Fatal car accidents that occur in New Jersey can be caused by a number of different factors. In a recent study, the Auto Insurance Center analyzed data supplied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from every reported fatal car accident that occurred across the nation between 2009 and 2013 in order to determine the leading cause of this incidents in each state plus the District of Columbia. The data incorporated pedestrian fatalities as well as deaths to car occupants.
In the state of New Jersey, the majority of fatal car accidents were caused by drivers who failed to stay in their lane. In fact, that behavior was the leading cause of fatal car accidents in the majority of states. Surprisingly, Delaware, its neighbor to the south, was the only state where the primary cause of these types of accidents was a failure to adjust to road obstructions.
The study found that several of the states that had the most fatal accidents caused by drunk driving on a per capita basis were in large part rural. The researchers surmised that in these areas, intoxicated drivers did not have readily available public transportation that they could have used instead of making the decision to get behind the wheel of their vehicles.
While fatal accidents resulting from drunk drivers may not be as prevalent in New Jersey as they are in other parts of the country, there are still many that occur and that result in serious injuries to victims. Those who have been injured in an accident caused by an impaired or otherwise negligent driver often face significant medical bills as well as the financial consequences of not being able to return to work. A personal injury attorney might assist a victim in pursuing a lawsuit for damages against the responsible party.