Cherry Hill is an active township in Camden County and no stranger to car accidents. With a population of over 70,000 residents and its proximity to major highways like Interstate 295 and Route 38, vehicle crashes happen all the time.
But where exactly do most of these accidents take place within Cherry Hill? In this blog post, we’ll look at the hotspots for collisions and explore factors that contribute to these incidents. If you’ve been involved in an accident, a Cherry Hill car accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process.
Where Most Car Accidents Occur in Cherry Hill
Car accidents can happen anywhere in Cherry Hill, but most occur in these locations:
Major Intersections and Roads
One of the primary locations where car accidents frequently occur in Cherry Hill is at major intersections and along busy roads. Here are some of the most accident-prone areas:
- Route 70 and Springdale Road: This intersection sees a high volume of traffic due to its proximity to the Cherry Hill Mall and numerous shopping centers. The combination of congested lanes, impatient drivers, and distracted shoppers often leads to rear-end collisions and side-impact crashes.
- Route 38 and Church Road: Route 38 is a major east-west thoroughfare that runs through Cherry Hill, connecting it to neighboring towns like Moorestown and Mount Laurel. The intersection at Church Road is particularly hazardous due to its unusual configuration and heavy traffic flow. Accidents here often involve vehicles turning left across oncoming traffic.
- Brace Road and Kresson Road: This intersection, located near the Cherry Hill West High School, experiences increased traffic during school drop-off and pick-up times. The combination of inexperienced teenage drivers, pedestrians, and congestion can result in collisions.
- Kings Highway and Chapel Avenue: Kings Highway is a busy north-south road that runs through the heart of Cherry Hill. The intersection at Chapel Avenue is known for its high accident rate, particularly during rush hour, when drivers are more likely to engage in aggressive maneuvers like running red lights or making unsafe lane changes.
Parking Lots and Shopping Centers
While intersections and roadways are common sites for car accidents, never overlook the dangers posed by parking lots and shopping centers.
Cherry Hill is home to numerous retail establishments, including the Cherry Hill Mall, Garden State Park, and Market Place at Garden State Park. These areas often have low-speed collisions, particularly during peak shopping times.
Some common accident scenarios in parking lots include:
- Backing out of parking spaces: Drivers may fail to check their surroundings properly before reversing, leading to collisions with passing vehicles or pedestrians.
- Distracted driving: Motorists navigating parking lots may be preoccupied with finding a space, checking their phones, or conversing with passengers, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Pedestrian incidents: With shoppers walking to and from their vehicles, there’s a heightened risk of pedestrian-vehicle collisions in parking lots. Drivers may fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or back out of spaces without checking for people walking behind their cars.
Residential Neighborhoods
While perhaps not as frequent as accidents on major roads or in commercial areas, collisions in residential neighborhoods are still a concern in Cherry Hill.
These incidents often involve:
- Speeding: Drivers who exceed the posted speed limit on residential streets put themselves and others at risk. Higher speeds reduce reaction times and increase the severity of impacts.
- Failure to yield: Accidents can occur when drivers fail to yield the right-of-way at stop signs or when entering or exiting driveways. This is particularly problematic on streets with parked cars that obscure visibility.
Contributing Factors
While location plays a significant role in car accidents in Cherry Hill, other underlying factors contribute to these incidents:
- Distracted driving: Using cell phones, eating, grooming, or engaging in other non-driving activities while behind the wheel can significantly increase the risk of accidents.
- Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a leading cause of serious and fatal crashes. Impaired drivers have slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and difficulty maintaining control of their vehicles.
- Speeding: Exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for conditions (such as during inclement weather) reduces a driver’s ability to react to hazards and increases the likelihood and severity of crashes.
- Aggressive driving: Tailgating, weaving through traffic, running red lights, and other aggressive behaviors contribute to accidents by creating unpredictable and dangerous situations on the road.
- Failure to yield: Disregarding traffic signals, stop signs, or the right-of-way of other vehicles or pedestrians can result in collisions at intersections and in parking lots.
- Poor road conditions: Potholes, inadequate signage, malfunctioning traffic lights, and other infrastructure issues can contribute to accidents, particularly if drivers are not cautious or aware of the hazards.
What to Do If You’re Involved in an Accident
Car accidents can happen anywhere.
If you find yourself involved in a collision in Cherry Hill:
- Check for injuries: Assess yourself and your passengers for any injuries and call 911 if medical attention is needed.
- Move to a safe location: If possible, move your vehicle to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot to avoid creating additional hazards for other motorists.
- Call the police: Even if the accident seems minor, it’s important to have a police report filed for insurance purposes and to document the incident.
- Exchange information: Gather the names, contact information, and insurance details of the other drivers involved, as well as the contact information of any witnesses.
- Document the scene: Take photos of the damage to the vehicles, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries. These can be valuable evidence for insurance claims or legal proceedings.
- Seek legal advice: If you’ve been injured or believe the other driver was at fault, consider consulting with a personal injury attorney who can help protect your rights and pursue compensation for your losses.
Why Should I Consult a Lawyer if I Suffered Injuries in a Cherry Hill Car Accident?
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Cherry Hill, seeking legal representation is advisable and essential to protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve. Here are some key reasons why hiring a lawyer after a car accident in Cherry Hill can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Navigating the Legal System
One of the primary reasons to hire a lawyer after a car accident is to help you navigate the complex legal system. Personal injury law encompasses car accident cases and can be intricate and challenging to understand without proper legal training.
An experienced Cherry Hill car accident attorney will have a deep understanding of the relevant laws, procedures, and deadlines involved in pursuing a claim. They can guide you through the process, handle the necessary paperwork, and ensure your case is adequately presented to insurance companies and the court.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Another critical reason to hire a lawyer is to level the playing field when dealing with insurance companies.
After a car accident, you’ll likely need to communicate with your own insurance provider and possibly the other driver’s insurer as well. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts and protect their company’s bottom line, which means they may try to settle your claim for less than it’s worth or even deny it altogether.
A skilled car accident lawyer can handle these negotiations on your behalf, advocating for your interests and ensuring that you receive fair compensation for your losses.
Investigating Your Case
To build a strong case and maximize your chances of success, you need a thorough investigation of your car accident. This may involve gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, medical records, and expert opinions.
A lawyer can handle this investigation process for you, using their resources and knowledge to uncover crucial details that support your claim. They may also work with accident reconstruction specialists or other experts to demonstrate how the collision occurred and who was at fault.
Assessing Your Damages
One of the most challenging aspects of a car accident case is determining the full extent of your damages. This includes not only the immediate costs like medical bills and vehicle repairs but also future expenses and intangible losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
An experienced Cherry Hill car accident lawyer can help you assess the true value of your claim, considering factors that you may not have considered on your own. This ensures that you pursue the full compensation you’re entitled to rather than settling for an amount that doesn’t adequately cover your losses.
Representing You in Court
While many car accident cases are resolved through settlement negotiations, some may require litigation to achieve a fair outcome. Having a skilled lawyer by your side is essential if your case goes to trial. They can prepare your case, present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and argue on your behalf before a judge and jury.
A strong courtroom presence and persuasive argumentation can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case, and an experienced lawyer will know how to effectively advocate for your interests.
Allowing You to Focus on Recovery
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if you’ve been injured. By hiring a lawyer to handle your case, you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery while they take care of the legal details.
You need this peace of mind as you work to get your life back on track after a collision. Your lawyer can inform you about the progress of your case and handle the day-to-day tasks, allowing you to prioritize your health and well-being.
Avoiding Costly Mistakes
Navigating a car accident claim without legal representation can lead to costly mistakes that may harm your case. For example, you may inadvertently admit fault, sign away your rights, or accept a settlement offer that doesn’t fully compensate you for your losses.
A lawyer can help you avoid these pitfalls by advising you on what to say (and what not to say) to insurance adjusters, reviewing any documents before you sign them, and ensuring that any settlement offers are fair and comprehensive.
Providing Objectivity and Support
After a car accident, it’s natural to feel emotional and overwhelmed. This can cloud your judgment and make it difficult to make sound decisions about your case. A lawyer can provide an objective perspective, explaining your options and make informed choices based on your best interests.
They can also offer support and guidance throughout the process, answering your questions, addressing your concerns, and helping you feel more confident and in control of your situation.
Maximizing Your Compensation
Ultimately, one of the most compelling reasons to hire a lawyer after a car accident in Cherry Hill is to maximize your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve. An experienced attorney will know how to build a strong case, negotiate effectively with insurance companies, and pursue all available avenues for recovery.
This may include compensation for your medical bills and property damage, lost wages, future medical costs, pain and suffering, and other damages. Having a skilled advocate on your side can ensure you receive the full value of your claim and the resources you need to move forward after a collision.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer You Can Trust
Car accidents can happen anywhere in Cherry Hill. If you suffered injuries in a Cherry Hill car crash, consider discussing your case with a lawyer you can trust. Consulting a lawyer after a car accident can significantly impact the outcome of your case.
From navigating the legal system and dealing with insurance companies to investigating your case, assessing your damages, and representing you in court, an experienced attorney can provide invaluable support and advocacy throughout the process.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Cherry Hill, don’t hesitate to contact the Cherry Hill personal injury lawyers at Rothenberg Law Firm LLP to protect your rights and pursue the justice you deserve. Contact us today at (800) 624-8888 or through our online form for your free, no-obligation consultation.
