Injury Attorneys Protecting Victims of NJ’s Dangerous Highways
Representing drivers, passengers, and others hurt on New Jersey roads
Most car accidents are the result of some form of human error, but there are some accidents that can be attributed to the roadway itself. Potholes, uneven pavement, steep curves, and limited visibility can lead to tragic crashes that are not the fault of the driver. If the cause of the car accident that injured you can be linked to a defect in the roadway, chances are rather than filing a claim against another driver’s insurance, you will be filing a claim with NJ or a local municipality to recover compensation for your injuries and property damage.
Filing a claim against a government agency is purposefully complicated, but the skilled New Jersey car accident attorneys at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP, have a thorough understanding of the Tort Claims Act Title 59 and the process for recovering compensation when the negligence of a governmental entity is responsible for your injuries and property damage. You are welcome to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
What makes a highway dangerous?
What causes more car and truck accidents on certain roadways? The answers are as varied as are the circumstances of each specific crash. However, a review of descriptions of traffic accidents will show that certain characteristics of highways such as the following can be factors in crashes:
- Highways with cracked pavement or potholes
- Highways with uneven grade that allows water to puddle (and freeze in winter)
- Highways without shoulders (sometimes because of construction barricades) or with shoulder drop-offs
- Overly congested highways
- Roadways with poor visibility as drivers go around curves
Can you file a claim against the government?
The New Jersey Tort Claims Act, also referred to as Title 59, is the state law that governs claims against the government for injuries or property damage. If you have been injured because of the negligence of a local municipality, county or NJ state government, and you wish to file a claim for compensation for your losses, there are strict rules and filing deadlines which must be followed. You have 90 days from the date of the accident/incident to file a Notice of Tort Claim, which you will follow up with your personal injury claim. If the claim is for an injury, the medical bills must exceed $3,600, and the injury must be permanent.
Examples of possible cause of action against NJ or your municipality
If your injury was caused by the negligence of a governmental entity, you may have a cause of action or grounds to pursue a tort claim. Governmental agencies you might hold liable include the public works department for failure to maintain a road in safe condition, or NJ Transit for train crashes or bus accident injuries and property damage.
The regulations for filing a claim against the government are complicated, and one false move can invalidate your claim. When you work with our experienced team of NJ personal injury attorneys, you will benefit from our knowledge of how to transcend the bureaucratic red tape which has been put in place to thwart any attempt to hold a government employee or entity responsible for negligence. We are determined to fight for a successful outcome for you.
What are some of the most dangerous roads in New Jersey?
A story on NJ.com compiled data from the NJ Department of Transportation and the State Police traffic crash data to come up with a list of the deadliest roads in the state. The following are the top five deadly roads:
- Garden State Parkway, which in 2016 had the most fatal crashes of any highway in the state, had 32 deaths which is a significant increase over the 10 fatalities the previous year.
- New Jersey Turnpike had 21 fatalities compared to 18 the year before.
- Route 30 (White Horse Pike) had 18 fatalities in 2016 and 12 the previous year.
- Route 9 had 15 fatalities, which is one more than the prior year.
- Route 1 had 11 fatalities and 7 the year before.
Multi-vehicle car accidents on highways
Generally, multi-vehicle accidents bring devastating results such as personal injuries ranging in severity as well as potential fatalities. This type of accident often takes place during rush hour on congested highways or when heavy construction is present on the road, which may alter the route and contain various obstacles. When a large vehicle like a tractor-trailer becomes engaged in a multi-vehicle accident, the danger increases due to the possibility of a hazardous spill and catastrophic injuries.
How can a NJ car accident attorney help with a claim against the government?
Our experienced NJ car accident attorneys at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow can uncover the truth about your traffic accident through a detailed investigation. We know how to bring injury claims against government entities as well as roadway engineering companies when the facts point to highway defects as the cause of a serious accident.
While you focus on healing and getting back to work and your life, our team of award-winning, Certified Civil Trial Advocates will be fighting for justice on your behalf in the form of fair compensation for your injuries. Trust our experienced NJ car accident attorneys to keep you informed about the progress of your case. We have recovered more than 0 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients, and we are prepared to work diligently to make sure that you achieve your goals for your case.
Experienced NJ car accident lawyers protect your rights
Contact our accomplished NJ personal injury law firm after a highway crash resulting in injury in New Jersey. From offices in Edison, Red Bank, and Toms River, our NJ injury lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP, advise and represent clients in personal injury and wrongful death litigation matters throughout New Jersey. From wherever you are, call our office at 732-777-0100 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation with an experienced New Jersey car accident lawyer at one of our branch offices closest to you.