New Jersey Fatal Crash Statistics

New Jersey Fatal Crash Statistics

The annual fatal crash statistics published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that between 2005 and 2014, New Jersey realized a substantial decrease in traffic accident fatalities and the poor driving techniques that often cause them.

The total number of drivers involved in fatal accidents fell from a high of 1,054 in 2005 to 783 in 2014, and the number of traffic fatalities dropped from 747 to 556. Involvement from drivers under 21 years old fell from 99 to 58, possibly due to the adoption of the Graduated Driver’s License program.

About 294 of the 556 fatalities were in passenger vehicles, and 119 did not have their seat belts on at the time of the accident. While New Jersey has a slightly higher seat belt usage rate than the national average, the NHTSA estimated that an additional forty lives could have been saved if all passengers would have been wearing their seat belts.

Upon closer examination of the types of crashes that caused these deaths, we see that –

  • 337 were single vehicle accidents
  • 234 involved a vehicle departing the roadway
  • 185 involved traffic at or near an intersection
  • 74 involved one or more large trucks
  • 68 involved a rolled vehicle

Speeding was a contributing factor for at least 99 highway deaths, showing an increase from 79 in 2005.

Alcohol-impaired driving was a factor in the deaths of 163 people, a decrease compared to 203 in 2005, but an increase from the low of 146 in 2009.

All motorcycle riders are required to wear protective helmets, yet every year, unprotected riders die in accidents. In fact, of the 62 riders that died in 2014, five were not helmeted.

Motor vehicle fatalities fell nationally in 2014 in all areas except pedestrian deaths, and New Jersey represents that in all ways other than speeding-related fatalities. In fact, the state realized the largest amount of pedestrian deaths in 2014, with 168 walkers, joggers, and hikers killed in motor vehicle crashes, up from a low of 129 the year before. Another group of unprotected road users is bicyclists, which has seen a slight decline in fatalities, down from 17 in 2005 to 11 in 2014.

Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident? Call Us Today!

America’s highways and bi-ways are dangerous. If you’ve been injured in a car accident or lost a loved one in a fatal crash, you need a dedicated team of attorneys and legal professionals fighting for your rights. Our attorneys have a long and proven record of helping the victims of car accidents get the compensation they deserve.

Call us today if you or a loved one were injured in a

  • Commercial bus crashes
  • School bus accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Truck crashes
  • Motorcycle collisions
  • Commercial vehicle accidents
  • Semi-truck crashes

We’ll fight insurance companies, negligent operators, and reckless drivers to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.


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