Top 10 Vehicles Involved in Fatal Crashes by Make in New Jersey

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Accidents that end with a fatality are unfortunate circumstances that have become too common across the nation.

Distracted driving has continued to contribute to an increase in these events, leading to fatalities that can cause devastation among a family.

In this instance, a young man became distracted and ran through a red light, causing an accident that injured eight people and took the life of a 13-year-old girl.

Unfortunately, the driver of the vehicle was her older brother, and it’s believed he was using his mobile device to navigate when he failed to notice the red light.

Whenever any accident that results in a fatality occurs, the death is classified into one of two different types of loss. The difference often comes from how the injured party passed away; there are sudden death fatalities and eventual death fatalities.

Sudden death fatalities are a car crash fatality where the individual dies immediately after being involved in the accident or crash. This fatality type is linked to accidents from reckless driving, excessive speeding, or larger cars hitting smaller cars.

Eventual death fatalities, on the other hand, occur when the individual involved passed away at a later time. This fatality is often linked to injuries or complications that arise due to the crash. It can be difficult to categorize these since any car accident can lead to a fatality of this nature.

It can be difficult to classify this kind of death since any car crash can lead to a fatality of this nature.

If you are concerned for you and your car’s protection in a car crash, compare at least three to four policies today! Enter your ZIP code above to find the best auto insurance rates for you!

Distracted Driving in New Jersey

Distracted driving is considered a high-risk driving event in New Jersey, and it causes 10 percent of all fatal car crashes nationally. Each time you choose to operate your vehicle while distracted you face an increased risk of being injured or causing injury, especially in fatal accidents.

Nationally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) aggregates data about car crashes and subsequent fatalities.

The NHTSA discovered that there were almost 3,500 car crash fatalities in 2015 that were caused by distracted driving behaviors; that’s almost ten people each day that passed away due to these behaviors.

When considering distracted driving events, three main types of distracted driving are identified. There are visual, manual, and cognitive distractions, and each impairs your ability to focus on the road and operate your car safely.

Each of these distractions can occur on their own, or they can happen in combination with another type of distraction, increasing the amount of risk you experience as the distractions increase.

• Visual Distractions – Adjusting your radio, looking in the back seat, or checking your phone are all examples of a visual distraction. These distractions may seem easy to juggle, but they can pull your visual focus from the road long enough to cause an accident.
• Manual Distractions – Reaching into your backpack to find your wallet, eating lunch on your way, or even texting on your phone are examples of manual distractions. These physical interactions can split your focus, possibly causing your reaction time to be reduced.
• Cognitive Distractions – Loud sounds from another car, your phone ringing unexpectedly, or even stressful thoughts can all be classified as cognitive distractions. Each of these can reduce your mental clarity momentarily, lowering your ability to make split-second decisions and increase your risk of being in a crash.

– Distracted Driving in New Jersey

New Jersey experiences many distracted driving accidents each year. Luckily, not every accident results in a fatality.

In many instances, the distracted driver can still be injured and require medical attention; distracted driving is the top cause of crashes in New Jersey.

For the sixth year in a row, New Jersey’s Division of Highway Traffic Safety analysis of auto accidents shows that distracted driving is responsible for more fatalities in car crashes than alcohol.

Top 10 Vehicles Involved in Fatal Crashes in New Jersey

(Click here for interactive chart)

While every car can be included in a car accident that leads to a fatality, it’s important to pay attention to the type of vehicle you purchase. Some vehicles are more likely to be involved in car crashes compared to other cars, and this risk jumps up when driving distracted.

Below are the top ten vehicle makes involved in fatal crashes in New Jersey.

#10 – GMC

Established: July 22, 1911
Vehicles Involved: 19

With a focus on trucks, commercial vehicles, and utility vehicles, GMC is a reputable automaker that has been around for over 100 years.

GMC came into being when General Motors decided to expand into newer product markets that were not being serviced by traditional automakers.

#9 – Volkswagen

Established: May 28, 1937
Vehicles Involved: 20

Often shortened to “VW,” Volkswagen is a German automotive manufacturer and is considered the largest automaker in the world.

Volkswagen means ‘people’s car‘ in German and was originally designed to answer the transportation needs of the public in Germany.

#8 – Dodge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pLX0JES-yw

Established: The early 1900s
Vehicles Involved: 26

Another automaker that has been around for more than 100 years, Dodge started out as an independent automaker that joined with Chrysler at the end of the 1920s.

Over the years, Dodge has maintained being one of the most popular car brands in the United States.

#7 – Hyundai

Established: December 29, 1967
Vehicles Involved: 35

The largest automaker in South Korea, Hyundai Motor Group is the company that manufactures Hyundai-branded cars since September 2000.

Before this, Hyundai was a larger conglomerate that split into smaller organizations, allowing Hyundai Motor Company to become the world’s fourth largest automaker.

#6 – Jeep / Kaiser-Jeep / Willys-Jeep

Established: Around 1941
Vehicles Involved: 38

Headquartered in Ohio, Jeep has undergone different company changes and branding changes over the years, including changing from a car designed for military use to a car for consumer use.

The first Jeep models were used in World War II, and then civilian models were later introduced in 1945.

#5 – Datsun / Nissan

Established: December 26, 1933
Vehicles Involved: 48

Nissan is a Japanese automaker that sells under multiple brands, including Datsun and Infiniti.

The Datsun brand was discontinued for many years before being revitalized in 2013, while the Infiniti brand is considered a luxury line.

#4 – Chevrolet

Established: November 3, 1911
Vehicles Involved: 53

Often called a “Chevy,” these cars are part of General Motors, which is based in Michigan.

The Chevy brand has been a top seller for over 100 years, developed originally to compete with the Model T during the 1920s.

#3 – Toyota

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_Ysd5jwwPY

Established: August 28, 1937
Vehicles Involved: 68

Surpassing 10 million cars produced each year, Toyota has become one of the more well-known automakers of hybrid and electric cars.

Toyota is a Japanese automaker that is currently ranked the second largest vehicle producer.

#2 – Honda

Established: September 24, 1948
Vehicles Involved: 77

The second largest automaker in Japan, Honda has been the largest manufacturer of motorcycles for over 50 years.

Honda has continued to expand their influence, especially with the introduction of their Acura luxury vehicle brand.

#1 – Ford

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOanZ9RaEB8

Established: June 16, 1903
Vehicles Involved: 95

One of the oldest automotive manufacturers in the United States, Ford Motor Company has grown to become the second-largest automaker.

Ford is the maker of the Lincoln luxury vehicle brand and has been ranked as the fifth largest automaker on a global scale.

Comparison Shop for the Right Coverage

Although car insurance cannot prevent a fatal car crash, it can help protect you and others from the losses caused by many different vehicular losses.

Additionally, other drivers may not be responsible and may not have coverage, so protecting yourself from loss should always be a priority.

You should make sure to review your insurance coverage twice per year, every six months, to verify your coverage still meets your needs. If your living situation, marital situation, or potential for loss changes, you should make an additional assessment at that time.

There are mandatory, frequently required, and optional coverage options to select when purchasing your car insurance. Mandatory and frequently required coverage can include:

• Property Damage Liability
• Bodily Injury Liability
• Personal Injury Protection
• Medical Payments Coverage
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage
• Underinsured Motorist Coverage

New Jersey has compulsory car insurance laws in place, meaning you will be required to purchase coverage that meets these guidelines.

Additionally, you can choose to carry optional coverage that helps protect your property and helps you recover after a loss. These coverage options include:

• Collision coverage
• Comprehensive coverage
• Rental car reimbursement
• Emergency road service (ERS)
• Gap insurance

It’s important to speak to your insurance provider about your needs, since they can help you price out coverage to meet your risk profile. Remember that these coverage choices need to be in place before a loss occurs.

When you’re reviewing your policy, you can get quotes from three or four other providers to compare pricing and coverage options. Every provider is different, so this allows you to assess what your provider offers compared to others.

You can choose to switch to a different provider if you find a policy that better suits your needs and your budget.

Tips to Avoid Fatal Car Accidents in New Jersey

Anytime you choose to operate a vehicle, your main priority is operating that vehicle safely. If you cannot commit to doing this at the time, you should rethink driving until you can remove the distractions and drive with your full focus on the road.

Following some helpful tips can help lower your risk of being involved in a fatal car crash:

• Avoid texting and driving
• Only use hands-free systems for phone conversations
• Set your radio or music preference before getting on the road
• Secure any pets or loose objects
• Avoid eating and drinking while driving
• Check your directions before getting on the road
• Check your mirrors and adjust your seat first
• Remain calm and drive logically

New Jersey encourages drivers to operate their vehicles in a safe, responsible, and courteous manner, which helps keep drivers, passengers, and pedestrians safe.

Aggressive driving habits, tailgating, and driving over posted speed limits all contribute to unsafe driving conditions. When this is combined with distracted driving, the roads can be a hazardous place for every driver.

Conclusion

New Jersey experiences a lot of fatal car accidents each year, many involving pedestrians. Even with actions taken by traffic safety offices, reducing the number of accidents caused by distracted driving is difficult.

Remember to stay focused on your surroundings and make safe, reasonable driving decisions.

Additionally, participating in New Jersey’s annual “Put the Brakes on Fatalities” day can help raise awareness and reduce the number of casualties, at least for one day.

Looking to better protect your car in case of an accident? Enter your ZIP code below and start comparison shopping today!