New Jersey Trucking Accident Statistics
New Jersey ranks 19th nationally in large truck crash fatalities, recording approximately 88 deaths annually. New Jersey is home to Port Newark-Elizabeth — the 3rd busiest container port in the United States — generating enormous commercial truck traffic on I-78, I-95, and the New Jersey Turnpike. The state's dense highway network and position between New York City and Philadelphia creates some of the most congested freight corridors on the East Coast.
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New Jersey ranks 19th nationally — 88 people die in large truck crashes every year, driven by Port Newark traffic and the East Coast freight corridor.
Port Newark-Elizabeth is the 3rd busiest container port in the United States, generating enormous commercial truck traffic on I-78, I-95, and the New Jersey Turnpike.
The New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) is one of the busiest freight corridors in the United States, carrying enormous commercial truck volumes between New York City and Philadelphia.
5-Year Trend (2019–2023)
Source: FMCSA Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts
| Year | Fatal Crashes | Fatalities | Injury Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 76 | 83 | 3,600 |
| 2020 | 74 | 81 | 3,400 |
| 2021 | 84 | 91 | 3,700 |
| 2022 | 81 | 89 | 3,800 |
| 2023 | 80 | 88 | 3,900 |
Data: FMCSA Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts, NHTSA FARS
Most Dangerous Trucking Corridors in New Jersey
Annual commercial vehicle crash estimates — source: state DOT and FMCSA data
Top Contributing Factors in New Jersey
New Jersey's extreme traffic congestion — particularly near Port Newark and the New York metro area — creates elevated crash risk for commercial vehicles.
Stop-and-go traffic near Port Newark-Elizabeth creates elevated rear-end crash risk for commercial vehicles on I-78 and I-95.
New Jersey's position on the East Coast's primary freight corridor contributes to above-average fatigue rates.
Rural sections of the New Jersey Turnpike see elevated speeding-related commercial vehicle crashes.
Source: FMCSA Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts, state DOT reports. Percentages represent share of fatal crashes where factor was cited.
Key Facts for New Jersey
- New Jersey ranks #19 nationally in large truck crash fatalities
- Port Newark-Elizabeth is the 3rd busiest container port in the United States
- The New Jersey Turnpike is one of the busiest freight corridors in the nation
- New Jersey uses modified comparative fault — you can recover if less than 51% at fault
- New Jersey's 2-year statute of limitations is strictly enforced
- New Jersey's position between NYC and Philadelphia creates some of the most congested freight corridors on the East Coast
New Jersey Legal Quick Reference
Evidence in trucking cases — including black box data, ELD records, and driver logs — can be destroyed within days. Contact a New Jersey trucking accident attorney immediately after an accident.
Find a New Jersey Trucking Accident Attorney
Browse our directory of experienced trucking accident attorneys across New Jersey's major cities. All attorneys listed focus specifically on commercial trucking accident cases.
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New Jersey records thousands of large truck crashes annually. The FMCSA's Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts reports provide annual state-level data. Our directory covers 0 cities in New Jersey with 0 attorney profiles to help victims find qualified legal representation.