Originally published April 12, 2016. If you live in New Jersey, commuting to work, school, or home is a way of life. Whether you are a bridge-and-tunnel driver, a train traveler, or a bus-rider, you’ll be spending a good deal of time on the road. On average, New Jersey commuters spend roughly 30 minutes – both ways – traveling daily. Almost 15% of the population will travel distances longer than 60 minutes away. This means that not only are people on the road longer, they also have more opportunity to be involved in an accident.

Unfortunately, many of these accidents come in the form of rear-end collisions. Some of these accidents can be quite severe. In the summer of 2014, actor/comedian Tracy Morgan was involved in a rear-end truck accident on the New Jersey Turnpike, which claimed the life of a friend and left Morgan in a coma. While the severity of the crash and the news coverage given to it was uncommon, such accidents are quite common along our state’s busy roadways. So why do rear-end accident occur with such frequency? Consider the following list of top reasons:

  • Speeding – While it may seem obvious, speeding is the number one reason for rear-end crashes. The faster a driver is going, the less likely he will be able to stop, which increases the odds of a rear-end collision.
  • Tailgating/Road Rage – We’ve all been there. Some aggressive driver cuts you off and next thing you know, you’re tailgating the individual. Or maybe you were late for an event and in an effort to move things along, you rode someone’s bumper. Or maybe you were caught up in a moment of road rage. Whatever the case, if the person applies his or her brakes, you may find yourself in more trouble than you counted on.
  • Texting or Talking – While a recent phenomenon, texting while driving has established itself a dangerous and deadly behavior. Every second drivers look down at their phones is a second they are not paying attention to the road. Should someone suddenly pull out in front of them or cut them off, they may not have time to brake.

Study Says Automatic Brakes Prevent New Jersey Rear-End Collisions

A new study out of Detroit suggests that vehicles that have automatic braking or front-end collisions sensors are must less likely to be involved in a fender bender.

The research conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (ITHS) suggests safety measures can have a dramatic effect on rear-end collisions. ITHS found that automatic braking systems that are able to sense proximity to oncoming vehicles can reduce rear-end collisions by as much as 40%. The report goes on to say that early warning collision systems are able to cut that number an additional 23%.

The percentages were determined by reviewing 7,500 accidents across 27 states in the country between 2010 and 2014. It was concluded that if all vehicles were equipped with such technology, there would have been almost 700,000 few crashes in 2013.

While braking and warning technology mentioned in the report is getting cheaper, only 40% of the vehicles sold in the United States offer such packages. Automakers, however, hope to make automatic braking features standard in all vehicles over the next decade. Until then, if you have been involved in a rear-end collision, contact an attorney to review your legal options.

Contact Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C., Today

If you or a loved one has been involved in a rear-end collision, you may have grounds to take legal action against the at-fault driver. Contact Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C,. to schedule a free appointment to review your options. We can be reached at (609) 240-0040.

 

The firm’s principals, Gabriel R. Lependorf and David E. Silverstein, have each been representing injured victims in the State of New Jersey for over thirty years.

Call Our Office At (609) 240-0040 Today for Help