North Jersey is covered with highways where drivers are known for their aggressiveness and willingness to exceed the speed limit. However, the most dangerous part of the journey often occurs when a car, truck or motorcycle is trying to get on or off the highway. Motorcycles are particularly vulnerable when a motorist takes a ramp at too high a speed and there is no way to evade getting hit.
One example of this danger occurred when a collision involving a car and motorcycle occurred on the exit ramp to Essex Street from Route 17 South in Maywood. In the accident, biker Daniel Wenzel of Pennsylvania was killed. While the circumstances leading to the fatal crash were not known at the time, accidents on exit ramps can be caused by many factors, such as:
- Sharp turns — Many exit ramps include sharp turns that can catch drivers off guard, especially if they are traveling at high speeds. Drivers and motorcyclists must adjust to safely navigate these curves
- Speed reduction — Vehicle operators usually have to reduce their speed significantly when leaving a highway. Even a split second of inattention could lead to a dangerous loss of control.
- Merging traffic — Exit ramps often require vehicles to merge into slower traffic. This creates opportunities for a collision with a motorcycle, because it is more likely to get lost in a driver’s blind spot than a car or truck.
- Sudden lane changes —Drivers who realize too late that they need to exit may make sudden, unsafe lane changes, increasing the risk of a crash. Moreover, bikers might not be able to swerve safely if a car unexpectedly enters their space.
- Driver distractions — Sometimes, a motorist who leaves the highway is not focused on the road, but what their next turn should be, or where to find the nearest restaurant or gas station.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident on an exit ramp or anywhere else, you need an attorney who has achieved successful results for New Jersey clients who have suffered serious injuries, or lost family members, due to careless car and truck drivers. Having recovered more than $500 million for plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death claims, Seigel Law has the skill and experience you deserve. For a free consultation, please call 201-444-4000 or contact us online. Our office is in Ridgewood.