As we begin 2021, previous year-end car accident counts give citizens in New Jersey a chance to understand the most common causes of collisions, injuries and deaths. Reviewing accident statistics can help spread awareness, change local policies, prevent future crashes and save lives. Here are the latest car accident statistics for New Jersey, Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, and nationwide. If you or a loved one was seriously injured in an auto accident, speak with a skilled Monmouth County car accident attorney to learn whether or not you have a case.
Car accidents occur every single day in New Jersey. This is one of the most common causes of injuries and deaths in the state. According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, there were a total of 278,413 car accidents in 2018. These crashes caused thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths.
The greatest number of motor vehicle accidents in New Jersey took place in Essex County in 2019, with 30,078 collisions. The second-highest county was Bergen County (29,459), followed by Middlesex County (28,965). The highest number of car accidents in New Jersey occur on busy routes, such as major highways and interstates. Intersections are also common settings for car accidents.
Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death in the United States. In 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recorded 36,096 total car accident fatalities. Over 5,000 of these victims were motorcyclists, 846 were bicyclists and 6,205 were pedestrians. Statistics identify roadway departure as the crash characteristic involved in the most fatal accidents in 2019 (17,939), followed by intersection accidents (10,180) and speeding (9,478). More fatal collisions occurred in urban than rural settings in the US in 2019.
The latest truck accident statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration show 4,862 fatal accidents involving large commercial trucks in 2018, as well as 112,000 injury crashes. The most common causes of these collisions were unsafe lane changes, vehicle issues such as tire blowouts and losses of vehicle control.
Two of the main reasons car accidents occur in the US are distracted and drunk driving. Distracted driving killed 2,841 people in 2018 and drunk driving killed 10,511, according to the NHTSA. Driver error is the number one cause of car accidents.
Your odds of getting into a car accident are relatively high in New Jersey. It is most likely a matter of when, not if, you will get into a vehicle collision. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, stay calm and remain where you are. Check yourself for injuries, then check on others involved in the crash.
Call 911 if the accident caused any serious property damage, injuries or deaths. Exchange information with the other driver while you wait for the police, including your names, addresses and insurance information. Do not admit fault and don’t worry if the other driver doesn’t admit fault. Go to a hospital right away for a checkup.
Then, before you begin the claims process, consult with an attorney. If another driver causes a crash, you may be able to hold him or her responsible for serious injuries. Otherwise, you will use your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to pay for the damages. Either way, count on a New Jersey car accident attorney to assist you with the claims process.
