New Jersey Crashes Highlight Dangers of Disabled Vehicles

Over the past month, numerous car crashes in New Jersey have involved disabled vehicles on the side of highways. This situation could be more dangerous than many motorists realize, and it always makes sense to prioritize safety when addressing mechanical issues on a major highway. As these incidents show, people can easily lose their lives after being struck by passing vehicles. Tow truck drivers, first responders, and other workers may be particularly vulnerable to these impacts. That being said, parked vehicles (especially semi-trucks) also pose hazards to motorists in passing vehicles. How can you remain safe in this situation? Can you pursue compensation if you were injured in one of these collisions?

Two Killed With Trying to Change Tire on I-78

In November of 2024, it was reported that two people had been killed while trying to change a tire on I-78. The incident began when the victims’ van suffered a flat tire, forcing them to pull over onto the shoulder. The pair then exited and attempted to change the tire. Although they were conducting their repairs on the right side of the vehicle (and away from passing traffic), they were deceptively vulnerable to passing motorists

While they were distracted by the tire, a Mercedes approached and struck the rear of the disabled van. The Mercedes then struck the guardrail and the pedestrians, causing the two victims to suffer fatal injuries. The exact circumstances of the accident are still unclear, and police reported that they were still investigating it. However, it is worth noting that drivers are allowed to park on the shoulder after experiencing legitimate mechanical issues

Tow Truck Driver Killed While Trying to Tow Disabled Vehicle

Also in November, a tow truck driver lost his life while trying to tow a disabled vehicle. The incident occurred on Route 19 near Patterson, and it began when the worker pulled over and started loading the disabled vehicle onto his tow truck. A vehicle then approached and struck the tow truck driver before flipping over, causing various injuries for the motorist inside. These injuries required immediate hospitalization

The tow truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene after first responders arrived. It is likely that he was struck at high speed. After the collision, the Paterson Police Department Traffic Unit announced that they were launching an investigation to determine exactly what caused the fatality

Teen Dies After Striking Box Truck Parked on Shoulder of I-80

While people tending to disabled vehicles are highly vulnerable to passing traffic, these disabled vehicles may also pose a threat to passing motorists. This was made clear after another accident in November – one that involved a teen slamming into the back of a box truck parked on the shoulder

The incident occurred on I-80 at around 5:30 AM. Police say that the teen veered off the roadway and onto the shoulder before striking the box truck. The impact caused minor injuries to the box truck driver, and the teen died at the scene. Police quickly noted that many other vehicles had veered off the roadway in recent days, but they failed to disclose whether the box truck was parked legally

In many cases, truck drivers cause accidents by parking illegally on the shoulder. Federal and state transport rules state that truckers should only park on the shoulder after experiencing legitimate emergencies. Unfortunately, many park on the shoulder to rest – and this could pose a serious hazard to passing traffic. These illegal parking jobs are especially dangerous if truckers partially obstruct lanes

New Jersey’s “Move Over” Law Explained

Like many other states, New Jersey has a “move over” law. This law states that when approaching a parked emergency vehicle with flashing lights, drivers must move over. This usually involves moving into the left lane in order to give first responders as much space as possible. The move over law also applies to disabled civilian vehicles with their hazard lights activated

Can an Auto Accident Lawyer in New Jersey Help?

If you were injured by a passing vehicle after experiencing mechanical issues, you may be able to pursue compensation alongside an experienced auto accident lawyer in New Jersey. Passing motorists must approach disabled vehicles with caution, and they should always move over if possible. If you were injured by a semi-truck illegally parked on the shoulder, you might also have the right to pursue compensation. Whatever the case may be, you can discuss your unique goals and priorities alongside Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. Schedule a consultation today to get started with an action plan.