Eatontown, New Jersey (January 5th, 2021) – On the morning of Wednesday, January 5th, icy roads across the state led to a treacherous commute with over 250 collisions, including one fatality.
According to Governor Phil Murphy, 170 traffic accidents were reported on Wednesday’s morning commute alone. Approximately 150 calls were made for aid on WINS radio. The icy roads were difficult to escape, and this led to a monumental number of accidents and traffic delays across the state. In total, New Jersey State Police responded to 262 traffic collisions and 125 calls for aid between the hours of 4 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.
Among the many accidents, one accident involved a 59-year-old woman, who lost her life in an accident on Route 34 shortly after 5:30 a.m. The tragic incident happened in Old Bridge. According to investigators, a trash truck collided with the rear of her vehicle as she attempted to exit the parking lot of a pharmacy.
The garbage truck was traveling on Route 34 close to Spring Hill Rd. when the woman’s vehicle cut in front of it. Police officers from Old Bridge indicate that Route 34 was shut down around 9 a.m. pending the investigation.
The National Weather Service circulated winter weather warnings across all regions of the state. The warnings came as early as Tuesday. The agency warned motorists that the icy road conditions could affect local highways, roads, walkways, and bridges.
The number of traffic accidents reportedly turned roadways into parking lots, as the flow of traffic was halted along highways from Essex County to Hunterdon County.
The Mid-Atlantic AAA reminded motorists to remain vigilant of the icy road conditions and remember the dangers of driving in such slippery conditions. Unfortunately, there were many reports of vehicles traveling at excessive speeds, which AAA states affect a driver’s ability to stop on time.
When rain and winter storms fall, traffic accidents on wet roads generally seem to follow. Traffic accidents caused by rainy weather can involve anything from single-vehicle accidents to multi-vehicle collisions and even pileups. A traffic accident that happens in rainy weather can cause serious damage to a car and even worse harm to the vehicle’s occupants.
Undoubtedly, rainy weather raises the risk of a serious accident and injury and although wet road conditions play a significant role in the cause of traffic accidents, catastrophic accidents also happen even when the roads are not slippery. The risk of a devastating traffic accident can also be heightened when drivers ignore the dangerous road conditions and choose to drive recklessly.
Whenever a person is driving on a wet road, the wet road can make it difficult for people to drive safely. For instance, traffic lanes can become difficult to see and the slippery road conditions can make it difficult to stop on time. It is more than evident that wet road conditions create hazards on the road and people should be extra vigilant when driving during these unreliable conditions. Unfortunately, many drivers ignore the obvious dangers of driving in the rain and drive recklessly, ultimately causing serious traffic accidents and affecting the lives of many innocent people.
According to a survey published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, wet roads not only accounted for the highest percentage of accidents among accidents in every type of weather condition, but it also accounted for the highest rate of injuries and deaths.
The report published by the agency also revealed that every year, more than 860,000 traffic accidents are related to wet road conditions. Wet road conditions accounted for approximately 324,000 injuries and more than 4,000 deaths each year. Based on these numbers, it is evident road conditions, coupled with reckless driving behavior can significantly heighten the risk of an accident.
There are many ways in which rain can affect the safety of a road. For instance, a vehicle can experience reduced friction between its tires and the road. This makes it very hard for vehicles to stop on time and it also increases the likelihood that the driver will lose control of his or her vehicle. Also, when rainwater mixes with oil and other road debris, this can create dangerously slick surfaces, which can make it extremely difficult for a driver to control his or her vehicle. Further, the glare from the headlights of oncoming traffic can reflect off the wet ground, which can temporarily blind motorists. Finally, standing water and sinkholes can create dangerous scenarios where a vehicle could careen off the road.
Still, while inclement weather can cause many dangerous situations on the road, it is generally not the sole factor causing traffic accidents. A vast majority of traffic accidents that occur on a wet road are the result of poor choices made by motorists. Common mistakes drivers make, which heighten the risk of a traffic accident include speeding on the wet road, misperceiving the dangers caused by the rain, driving with defective tires, engaging in road rage on slippery roads, and purposefully driving through flooded areas.
Rainy weather can bring about a plethora of dangerous conditions but driving recklessly will only exacerbate the dangers caused by the rainy weather. Traffic accidents caused on wet roads can lead to catastrophic injuries along with lifelong emotional and financial turmoil.
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a traffic accident during rainy weather, it may be possible to obtain supplemental compensation when the accident was caused by a reckless driver. Discuss your case with a well-respected auto accident attorney who has the experience needed to achieve the best outcome in your case.
For many years, the dedicated attorneys at the Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC have represented injured victims in a wide variety of traffic accidents, including those suffered under inclement weather conditions. After an auto accident, obtain the legal representation you deserve – consider contacting the attorneys at the Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC. Dial (908) 264-7228 or complete the online contact form here to schedule a complimentary consultation with the law firm today.
