1 Injured in Crash Involving Median on Garden State Parkway
Hitting a median can result in a serious crash. Such an accident can involve multiple vehicles and serious injuries.
A Newark man was seriously injured in a multi-vehicle crash after losing control of his Mercedes-Benz and crossing into oncoming traffic on the Garden State Parkway in Union County.
The crash occurred on the morning of August 20 on the southbound Parkway near milepost 136.8 in Union Township. A 35-year-old man was traveling south in a Mercedes-Benz when he lost control of the vehicle. The Mercedes struck the left guardrail before crossing the median area and entering the northbound lanes.
The Mercedes then collided with a Nissan and a Kia SUV traveling north. The impact caused the Kia to collide with a Honda SUV.
The man was ejected from the Mercedes and suffered serious injuries. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Several other people were also injured. The Kia’s driver, along with the Nissan’s driver and two passengers, suffered minor injuries and were taken to a hospital. The Honda’s driver also sustained minor injuries. No additional injuries were reported. The crash remains under investigation.
Dangers of Losing Control of a Vehicle
The incident illustrates how quickly a loss of vehicle control can turn into a serious wrong-way or crossover crash, particularly on a busy highway where vehicles are traveling at high speeds. Losing control of a vehicle can turn a routine drive into a serious crash within seconds.
Some of the most serious dangers include:
- Crossing into oncoming traffic: A vehicle that drifts or slides across the median can collide head-on with approaching vehicles. These crashes can cause severe or fatal injuries because of the combined speed and force of the vehicles.
- Rollover crashes: Sudden steering, excessive speed or leaving the roadway can cause a vehicle to roll over, particularly SUVs, trucks and other vehicles with higher centers of gravity.
- Secondary collisions: A vehicle that loses control may hit several other vehicles, as in a chain-reaction crash.
- Guardrail and fixed-object impacts: Guardrails, medians, trees, utility poles and other stationary objects can produce significant forces when struck at high speed.
- Ejection: Occupants who are not properly restrained may be thrown from a vehicle during a rollover or high-impact collision. Ejection substantially increases the risk of catastrophic or fatal injuries.
- Head and brain injuries: Sudden impacts can cause traumatic brain injuries, even when the victim does not immediately lose consciousness.
- Pedestrian and roadside dangers: A driver who loses control may leave the roadway and strike pedestrians, bicyclists, construction workers or people near the shoulder.
Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Multi-vehicle crashes can be caused by a number of factors. Hitting a median or other object is one way to cause collisions with multiple other vehicles.
In a crash? Get the legal help you need from a Morristown car accident attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff. Our legal team has more than 40 years of experience helping clients to recover the compensation they need and deserve for car accident injuries. Schedule a consultation today by filling out the online form or calling (973) 455-1567.
Source:
newjersey.news12.com/2026/08/20/overturned-vehicle-crash-backs-up-traffic-for-miles-on-garden-state-parkway-in-clark/7AxKg3VFC3bM2m9tdUK1R1
