jersey. 

Growth in Cherry Hill brings new opportunities. It also increases the risk of serious preventable accidents. These accidents can prove deadly. Whether you’re running local errands at Ellisburg Shopping Center, Marlton Plaza, or traveling along the Marlton Pike East or US Route 70, an accident can unfortunately occur and cause an unexpected death.

If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal Cherry Hill accident, don’t wait. Speak to the experienced Cherry Hill wrongful death attorneys at Petrillo & Goldberg today. We can help you pursue justice for your loved one and the compensation your family needs. 

Cherry Hill and New Jersey Fatal Accident Statistics

Approximately 470 people died of unintentional injuries in Camden County in 2022, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. According to World Population Review, Cherry Hill families have a median income of $144,152,  which showcases how the loss of a loved one is not only emotionally catastrophic, but can be a huge financial impact for a family.

Statewide, about 6.3 percent of all deaths resulted from unintentional injuries in 2022. Unintentional injury was New Jersey’s third leading cause of death in 2022, after heart disease (23 percent) and cancer (18.8 percent).

Common causes of preventable death include motor vehicle accidents, falls, and workplace accidents. Other situations can also result in fatal injuries. 

Common Causes of Deadly Accidents in New Jersey

An accident can cause fatal injuries in many ways. Some scenarios cause higher rates of fatal injuries than others, however. In New Jersey, common causes of deadly accidents include roadway accidents, falls and other premises-related accidents, and work-related incidents. 

These deaths aren’t merely unintentional. They are also preventable. Often, these deaths occur because another person or company failed to take due care to avoid harm. When this happens, surviving family members can speak to an experienced Cherry Hill wrongful death attorney to learn more about their legal rights. 

Car and Truck Collisions

Camden County recorded over 13,000 motor vehicle crashes in 2022, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation. Eleven of these accidents were fatal, causing twelve deaths. Eight pedestrians were involved in fatal vehicle collisions in 2022.

Between January 1 and May 21, 2025, Camden County recorded 17 fatal accidents claiming 18 lives. These included the lives of 12 people who were driving or riding in a motor vehicle. The list includes a fatal accident in Cherry Hill Township that claimed the life of a vehicle driver.

Motor vehicle crashes remain one of the most common causes of fatal accidents in New Jersey and nationwide. These collisions may involve large trucks, buses, and other vehicles. 

Pedestrian, Bicyclist, and Motorcyclist Accidents

Between 2018 and 2022, 31.5 percent of all fatal collisions in New Jersey resulted in the death of a pedestrian, according to a New York Post article citing federal data. In 2024, pedestrian deaths in New Jersey reached a 36-year record high. In 2024, 221 pedestrians lost their lives in roadway crashes in the state. The 2024 total was 29 percent higher than 2023’s number, according to the New Jersey State Police.

Camden County’s pedestrian fatality numbers put the county on track to meet or exceed its fatality rates in previous years. Between January 1 and May 21, 2025, six pedestrians died in roadway collisions in Camden County. The collisions included multiple accidents in Camden City. 

Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists face increased risks on New Jersey roads. They lack the protection of a motor vehicle, increasing the risk of fatal injuries in a collision. These categories of road users tend to suffer fatal injuries at much higher rates than those in cars. 

Falls and Premises Liability Accidents

The New Jersey Department of Health recorded 487 deaths due to falls in the state in 2020. Fall deaths occurred at a rate of 32.3 deaths per 100,000 New Jersey residents that year. 

The Department of Health notes that falls are the most common cause of fatal injury for New Jersey residents ages 65 and older. However, a fall can cause serious injuries or death at any age. Falls from a height are more likely to cause fatal injuries than a fall at ground level.

New Jersey businesses must keep their premises reasonably safe for all visitors and warn them about known dangers. Slips, trips, and falls are one way people can be injured or killed while visiting a New Jersey business. Broken furniture or fixtures, inadequate security, and other issues can also cause fatal injuries. 

Work-Related Fatal Injuries

Falls are also a common cause of fatal injury in New Jersey workplaces. In 2023, 23 percent of fatal workplace injuries in New Jersey resulted from falls. This rate was higher than the rate for the US as a whole. In 2023, 17 percent of all workplace deaths in the US came from a fall.

Other fatal accidents can occur at work as well. In 2023, 23 percent of on-the-job deaths in New Jersey were caused by exposure to harmful substances or environments, like toxic chemicals or extreme temperatures. Twenty-one percent of deaths resulted from transportation accidents, while sixteen percent were caused by contact with materials or equipment. 

Other Causes of Preventable Death in Cherry Hill

Many other situations can result in a preventable fatal injury. Medical negligence, dog bites, and other forms of negligent or reckless behavior can cause death. In these situations, speak to an experienced Cherry Hill personal injury attorney. 

New Jersey Wrongful Death Basics

An injured person can bring a compensation claim under New Jersey’s personal injury laws.

To recover compensation, the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate must file a wrongful death claim. This lawsuit can seek compensation for the deceased person’s losses and for losses suffered by surviving family members.

Typically, a wrongful death case must be filed within two years of the death date to be heard in court.

There may be no time limit if a death resulted from murder, aggravated murder, or manslaughter, and the person responsible was convicted, found not guilty by reason of insanity, or was adjudicated delinquent. It’s best to discuss your unique situation with our team, where we can better determine the best course of action on how to pursue a wrongful death claim. Contact us today by calling (856) 486-4343.

Compensation in a Cherry Hill Wrongful Death Case

Like other civil cases, a wrongful death claim seeks compensation for losses that wouldn’t have occurred if the injury hadn’t happened. In New Jersey, the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate files this claim to recover compensation for these losses. 

Common compensation in a Cherry Hill wrongful death case includes losses like:

• Medical expenses related to the fatal injury, including emergency services and hospital costs,
• Financial support, or the wages the deceased person would reasonably have been expected to earn if death had not occurred,
• The family’s loss of companionship, care, advice, guidance, and household assistance.

New Jersey allows a deceased person’s surviving spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, and nieces or nephews to receive compensation. Generally, the spouse or children come first, however. 

Do I Need To File a Criminal Case for a Wrongful Death?

If a drunk driver causes a collision that kills another person, the driver may face criminal charges.

A wrongful death claim can be filed even if a criminal case is under investigation or charges have been filed. A wrongful death claim is a civil case. It seeks a different outcome, under slightly different rules, than a criminal case. However, the outcome of one case can affect the proceedings in the other.

If you lost a loved one from an accident in Cherry Hill or nearby, speak to an experienced Cherry Hill wrongful death lawyer. Your attorney can handle your wrongful death claim in a manner that does not interfere with the criminal case or undermine your right to compensation. 

Speak to an Experienced Cherry Hill Wrongful Death Lawyer Today

Few things are harder than losing a loved one in a preventable accident. The burden of grief can feel overwhelming. Yet you still must care for your family, deal with the incoming bills, and determine how you’re going to move forward – all while knowing that a negligent person or company is out there, having caused deadly harm. 

You don’t have to fight alone. At Petrillo & Goldberg, our compassionate Cherry Hill wrongful death attorneys understand the challenges you face. We’re here to tackle tasks like investigating the accident, negotiating with insurance companies, and fighting to protect your rights. 

To learn more, contact us today to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation with a dedicated Cherry Hill wrongful death lawyer.