Key Takeaways
- Hazlet car accident lawyers at Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, bring proven credentials, and attorney William P. Mikita earned Super Lawyers selection in 2015 through 2018 and again in 2022 through 2025.
- Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, offers a free consultation, and New Jersey court rules cap injury contingency fees at 33⅓% of the first $750,000 recovered.
- Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, maintains an office at 1301 Highway 36 in Hazlet, directly on the corridor.
- Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, has a proven record of success with verdicts and settlements for motor vehicle cases ranging from $92,500 to $1.2 million. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Route 36 is one of Hazlet’s busiest, riskiest roads moving Shore traffic, commuters, and local drivers through the township every day. Understanding the causes of car accidents on this highway helps drivers protect themselves and their legal rights.
Why Route 36 Sees So Many Crashes
Two major highways, Route 35 and Route 36, run through Hazlet, and Garden State Parkway Exit 117 feeds both. The New Jersey Department of Transportation sets the speed limit at 50 miles per hour along Route 36 in the township, yet drivers also navigate jughandles at Laurel Avenue and Union Avenue, traffic signals, and busy driveways.
The numbers show the danger. Monmouth County recorded 53 crash deaths in 2024, including 21 pedestrians, according to preliminary New Jersey State Police data. On December 8, 2024, a driver struck and killed a pedestrian at Route 36 and Union Avenue.
The Most Common Causes of Hazlet Car Accidents
Police statements and local crash reports point to several repeat causes:
- Distracted driving: It was reported that 42% of crashes in New Jersey in 2024 involved a distracted driver, resulting in 175 deaths and 1,500 serious injuries.
- Speeding: Speed contributes to about one-third of New Jersey traffic deaths, and higher speeds leave drivers less time to react at signals and jughandles.
- Turning and jughandle conflicts: Navigating congested jughandles in Hazlet is problematic. In September 2021, a motorcyclist died after crashing into a Subaru at the Laurel Avenue jughandle.
- Impaired driving: In 2024, it was reported that 32.5% of drivers in New Jersey fatal crashes had been drinking, and the Monmouth County DWI Task Force has repeatedly set up checkpoints on Route 36 in Hazlet.
Who Is Liable When Multiple Drivers Share Fault?
New Jersey follows modified comparative negligence. A court or jury assigns each driver a percentage of fault, and an injured person recovers damages only with 50% or less of the fault. The court then reduces the award by that percentage. For example, a driver with 20% of the fault who wins $100,000 receives $80,000. A driver with 51% or more of the fault recovers nothing.
What to Do if You Are Injured on Route 36
- Call 911 and seek medical care right away, even for pain that seems minor.
- Photograph the vehicles, the road, and any jughandle or signal involved.
- Collect names and contact details from witnesses.
- Decline a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer until you speak with a lawyer.
- Start your claim early, because New Jersey sets a two-year deadline for most injury lawsuits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in New Jersey?
Most personal injury lawsuits require filing within two years of the crash. A claim against a government entity requires a Tort Claims Notice within 90 days.
Can I recover compensation if I share fault for the crash?
Yes, as long as your share of fault stays at 50% or less. Your award shrinks by your percentage of fault.
Who pays my medical bills after a Route 36 crash?
New Jersey no-fault rules require your own personal injury protection coverage to pay your medical expenses first, regardless of who caused the crash.
Hazlet Car Accident Lawyers at Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, Will Fight for Your Recovery
If you were injured on Route 36, you do not need to face the insurance companies alone. The experienced Hazlet car accident lawyers at Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, will review your case and advise you about your legal options. Visit our website or call us today at 732-705-3363 to schedule a free consultation. We have offices in Piscataway and Hazlet, NJ, and we serve clients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.