Ed Rebenack and Matt Bonanno obtain a $1.45 million truck crash settlement in Hudson County, NJ.

Ed Rebenack and Matt Bonanno obtain a $1.45 million truck crash settlement in Hudson County, NJ.

RAM Law clients, Mark and Chelsey, were involved in a 4-car chain collision crash started by a truck operated by National Water Main Cleaning Co. The crash happened on Newark Turnpike in Kearny, NJ, in August 2022. National Water operates a large maintenance and cleaning company for sewer pipes and water mains throughout multiple states on the East Coast. Their business uses jet-vac trucks that require a Class B Commercial Driver’s License for operation. In 2025, National Water reported use of 256 drivers and 330 trucks.

National Water employed Truvaurnie Proctor, who drove the truck and caused the crash. After an extensive investigation, RAM Law alleged that Proctor falsified his employment application to obtain the job, was not competent to safely operate the jet-vac truck and had a history of disciplinary measures while working at National Water. RAM Law further claimed that National Water was also responsible for improperly employing Proctor as a truck driver and for violating the safety provisions of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

The litigation included RAM Law’s demand for punitive damages intended to punish National Water for the alleged safety violations.

Mark suffered neck and back injuries requiring chiropractic treatment. Chelsea suffered back and shoulder injuries requiring physical therapy, pain management injections, and a recommendation for future surgery.

After years of litigation, the lawsuit was settled in December 2024 through mediation with retired New Jersey Superior Court Assignment Judge Kevin Shanahan. The insurance company for National Water agreed to pay $1.45 million to avoid a trial for Mark and Chelsey’s claims.