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A crash can leave you trying to arrange medical care, replace a damaged vehicle, notify insurers, and explain missed work—all while you are in pain. If another driver may have caused the collision, New Jersey law may provide several paths for addressing your losses, but the process begins with identifying the applicable insurance coverage and preserving reliable evidence.

The Epstein Law Firm, P.A. helps injured people investigate car crashes and handle insurance claims. For information about other injury matters, visit the firm’s broader Garfield NJ personal injury practice.

Injured in a Garfield NJ crash? Call (201) 231-7847 or request a free case evaluation.

How a New Jersey Car Accident Claim Generally Works

New Jersey uses a no-fault auto insurance system. Personal Injury Protection, commonly called PIP, generally pays covered medical expenses without first deciding who caused the crash. Depending on the policy, PIP may also provide benefits for lost income, essential services, or other economic losses.

The policy’s coverage limits, deductibles, medical-provider requirements, and coordination with health insurance can significantly affect how treatment is paid. If the policyholder selected health insurance as primary for auto injuries, the health plan generally pays first and PIP becomes secondary. Medicare and Medicaid cannot be selected as the primary health insurer under this option.

PIP does not decide who was responsible for the collision. A separate liability claim may be brought against a driver or another party whose negligence caused the crash. That claim can address losses not paid through PIP, such as unreimbursed income loss, reduced earning capacity, future care, property damage, and qualifying pain and suffering.

The right to recover noneconomic damages may depend on the injured person’s policy and legal status. Someone subject to New Jersey’s limitation-on-lawsuit option generally must establish death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement or scarring, a displaced fracture, loss of a fetus, or a permanent injury supported by objective medical evidence. The threshold is fact-specific and does not apply identically to every person involved in a crash.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Garfield

  1. Get to a safe location and request help. Call 911 when someone is injured, traffic is obstructed, a vehicle cannot be moved safely, or emergency assistance is otherwise needed.
  2. Report the crash. New Jersey requires prompt notice to law enforcement when a collision causes injury, death, or more than $500 in damage to any one person’s property. If police do not prepare a report, a driver may need to submit an MVC accident report within 10 days.
  3. Exchange essential information. Obtain the other driver’s name, contact details, license plate, driver’s license information, and insurance information. Do not argue about fault or guess about facts you do not know.
  4. Document what you safely can. Photographs of the vehicles, their positions, visible injuries, debris, traffic controls, and surrounding conditions may help explain what happened. Save witness names and any dashcam footage.
  5. Notify your insurer promptly. Give accurate notice of the collision and ask which company will administer the PIP claim. Before signing broad medical authorizations or providing a detailed recorded statement, consider obtaining advice about your policy obligations and legal rights.
  6. Obtain appropriate medical care. Do not delay emergency care to collect evidence. Tell medical providers how the crash occurred, describe your symptoms accurately, and follow their professional recommendations.

Questions about PIP, health insurance, or the other driver’s coverage? Call (201) 231-7847 to discuss which policies may apply.

The Epstein Law Firm

Injured in a Car Accident in Garfield?

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Car accident legal help from The Epstein Law Firm in Garfield, NJ

With 540 reported crashes a year on Garfield’s roads, you need an attorney who knows these streets and these cases. The Epstein Law Firm can review your car accident claim and explain the compensation you may be owed.

Call now

(201) 231-7847 Schedule your free case evaluation

Who May Be Responsible for a Crash?

The other driver is often the central party in a car accident claim, but responsibility may extend beyond that person. Depending on the evidence, potentially responsible parties may include:

  • A driver who was speeding, distracted, impaired, following too closely, or failing to yield
  • A vehicle owner who may be legally responsible under the circumstances
  • An employer whose employee caused a crash while acting within the scope of employment
  • A rideshare, delivery, trucking, or other company connected to a commercial trip
  • A manufacturer, distributor, repair shop, or maintenance provider if a defect or improper repair contributed to the collision
  • A public entity responsible for a dangerous roadway condition, subject to the New Jersey Tort Claims Act and its defenses

None of these parties is automatically liable. Contracts, ownership records, electronic data, employment information, vehicle inspections, and other evidence may be needed to determine who controlled the vehicle or condition that caused the crash.

Evidence That May Help Explain What Happened

An injured person does not need to collect every possible record before contacting a lawyer. The most useful items to preserve or identify are usually:

  • The police report number and any driver-exchange form
  • Photographs, videos, dashcam files, and witness information
  • The damaged vehicle and available repair or total-loss documents
  • Medical records, bills, discharge instructions, and diagnostic images
  • Insurance policies, declaration pages, claim numbers, and adjuster communications

A lawyer may seek additional material, such as nearby surveillance video, vehicle-event data, phone records when legally obtainable, commercial driving records, or expert analysis. Because footage and electronic information can be lost or overwritten, an early investigation may be important.

What to do after a car accident in Garfield, New Jersey: 7-step checklist infographic
What to do after an accident in Garfield, New Jersey — a 7-step checklist. View full size

Medical Concerns After a Collision

Car crashes can cause head injuries, neck and back injuries, fractures, joint damage, internal injuries, and other physical harm. Symptoms do not always appear immediately. The CDC notes that some concussion symptoms may develop hours or days after a head injury.

Seek emergency assistance for serious or worsening symptoms. CDC danger signs after a possible brain injury include a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, unusual behavior, increasing confusion, slurred speech, weakness, unequal pupils, or difficulty waking. Online information cannot diagnose an injury or replace advice from a qualified medical professional.

Compensation and Insurance Benefits That May Be Available

Available compensation depends on the injuries, policy selections, responsibility for the crash, and supporting evidence. Potential benefits or damages may include:

  • PIP payment of covered medical expenses
  • Income-continuation or essential-service benefits available under the policy
  • Medical costs and lost income not otherwise reimbursed
  • Future treatment, rehabilitation, and reduced earning capacity
  • Pain, suffering, disability, disfigurement, and diminished quality of life when legally recoverable
  • Vehicle repairs, total-loss value, rental expenses, and other covered property losses
  • Wrongful-death or survival damages when a collision is fatal

Policy limits can restrict the amount available. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may provide another source of recovery when the responsible driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage, but the policy’s terms and notice requirements must be reviewed carefully.

Important New Jersey Deadlines

Under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2, many New Jersey personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years after the claim accrues. Different rules may apply depending on the injured person, defendant, and type of claim.

A claim against a public entity or public employee may require a formal notice of claim within 90 days. A court has limited authority to permit some late notices within one year when statutory requirements are satisfied, but relief is not automatic. Insurance policies can also require prompt notice, so a claim should be reviewed well before the lawsuit deadline.

How The Epstein Law Firm Can Help

A car accident lawyer can investigate how the collision occurred, determine which insurance policies may apply, and assess whether another person, business, or public entity may be responsible. The firm may obtain reports, preserve video and vehicle evidence, interview witnesses, review medical documentation, calculate financial losses, and consult qualified experts when necessary.

The lawyer can also communicate with insurers, respond to coverage disputes, prepare required filings, negotiate a resolution, and pursue litigation when appropriate. The Epstein Law Firm states that it has represented clients throughout New Jersey since 1973 and that its attorneys have more than 100 years of collective experience. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Learn more about the firm’s New Jersey motor-vehicle accident practice.

Let The Epstein Law Firm review the crash, available insurance, and next steps. Call (201) 231-7847 or contact the firm online.

Helpful Crash, Insurance, and Medical Resources

Personal Injury Services in Garfield

The Epstein Law Firm

Don’t Wait — Deadlines Apply

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Car accident claim deadlines from The Epstein Law Firm in Garfield

New Jersey’s two-year deadline means time matters after a car crash. Talk to a Garfield car accident lawyer today about your case.

Call now

(201) 231-7847 Schedule your free case evaluation

Car Accidents in Garfield: What the Data Shows

In 2023, 540 crashes were reported in Garfield, resulting in 2 deaths and 78 injuries.

Garfield’s Most Dangerous Intersections

Garfield is designated a “Street Smart NJ High Crash Underserved Municipality” by the NJTPA. Documented crash locations include:

  • Jewell Street & Columbus Avenue — two 14-year-olds on an e-bike were seriously injured here in March 2026
  • River Drive (CR 507) — pedestrian hit-and-run in June 2019; the driver fled south
  • River Drive & Outwater Lane (CR 42) — pedestrian struck in February 2026
  • US 46 corridor — recurring accident reports along US-46 East through Garfield

Highways That Run Through Garfield

  • US Route 46 — along the city’s northern edge
  • Garden State Parkway — clips the northwest corner (Exit 157)
  • Route 17 — just east in Lodi, reached via Outwater Lane
  • County arterials: River Drive (CR 507) along the Passaic River, Outwater Lane (CR 42)

What Drives Crashes in Garfield

Industrial and riverfront truck traffic is Garfield’s signature crash factor — warehouses and commercial properties line River Drive and the Outwater Lane corridor, mixing heavy trucks with a dense residential grid and pedestrians. Two NJ Transit stations (Garfield and Plauderville) create station pedestrian flows and grade crossings, and the Passaic River bridges at Outwater Lane and Ackerman Avenue funnel Clifton and Passaic cross-river traffic through the city. Garfield High School sits on Outwater Lane, adding school-zone exposure.

Where Garfield Car Accident Cases Are Heard

Car accident lawsuits arising in Garfield are filed in the Bergen County Superior Court, Law Division, Civil Part, 10 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601.

Hospitals for Garfield Accident Victims

  • Hackensack University Medical Center, 30 Prospect Ave, Hackensack — a Level I Trauma Center
  • St. Mary’s General Hospital, 350 Blvd, Passaic — full emergency department

Sources: NJDOT 2023 crash records (aggregated by municipality); NJTPA 2020 Strategic Highway Safety Plan; Bergen Record/NorthJersey.com incident reporting.

Testimonials

“I have referred multiple complicated and challenging matters to Michael Epstein, Esq. Each time, he has achieved tremendous results for the client. He is extremely knowledgeable, talented, hard working, and caring. I recommend Mike and his law firm without reservation. He is one of the best.”

michael — Google review

“Very happy with our experience with The Epstein Law Firm! Michael Epstein did everything possible to ensure we got the best possible outcome. He was there during a very difficult time in our lives when our daughter was injured. He answered any and all questions we had in a timely manner. Michael is very trustworthy and honest! His assistant Evelyn was such a tremendous help as well. We were unfamiliar with the process and she was always there to assist us and explain everything to us. We highly recommend The Epstein Law Firm!”

courtney — Google review

“Michael and his staff handled my personal injury claim and the process was seamless. I was kept updated and all my questions were answered. I highly recommend this firm.”

Barbara — Google review

Notable Results

Selected case results obtained by The Epstein Law Firm:

$10 Million · $4.25 Million · $4.195 Million

$10 Million — Settlement

Bus Accident

The Epstein Law Firm obtained a $10 million settlement working as local counsel with a Baltimore law firm on behalf of a Maryland woman who lost both of her legs after being struck by a New Jersey Transit bus in Lakewood, New Jersey.

$4.25 Million — Confidential Settlement

Wrongful Death — Motor Vehicle

The Epstein Law Firm obtained a $4.25 million confidential settlement in a wrongful death and survival action for a Teaneck husband and father who died after a tire fell off his car, causing it to flip and catch fire. A major mechanic operations company was at fault for failing to attach the tire properly.

$4.195 Million — Jury Verdict

Drunk Driving — Dram Shop

The Epstein Law Firm obtained a $4.195 million jury verdict for a 59-year-old Oradell resident who suffered multiple leg fractures as a passenger of a drunk driver who had been served while visibly intoxicated at a bar in South Hackensack. The jury found the driver 80 percent at fault and the bar 20 percent at fault.

View all verdicts and settlements →

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.

New Jersey Car Insurance Rules You Should Know

New Jersey is a no-fault state for car accidents. That means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays your medical bills after a crash, regardless of who caused it. Here’s what every NJ driver should understand:

Verbal Threshold vs. Zero Threshold

When you bought your NJ auto policy, you chose one of two lawsuit options — and it dramatically affects your rights after a crash:

  • Verbal threshold (limitation on lawsuit option): You can only sue for pain and suffering if your injuries meet specific legal criteria — death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, displaced fractures, loss of a body part, or permanent injury. Most NJ drivers have this option because it’s cheaper.
  • Zero threshold (no limitation on lawsuit option): You can sue for pain and suffering for any injury, with no severity requirement. Costs more but preserves your full rights.

If you don’t remember which option you chose, check your policy declarations page — it matters enormously for your case.

Minimum Required Coverage in New Jersey

Coverage TypeMinimum Required
Bodily injury liability (per person)$25,000
Bodily injury liability (per accident)$50,000
Property damage liability$25,000
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)$15,000 per person, per accident

Source: NJ Department of Banking and Insurance (NJDOBI); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-1 et seq.

Car Accident Lawyers by Town

Request a Free Consultation With a Garfield Car Accident Lawyer

If a collision has left you facing medical treatment, missed work, insurance questions, or an uncertain recovery, The Epstein Law Firm can review what happened and explain the options that may apply. A consultation does not obligate you to proceed with a claim.

Call (201) 231-7847 or contact The Epstein Law Firm online for a free case evaluation with a Garfield NJ car accident lawyer.

The Epstein Law Firm

Get Help With Your Car Accident Claim

free car accident consultation

Free car accident consultation from The Epstein Law Firm in Garfield

Medical bills, lost wages, and pain after a Garfield car crash add up fast. Call (201) 231-7847 for a free consultation with The Epstein Law Firm.

Call now

(201) 231-7847 Schedule your free case evaluation

New Jersey NJ Car Accident Lawyer Communities

Professional Recognition

2026 Top Lawyer Badge awarded to Michael J. Epstein of The Epstein Law Firm.Michael J. Epstein — Best Lawyers recognition

Recognition applies to the named attorneys and selection years. See the linked profiles for details.

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Awards & Professional Profiles

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Garfield Car Accident FAQs: Reports, Insurance, and Injury Claims

These answers provide general information about New Jersey car accident claims. The facts, available evidence, insurance policies, and identities of the parties can change the legal analysis.

What should I do immediately after a car accident in Garfield NJ?

Get to safety, request medical assistance, and report the collision to police. Exchange identifying and insurance information, photograph the scene if it is safe, and obtain the names of witnesses. Do not delay emergency treatment to investigate the crash yourself.

Notify your insurer promptly and describe the facts accurately without guessing. New Jersey requires police notification when a crash causes injury, death, or more than $500 in property damage to any one person. If police do not file a report, an MVC report may be required within 10 days.

Sources: Garfield Police Department crash-report guidance; N.J.S.A. 39:4-130—immediate notice and written crash reports; New Jersey Driver Manual—reporting crashes.

How do I get a copy of a Garfield NJ Police crash report?

Request the report through the online service identified by the Garfield Police Department after the report has been completed and uploaded. The department’s Records Division states that Garfield crash reports are generally available through CrashDocs five to seven business days after the incident. The case number, crash date, location, license plate, or involved driver’s information may help locate the correct record.

New Jersey law requires investigating officers to transmit crash reports electronically and generally makes those reports available for inspection and copying. If the New Jersey State Police investigated the collision rather than Garfield Police, use the State Police crash-report request service. A crash report may provide useful evidence, but it does not conclusively decide civil liability.

Sources: Garfield Police Department Records Division—local crash-report instructions; City of Garfield 2025 Police Annual Report—motor-vehicle crash-report system; New Jersey P.L. 2023 c.55—accident-report availability and electronic transmission; New Jersey State Police crash-report request service.

Which insurance pays my medical bills after a New Jersey car accident?

PIP generally pays covered auto-accident medical expenses without regard to fault. The applicable insurer depends on factors such as whether you occupied an insured automobile, your household policies, and your status as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian.

If health insurance was selected as primary for auto injuries, the health plan usually pays first and PIP provides secondary coverage. Deductibles, copayments, preauthorization rules, and coverage limits may apply. Medicare and Medicaid cannot be selected as the primary health insurer under New Jersey’s health-primary option.

Sources: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4—Personal Injury Protection coverage; NJDOBI—selecting a health insurer for the PIP option; 2026 New Jersey Auto Insurance Buyer’s Guide.

Can I recover pain and suffering after a Garfield NJ Car Accident?

You may be able to recover pain and suffering, but your lawsuit option and injuries must be reviewed. A person with the no-limitation option generally retains the right to pursue noneconomic damages for any injury caused by another driver, subject to proving negligence and causation.

Someone subject to the limitation-on-lawsuit option generally must prove one of six statutory injury categories. These include death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement or scarring, a displaced fracture, loss of a fetus, or a permanent injury supported by objective medical evidence. A diagnosis alone does not establish that the threshold has been met.

Sources: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8—limitation on the right to noneconomic loss; NJDOBI—Standard Auto Insurance Policy and lawsuit options; 2026 New Jersey Auto Insurance Buyer’s Guide.

Can I recover compensation if I was partly at fault for the crash?

Yes, partial fault does not automatically prevent recovery in New Jersey. A claimant can generally recover if that person’s negligence was not greater than the negligence of the party or combined parties from whom recovery is sought.

Any award is reduced by the claimant’s percentage of fault. For example, an award of damages would ordinarily be reduced if the injured person’s conduct contributed to the collision. Fault percentages depend on evidence such as vehicle positions, traffic controls, witness accounts, video, and the conduct of every involved driver.

Sources: N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1—comparative negligence; NJ Courts Model Civil Jury Charge 7.31—comparative fault and ultimate outcome.

How long do I have to file a New Jersey car accident lawsuit?

Many personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years after the claim accrues. Waiting until the deadline approaches can create problems because video, witness recollections, vehicle data, and other evidence may disappear sooner.

A much shorter notice period may apply when a state, county, municipality, public agency, or public employee could be responsible. New Jersey’s Tort Claims Act generally requires notice within 90 days, and permission to file a late notice is limited and discretionary. Minors and other circumstances may involve different timing rules.

Sources: N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2—personal injury filing period; NJ Treasury—Tort Claims Act filing information; N.J.S.A. 59:8-9—notice of late claim.

What evidence should I preserve after a Garfield NJ crash?

Preserve the crash report information, photographs, video, witness details, insurance documents, and medical records. Keep copies of repair estimates, total-loss paperwork, bills, wage records, and communications with insurers. Do not alter the vehicle or discard damaged personal property before asking whether an inspection may be needed.

You can also request your medical and billing records. HIPAA generally gives patients access to information in designated record sets, including treatment records, diagnostic images, billing records, and claims information. A lawyer may separately seek surveillance recordings, electronic vehicle data, and records held by other parties.

Sources: HHS—individuals’ right to access health information under HIPAA; Garfield Police Department Records Division; HHS—health information included in the HIPAA right of access.

What if the other driver was uninsured or did not have enough insurance?

Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may provide benefits. Uninsured motorist coverage applies when a legally responsible driver has no applicable insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage may apply when that driver’s liability limits are lower than your applicable UIM limits and are insufficient for the losses.

These claims are governed by policy terms, coverage limits, notice duties, and settlement procedures. Before settling with the other driver’s insurer, determine whether your own carrier’s consent or other action is required to preserve a UIM claim. Basic policies may provide substantially less protection than standard policies.

Sources: NJDOBI—Standard Auto Insurance Policy and UM/UIM coverage; NJDOBI—filing an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim; 2026 New Jersey Auto Insurance Buyer’s Guide.

Should I seek medical care if my symptoms appeared after the crash?

Yes, obtain appropriate medical advice when symptoms develop or worsen after a collision. Some concussion symptoms may not appear until hours or days after a head injury. Prompt documentation also helps medical providers understand the timing and progression of your condition.

Call 911 or seek emergency care for a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, unusual behavior, increasing confusion, weakness, slurred speech, unequal pupils, or difficulty waking. These warning signs do not establish a particular diagnosis, and a website cannot determine whether an injury was caused by the crash.

Sources: CDC—symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury and concussion; CDC—mild traumatic brain injury and concussion patient instructions; HHS—accessing medical and diagnostic records.

What happens when I contact a Garfield NJ Car Accident lawyer?

The initial consultation is an opportunity to explain the crash and receive a preliminary assessment of the insurance, evidence, and deadlines involved. Helpful information may include the crash date, report number, vehicle and insurance details, injuries, treatment, missed work, and communications from adjusters.

The Epstein Law Firm offers free case evaluations. If the firm accepts a matter, the attorney should explain the scope of representation, fees, and responsibility for litigation expenses. New Jersey RPC 1.5 requires a contingent-fee agreement to be in writing and to state how the fee and expenses will be calculated. Contacting the firm for a consultation does not require you to pursue a lawsuit.

Sources: The Epstein Law Firm—contact and free case evaluation; NJ Courts Rules of Professional Conduct—RPC 1.5 fees and written contingent-fee agreements.

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