Intersections are where the most serious car crashes happen — T-bone (side-impact) collisions and left-turn accidents that often cause severe injuries. And they’re where fault is most hotly disputed, because the whole case usually comes down to one question: who had the right of way? Understanding New Jersey’s right-of-way rules is the key to understanding these cases.
New Jersey’s right-of-way rules
The governing principles come from N.J.S.A. 39:4-90 and related statutes:
- Approaching an intersection — the driver who reaches and enters an open intersection first generally has the right of way; when two arrive about the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
- Left turns — a driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic that’s close enough to be a hazard. The left-turning driver is very often (though not always) found at fault.
- Controlled intersections — signals and stop signs dictate priority, and running them shifts fault.
How fault really gets proven
Because each driver typically blames the other, intersection cases are built on objective evidence:
- The physical evidence — points of impact, vehicle damage, and debris that show the geometry of the crash.
- Traffic-signal timing and witnesses — who had the green, who had the stop sign.
- Camera footage — intersection, business, doorbell, and dashcam video, which can be decisive but is often overwritten quickly.
- The police report and any citations — a ticket for running a red light or failure to yield is powerful, though not the last word.
Why these crashes are so serious
Side-impact T-bone collisions hit the occupant compartment directly, with less crumple zone protecting the people inside. The result is frequently severe — spinal injuries, head injuries, and broken bones. The severity is exactly why establishing fault precisely matters so much.
Shared fault, thresholds, and coverage
New Jersey’s comparative-negligence rule means fault can be split — and you can still recover as long as you weren’t more at fault than the other driver, with damages reduced by your share. The verbal threshold may govern pain-and-suffering recovery, PIP covers initial medical bills, and UM/UIM coverage matters if the at-fault driver is underinsured. The usual after-crash steps apply — with extra urgency on preserving intersection video.
Hurt in an intersection or left-turn crash? Don’t let them pin it on you
When both drivers blame each other, the evidence decides — and securing it early is everything. If you were injured in an intersection collision anywhere in New Jersey, we’ll establish who actually had the right of way. The consultation is free.
Part of our complete guide: For every related New Jersey offense, claim, and defense in one place, see our NJ Car Accident Guide.