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Posted On June 30, 2023 Accident Tips & Prevention,Personal Injury

Biggest Causes of Car Accidents in New Jersey

Vehicle AccidentCar accidents in New Jersey have gone up in recent years, even as the pandemic took drivers off the road. Rising rates of drug and alcohol abuse have been a major contributor to greater numbers of crashes, and fatal crashes in general. These and other trends are clear in the 2021 New Jersey Fatal Accident Report, which details unprecedented high rates of crashes and traffic fatalities.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, know that you deserve justice. At the law firm of Console & Associates, P.C., our experienced NJ car accident attorneys will treat your case with care and attention to detail. Just call us at 866-778-5500 or complete our online form, and we’ll help you arrange a free consultation and move forward with your case.

Causes of Crashes in New Jersey in 2021

In 2021, fatal crashes increased by more than 120, reaching 712 deaths compared to 588 in 2020. The three largest factors are driver inattention, pedestrian violations, and excessive speed. One of the most common types of driver inattention is mobile phone use, but other activities also contribute to the problem.  In 2021, this factor contributed to 31 more deaths than in 2020, for a total of 194 fatal crashes.

Pedestrian violations are the second largest cause of serious crashes in New Jersey, with 163 deaths total involving a pedestrian violation. This is a significant uptick of 28 fatalities next to the 2020 figure.

The third largest cause of NJ car accidents is excessive speed. This factor has grown considerably less than the other two main causes, increasing from 61 in 2020 to 70 in 2021. Almost the same number of fatalities resulted from a driver failing to yield the right of way, with 69 fatalities.

These are the four behaviors that contribute to the largest number of serious crashes in New Jersey as of 2021, but there are many contributing causes. Failure to keep right resulted in 43 fatalities, and environmental factors contributed to 14 fatalities in 2021 despite only being a factor in two fatalities in 2020.

The Role of Drugs and Alcohol in Fatal Crashes in 2021

No Fee PromiseThe New Jersey Fatal Accident Report also shed light on the influence of drugs and alcohol in fatal crashes. Out of the 976 drivers involved in fatal accidents in 2021, close to one-third were intoxicated.

  • 101 drivers tested positive for illicit drugs
  • 71 drivers were under the influence of alcohol
  • Another 74 drivers were mixing alcohol with drugs or medication
  • 22 drivers were impaired due to medication alone

With serious car crashes and traffic accidents on the rise in New Jersey, it’s important to know your rights. If you get into an accident because the other driver commits the sort of negligence featured on this list, then you might be entitled to compensation. A NJ car accident lawsuit can help you collect damages for lost wages, care expenses, and your pain and suffering. That’s why you need the help of the experienced personal injury lawyers at the law firm of Console & Associates, P.C.

Call us today at 866-778-5500 or fill out our online form, and we’ll help you schedule a free consultation. Our experienced NJ car accident attorneys are ready to research your accident, build your case, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.