An early-morning crash on the New Jersey Turnpike left five people injured on New Year’s Eve, according to a recent news report from ABC 6.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene around 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, December 31, 2023. One of the injured people was transported to a local hospital via helicopter.

The crash occurred on the northbound side of the New Jersey Turnpike near mile marker 45 in Burlington Township. The collision sent one vehicle careening into the woods beside the turnpike and caused injuries to at least five individuals. 

New Year’s Eve: A Dangerous Time for Vehicle Travel

With more cars on the roads and more drivers heading to and from parties, holidays frequently see rising rates of vehicle crashes. And no holiday season is more dangerous for car accidents than the weeks encompassing Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. 

According to news outlet WJTV:

• During the nighttime hours between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, fatal crashes more than double those in the previous four weeks, rising to 136 percent of average.
• On average, over 40 percent of New Year’s Eve crashes involve at least one driver who was drinking. This is three times the national average of alcohol-related car crashes each day. In New Jersey, over 50 percent of fatal New Year’s Eve crashes involve drunk driving.
• The 40 percent average increase in drunk driving crashes is deceptive. This average for all 50 US states doesn’t account for local spikes. Some localities see alcohol-related crashes rise by 200 percent or more overnight on New Year’s Eve as compared to December rates. In Idaho, for instance, fatal overnight crashes on New Year’s Eve rose 900 percent each year between 2013 and 2020. 

Overall, car accidents on New Year’s Eve rise 13 percent nationwide compared to crash rates in the rest of December, and they are 26 percent higher than crash rates in January. Yet crash rates in January remain elevated in comparison to the rest of the year – likely due to a combination of people returning from holidays, long periods of darkness, and inclement weather like snow, sleet, and freezing rain. 

What to Do If You’re in a Car Crash This Winter

The best thing you can do to prevent a car crash is to avoid driving while under the influence of alcohol or other substances – and to help those you know get home safely too. 

Yet no matter how safely you drive, you may be unable to prevent a crash caused by another driver’s negligence. If an accident occurs: 

• Safety first. Move vehicles out of the way of traffic. Use lights, flares, and brightly-colored objects to warn oncoming drivers. 
• Call for help. Call 911 for emergency assistance if anyone appears to be injured. Also, call 911 if any immediate dangers, like a fuel leak or a fire, are present. 
• Collect information. Take photos, draw diagrams, or make notes of the accident scene. Also note down anything you remember from the crash – what you saw, heard, or experienced before and during the collision. Exchange contact information with the other driver and with any witnesses at the scene. 
• Stick to the facts. You may need to speak to police or other first responders at the scene. When you do, stick to facts, like your contact information and what you saw or felt. Don’t say you were at fault for the crash, even if you think you might have been. The complete story may be very different from your instincts right after a collision. 
• Get medical attention. Get medical attention immediately for any injuries. If your injuries are severe, this step should come before gathering information or speaking to the police. Even if you don’t think you have serious injuries, see a doctor as soon as you can after the accident. Some car crash injuries don’t become obvious until after the shock wears off. 
• Report the crash. Report the incident to your insurance company as soon as you can. Just like with police, stick to the facts when talking to your insurer. 
• Speak to an experienced New Jersey accident lawyer. An attorney can answer your questions and help ensure your rights are protected as the crash investigation proceeds. Even if you decide not to hire an attorney right away, speaking to a lawyer can help you understand what to do next – and an initial consultation is often free.

At Petrillo & Goldberg, our dedicated New Jersey car accident attorneys understand how life-changing a crash can be. You began your day expecting your plans to proceed as usual – and you ended the day in a new reality, your life turned upside-down. 

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Contact us today. We’ll schedule you for a free, confidential consultation with one of our attorneys.