0 1 Blog Memorial Day is a time to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. It also marks the unofficial start of summer in New Jersey — a weekend filled with family gatherings, shore trips, barbecues, and heavy highway travel. For drivers in New Jersey, that combination can be dangerous. The 2026 Memorial Day travel period is expected to bring record travel numbers across the country. AAA projects that 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 21 and Monday, May 25, 2026. Most of those travelers — about 39.1 million people — are expected to travel by car. That means New Jersey drivers should prepare for heavy traffic on the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, Route 1&9, Route 22, I-78, I-80, I-287, shore routes, bridge crossings, and local roads throughout Union County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Hudson County, Bergen County, and the rest of the state. At Mintz & Geftic, we want everyone to enjoy a safe holiday weekend. But if you or a loved one is seriously injured in a crash, our New Jersey personal injury lawyers are available to help. Call or text us at 908-352-2323. When Will Memorial Day Weekend Traffic Be the Worst? The busiest travel times are expected to overlap with normal commuter traffic, which can create dangerous congestion on already crowded roads. Based on AAA and INRIX travel forecasts, drivers should expect the heaviest traffic during these periods: Thursday, May 21: Noon to 9:00 p.m. Friday, May 22: 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, May 23: Noon to 5:00 p.m. Monday, May 25: Noon to 5:00 p.m. For New Jersey specifically, the New York-to-Jersey Shore route on the southbound Garden State Parkway is expected to be especially congested on Friday afternoon. That is not surprising to anyone who has ever tried to get down the shore for Memorial Day weekend. If you can travel outside the peak windows, consider leaving later Thursday night, early Friday morning, early Saturday morning, or before 10:00 a.m. on Monday for the return trip. Why Memorial Day Weekend Creates More Crash Risk Heavy traffic does not just mean delays. It often means more sudden stops, aggressive lane changes, rear-end collisions, speeding, fatigue, distracted driving, and impaired driving. The National Safety Council estimates that 393 people may die in motor vehicle crashes during the 2026 Memorial Day holiday period, which runs from 6:00 p.m. Friday, May 22 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 25. That estimate is lower than last year’s estimate, but it is still a serious warning. The NSC also estimates that tens of thousands of people may suffer medically consulted injuries in crashes during the holiday period. In plain English: even if the national trend is moving in the right direction, Memorial Day weekend remains one of the most dangerous travel weekends of the year. The Biggest Memorial Day Weekend Driving Risks 1. Drunk and Drug-Impaired Driving Holiday weekends often involve alcohol, parties, restaurants, barbecues, boating, and late-night travel. That combination can be deadly. NHTSA reports that alcohol-impaired driving remains involved in about 30% of all traffic fatalities nationwide. During the 2024 Memorial Day holiday period, the NSC reported that 38% of traffic fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver. Drivers should plan ahead before the first drink — not after. Use a designated driver, rideshare, taxi, train, hotel, or another safe option. If someone is impaired, do not let them drive. 2. Seat Belt and Child Restraint Violations New Jersey’s 2026 “Click It or Ticket” campaign runs during the Memorial Day travel period. State and local law enforcement agencies are focusing on seat belt use, child passenger safety, and dangerous driving behaviors. Seat belts save lives, but only when people use them. Everyone in the vehicle should buckle up on every trip, including back-seat passengers. Children should be in the proper car seat, booster seat, or seat belt based on age, height, and size. Under New Jersey law, drivers and passengers must wear seat belts, and drivers are responsible for making sure passengers under 18 are properly restrained. 3. Distracted Driving A quick text, GPS adjustment, playlist change, or glance at a notification can be enough to cause a serious crash. Distracted driving is especially dangerous during holiday travel because drivers are often navigating unfamiliar roads, looking for exits, dealing with passengers, and reacting to sudden congestion. Put the phone away before you start driving. If you need to check directions, pull over safely or let a passenger handle navigation. 4. Speeding and Aggressive Driving Speeding rarely saves much time in holiday traffic. It does, however, increase crash force, reduce reaction time, and make injuries more severe. Aggressive driving can be especially common when roads are crowded and drivers are frustrated. Tailgating, weaving through traffic, cutting off other vehicles, and racing to beat lights can turn a normal delay into a life-changing crash. 5. Fatigue and Long-Distance Driving Many Memorial Day trips begin after work or continue late into the night. Tired drivers can be just as dangerous as impaired drivers. Fatigue slows reaction time and makes it harder to stay focused during long stretches of highway driving. Before a long drive, get rest, take breaks, share driving if possible, and do not try to “push through” if you are struggling to stay awake. Common Memorial Day Weekend Accident Cases in New Jersey Holiday weekend injury cases can involve much more than a typical fender-bender. Mintz & Geftic handles serious injury claims throughout New Jersey, including cases involving: Car accidents Truck accidents Motorcycle accidents Uber and Lyft crashes Pedestrian accidents Bicycle accidents Rear-end collisions Multi-vehicle highway crashes Drunk driving crashes Distracted driving crashes Work-related motor vehicle accidents Construction and roadway work zone accidents Serious injuries from unsafe properties, falls, pools, grills, or holiday gatherings Many of these cases involve complicated insurance issues. A crash may involve PIP benefits, liability insurance, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, commercial insurance, rideshare coverage, workers’ compensation, or claims against more than one responsible party. That is one reason it is important to speak with an experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyer after a serious accident. What Should You Do After a Memorial Day Weekend Crash in NJ? If you are involved in a crash over Memorial Day weekend, the steps you take early can protect both your health and your legal rights. 1. Call 911 Report the crash and request medical help if anyone may be injured. A police report can become important later, especially if the other driver changes their story or the insurance company disputes what happened. 2. Get Medical Attention Some serious injuries are not obvious right away. Concussions, neck injuries, back injuries, internal injuries, and soft tissue injuries can worsen after the adrenaline wears off. Do not ignore pain just because you want to get home or continue your holiday plans. 3. Take Photos and Videos If You Can Do So Safely Photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signals, debris, license plates, injuries, and the surrounding area may help preserve evidence. 4. Get Witness Information If anyone saw the crash, try to get their name and contact information. Independent witnesses can be very important in disputed liability cases. 5. Be Careful With Insurance Statements Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly. Be polite, but avoid giving recorded statements, guessing about fault, or minimizing your injuries before you understand the full situation. 6. Preserve Evidence Save dashcam footage, photos, medical records, repair estimates, tow information, rideshare receipts, and any communication with insurance companies. 7. Speak With a New Jersey Accident Lawyer If you were seriously injured, if a loved one was hurt, if the crash involved a truck or rideshare vehicle, if the insurance company is blaming you, or if your medical bills are adding up, legal guidance can make a major difference. New Jersey Accident Law Issues to Keep in Mind New Jersey car accident claims can be confusing because several different legal and insurance rules may apply. PIP Benefits New Jersey Personal Injury Protection, often called PIP or no-fault coverage, may pay medical expenses after an auto accident regardless of who caused the crash. However, PIP does not always resolve every issue in a serious injury case. Claims Against the At-Fault Driver Depending on the facts, the available insurance coverage, and the severity of the injuries, an injured person may also have a claim against the negligent driver or another responsible party. Comparative Negligence New Jersey uses a comparative negligence system. Insurance companies may try to argue that the injured person was partly responsible for the crash. That can affect the value of a claim, which is why evidence matters. Filing Deadlines New Jersey personal injury lawsuits generally have a two-year filing deadline, but some claims — especially claims involving public entities — can have much shorter notice requirements. Do not wait to ask questions if you or a loved one was seriously injured. Memorial Day Weekend Safety Checklist for NJ Drivers Before you hit the road, take a few minutes to reduce the risk of a crash: Leave outside peak traffic times if possible. Check your tires, lights, brakes, fluids, and windshield wipers. Buckle every seat belt, every trip. Make sure children are properly secured. Put your phone away before driving. Plan your route before you leave. Do not drive impaired. Watch for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles, and emergency vehicles. Slow down near work zones and disabled vehicles. Leave extra following distance in heavy traffic. Take breaks during long trips. Do not let frustration turn into aggressive driving. Hurt in a New Jersey Accident Over Memorial Day Weekend? A serious accident can change everything in seconds. Medical bills, missed work, pain, uncertainty, and insurance issues can quickly become overwhelming — especially during a holiday weekend when families are supposed to be together. Mintz & Geftic represents injured people and families throughout New Jersey, including Elizabeth, Union County, Essex County, Newark, Jersey City, Middlesex County, Bergen County, Hudson County, and communities across the state. If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, truck accident, rideshare crash, pedestrian accident, motorcycle crash, or another serious incident, call or text 908-352-2323. Mintz & Geftic is ready to fight for you! FAQs When is Memorial Day weekend in 2026? Memorial Day is Monday, May 25, 2026. AAA’s travel period runs from Thursday, May 21 through Monday, May 25. The National Safety Council’s crash estimate period runs from 6:00 p.m. Friday, May 22 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 25. What are the worst times to drive in New Jersey for Memorial Day weekend? The worst national travel windows are expected to be Thursday afternoon and evening, Friday late morning through evening, Saturday afternoon, and Monday afternoon. New Jersey drivers heading to the shore should be especially careful on the Garden State Parkway and other major shore routes on Friday afternoon. Why are there more accidents over Memorial Day weekend? More vehicles are on the road, and many drivers are traveling longer distances or using unfamiliar routes. Holiday weekends also tend to involve more alcohol use, speeding, fatigue, distracted driving, and late-night driving. What should I do if I am injured in a New Jersey crash? Call 911, get medical attention, document the scene if you can do so safely, get witness information, preserve evidence, and avoid giving detailed insurance statements before understanding your rights. If the injuries are serious, contact a New Jersey personal injury lawyer. Does PIP cover medical bills after a New Jersey car accident? New Jersey PIP coverage may pay medical expenses after an auto accident regardless of who caused the crash. However, serious injury cases can involve additional claims, including claims against an at-fault driver or other responsible parties. How long do I have to file a New Jersey personal injury lawsuit after a crash? In many New Jersey personal injury cases, the filing deadline is generally two years from the date of injury. Some cases have shorter notice deadlines, especially claims involving government entities. 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The case involved mild traumatic brain injuries suffered by the plaintiff (Monmouth County, New Jersey 2015) 0 0 0 10 Nov 2015 Motorcycle Accidents New York and New Jersey law firm helping victims of motorcycle accidents seek compensation. As every biker knows, motorcycle accidents are a commonplace occurrence on the roads and highways of New York and New Jersey. Drivers often simply don’t see motorcyclists, or they are not paying attention and may be distracted while driving. Frequently, collisions occur when other drivers cut off, bump, rear end or tip motorcyclists over. Despite the state’s helmet law, these accidents can be catastrophic and life-changing. In New Jersey, motorcyclists cannot avail themselves of the protection of personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. This means their insurance will not cover medical… 0 0 0 31 Jul 2015 FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND WILL SET HIGHWAY TRAVEL RECORD Fourth of July weekend is here! It looks like the New Jersey highways will be packed with travelers according to AAA’s estimates. As New Jersey’s top Personal Injury Law Firm, the lawyers at Mintz & Geftic know that holiday weekends tend to bring about some of the most hazardous conditions for drivers. With record traffic expected, this weekend will certainly be no exception. The Independence Day celebration always includes some potentially dangerous activities, including lighting fireworks, drinking, grilling, swimming, and more. Driving over the Fourth of July weekend is certainly no exception. Whether it’s car accidents, truck accidents, bus accidents, motorcycle accidents or… 0 0 0 01 Jul 2022 Leave a comment Cancel replyYou must be logged in to post a comment.
