A single-vehicle crash in Manalapan has claimed the lives of two young men. The motor vehicle accident occurred last Saturday just south of Smallwood Lane near the Monmouth Heights residential development.
Monmouth County police responded to a call at 9:31 p.m. on Route 9 north of Manalapan, where the driver of a 2004 Infiniti G35 driving north on the highway lost control of his vehicle and left the road. The vehicle hit a curb, a guardrail and a utility pole before coming to a stop in a wooded area approximately 100 yards from its point of departure from the road.
The driver, Jonathan Ramirez, 20 was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The passenger, Justin Rochford, 20, died at the scene. The accident is under investigation.
Winter weather conditions contribute to serious accidents
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) estimates that nearly 1,235,000 vehicular accidents are weather-related each year. That number represents 21% of all accidents, causing over 418,000 injuries and more than 5,000 fatalities annually.
While most of these crashes happen on wet pavement and during rainfall, close to 20% occur with road conditions involving snow and sleet. Winter weather creates road conditions such as icy, snowy or slushy pavement, high winds and fog, that can impact a driver’s response time and ability to maneuver.
The combination of high speeds and reduced visibility can be deadly. Heavy rainfall can reduce average speeds by as much as 16%, and in heavy snow, up to 40%. Low visibility can reduce speeds by an additional 10-12%. Drivers who speed during adverse weather conditions are at higher risk of delayed response time and losing control of the vehicle.
What happens if you are in an accident in New Jersey
New Jersey drivers need to remember what to do if they are in a motor vehicle accident. Reporting the incident, exchanging information with the other driver, taking photos of the damage, giving an accurate description of the event to the officer, contacting your insurance company and seeking medical attention are all important.
If the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, it is possible to pursue a claim. In order to recover compensation, however, the claimant must prove that the other party bears greater fault for causing the accident. It helps to have the assistance of a seasoned personal injury attorney who can make sure that you receive the maximum amount for your claim.