Compassion and support after the loss of a loved one in an accident
Despite federal, state and local safety regulations, ongoing safety studies, defensive driver training, licensing and registration requirements, and other steps taken to ensure that our roads are safe, serious accidents occur in New Jersey every day. At the Law Offices of Richard S. Greenberg, we realize that understanding where and why accidents occur can help you avoid a potentially fatal crash.
Where do fatal accidents occur on New Jersey roads?
In 2011, there were 79,886 crashes in New Jersey with 106 fatalities on the municipal road system and 74,794 crashes with 174 fatalities on the county road system. The majority of these accidents occurred between intersections during the daytime. The most common accidents were rear end crashes, angle collisions, collisions into parked vehicles and sideswipe accidents.
Some of the most commonly used roads and highways in Bergen County include Route 17, Route 4 and Route 93 (or Grand Avenue). In the tri-state area, U.S. Route 130, also known as Burlington Pike, has earned the title of deadliest road based on the number of pedestrian deaths along that route. Interstates I-76 and I-78 number among the most deadly highways in the nation. Other dangerous roads include I-80 and the New Jersey Turnpike, each of which had a dozen fatal accidents in 2011.
Fatal accident statistics for New Jersey
Fatal accidents occur regularly on New Jersey roads and highways. During the first half of 2013, 237 vehicle accidents occurred, involving 249 fatalities, 13 of which occurred in Bergen County. The victims of these New Jersey crashes were mostly drivers — 129 to be exact — with an additional 40 being passengers, nine cyclists and 71 pedestrians who sustained deadly injuries. By contrast, in Bergen County pedestrians are at the greatest risk of wrongful death, followed by vehicle passengers.
Auto accidents are not the only type of fatal accidents. Motorcycles, trucks, bikes and pedestrians can all be involved in fatal traffic injuries in New Jersey and throughout the United States:
An average of about 2,000 injuries and 70 fatalities result from motorcycle accidents on New Jersey roads each year. Between 2003 and 2007, 377 motorcyclists died on New Jersey highways, according to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
In 2008, about 380,000 truck accidents were recorded involving semi-trucks, big rigs, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers and other large trucks in the United States. About 90,000 people were injured and 4,229 killed. This number represents 11 percent of all reported traffic fatalities and is an increase over prior years. The majority of injuries and fatalities involved passengers of other vehicles.
Bicycles were involved in 17 accidents in New Jersey in 2011, while 142 pedestrians were killed.
For all types of vehicles in New Jersey in 2011, alcohol use contributed to more than 190 fatalities. Speeding contributed to another 174 deadly accidents.
