Motor vehicle drivers hurry through intersections in an attempt to beat the yellow light and do not observe motorcycle riders making a left turn; drivers rush a green light, failing to see the motorcyclist waiting for traffic to clear in the intersection before proceeding. New Jersey intersections are extremely dangerous to motorcycle riders, as vehicle drivers are concerned with their schedules and neglect to follow the basic, common courtesies of driving. For many years, the roundabout accident lawyers at The Mark Law Firm have assisted countless motorcyclists suffering injuries as a result of a collision with a motor vehicle driver. Contact our Union County auto accident lawyers for a free consultation today.

What is a New Jersey Traffic Circle?

A traffic circle or rotary is a type of circular intersection in which traffic must travel in one direction around a central island. In some countries, traffic entering the circle has the right-of-way, and drivers in the circle must yield. In many other countries, traffic entering the circle must yield. Other common characteristics include large diameters (over 100 m or 300 ft) and minimal horizontal deflection so as to facilitate speeds of 50 km/h (30 mph) or more.

Characteristics of traffic circles

The term “traffic circle” is used to describe circular intersections that have the following characteristics:

Often, circulating traffic yields to entering traffic at one or more approach points. The New Jersey Driver’s Manual advises drivers to yield to cars on the right (thus, the circulating traffic would yield to entering traffic).
Tangential approaches between approach roadways and the circulatory roadway allow full-speed entry. Conversely, some traffic circles do not have channelized approaches at all, and roads intersect the circles at 90-degree angles.
High circulating speeds (over 30 mph / 50 km/h) mean that large gaps are needed in the circulating traffic to allow stopped vehicles to safely enter, resulting in lower capacities and higher crash rates than modern roundabouts.
Lane changes may be made within the circle road.
The circles are generally of a very large diameter.
There is sometimes pedestrian access to the center island or parking on the circle.

What is a New Jersey Roundabout?

A roundabout is a type of circular junction in which road traffic must travel in one direction around a central island. Signs usually direct traffic entering the circle to slow down and give the right of way to drivers already in the circle.

The Confusion of the Traffic Circle and Roundabout

Traffic circles should not be confused with roundabouts, in which entering traffic must always yield to traffic already in the circle, and generally operate at much lower speeds.

New Jersey, at one point, had a total of 101 traffic circles, 44 of which were part of state roads. However, the number has shrunk as traffic circles have been phased out. The first traffic circle was developed in 1925 at the Airport Circle in Pennsauken. The increased number of vehicles and faster traffic speeds have made traffic circles more dangerous and accidents more common. Many traffic circles became notorious for having frequent accidents and being confusing, especially for non-locals. The confusion frequently is the result of ignorance of the elementary traffic law that governs right of way while using traffic circles.

What Does the New Jersey Traffic Code Say?

NJSA 39:4-90 provides: “The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right of way to a vehicle which has entered the intersection. When 2 vehicles enter an intersection at the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right of way to the driver of the vehicle on the right.”

Since a circle is comprised of a series of uncontrolled intersections, the driver to the right (entering the circle) has the right of way.

If you have been involved in an accident in a New Jersey traffic circle or roundabout, you need to contact our Union County personal injury lawyers now because any delays may significantly reduce your available recovery. Upon calling our firm, you will speak to a knowledgeable attorney who will review your circle or roundabout auto accident case and prepare all of the legal documents required to assist you in recovering compensation for your injuries.

You may be entitled to recovery for injuries such as broken or bloody noses, skin lacerations to the face, broken ribs and limbs, whiplash, punctured eyes, brain hemorrhages, paralysis, broken bones, brain and head injuries, neck, back, and spinal cord injuries, herniated discs, and broken bones.

Contact Our Springfield, NJ Roundabout Accident Lawyers

Here at The Mark Law Firm, our auto accident lawyers have decades of experience representing individuals who have been injured in roundabout crashes. If you’ve been hurt due to another party’s negligence, contact The Mark Law Firm for a free case evaluation today.