Middletown, NJ (July 3, 2026) – A driver and a 13-month-old baby escaped safely after their car caught fire following a two-vehicle collision on Newman Springs Road on Friday afternoon, July 3.
Police responded around 12:23 p.m. to the intersection of Newman Springs Road and Half Mile Road in the township's Lincroft section, according to Deputy Police Chief Paul Bailey. Officers confirmed the fire was contained to the vehicle's engine compartment.
The driver and baby got out on their own before officers arrived. The Middletown Fire Department extinguished the flames without further complications.
In total, four people were hurt in the crash. EMS treated all four at the scene before transporting them to nearby hospitals, with three taken to Riverview Medical Center and one to Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
Police have not identified anyone involved. The investigation remains ongoing.
We wish everyone a smooth recovery.
When a young child is hurt in a crash, New Jersey generally allows the claim to be filed on the child's behalf by a parent or legal guardian, since minors can't pursue legal action independently.
Even injuries that appear minor at first can carry lasting concerns for a young child, since developing bodies sometimes show delayed effects from smoke exposure or the physical stress of a crash. Parents are usually left monitoring a child's recovery closely in the weeks that follow, even after an initial hospital visit shows no serious injury.
New Jersey law generally pauses the statute of limitations for a minor's personal injury claim until the child turns 18, giving families more time to evaluate the full extent of any injuries before deciding how to proceed.
A car accident lawyer can help parents understand this extended timeline and ensure any settlement reached on a child's behalf receives the court approval New Jersey typically requires to protect the minor's interests. This is separate from the standard two-year window that applies to adult claims arising from the same crash.
At Metro Law, we can help families understand how New Jersey's rules for a minor's claim might apply going forward. We are open to your review of the details of your case and will walk you through what legal paths may be open for you.
Contact Metro Law at (800) 469-6476 to talk with our team and learn about your family's options.
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