Three Major Truck Accidents Occur in New Jersey

Truck accidents have become all too common in New Jersey, and these accidents have the potential to cause serious injuries. The trucking industry is crucial for all kinds of essential products, but sometimes, these deliveries come at the cost of public safety. Three major crashes in New Jersey highlight this fact, and all three illustrate how dangerous commercial trucks can be in the Garden State. If you have been injured by a crash like this, you may need to speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer in New Jersey to review your legal options.

Tractor-Trailer Crash Kills Woman in Minivan

A major truck accident occurred in Burlington Township when a minivan collided with a tractor-trailer. The incident occurred in March of 2025 on Mount Holly Road. Witnesses report hearing screeching tires before the two vehicles collided in front of the Liberty Square Center. This collision claimed the life of a female passenger in the minivan while also injuring the driver and an infant in the backseat.

Witnesses say that because of the impact, the infant might not have survived if they had been on the passenger side of the vehicle. Fortunately, they had been placed on the driver’s side instead. No charges were filed in connection to the incident, and police have not revealed an official cause. It is difficult to say whether the trucker or the minivan driver was at fault for the crash.

Tesla Driver Reportedly Veers into Dump Truck

Another tragic accident occurred in late February when the driver of a Tesla veered into a dump truck for unknown reasons. The incident occurred in Harrison, on Ellis Mill Road. Police say that as the Tesla driver was traveling down the road, he seemed to veer into oncoming traffic for no apparent reason. He then struck the dump truck head-on, causing fatal injuries.

As with many truck accidents of this nature, the driver of the truck was completely uninjured. This is a testament to the heavy, sturdy nature of commercial trucks – and the relative fragility of passenger vehicles. Police are continuing to investigate this incident, but they are not ruling out a potential software issue. Teslas are well-known for their self-driving technology, and some allege that past malfunctions have caused major collisions.

Dump Truck Crash in Clarkstown Causes Fatal Injuries

A similar incident occurred at around the same time when the driver of a Kia died after impacting a dump truck in Clarkstown. Police say the victim was heading down Route 303 when it struck the dump truck for unknown reasons. Police arrived at the scene to find the white Kia on the side of the road in a grassy area. The truck driver remained at the scene of the crash and cooperated with police officers, and he was completely uninjured. No charges were filed in the immediate aftermath of the collision.

First responders tried to save the Kia driver, but they were ultimately unsuccessful. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was officially pronounced dead. Photographs from the scene show considerable damage to the Kia, illustrating how destructive dump trucks can be to smaller passenger vehicles.

Why are Dump Trucks So Dangerous?

Two of these three crashes involved dump trucks, and this is no coincidence. Dump trucks may be more dangerous than other commercial trucks for various reasons. First, they may struggle with unbalanced loads due to the random, unpredictable nature of their cargo. Often, dump trucks carry loads filled with scrap metal, drywall, lumber, and other garbage. It is impossible to ensure equal weight distribution with these loads, and this lack of balance can contribute to truck rollovers.

In addition, dump trucks frequently stop and start when picking up and dropping off loads. Finally, dump trucks usually carry open-topped beds. Loose cargo can fall out of these open-topped beds and impact passing vehicles. Scrap metal can be particularly dangerous in this context, potentially smashing through windshields and causing considerable injuries. In the past, incidents like these have been fatal.

Can a New Jersey Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me Pursue Compensation?

If you have been injured by a truck accident in New Jersey, consider a consultation with a truck accident lawyer. These legal professionals understand how life-altering a truck accident can be, and they can help you pursue crucial compensation for missed income, medical costs, and emotional distress. If you would like to learn more about the next potential steps, feel free to schedule a consultation with Lependorf & Silverstein today.