New Jersey Turnpike Rocked by Multiple Accidents

Within the past few weeks, the New Jersey Turnpike has seen an incredible number of serious crashes. Many of these incidents involved chain-reaction impacts and rear-end collisions, highlighting how dangerous this highway has become. The Turnpike is often filled with tour buses, motorcycles, and (unfortunately) negligent drivers. Some of the worst accidents in the state’s history have occurred on the Turnpike, and the most severe collisions show no sign of slowing down. What can you do if you were injured in an accident on the New Jersey Turnpike? Can a New Jersey auto accident lawyer help you?

Countless Severe Collisions on the New Jersey Turnpike

Another notable case occurred in late April 2025, when a five-car pileup in New Jersey left one motorist dead. The crash occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning in Middlesex County when a van rear-ended a pickup truck. The disabled truck was then rear-ended by a third vehicle, causing the occupants of this third vehicle to exit and stand on the road.

The third impact proved deadly. A fourth vehicle approached and struck the van and two individuals who were standing on the roadway. Finally, a fifth vehicle approached the scene and slammed into the back of another disabled vehicle. One of the individuals struck was killed, while the other was seriously injured.

Days later, almost 50 people were injured in a series of collisions on the New Jersey Turnpike. Once again, this incident began with a rear-end collision that sparked a chain reaction. Among the injured were four occupants of an SUV and four occupants of a pickup truck, all of whom were hospitalized with various injuries. Authorities say that the initial rear-end collision was between two tour buses.

At around the same time, a third chain-reaction crash on the New Jersey Turnpike claimed the life of a 67-year-old man. This incident occurred in mid-April near Woodbridge. Police say that at about 4:00 AM, they arrived at the scene of a four-vehicle collision. Authorities eventually determined that the crash started when a Mazda rear-ended a Chevrolet as they were heading south down the Turnpike.

This collision caused both vehicles to veer off the road and strike the guardrail. They then bounced back into the roadway and became disabled, effectively blocking both lanes of travel. To make things more complicated, the driver of a Toyota stopped and tried to help. This left the roadway completely littered with cars, leaving the driver of a Mercedes little room to maneuver as they approached the scene.

The Mercedes impacted two of the stalled vehicles and pushed one of them into the third stalled vehicle. The driver of the Chevrolet suffered fatal injuries in this collision. No one else was harmed.

Why is the New Jersey Turnpike So Dangerous?

With so many severe accidents on the New Jersey Turnpike, many residents are wondering why this highway has become so dangerous. Like any highway, the Turnpike features high speed limits and plenty of heavy commercial trucks. However, traffic on the Turnpike can be much heavier than that seen in other states. Remember, New Jersey is home to the most concentrated population in the nation. With so many people living in the Garden State, traffic congestion is inevitable.

Regardless of the unique dangers of the Turnpike, one might argue that it would be relatively safe if not for so many negligent drivers. These drivers often break speed limits, become distracted, or rear-end other motorists.

Note that many of the most recent crashes on the Turnpike were caused by rear-end collisions. These collisions can spark “chain-reaction” crashes that affect many other vehicles. It always makes sense to maintain a safe following distance, especially when you are driving on a major highway.

The “four-second rule” may prove helpful in these situations. This rule states that you should maintain four seconds of time/distance between your vehicle and the one in front. This means that you need a longer follow distance on the highway compared to slower, residential roads.

Can an Auto Accident Lawyer Help After a New Jersey Turnpike Crash?

An auto accident lawyer in New Jersey may be able to help after a major highway crash. The New Jersey Turnpike can be a place of complete mayhem, and it might be difficult to determine how your crash occurred. Perhaps you’re not sure who (or what) caused your crash. Maybe you need help gathering evidence of negligence. Whatever the case may be, a legal professional can assist with numerous steps as you pursue the compensation you deserve. To learn more about these steps, contact Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. today.