Car Accident Lawyers Serving Injured Victims in Princeton, NJ
Injuries and accidents in Princeton are commonplace, despite the many reasons that thousands of people seek out its charm, cultural, historical, medical, and educational advantages and amenities. If you suffered injuries in an accident caused by someone else in Princeton, New Jersey, you need a legal advocate who will stand by your side and pursue just compensation through legal action. At Cohen & Riechelson, our skilled attorneys are excellent strategists who can use the facts of the accident to show precisely what happened and how you were not at fault. Expert witnesses, photos, police reports, and many other sources of proof will be used to earn a favorable settlement for you. Serving Princeton and surrounding areas, we strive for fair compensation and optimal recovery for injuries suffered in an accident caused by weather conditions, driver negligence, auto part defects, poorly maintained roadways, construction areas, and more. Contact Cohen & Riechelson at (609) 528-2596 for a free case review with an accomplished Princeton NJ car accident lawyer today.
Where is Princeton NJ?
Located just south of Princeton Ridge, Princeton has a total area of 19 square miles of land and half a square mile of water. Known most for its ivy-league university of the same name, Princeton is bordered by Hopewell, Lawrence, and West Windsor Townships in Mercer County, Plainsboro and South Brunswick Townships in Middlesex County, and Franklin and Montgomery Townships in Somerset County. Princeton is equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia, with a distance of 45 miles. From Princeton Station at 152 Alexander Street, several public transportation options take you to Princeton Junction, where you can catch a train.
Princeton’s Essential Road Networks
Princeton has a total of 127 miles of roadways, most of which (118 miles) are maintained by the municipality. Mercer County and the New Jersey Department of Transportation are responsible for 3.93 miles and 8.66 miles of roadway, respectively. The major roads passing through Princeton are U.S. Route 206 and Route 27, along with county routes 583, 526, 571, and 533. Roads accessible outside the municipality are I-287, I-295, and the New Jersey Turnpike/I-95.
Correlation Between Driving Conditions and Princeton Car Accidents
The weather conditions in New Jersey can change on a dime, making inclement weather and its side effects one of the top causes of accidents. Sunny skies soon give way to thunderstorms and heavy rain. Winter rain can become sleet, freezing rain, or snow. Cold temperatures change wet roads into dangerous black ice.
Black ice is especially dangerous on exits and on-ramps, bridges, or highways. It is almost impossible to detect, especially when visibility is an issue. Freezing rain, sleet, and snow make conditions even more complicated. Black ice is often the cause of multi-vehicle accidents.
Most drivers aren’t fazed by rain while driving, but roads can become saturated, especially on the outer lanes. Only one-tenth of an inch is necessary for a car moving at 40mph to hydroplane: the tires don’t grip the road properly due to the amount of water, and the driver can lose steering and braking abilities. Head-on collisions happen frequently in these conditions on two-lane roads. Head-on collisions are the most dangerous and cause significant injuries or even fatalities.
Driving through fog is exceptionally hazardous. In fact, it is one of the weather conditions that causes the most accidents. Several-vehicle pileups can occur when visibility is low and drivers are going too fast. When there is fog, reduced visibility can make it easier to become disoriented regarding the distance between one car and another. Rear-end collisions are the most common type of accidents in fog.
Strong gusts of wind can move very light vehicles, such as motorcycles, or oversized vehicles, such as eighteen-wheelers. Bridge crossings can be potentially dangerous in high winds. Moreover, rolling trash cans, fallen tree branches, or electrical wiring can create hazardous conditions for drivers.
Inclement Weather and Negligent Driving: A Lethal Combination
Although not a weather condition, driver negligence in inclement weather is an accident waiting to happen. High speeds, frequent lane changes, ignoring traffic signals such as traffic lights and stop signs, and general aggressive driving are dangerous by themselves, but in bad weather, they could have even more dire consequences. Speeding to overtake another car, brake-checking, tailgating, swerving, crossing several lanes of traffic, and cutting someone off are aggressive behaviors that can result in an accident. A driver who is texting or looking at their phone is driving negligently. If a driver is impaired due to prescription medication, illicit substances, or alcohol, it is considered negligent.
At Cohen & Riechelson, we know how rapidly changing weather and storms can make road conditions risky. Coupled with negligent drivers, you could be seriously injured in an accident during inclement weather that could have been avoided. Our Princeton car accident lawyers know how stressful it can be when you are recovering from an accident but are watching the bills pile up. Fortunately, we are here to assist you in navigating the challenges of obtaining compensation.
A Quick Guide to Combat Weather Conditions with Safety Measures
Several safety measures can take you to your destination without calamity. Check the tread and pressure on your tires. They are the only things keeping your vehicle on the road. Bald or nearly bald tires are a hazard in good weather; the danger is compounded when the weather is terrible. Keep your headlights on, even during the day. It makes you more visible to others and improves your visibility of what is around you. Clear as much snow and ice as possible from your windows and exterior surfaces. Loose snow and ice can damage other vehicles nearby or affect their visibility, causing an accident.
In inclement weather, slow down. Take longer, slower stops and gentle starts to avoid skidding. Before bad weather starts, make sure your car is ready for it. Check your windshield wipers, headlights, and tires. Always have an emergency kit in your car with a reflective vest, triangles, jumper cables, blanket, map, car cell phone charger, and kitty litter to create traction under the tires.
Receive a Free Case Assessment from a Princeton Car Accident Attorney
Are you looking for help from a car accident lawyer in Princeton, New Jersey? Call the offices of Cohen & Rielchelson today at (609) 528-2596 or reach us online by completing the online contact form. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years, so the sooner we get started, the better. Also, this type of case is done on a contingency basis, so if we don’t win, you don’t pay. We serve clients in Princeton Ridge, Campbell Woods, Littlebrook, Queenston, Riverside, and the areas of Rosedale and Pretty Brook.
Princeton Handbook to Historical and Cultural Landmarks
Princeton has a rich history that goes as far back as 1675, when it was settled by Quaker missionaries from England. The Lenni-Lanape Indians initially inhabited the area. Its buildings became the model for many others in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Princeton received President George Washington, who gave his Farewell Orders to the Army and received news that the Treaty of Paris had been ratified, officially recognizing our country’s independence. The Princeton Battlefield Park, with over 680 acres of open fields, shady groves, and wetlands, is where visitors can visit the battlefield where General George Washington led the Battle of Princeton in 1777. Visitors can enjoy bird-watching and other fauna, such as deer and foxes.
As a member of the Ivy League, Princeton University is known worldwide for its excellence in higher learning. Tourists can learn about the historical significance of the university and its unique architecture while learning about the important historical events that took place there. The Princeton University Art Museum has selected pieces that go back to 1755. With over 113,000 works of art, it houses pieces ranging from the Byzantine Empire to modern paintings and sculptures worldwide. There is an extensive collection of Greek and Roman antiquities, some found during several of the university’s digging sites in Antioch.
Ceramics, marble, mosaics, and bronzes were found there. Medieval Europe’s contribution is that of sculpture, glass, and metalwork. Paintings from the Renaissance to the end of the 19th century and a collection of 20th-century and modern art comprise a sizable portion of the museum. The Asian art gallery displays a copious collection of Chinese jade carvings, calligraphy, porcelain, and ancient bronze works. Other collections include ancient and modern African art, prints and drawings, and photography, one of the museum’s largest and most popular collections.
Resting on five acres, the Morven Museum and Garden are located in the center of Princeton. It shares a rich cultural history with its exhibitions, educational tours, and special events. It provides another opportunity for visitors to the area to learn about our nation’s history. It was built by Richard Stockton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and was home to five New Jersey Governors.
Palmer Square has some of the best shopping and restaurants in town. This historic district was named after Edgar Palmer, who developed the area in the early 20th century. This shopping district boasts over 40 shops, boutiques, and restaurants. It is only a few steps away from Princeton University. From Ralph Lauren to Lululemon, chic clothing and accessories abound. If indulgence is what you are looking for, enchanting Lindt Chocolates, Halo Fete’s ice cream and sweet concoctions, and for java junkies, Rojo’s Roastery are places you don’t want to miss. Mediterranean fare, vegetarian cuisine, and an old-fashioned pub await your arrival.
Located at 112 Mercer Street, visitors can view the former home of famous scientist Albert Einstein, who resided there from 1936 until his passing in 1955. Einstein requested that his home never be used as a museum, so it remains a private residence, closed to the public. It is, however, a Historic Landmark under the protection of Mercer County.
Desirable Community Services in Princeton, NJ
Commitment to Community Welfare
Princeton is famous for the breadth of its community services. Affordable housing and homelessness programs seek to find a roof for everyone. Organizations such as Arm in Arm provide assistance for those who are homeless, are at risk of being evicted, foreclosed on, or have their utilities suspended due to non-payment. They also have a food pantry and employment services offered to at-risk families.
Educational services include adult education, after-school programs, art and theater education, college prep and youth enrichment, early education and preschool programs, ESL classes, literacy programs, and summer youth enrichment programs.
A Hub of Healthcare Excellence
Other community services available in Princeton include senior services that provide activities such as exercise programs, wellness fairs, nutrition education, transportation services, and weekly activities. There are also several services for veterans, active military, and their families.
Previously located in Princeton proper, the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center in Plainsboro serves as a teaching hospital and major healthcare facility with 355 beds, servicing central and western New Jersey. The Penn Medicine Health System owns it, and it is a non-profit hospital.
Students at Princeton University have access to medical services such as general primary care, urgent care, sexual health and wellness, nutrition, lab and radiology exams, athletic medicine, sports injuries, and more. The university offers free mental health and wellness services, such as counseling for individuals, couples, and groups. Psychiatric consultations, mind-body programs such as meditation and relaxation, and other specialized treatments are available.
Nurturing Young Minds for Tomorrow
Princeton Public Schools have pre-kinder through twelfth grade with an enrollment of 3,470 students, 341 full-time teachers, and a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1. Community Park School, Johnson Park School, Littlebrook School, and Riverside School are elementary schools with a total of 1,308 students. Princeton Middle School, with 844 students from grades 6-8, and Princeton High School, grades 9-12, with a total enrollment of 1,318 students. According to New Jersey Monthly magazine, Princeton High School was ranked the 20th best high school in New Jersey, while U.S. News & World Report ranked it 47th in the country in 2021.
Princeton University Shaping Leaders and Scholars Since 1746
Princeton University is a private Ivy League research University. It began as the College of New Jersey in 1746 in Elizabeth, moving to Newark in 1747, and has been at its current campus since 1856. It officially became a university in 1896 and since has kept the name Princeton University. Women were not allowed to enroll until 1969.
With its residential college system, nearly 6,000 undergraduates and 3,210 graduate program students are a part of the Princeton family each year. As a research university, published works range from astrophysics to Marian miracle stories. Princeton has over 500 student organizations, and as an NCAA Division I school, its athletic program and talented athletes are nationally renowned. Highlights of the athletic department are football, basketball, soccer, baseball, lacrosse, and track and field.
Many famous people are Princeton graduates, from presidents like James Madison and Woodrow Wilson to actors like Brooke Shields and David Duchovny. Michelle Obama and Jeff Bezos are also graduates. Princeton graduates include 75 Nobel laureates, twelve U.S. Supreme Court justices, eight Secretaries of State, 217 Rhodes Scholars, many members of Congress, and two Joint Chiefs of Staff.
