Tractor-trailers, dump trucks, delivery trucks, and other large vehicles are often seen on the roads and highways of New Jersey. While these rigs do important jobs that help people and communities get the goods or services they need, they can also pose serious risks to other drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Accidents involving large commercial vehicles can be some of the deadliest.

According to records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, many people are killed in New Jersey in these crashes every year. Between 2013 and 2017, the state saw an up-and-down pattern in the number of these fatalities starting with 60 in 2013 and then a jump to 74 in 2014. The following year saw a drop to 50 but then another increase in 2016 to 57 deaths. In 2017, 54 people lost their lives in large truck accidents.

In looking at northern New Jersey and Passaic County and the counties that border it, Burlington County experienced the highest number of truck accident deaths during these five years. A total of 23 fatalities were recorded there. In Morris County and Essex County, 19 and 16 truck fatalities were recorded. Together, Passaic and Sussex Counties lost nine lives in these crashes over the five years. Statewide, Burlington County tied with Middlesex County as the locations with the greatest number of truck fatalities.

If you would like to learn more about the steps you should take to protect yourself or your loved ones after a crash involving a semi-truck or other commercial vehicle, please feel free to visit the large truck accident assistance page of our New Jersey personal injury website.