Summer in New Jersey means road trips, family vacations, weekends down the Shore, and heavier traffic on virtually every major roadway. From the Garden State Parkway heading South to Route 1, the New Jersey Turnpike, and local shore routes packed with vacationers, the risk of serious motor vehicle crashes increases significantly during the summer months.
Unfortunately, some of the most devastating crashes involve impaired drivers.
Late nights at shore bars, restaurants, beach clubs, and summer parties often lead to an increase in drunk driving crashes—leaving innocent drivers and passengers with life-changing injuries. In some cases, the drunk driver is not the only party that may be legally responsible.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a summer crash, it is important to understand what to do immediately after the collision—and whether someone beyond the at-fault driver may share responsibility.
Why Summer Driving in New Jersey Can Be More Dangerous
Summer creates a perfect storm for serious roadway crashes:
The Jersey Shore in particular becomes a hotspot for dangerous driving during the summer.
Popular destinations like Belmar, Point Pleasant, Seaside Heights, Asbury Park, Long Branch, Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Wildwood attract thousands of visitors each weekend. More nightlife often means more impaired drivers on the road—especially during late-night and early-morning hours.
Drunk Driving Crashes Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries
Drunk driving crashes are rarely minor.
Alcohol impairs judgment, slows reaction time, reduces coordination, and increases reckless decision-making. The result can be devastating collisions, including:
Victims may suffer:
Even when the drunk driver is clearly at fault, that may not end the legal analysis.
Can a Bar or Restaurant Be Held Responsible for a Drunk Driving Crash?
Possibly.
Under New Jersey law, bars, restaurants, and other licensed establishments that serve alcohol may be held responsible in certain circumstances when they serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or an underage individual who later causes a crash.
These are commonly referred to as dram shop claims.
These cases often require immediate investigation because critical evidence can disappear quickly, including:
The sooner an investigation begins, the better the chance of preserving evidence that could make a significant difference in the case.
What to Do Immediately After a Summer Car Accident
If you suspect the other driver is impaired, notify law enforcement immediately.
Signs of impairment may include:
A police investigation can be critical.
Adrenaline can mask pain after a crash.
Serious injuries such as concussions, spinal injuries, or internal trauma may not be immediately obvious. Prompt medical treatment protects both your health and your claim.
If you are physically able:
Insurance adjusters often move quickly after serious crashes.
What you say early in the claim can be used against you later.
This is especially important in drunk driving and dram shop cases where evidence may disappear within days.
Summer Travel Can Create Insurance Coverage Complications
Summer crashes often involve complicated insurance issues, including:
A serious crash may involve multiple insurance policies and potentially multiple responsible parties.
That is why early investigation matters.
Injured in a New Jersey Summer Car Accident? Contact Bhaveen Jani Today
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a New Jersey car accident this summer—whether caused by a distracted driver, drunk driver, or potentially a bar or restaurant that overserved alcohol—you should act quickly to protect your rights.
Drunk driving accident claims and dram shop cases often require immediate investigation to preserve evidence and identify every potentially responsible party.
I represent injured victims throughout New Jersey and prepare every case as if it is going to trial from day one.
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