Collision in Newark, New Jersey Leads to Multiple Injuries and 1 Fatality

Newark, New Jersey (March 22nd, 2021) – On the early morning hours of Monday, March 22nd, a vehicle collided with a disabled vehicle along the New Jersey Turnpike in Newark, resulting in one tragic fatality and one serious injury.

The collision occurred at 4:09 am, when a Dodge Ram collided with a disabled Chevy Malibu, killing a passenger in the Chevy and seriously injuring the driver. The incident occured on the southbound lanes near Newark Liberty International Airport, approaching Exit 14.

Based on preliminary investigations, the Chevy became disabled on the right lane of the highway when it was struck by the Dodge from behind. Subsequently, the Chevy collided with the concrete barrier and upon impact, the Dodge overturned.

While the incident resulted in catastrophic injuries to those in the Chevy, the driver of the Dodge sustained moderate injuries.

The southbound lanes of the roadway were closed for about 5 hours prompting mild traffic. The identities of those involved remain unknown at this time. The accident is still under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact local authorities.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were close to three million traffic accident injuries reported in 2018. In the same year, nearly 37 thousand people suffered fatal injuries as a result of traffic accidents.

Traffic accidents can be caused by a number of reasons, but a vast majority of them are caused as a result of driver error. A common example of driver error is distracted driving. Based on a report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 8 people are killed in traffic accidents across the nation as a result of distracted driving. The CDC states that distracted driving involves any activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from the road. Distracted driving can involve a myriad of reckless actions, including texting while driving, adjusting the radio, or talking with other passengers.

Another major contributor to traffic accidents on the road is speeding. Driving at high speeds is incredibly dangerous and it leads to thousands of fatal accidents each year. Speeding magnifies the severity of an accident as it prevents a driver’s ability to avoid a collision.

A final major contributor to traffic accidents caused by driver error is aggressive driving. Aggressive driving, or “road rage”, can include following vehicles at unsafe distances, failure to yield, making unsafe lane changes, and failure to obey traffic signs. Road rage can be caused by many environmental factors, such as heavy traffic, but it can also be caused by psychological factors, such as displaced anger or stress.

Regardless of the cause of the accident, drivers in New Jersey have a legal obligation to drive responsibly and in a manner that prevents injuring another who shares the road. When a traffic accident is caused as a result of the reckless actions of another driver, financial compensation can be obtained from the responsible party. If the accident resulted in fatal injuries, the deceased’s family can recover financial losses through a wrongful death claim.

For more than 20 years, Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. has advocated on behalf of injured traffic accident victims. The firm is exceptionally versed in an array of car accident cases, including those caused by distracted driving, speeding, and aggressive driving. If you or a loved one was injured in a traffic accident caused by another’s negligence, consider obtaining the support of Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. You can schedule a complimentary consultation by calling (609) 240-0040 or filling out the online form here.