Fatal auto accidents are on the rise across New Jersey, according to figures recently released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2015, the state had a total of 523 fatal car crashes the claimed the lives of 562 people.
Making matters worse: 2016 is currently on pace to exceed the total number of auto accident fatalities in 2015, with NJ State Police officials reporting that there have already been more than 400 fatal car accidents so far this year.
Congested Highways in South Jersey Lead to Fatal Car Accidents
The data shows that Monmouth County had the most fatal car crashes in New Jersey last year. This is the second year in a row that Monmouth County has led the Garden State in fatal car accidents. Over the entirety of 2015, there were a total of 45 fatal car crashes leading to 49 deaths. In 2014, there were a total of 45 fatal auto accidents in Monmouth County, NJ. Both of these numbers represent a significant rise in car crash fatalities in Monmouth County in 2013, when there were a total of 26 fatal motor vehicle accidents in the county.
Other South Jersey areas, including Atlantic County and Cape May County, also saw a significant number of fatal auto accidents last year. Authorities have speculated that the high rate of auto accidents in these areas, which are less populous than Central New Jersey counties, could be the result of tourist traffic during the summer months when many people flock to the Jersey Shore and travel on congested highways. Some confirmation comes from US Department of Transportation data, which shows that weekends in July are typically the deadliest days of the entire year.
Another serious concern for NJ state traffic safety officials is the rise in drunk driving accidents on New Jersey roadways. According to statistics compiled by the NHTSA, intoxicated motorists were involved in approximately 20 percent of all fatal car crashes on NJ roads last year.
For more information, read the NJ.com article, “All 523 Fatal Crashes in N.J. Last Year on a Single Map.”
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident caused by another person’s negligence, you need to talk to a qualified personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The experienced New Jersey personal injury and car accident attorneys at Andres, Berger & Tran can help you get compensation for your accident-related injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation about your case.