MONMOUTH COUNTY, N.J. — At least six people suffered significant injuries Jan. 5 in two crashes involving 65 vehicles on the dangerously icy roadway at the intersection of Route 18 and Route 36 in Eatontown.
The first pile-up happened at 6:27 a.m. A total of 15 cars slid into each other on Route 26 west at the Route 18 ramp, according to the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office. About 10 minutes later, approximately 50 cars collided on the Route 18 ramp on Route 36 east.
Six people had to be taken to local hospitals for their injuries, and several were treated and released on scene. Victims of the pile-up accidents have not been identified.
Local officials said both crashes were caused by black ice and slick, icy road conditions, which led to several hundred accidents throughout New Jersey on Wednesday.
Commentary on the 65-car pile-up in on Rt 18 in Eatontown, NJ
Accidents involving multiple cars are often a result of incremental weather or other conditions outside the drivers’ control. From the reports provided, black ice-covered large portions of the road rendering multiple vehicles unresponsive to driver inputs.
As one might expect, accidents of this nature are difficult to decipher and require tremendous amounts of time and energy from insurance companies, attorneys, and the parties involved. My firm has been involved in multiple cases of a similar magnitude and complexity. The primary concern in these matters is distinguishing between the negligent and innocent parties. The law is designed to put innocent victims in the position they would have been in had no harm occurred, not protect the tortfeasor’s negligence. When a tortfeasor causes an accident that extends to multiple parties, the tortfeasor is liable for all foreseeable damages resulting from that accident.
I am not suggesting a single party will be responsible for footing the bill of all sixty-five cars and the respective injuries. However, trained professionals will likely spend considerable time sorting through the facts and details to ensure the responsible parties’ insurance providers make the innocent victims whole.
I extend my deepest condolences to the parties injured and hope for a full and speedy recovery. The post-accident process is often daunting, but with trained professionals on your side, recovery is possible—even in accidents of this magnitude.
Disclaimer: All information contained within this post was compiled from public sources or constitutes the author’s opinion. Please inform us immediately if you identify any false or misleading information.
