After a New Jersey snowstorm, one of the biggest dangers on the road isn’t always black ice. On fast-moving highways like Interstate 80 (I-80) and the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95), snow and ice can slide or even fly off the roofs of cars, trucks, and tractor-trailers and slam into the vehicles behind them.
At highway speeds, even a small frozen sheet of ice can hit like heavy debris, blocking visibility, cracking windshields, and causing sudden braking, rear-end crashes, and pileups. The risk is especially high on I-80 through Bergen, Passaic, and Morris Counties and on the NJ Turnpike through Hudson, Essex, Union, and Middlesex Counties, where traffic is heavy and commercial trucks are on the road nonstop.
New Jersey Laws: What Drivers Should Know About Clearing Snow and Ice from Vehicles
New Jersey has a specific statute in place for vehicle roof snow and ice hazards. Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-77.1, drivers must make reasonable efforts to remove snow and ice from their vehicle before driving, including the roof, windshield, windows, hood, trunk, and lights. For trucks, the law also applies to the cab and the top of trailers, semitrailers, and containers.
It is important to know that snow clearing laws in NJ state that:
Even if nothing flies off the vehicle, fines can still apply: If a driver fails to clear hazardous snow/ice, law enforcement can stop the vehicle and issue a fine of $25 to $75, even if no snow or ice has dislodged.
If roof snow or ice causes damage, penalties increase: When snow or ice releases from a moving vehicle and causes property damage or injuries, the penalties could increase:
- Non-commercial vehicle: $200 to $1,000
- Commercial vehicle: $500 to $1,500
New Jersey’s law also makes it clear that responsibility may go beyond just the driver in some commercial situations, which is very important to a claim when a crash involves a trucking company, trailer owner, commercial or other business vehicles.
Why I-80, the NJ Turnpike, and Other Major New Jersey Highways See So Many “Snow and Ice Roof” Incidents
New Jersey’s dense population and congested traffic patterns make snow and ice hazards a much more common issue than many drivers realize, especially when other vehicles’ roof snow comes loose while on the highway.
- Speed and wind together cause a lift and release of snow and ice. Once vehicles hit 55–70 mph, airflow can lift packed snow and peel it off in sheets.
- Daytime melting followed by overnight freezing turns rooftop snow into hard ice creating dangerous frozen sheets of ice
- Heavy truck traffic raises the danger level because tractor-trailers, box trucks, and commercial vehicles have larger flat surfaces than average cars where snow and ice can build up and then easily break loose.
- Tight spacing and highway speeds leave little reaction time. In densely populated areas like Hackensack, Ridgefield Park, Newark, Elizabeth, and the Meadowlands/Secaucus area, drivers often follow too closely, making sudden flying debris and ice far more dangerous.
How to Stay Safe for Winter NJ Drivers
No one can control what another driver does, but there are steps that can reduce risk on heavily traveled routes like I‑80, the Garden State Parkway, Route 4, Route 17, Route 46, Route 3, Route 1 & 9, Route 78, Route 287, the NJ Turnpike, and the Palisades Interstate Parkway.
Clear snow and ice before driving
Drivers should remove snow and ice from:
- roof (most important)
- hood and trunk
- headlights, taillights, brake lights
- mirrors and cameras/sensors
- around wheel wells (where ice can break loose)
On the highway: increase following distance (especially behind trucks)
During winter conditions, a longer space and buffer between cars is critical. New Jersey highway safety guidance recommends significantly increasing following distance of at least 8 to 10 seconds behind the vehicle ahead in winter weather.
Watch for refreeze
Be especially alert during early morning and evening refreeze times, when melting turns back into ice it can become easier for roof sheets to break loose.
After A Snow or Ice Roof Crash: What Injured Drivers Should Do Immediately
When someone is hit by snow or ice falling from another vehicle on I‑80 or the NJ Turnpike, the next few steps can strongly affect both safety and any future insurance or injury claim.
1) Call 911 and report the crash
Medical evaluation is very important to any case, even if symptoms seem minor at first. Whiplash, concussion symptoms, and eye injuries can worsen hours later.
2) Document the scene (if safe)
If possible, gather:
- photos/video of the ice/snow debris and vehicle damage
- road conditions
- location markers (exit signs, mile markers)
- witness contact information
3) Try to identify the vehicle the ice came from
This is often the hardest part, especially if the vehicle keeps going. Helpful details can be a license plate (even partial), company name/logo, trailer number, USDOT number (on many commercial trucks), or any dashcam footage (from you or another driver).
What Compensation is Available After a Serious NJ Winter Crash?
These cases can be more complex than a typical two-car collision and involve multiple parties, even if snow only comes off one vehicle. In a straightforward scenario, the person who failed to clear the vehicle would be responsible, but not in every case, especially truck cases can involve multiple potentially responsible parties.
When a snow/ice roof incident causes injuries, damages may include:
- ambulance and emergency care
- hospital bills, surgery, rehab, PT
- lost income and reduced earning capacity
- pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
- out-of-pocket costs (medications, medical devices, transportation)
- vehicle repair/replacement and other property damage
New Jersey auto insurance rules can be confusing after any crash, especially when injuries are serious, so many families benefit from having an experienced attorney clarify options, handle insurer communications, and investigate liability fully.
Where Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. fits in for New Jersey crash victims
For people injured in these crashes, especially commuters traveling between New York City and North Jersey via the George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, or Holland Tunnel, the aftermath can be confusing.
When medical care, insurance claims, car repairs, and missed work and wages pile up it is best to contact a New Jersey personal injury lawyer to help understand your rights under NJ and NY law and recover compensation deserved for suffering damages due to someone else’s negligent winter conduct.
For over 40 years, the experienced New Jersey personal injury attorneys at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., based in Teaneck, NJ, have recovered over $1 billion in jury verdicts and settlements to help over 40,000 clients and families.
The firm represents people injured across New Jersey – throughout Bergen County, Essex County, Hudson County, Passaic County, Middlesex County, Union County, and New York State.
For New York travelers injured while driving through New Jersey, legal issues can sometimes involve both states. In those situations, it can be important to work with a team that understands New Jersey and New York car accident laws.
