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New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in New Jersey, you may be entitled to compensation beyond your no-fault benefits. Under New Jersey law, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers initial medical expenses regardless of fault (N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4), but to recover for pain and suffering, your injuries must meet the “verbal threshold” under N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8. The Epstein Law Firm, P.A., based in Bergen County, has recovered more than $150 million for clients, including a $13.585 million settlement, a $10 million recovery, and a $4 million car accident result. Led by Michael J. Epstein, a Harvard Law graduate and Certified Civil Trial Attorney recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” in Hackensack, the firm represents accident victims across New Jersey. Call (201) 231-7847 for a free consultation.

What Should You Do After a Car Accident in New Jersey?

The first priority is your health. Even if injuries seem minor, get evaluated right away. Hospitals like Hackensack University Medical Center, University Hospital in Newark, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital routinely treat crash victims from major corridors like the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, I-80, and Route 17.

After addressing immediate medical needs, take steps that will help protect both your health and your legal claim:

Call 911 and ensure a police report is created

Take photos of vehicles, road conditions, and visible injuries

Exchange information, but avoid discussing fault

Seek follow-up care if symptoms develop

Speak with an attorney before giving a recorded statement

It’s common for symptoms to appear hours or days later. Taking these steps early helps preserve both medical and legal clarity.

How Does New Jersey’s No-Fault Insurance System Affect Your Claim?

New Jersey’s no-fault system, established under the Automobile Reparation Reform Act (N.J.S.A. 39:6A-1 et seq.), requires your own insurance to cover medical expenses through PIP, regardless of fault.

Standard policies typically include $15,000 in PIP coverage, though higher limits such as $50,000, $75,000, or $250,000 are common.

Most drivers select the “limitation on lawsuit” option, also known as the verbal threshold (N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8), which restricts recovery for pain and suffering unless injuries meet specific criteria. Drivers who select the zero or unlimited threshold option (N.J.S.A. 39:6A-10), however, retain the right to pursue pain and suffering damages regardless of injury severity.

Understanding which option applies to your policy is critical in evaluating your claim.

What Injuries Qualify to Sue Beyond No-Fault in New Jersey?

To pursue damages beyond PIP, injuries must meet the threshold under N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8.

These include:

Permanent injury

Significant disfigurement or scarring

Loss of a bodily function

Displaced fractures

Death

These categories determine whether a case remains within the no-fault system or becomes a full personal injury claim.

The Epstein Law Firm has handled cases involving catastrophic harm, including a $10 million recovery and a $4.25 million wrongful death settlement. When injuries clearly meet the statutory threshold, the value of a claim can increase substantially.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a New Jersey Car Accident?

If your case qualifies, compensation may include:

Medical expenses beyond PIP

Lost income and reduced earning capacity

Pain and suffering

Loss of enjoyment of life

Property damage

New Jersey applies a modified comparative negligence rule (N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1 et seq.). You may recover damages as long as you are 50% or less at fault. Any recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault and barred entirely if you exceed that threshold.

How Is Fault Proven in a New Jersey Car Accident Case?

Establishing fault often requires more than a police report.

Evidence may include:

Crash reports and scene documentation

Eyewitness testimony

Traffic or surveillance footage

Vehicle damage analysis

Expert accident reconstruction

Insurance companies frequently attempt to shift partial blame under New Jersey’s comparative negligence framework. Even small changes in fault allocation can significantly impact recovery.

This is especially important in multi-vehicle accidents or high-speed collisions on roads like I-78, Route 3, or the Garden State Parkway.

How Do Insurance Companies Try to Minimize Car Accident Claims?

Insurance carriers begin evaluating claims immediately, often with the goal of limiting payouts.

Common tactics include:

Requesting recorded statements early in the process

Offering quick settlements before injuries are fully understood

Disputing whether injuries meet the verbal threshold

Arguing shared fault to reduce liability

These strategies are routine, particularly in higher-value cases. In matters that ultimately resulted in multi-million-dollar recoveries—including $13.585 million, $10 million, and $8.25 million settlements—liability and damages were often heavily contested from the outset.

Having legal representation early helps avoid costly missteps.

What Happens After You Hire a New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer?

The process typically begins with a detailed investigation.

Your attorney will:

Gather evidence and analyze liability

Collect and review medical records

Evaluate available insurance coverage

Consult experts where appropriate

From there, your lawyer handles all communication with insurers and negotiates toward a fair resolution. If necessary, a lawsuit may be filed and the case will proceed through discovery, depositions, and potentially trial in the Superior Court of New Jersey.

Preparation—not just negotiation—is what drives strong outcomes.

How Do Serious Injuries Affect the Value of a Car Accident Case?

The severity of injury plays a central role in determining case value.

Serious cases often involve:

Long-term or permanent disability

Ongoing medical care or rehabilitation

Loss of income over time

Significant impact on daily life

Compensation reflects both past and future consequences. The firm’s results—including recoveries of $13.585 million, $10 million, and over $8 million—demonstrate how value increases when injuries are severe and clearly documented.

Where Do Car Accidents Happen Most Often in New Jersey?

Accidents frequently occur along major transportation corridors.

High-risk areas include:

The New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway

I-80, I-78, and I-280

Route 3, Route 17, Route 46, and Route 22

Route 1/9 and the Pulaski Skyway

Congestion near the George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, and Holland Tunnel contributes to frequent collisions. The Newark Liberty International Airport corridor and MetLife Stadium area also see heavy traffic and increased risk.

These patterns are not incidental—they shape how accidents occur and how cases are evaluated.

Why Choose The Epstein Law Firm for Your Car Accident Case?

The Epstein Law Firm has represented injury victims since 1973 and is based in Bergen County, with deep experience in courts such as the Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack.

The firm’s results include:

$13.585 million confidential settlement

$10 million catastrophic injury recovery

$8.25 million confidential settlement

$4.25 million wrongful death recovery

$4 million car accident settlement

The firm was founded by Barry D. Epstein, a former President of the New Jersey State Bar Association, whose decades of leadership helped establish its reputation in complex personal injury litigation.

Michael J. Epstein is a Harvard Law graduate, a Certified Civil Trial Attorney, and has been recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” in Hackensack. The firm brings more than 120 years of combined experience and prepares every case with trial in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in New Jersey? You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2). However, claims involving public entities may require notice within 90 days under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act.

What is the verbal threshold in New Jersey? Under N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8, drivers who select the limitation on lawsuit option must show a qualifying injury to recover pain and suffering damages.

Can I recover damages if I was partially at fault? Yes. Under New Jersey’s comparative negligence law (N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1), you can recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% at fault.

How much is my car accident case worth? The value depends on injury severity, liability, and long-term impact. The Epstein Law Firm has recovered amounts ranging from six figures to over $13 million.

What does PIP cover in New Jersey? PIP (N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4) covers medical expenses related to the accident regardless of fault. Standard policies provide $15,000 in coverage.

Should I speak to the insurance company after an accident? It is generally best to speak with a lawyer first. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions that can limit your claim.

Does The Epstein Law Firm handle cases throughout New Jersey? Yes. The firm represents clients in all 21 counties across New Jersey from its Bergen County office.

Talk to a New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer Today

A serious accident can affect your health, your finances, and your future. Taking the right steps early can make a meaningful difference.

Call (201) 231-7847 for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.