Eight Common Causes of New Jersey Car Accidents
Nobody expects to get involved in a car wreck; that’s why they’re called “accidents.” Even though drivers don’t intend for a car accident to happen, the reality is that usually bad driving behavior by at least one motorist was to blame for most of New Jersey’s 278,413 annual collisions. Some behaviors are more common than others, so it’s important to avoid them yourself and be on the lookout for other drivers exhibiting them.
- Cell Phone Use – Sending and receiving text messages, using a phone without hands-free capability, checking social media or other apps, and even checking email on a smartphone all contribute to one of the most common car accident causes. New Jersey reported a shocking 1,392 car accidents were caused by cell phone use in 2018.
- Distracted Driving – Defined as anything taking a driver’s attention off the road, distracted driving is dangerous and causes many accidents each day because it involves such a broad range of behaviors. Drivers have been found to eat, drink, put on makeup, change clothes, shave, and turn to talk with passengers while on the road!
- Rubbernecking – This is a very specific sort of distracted driver behavior common in metropolitan areas. Rubbernecking drivers take their eyes off the road to stare at car accidents, billboards, or even when passing landmarks and fail to notice hazards that require their attention to avoid.
- Driving Under the Influence – One of the most dangerous behaviors, driving under the influence means operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit or drugs in your system; the drugs may be legally prescribed but cause drowsiness, or they could be illicit. Intoxicated driving makes motorists up to 9 times more likely to wreck, and has cost the lives of 1,816 individuals in New Jersey from 2003-2012.
- Drowsy Driving – Many people don’t realize how dangerous drowsy driving is or how many car accidents it causes. In fact, driving while drowsy is as dangerous as driving drunk; driver reaction times are just as bad, and they are just as inattentive to other motorists on the road.
- Reckless Driving – An unfortunately common cause of car accidents, recklessness behind the wheel refers to a wide range of behaviors including tailgating, speeding, road rage, failing to yield, and unsafe lane changes.
- Hazardous Weather – Bad weather causes a surprising number of car accidents each year. Not only is visibility reduced, ice may not be visible, and the beginning of a rainstorm causes oil on roads to rise to the surface. These result in slick road, provide drivers with less control, and take more distance to stop.
- Defective Vehicles and Auto Parts – If a car or a car part is manufactured, designed, or installed defectively, it can fail and cause a driver to lose control and crash. This can be particularly devastating if the defect is a tire or brakes, causing a driver to unexpectedly become a passenger in their own vehicle.
Get in Touch with a New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer Today
No matter how a car accident happened, if another motorist’s negligence caused the crash you are entitled to recover compensation for your injuries. For help getting the justice you deserve, contact the skilled New Jersey personal injury attorneys at Sarofiem & Antoun LLC today We know how to provide aggressive, comprehensive representation and get results. Contact us at (201) 792-3333 to schedule your free initial consultation today and get started.
