NJ Garden State Parkway Accident Injury Lawyers
New Jersey is a heavily populated state and traffic is a significant part of peoples’ lives. With so much congestion and so many vehicles on the roads, traffic accidents occur with astounding frequency in New Jersey, particularly on major roadways like the Garden State Parkway. While car accidents occur everyday, they are more common in the summer months when vacationers traverse the Garden State Parkway from Middlesex County and other northern counties, making their way down the shore to destinations in Monmouth County, Ocean County, Atlantic County, and Cape May. Although car crashes, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and bus accidents are a fact of life, those who suffer injuries and fatalities caused by other drivers have rights. If you or someone you know has been injured in a motor vehicle accident on the Garden State Parkway and you believe someone else is at fault, you may be entitled to financial compensation for economic losses, medical bills, the costs of further treatment, and pain and suffering. Contact our highly skilled New Jersey personal injury attorneys to discuss your potential motor vehicle accident lawsuit. You can reach us around the clock by calling (732) 303-7857 or contact us online to learn more in a free consultation.
Car Accidents on the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey
If you have ever driven on the Garden State Parkway, you know that traffic is horrendous at any time of day. The Parkway, spanning 172 miles, runs the length of New Jersey from the State line of the New York Thruway to the most southern tip of the state in Cape May. The parkway was originally built for passenger vehicles traveling from suburban northern areas to resort destinations such as Atlantic City. Now, it is also used as a main roadway for many commuters every day. There are two main sections of the parkway: the metropolitan section and the shore section. The metropolitan section runs north of the Raritan River near Middlesex, while the shore section runs from the Raritan River to Cape May. The northern section is a densely-populated area where hundreds of thousands of people commute every day to and from work, or just heading south for vacation. The Southern portion of the parkway is equally busy as people travel to the beaches or north for their jobs. Traffic accidents are bound to happen due to the everyday congestion and common practices like distracted driving. In fact, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety found that the increase in motor vehicle accidents on the Parkway is due to both the high number of people driving on the road and the behavior of those driving.
How do Accidents Happen on the Parkway in NJ?
There are trillions of drivers regularly traveling on the Garden State Parkway according to the Federal Highway Administration, making it ripe for accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association reports that distracted driving is the most common cause of motor vehicle accidents across the nation, and this is especially true on the Parkway. It is approximated that 94% of all crashes are due to driver error. This means that most accidents could be avoided if drivers paid adequate attention to the roadway, obeyed traffic laws, and followed safety regulations.
For example, many accidents could be avoided if drivers simply avoided using cell phones, navigation systems, and other technology while driving. People often view or reply to a text message, averting their attention from the roadway for at least 5 seconds. Tragically, those five seconds could prove fatal for you or a loved one. Speeding is yet another factor in crashes on the Garden State Parkway. It should go without saying, but following the posted speed limit of 65 mph helps in preventing accidents and securing the safety of drivers and passengers on the road.
In other accident cases, substance abuse or driver impairment plays a role in causing the crash. This is likely truer in areas in Monmouth and Ocean County, with numerous shore towns that serve alcohol in locals bars and restaurants, as well as major destinations like Atlantic City. Regardless of the exact cause of your car accident, if you have been injured due to another person’s negligence, you could be entitled to financial recovery.
Do I Have a Garden State Parkway Injury Case?
Anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident who suffers injuries may be entitled to recovery from the other driver if he or she is at fault. Being at fault does not mean that the other driver is 100% the reason for the accident. It simply means that he or she is more than 50% at fault in causing the accident. For instance, if a driver was texting and speeding before they collided with your car, he or she may be considered negligent (at fault) for causing the accident. Even if it is proven that you were speeding as well, you could still potentially recover compensation for injuries from the accident. A jury can award you damages based on a concept called comparative negligence if your attorney can prove that the other person contributed more to the cause of the accident than you do. In the above example, your lawyer could show that although both drivers were going over the speed limit, the accident would not have happened had the other driver not been texting.
Injured in an Accident on the GSParkway? We Can Help
There are countless scenarios in which car accidents happen on the parkway in New Jersey and often, someone else is at fault. When any type of negligence occurs and you suffer injury as a result, whether you are a passenger in a car, on a motorcycle, or driving a vehicle yourself, it is highly advisable to consult a personal injury lawyer who can help you understand your legal options. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident on the NJ Garden State Parkway, contact our firm today. Please call (732) 303-7857 to speak with a knowledgeable Garden State Parkway accident attorney who can assist you free of charge.
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