New Jersey 2019 Fatal Accident Trends

There were 529 fatal accidents, causing 563 fatalities, in New Jersey in 2019, as reported by the New Jersey State Police. Sadly, this number has not decreased from the previous year. Among the lives that were lost in these accidents, the state police divided them into four key categories, which include:

• 291 drivers
• 82 passengers
• 11 bicyclists
• 179 pedestrians

How Does Age Impact the Number of Fatalities?

Of the 563 traffic fatalities in New Jersey in 2019:

• 22 were children ages 16 and under
• 10 were age 17
• 29 were ages 18-20
• 37 were ages 21-24
• 56 were ages 25-29
• 93 were ages 30-39
• 59 were ages 40-49
• 125 were ages 50-64
• 91 were ages 65-79
• 39 were ages 80 or older

This data may reflect common driving ages in New Jersey as well as life expectancy during a serious traffic collision. Younger individuals are at a larger risk for serious injuries in accidents, but this may increase as they move into peaking driving ages. In contrast, older drivers between 50-79 are often more likely to suffer fatal injuries in an auto accident, though this number naturally decreases as they start driving less and retire.

Mercer County

Further study by county shows that Mercer County experienced a total of 21 traffic deaths in 2019, including a single motor vehicle accident fatality that occurred in Princeton on County 571 at Prospect Avenue. In addition, Hamilton Township had two traffic fatalities: one on Sandalwood Avenue and Carlisle Avenue, and the other on State/Interstate Authority 95. Mercer County traffic fatalities included nine drivers, two passengers, one bicyclist, and nine pedestrians.

Middlesex County

State Police report 48 traffic deaths in Middlesex County in 2019, which is the highest number of motor vehicle fatalities of any county in New Jersey. Only three of these fatalities occurred in South Brunswick along Road West at Marc drive, County 535 South at Davidson Mill Road, and County 522. People killed in traffic crashes in Middlesex County in 2019 included 28 drivers, ten passengers, two bicyclists, and eight pedestrians.

What Are the Leading Causes of Traffic Deaths In New Jersey?

Many different factors can contribute to fatal traffic accidents, but some of the leading causes include:

• Accidents at intersections
• Driver inattention and unsafe speeds on interstate roadways
• Distracted driving, particularly with cell phone use
• Alcohol-impaired driving
• Inexperienced teen drivers
• Holidays, including the Thanksgiving weekend, the 4^th of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Christmas

As shown above, many of these fatal traffic accidents involve pedestrians, bicyclists, and other pedestrians. Passengers also face significant risks, as they have little control over their driver, who may crash into a curb, tree, utility poles, parked vehicles, guardrails, posts, and embankments. The most dangerous accidents that can occur to a car’s occupants and those around it are rollovers. These terrifying accidents have unchecked potential for damage and injury.

If you have lost a loved one in a fatal traffic crash caused by someone else’s negligence in New Jersey, you may have a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver. Call (609) 240-0040 to get in touch with our attentive legal team at Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. Our personal injury attorneys are lifetime Princeton residents with strong roots in the local community. We have more than half a century of combined experience and offer free consultations to discuss all available options with individuals who have lost loved ones in auto accidents.