20 People Hospitalized in New Jersey Turnpike Crash
Multi-vehicle crashes are common on freeways and other busy roads. These accidents can lead to a lot of damages.
A recent crash on the New Jersey Turnpike injured roughly 20 people. Six vehicles were involved in the accident, which happened on the morning of October 15 in Bordentown Township.
State police responded to a multi-car crash in the outer lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike at milepost 54.5, near Exit 7. The vehicles involved included two tractor-trailers, a flatbed truck, a box truck, a transit van, and a transit bus. There were about 20 people taken to the hospital after the accident. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or life-threatening injuries.
The crash caused traffic to be backed up for 3.5 miles. Traffic was snarled on the multi-lane highway, with motorists using the shoulder of the road to pass the accident scene. All lanes reopened several hours later. The crash is still under investigation.
What to Know About Multi-Vehicle Crashes
Multi-vehicle crashes are also known as pile-ups or chain-reaction accidents. They involve three or more vehicles and tend to happen in high-traffic areas, such as highways. They can be very dangerous due to the number of cars involved and the potential for secondary collisions.
They are caused by:
- Weather conditions. Fog, rain, snow, and ice can reduce visibility and traction, leading to sudden braking and collisions.
- Tailgating. Following vehicles too closely increases the chance of rear-end collisions if someone brakes unexpectedly.
- Distracted driving. Texting, talking on the phone, or eating can delay reactions.
- Speeding or sudden stops. Driving above the speed limit leaves less time to react to unexpected obstacles.
- Poor road conditions. Potholes, construction zones, or debris on the road can lead to accidents.
The effects of multi-vehicle accidents include:
- Higher injury risk. Drivers and passengers may get injured due to the multiple impacts from various angles.
- Secondary collisions. Once one vehicle is hit, others may collide with it, worsening the damage.
- Delayed emergency response. Large pile-ups can block access for emergency services, making it harder to provide medical aid.
In a multi-vehicle crash, liability can be complicated since multiple drivers may be at fault. Police reports, witness statements, and dashcam footage can be essential. In many states, fault can be shared. If multiple drivers are partially responsible, compensation may be reduced based on each driver’s degree of fault.
New Jersey is a comparative negligence state, and it follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means that an injured party can still recover damages if they are partly at fault, but their compensation will be reduced by their percentage of fault. However, the threshold for comparative negligence is 50%. This means that if an injured party is more than 50% at fault, they will not receive compensation.
Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Multi-vehicle crashes often result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Fortunately, that was not the case here.
If you or a loved one was involved in a serious crash, a Morristown car accidents attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff can help you understand your legal rights. To schedule a consultation, call (973) 455-1567 or fill out the online form.
Source:
cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/new-jersey-turnpike-accident-today-crash/
