Cherry Hill, a vibrant township in Camden County, New Jersey, is home to over 70,000 residents and a central commercial hub with thriving retail, healthcare, and service industries. Its strategic location near Philadelphia makes it a bustling area for local traffic and commuters.
However, with this heavy flow of vehicles comes the risk of accidents, often caused by driver negligence. In this guide, we’ll explore five common ways such negligence leads to collisions and how Cherry Hill car accident attorneys play a crucial role in protecting victims’ rights.
In today’s digital age, distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents across the country, and Cherry Hill is no exception. Texting, using GPS, or even eating while driving diverts attention from the road.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s report, distracted driving claimed over 3,500 lives in 2021. Even a brief moment of distraction can result in rear-end collisions or worse, especially in busy areas like Route 38 and Route 70 in Cherry Hill.
Speeding
Speeding is another common form of driver negligence. In Cherry Hill, where local roads often merge with high-speed highways, exceeding the speed limit can have serious consequences. Speeding minimizes reaction time and increases the severity of accidents.
An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety report indicates that speeding was a factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2021. Drivers who fail to adjust their speed to match traffic conditions in Cherry Hill’s busy corridors put others at risk.
Failure to Obey Traffic Signals
Intersections are hazardous when drivers disregard traffic signals. Running red lights or ignoring stop signs is a common cause of T-bone accidents and pedestrian injuries. Cherry Hill’s busy intersections, such as those along Haddonfield Road, are frequent hotspots for such violations. According to the Federal Highway Administration, over 50% of all fatal and injury accidents happen at or near intersections.
Tailgating
Aggressive driving behavior like tailgating can lead to dangerous rear-end collisions, especially during rush hour on Cherry Hill’s congested roads. Tailgating reduces the driver’s ability to stop in time whenever the vehicle in front slows down suddenly. Accurate data from the National Safety Council indicates that rear-end collisions account for approximately 29% of all crashes, many of which are caused by following too closely.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Impaired driving is another significant factor in car accidents. Alcohol or drugs can drastically impair judgment, reaction time, and overall control of the vehicle. In New Jersey, nearly 20% of fatal car crashes involved alcohol impairment in 2021, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT). Driving under the influence in Cherry Hill not only endangers the impaired driver but everyone else on the road.
Why Legal Expertise Matters
When negligence results in an accident, the consequences can devastate the victims. Injuries, medical bills, lost income or wages, and emotional trauma can all follow a severe crash. If driver negligence caused an accident involving you or a loved one, it’s crucial to seek help from car accident attorneys.
These professionals navigate the complexities of personal injury law and work to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
They understand the local laws, traffic patterns, and common causes of accidents in Cherry Hill, making them an invaluable resource in pursuing justice and holding negligent drivers accountable.
Driver negligence remains a significant contributor to car accidents in Cherry Hill, affecting countless lives every year.