Trenton Auto Accident Lawyers
New Jersey Car Accident Statistics
Statistically, the rate of car accidents in the United States has gone down since the government began keeping statistics in the 1960s. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a federal agency that calculates auto accident statistics, our nation has seen a dramatic drop in traffic deaths since 1966, when there were 5.5 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 1966. In 2006, the last year for which complete records are available, that rate was 1.42 fatalities per VMT. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still report that auto accidents are the number one cause of accidental death in the United States, and the leading cause of death overall for Americans between the ages of four and 44.
NHTSA statistics show that 42,642 traffic fatalities were reported in 2006, and another 2.575 million people were injured in 5.973 million reported traffic accidents. They also show that private vehicles -- passenger cars and "light trucks" like pickups and SUVs -- account for a combined 94.7% of all accidents. Large trucks, such as semis and 18-wheelers, account for another 3.6% of accidents, and motorcycles account for just 1%. But as many motorcyclists know, motorcycles are involved in a disproportionate number -- 8.5% -- of all fatal accidents. And light trucks are disproportionately likely to roll over, with rollovers accounting for just 1.7% of all car crashes but 4.7% of SUV crashes and 3.6% of pickup crashes.
In New Jersey, there were 722 fatal car accidents in 2006, including 31 deaths in Newark and nine in Jersey City. That's a three percent increase over the year before, bucking the national trend toward a slight decrease in auto accident fatalities. A disproportionately high percentage of those fatalities, 21.4%, were the deaths of pedestrians -- nearly double the national rate of 11.2%. Despite the example set by Governor Jon Corzine, 54.8% of those killed in New Jersey traffic accidents were not using seatbelts or other restraints. And when it comes to alcohol, New Jersey followed the national trend closely, with a blood-alcohol concentration level of more than 0.08% - the legal limit in New Jersey - for 21% of drivers involved in fatal crashes.
Statistics also confirm the conventional wisdom on car accidents: Age, gender and lawful behavior matter. Female drivers are consistently less likely to get into accidents than their male counterparts in the same age groups, with males having three times the number of crashes overall, in proportion to their share of the population. But the younger the driver, regardless of gender, the more likely he or she is to be involved in an accident, with accident rates per 100,000 licensed drivers highest for drivers ages 16-20. Alcohol raised the chances of a serious crash too, with 41% of fatal crashes having at least some alcohol involvement. Speeding was a factor in 31% of fatal crashes, and 29.4% of drivers killed in fatal crashes were not using seat belts.
The federal government's yearly statistics don't usually assign blame for accidents. But a 2006 study by the NHTSA and the Virginia Tech Traffic Center did examine reasons why drivers get into crashes. They found that the leading cause of car accidents and near misses was distracted driving. Sleepiness was the most common distraction, at 22.1%, followed by using a handheld device like a cellular phone or Blackberry; reading; eating; personal hygiene tasks; distractions inside the vehicle; and "rubbernecking" at things outside the vehicle.
If you have been seriously injured in a New Jersey car crash, you have the right to hold the responsible people legally liable for their actions. In a New Jersey auto accident lawsuit, you can win compensation for medical bills or funeral costs; repair costs; physical injuries or the loss of a loved one; pain and suffering; and more.
Lependorf & Silverstein can help. We have represented car crash victims and other seriously hurt people in central New Jersey for more than 15 years. In that time, we've won millions for our clients, including $2.5 million for a man with permanent nerve damage caused by crash with a careless truck driver. We are committed to protecting our clients' legal rights and getting you the best possible compensation for your injuries. And because we know auto accidents can become costly, we always offer free consultations to potential clients.
To schedule a free evaluation of your case, call Lependorf & Silverstein's Princeton office today.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a serious automobile accident in New Jersey, contact Lependorf & Silverstein today for a free consultation.
