New Jersey Turnpike Accident Lawyers

Aggressive counsel for those injured in accidents on the NJ Turnpike

The New Jersey Turnpike is the largest toll road in New Jersey and one of the largest in the country. It stretches 148 miles, from Bergen County down to Salem County. Each day more than 63,000 vehicles drive on the Turnpike; with connections to major access points such as the George Washington Bridge, Newark Airport, and Delaware Memorial Bridge, peak travel times see an extremely high volume of vehicles. With this many cars and trucks on the road, it is no surprise that there is a high risk for auto accidents. These accidents can result in catastrophic injury or death.

At Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP, we are dedicated to holding those responsible for your injuries accountable and getting you the compensation to which you are entitled. You are welcome to schedule a free consultation to discuss your car accident injury case.

Traffic crash numbers for New Jersey highways

According to the NJ State Police Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash Report for 2020, there were 549 fatal crashes resulting in 587 deaths – about 1.61 fatalities a day. Sixty of those fatal accidents occurred on toll roads; 25 of them occurred on the NJ Turnpike.

If you lost a loved one in a traffic crash on the NJ Turnpike, or any other New Jersey road, an experienced NJ car accident attorney from Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow is prepared to fight aggressively on behalf of your loved one to recover compensation for your losses.

Neither the NJ State Police nor the NJ Department of Transportation keeps separate accident statistics for the NJ Turnpike, so we must consider instead the total number of interstate highway fatalities in 2016 of which there were 66. Of the 60 fatal crashes on interstate highways, the contributing circumstances for 34 of them was driver inattention and nine of the drivers killed had alcohol as a factor in the crash. If you lost a loved one in a traffic crash on the NJ Turnpike, or any other New Jersey road, an experienced NJ car accident attorney from Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow is prepared to fight aggressively on behalf of your loved one to recover compensation for your losses.

Common causes of crashes on the Turnpike

There are several circumstances that can lead to an accident on the New Jersey Turnpike, including:

Drivers must be extremely careful when traveling on a high-volume, high-speed roadway such as the NJ Turnpike. Unsafe driving behaviors can cause fatal accidents, but there are other factors outside a driver’s control that may contribute to an accident, such as:

  • Poor road conditions
  • Inclement weather
  • Road hazards such as construction projects

While drivers should always exercise caution and obey road rules, there are certain sections of the New Jersey Turnpike that are more dangerous than others. Areas around Newark, Secaucus, Cranbury, New Brunswick, and Cherry Hill have a higher risk of accidents, and the section of the Turnpike in Middlesex County consistently has the highest rate of fatalities.

Injuries from car crashes on the New Jersey Turnpike

Those who survive car accidents on the NJ Turnpike can come away with serious injuries such as the following:

  • Head injuries
  • Back and neck injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Crush injuries
  • Internal organ damage
  • Fractures
  • Lacerations
  • Burn injuries
  • Amputations/limb loss

Truck accidents on the NJ Turnpike

The Turnpike is the main throughway between New York and Philadelphia and a major route for commercial trucks carrying goods. The highway connects to Port Elizabeth, the largest port on the East Coast, and there are numerous FedEx and UPS hubs up and down the state. Popular online retailers including Amazon and Newegg.com also have distribution centers in the state, which contribute to the high number of commercial vehicles on the road.

In the northern part of the state, the highway is separated into a section for cars only and a section for cars, trucks, and buses. South of exit 8, however, the roadway merges, and drivers who are not prepared for the change in traffic pattern might be at risk of an accident. Truck accidents can be considerably deadlier than accidents with smaller vehicles due to their size and weight. Tractor trailers need a longer stopping distance to avoid obstacles and shifting or falling cargo can make them more prone to tip over.

What to do if you are involved in a NJ Turnpike traffic accident

When an accident occurs on a high-speed roadway, the damage can be significant enough that it is difficult to reconstruct the accident. No matter the severity of the accident, drivers should notify law enforcement immediately so that they can arrive on the scene quickly and write a report. If there are any injuries, they should be thoroughly documented, along with any treatment they require. Injuries may manifest in the days following the accident, as the adrenaline from the accident might conceal the initial pain, so it is vital that you visit your doctor and be examined immediately following the accident.

The New Jersey Turnpike is also known as the Black Dragon. It is vital for intra- and interstate travel and for commercial shipments, but it can also be dangerous for drivers and passengers. If you have been seriously injured, or a loved one has been fatally injured in an accident on the NJ Turnpike, an experienced NJ turnpike accident lawyer can help determine who is at fault and get you the compensation you deserve for damages incurred, medical bills, and lost wages.

Helping for victims of NJ Turnpike accidents and collisions

The New Jersey accident lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP have the knowledge and experience to handle all types of accidents that occur on the New Jersey Turnpike, including those involving trucks and drivers under the influence. With offices conveniently located in Edison , Red Bank, and Toms River, we help accident victims throughout New Jersey. Call us today at 732-777-0100 or contact us online for a free consultation with a New Jersey car accident lawyer.