The New Jersey Turnpike is a massive road that stretches 122 miles from the Delaware Memorial Bridge up to the George Washington Bridge. Because it links huge cities like Philadelphia, Trenton, and New York City, it is always packed with cars and heavy trucks. This road is one of the busiest in the country, and that means it has more than its fair share of crashes. If you find yourself in a wreck on the Turnpike, you might feel overwhelmed. You have to think about your health, your car, and how you will pay your bills. Knowing how to sue for a car accident on the New Jersey Turnpike can help you get back on your feet.
Why the New Jersey Turnpike Is So Dangerous
There are many reasons why accidents happen so often on this highway. First, the sheer amount of traffic is a major factor. You have tourists driving next to local commuters and massive commercial rigs. This mix is a recipe for trouble. Speeding is another huge problem because people are often in a rush to get through the state. When you combine high speeds with distracted driving, like looking at a phone, the results can be deadly.
Driver fatigue is also common on the Turnpike. Many long-haul truckers use this route to move goods between Washington DC and New York. These drivers might be running on very little sleep to meet a deadline. If they drift off or have slow reactions, they can hit smaller cars with a lot of force. Aggressive driving, such as tailgating or weaving between lanes near exits like Newark or Woodbridge, also causes many of the crashes that happen every day.
Common Injuries from Turnpike Crashes
Injuries on the Turnpike can be minor, like a small bruise, or they can change your life forever. Whiplash is the most frequent injury people report. Even a small rear-end hit can snap your neck back and forth. This can cause strains, sprains, or even herniated disks in your spine.
More serious wrecks often lead to traumatic brain injuries. These happen when the head hits a window or steering wheel. Brain injuries are very scary because they can cause long-term problems or even death. Other victims might suffer from internal bleeding or broken bones. Because these accidents often happen at high speeds, the impact on the human body is much worse than a crash on a side street.
What to Do Right After a Turnpike Accident
If you get hit, your first goal is to stay safe. Pull your car over to the shoulder and out of the flow of traffic if you can. If the car cannot move, turn on your hazard lights and get yourself to a safe spot away from the lanes. Your life is more important than the car.
Next, you must call 911. The New Jersey State Police are the ones who handle accidents on the Turnpike. An officer will come to the scene to make a report. This report is a big piece of evidence if you decide to sue for a car accident on the New Jersey Turnpike. While you wait, talk to the other driver. Get their name, phone number, and insurance info. If a big truck was involved, write down the name of the trucking company and the number on the truck. Take pictures of the damage to all vehicles and the road signs nearby. If people saw what happened, ask for their names and numbers too.
Seeking Medical Care and Checking for Injuries
Even if you think you are fine, you should see a doctor right away. Some injuries do not show symptoms until a few days later when the shock wears off. Having a medical record from the day of the crash proves that the accident caused your pain. If you wait weeks to go to the doctor, the insurance company might claim you got hurt somewhere else. Tell the doctor about every ache and pain. They might need to do an X-ray or an MRI to see what is going on inside your body.
The No-Fault Insurance System in New Jersey
New Jersey follows no-fault insurance rules. This means that your own insurance company usually pays for your medical bills first. This is called Personal Injury Protection or PIP. It does not matter who caused the crash. Your PIP covers things like your hospital visits and some of your lost wages if you cannot work.
However, PIP might not cover everything. If your injuries are very bad, you may need to look at other options. When you bought your insurance policy, you likely chose between a Basic plan and a Standard plan. You also chose either a Limited Right to Sue or an Unlimited Right to Sue. If you have the limited version, you can only sue the other driver if you have a permanent injury, like a lost limb or a condition that will never get better. If you have the unlimited version, you have more freedom to go after the at-fault driver for pain and suffering.
Filing a Lawsuit for Negligence
When you file a claim against another driver, you are usually claiming that they were negligent. This means they did not use the care they were supposed to use while driving. Maybe they were speeding, or perhaps they were driving under the influence of alcohol. Sometimes the road itself is the problem. Poor road conditions or confusing construction zones can lead to crashes.
If the other driver is at fault, their insurance might have to pay for your damages that go beyond what your own insurance covered. This is why having an experienced car accident lawyer is helpful. They can look at the facts and see if you have a strong case. They can also check the black box data from a commercial truck to see how fast the driver was going before they hit you.
Dealing with Difficult Claims
Some cases are much harder than others. If several cars were involved in a pileup, it can be tough to figure out who hit whom first. If a company truck or a rideshare car hit you, there might be big businesses and multiple insurance companies involved. These groups often have teams of people working to pay you as little as possible. Having a professional on your side ensures that your rights are protected while you focus on healing.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer for Help
If you were hurt on the New Jersey Turnpike, you do not have to handle the stress alone. The team at Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh understands the laws in New Jersey and how they apply to highway crashes. We can review your insurance policy and the police report to see if you can sue for a car accident on the New Jersey Turnpike. Whether you were in a wreck in Hamilton, East Brunswick, or Fort Lee, we are here to support you. Call us at (732) 229-3200 for a free consultation. We will help you understand your legal choices and fight to get you the money you deserve.