NJ Car Accident Statistics
Although the number of car accident injuries and fatalities have gone down overall over the past few decades, accident rates in New Jersey have actually increased in recent years. In addition, there are some stark contrasts in statistics when looking at accidents that occur in urban and suburban areas of New Jersey versus the more rural parts of the state.
New Jersey Accident Rates Versus Other States
When compared to other states in the U.S., New Jersey has a higher accident rate than the national average. Based on the standard rate measurement of accidents per 100 million vehicle miles traveled by a state’s population, New Jersey has a crash rate of 359 accidents versus the national average of 208. However, New Jersey has a more average rate of car accident fatalities with a rate of 564 deaths. But the fatal car accident rate in New Jersey of 525 accidents is actually the third lowest in the county, well behind the national average.
New Jersey is the most densely populated state thanks to its many urban and well-developed suburban areas. Although accidents are often more frequent in urban/suburban communities due to the greater number of vehicles on the road, because speeds in these areas tend to be lower, crashes usually only involve injury-free fender-benders. Conversely, in rural areas drivers have the ability to travel at higher speeds on the open road, leading to more violent accidents that have higher fatality rates.
New Jersey Car Accident Statistics in Urban Counties
New Jersey’s three largest cities are located in Essex, Hudson, and Passaic Counties. Perhaps not surprisingly, these three counties also have the highest rate of car crashes among counties in the state, with crash rates exceeding 500 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. However, these three counties have accident fatality rates more in line with the average rate statewide.
Of course, the reverse appears to be true for more rural counties in New Jersey. For example, Cumberland County, with a total population of approximately 150,000, has one of the lower car accident rates among counties in New Jersey but the highest fatal car accident rate.
What to Do If You Have Been Involved in a Car Accident in New Jersey
If you were injured in a car wreck in New Jersey, there are steps you can take to ensure you are in a better position to pursue claims for compensation for vehicle damage and personal injury you suffered because of the accident, including:
- Contact local authorities to report the accident or file a formal accident report.
- Speak with each of the drivers involved in the crash to get their contact and insurance information. Also make sure to speak to any eyewitnesses and get their contact information as well.
- Take photos and/or video of the scene, including vehicle damage, marks or debris in the road, traffic signs and controls, and the lighting and weather conditions at the time of the crash.
- See a doctor or another medical provider as soon as possible to get checked out for any physical injuries you may have sustained.
- Keep copies of all bills, invoices, receipts, paystubs, and income statements to document your losses.
Finally, make time to speak to a car accident attorney to discuss the details of your claim and learn more about your legal rights and options.
Contact a Scotch Plains Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a car accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, LLC represent clients injured because of car accidents in Union, Plainfield, East Orange, Irvington, and throughout New Jersey. Call (908) 325-5571 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 1827 E. 2nd St., Scotch Plains, NJ 07076, as well as offices in Westfield, Newark, East Brunswick, Clifton, Cherry Hill, and Elizabeth.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.