In New Jersey, every driver is aware of how dangerous the highways can be. It is still very likely that you will get into a car accident even if you drive as carefully as possible. If you were hurt in the collision, whether it happened on a big road like I-80 or the Garden State Parkway, or in your own neighborhood, you need a capable attorney on your side. Our renowned Ringwood car accident lawyers at The Epstein Law Firm, P.A. have a reputation for offering knowledgeable legal counsel. This standing applies to the judges who might hear your case as well as to the community at large. Our team is competent to defend your rights if you were hurt in a car accident since we have over 120 years of combined expertise and thousands of happy clients.

Because the legal process can appear intimidating, many automobile accident victims are afraid to seek just recompense for their injuries. By employing their expertise and experience to pursue compensation for car accident victims, the attorneys at The Epstein Law Firm, P.A. eliminate this anxiety and free the victims to concentrate on their care and recovery. Contact us today to arrange a free initial consultation with one of our reputable Ringwood Car Accident Lawyers to learn more about how we can assist defend your legal rights.

The Epstein Law Firm

Injured in a Car Accident in Ringwood?

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

With 219 reported crashes in a single year on Ringwood’s winding mountain roads, you need an attorney who knows these roads 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

Knowing What Caused Your Automobile Accident

Finding potential sources of financial compensation begins with figuring out what caused your vehicle accident. Car accidents in Ringwood are frequently brought on by:

  • Commuter vehicle collisions
  • Drunk driving collisions
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Accidents involving rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft
  • Cab and limousine collisions
  • Intersection accidents
  • Highway accidents
  • Rear-end accidents
  • Road construction accidents
  • Rollover accidents
  • Accidents involving uninsured and underinsured drivers
  • Distracted driving accidents
  • Aggressive driving accidents, including those caused by lane-changing, tailgating, and excessive speeding
  • Texting and driving accidents
  • Drowsy driving accidents
  • Bad weather accidents
  • Traffic violation accidents, including disobeying a red light or stop sign or failing to yield when merging onto the highway
  • Guardrail accidents
  • Auto accidents caused by the usage of drugs or alcohol
  • Car accidents caused by dangers on the road, like poorly indicated curves or work zones
  • Accidents caused by defective vehicles

If someone else was at fault for your accident, you might be able to sue them for damages in a lawsuit. Our Ringwood car accident lawyers will research your case and work on your claim to prove that you have a right to it, which means showing:

  • The driver was obligated to drive defensively (as we all do)
  • The driver violated this obligation through their acts or inaction.
  • The accident was caused by the breach.
  • You suffered as a result.

Knowing the Value of Your Automobile Accident Claim

At The Epstein Law Firm, P.A., we talk to you and any possible witnesses to find out what really happened in your case. Along with your medical history, the police report, and any tangible evidence (such as pictures and videos), we review everything so that we can make the best case possible for your claim. We might even work with people who know how to reconstruct accidents.

All of these steps are taken to make sure that you get the full value of your car accident claim, which is the most compensation you can get for your injuries. We fight to obtain a settlement that will pay for both your direct expenses and the more intangible losses caused by the accident. In Ringwood, compensation is split into two categories:

  • Economic damages include your out-of-pocket payments for care at home, physical therapy, and other medical services as well as lost wages and job benefits.
  • Non-economic damages cover your intangible losses, including discomfort, mental distress, pain, and suffering, lost companionship from a loved one, and more.

Our Ringwood personal injury lawyers have an outstanding track record of success with auto injury lawsuits.

Why Pick The Epstein Law Firm, P.A.’s Ringwood Car Accident Lawyers to Protect Your Legal Right to Compensation Following an Auto Accident?

In the Internet age, selecting a car accident injury attorney can be challenging. The Epstein Law Firm, P.A. strives to keep things straightforward. Our objective is to obtain the highest financial compensation for our wounded clients. You can expect to gain:

  • Gaining recognition. We have successfully represented Ringwood auto accident victims for more than 120 years in total. When we enter into negotiations with the insurance company or approach the trial, our reputation precedes us.
  • Dedication and focus. Numerous law firms generate damage claims without giving any thought to the caliber of the legal services they offer. We make sure every client receives the consideration their case needs to be successful. The Epstein Law Firm, P.A. pays attention to even the smallest issues; your calls are immediately responded to, and your lawyer handles your case.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, it is never too early to seek legal counsel. We can assist you in getting compensation from your own insurance provider and will offer you our frank assessment of whether your claim against the at-fault driver is legitimate.

Make an appointment for a free case evaluation with a knowledgeable Ringwood auto accident attorney by calling our offices right away.

The Epstein Law Firm

Don't Wait — Deadlines Apply

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Car accident claim deadlines from The Epstein Law Firm

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

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(201) 231-7847 Schedule your free case evaluation

About Ringwood, NJ

United States of America’s Passaic County includes the borough of Ringwood. There were 12,228 people living in the borough as of the 2010 United States Census. The Borough of Ringwood, together with Bloomingdale and Wanaque, was created from a “part of the Township of Pompton” by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 23, 1918, based on the results of a referendum held on March 22, 1918. On May 6, 1918, the Borough Council had its first organizational meeting in the current Borough Hall. The borough bears the name of a local iron mining firm.

Car Accidents in Ringwood: What the Data Shows

In 2023, 219 crashes were reported in Ringwood, and 68 people were injured. Ringwood recorded no traffic fatalities that year — but its mountain roads are unforgiving, and the crashes that do happen here are often severe.

Ringwood’s Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections

  • Skyline Drive (CR S-91/CR 692) — the mountain segment through Ringwood State Park — steep, narrow, and winding at roughly 900 feet of elevation, and frequently icy in winter. NJDOT banned trucks over 10 tons from Skyline Drive in April 2001 after a December 2000 incident in which a 40-ton dump truck lost control and killed 3 Ringwood residents
  • Skyline Drive & Greenwood Lake Drive — a fatal motorcycle-vs.-Jeep crash in April 2025 killed a 23-year-old
  • Skyline Drive south of Conklintown Road — injury crash and vehicle fire
  • Skyline Drive & Fieldstone Drive — Passaic County funded a pedestrian crossing here in July 2024, documenting pedestrian risk on this fast rural arterial
  • Greenwood Lake Turnpike (CR 511), north of Skyline Drive — a March 2019 head-on crash: a car hit the guardrail, crossed the center line, and killed 2 people
  • Greenwood Lake Turnpike segments — narrow, winding 2-lane sections along the Wanaque Reservoir

Highways That Run Through Ringwood

  • Ringwood has no interstate, US, or state highway — only county routes: CR 511 (Greenwood Lake Turnpike) and Skyline Drive (CR S-91/CR 692)
  • NJ Route 23 runs through neighboring West Milford and is the closest state highway

Why Ringwood Sees So Many Crashes

  • Mountainous rural 2-lane roads with sharp curves, limited shoulders, and winter icing
  • Recreational traffic to Ringwood State Park and the Wanaque Reservoir, especially on weekends
  • Through-truck pressure on narrow roads — partially mitigated by the 2001 Skyline Drive truck ban

Where Ringwood Car Accident Cases Are Heard

Car accident lawsuits arising in Ringwood are filed in the Passaic County Superior Court, Law Division, Civil Part:

  • 77 Hamilton Street, Paterson, NJ 07505

Hospitals for Ringwood Accident Victims

  • St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, 703 Main St, Paterson, NJ 07504 — a Level II Trauma Center serving northern Passaic County

Sources: NJDOT 2023 crash records (aggregated by municipality); NJDOT; NorthJersey.com; njbulletin.com; Passaic County Resolution R-24-638 (July 2024); NJ Courts, Passaic Vicinage.

Testimonials

“Epstein Law Firm handled my case with the most respect, professionalism, honesty, empathy, and most of all they fought hard keeping my best interest a priority! I recommend the Epstein Law Firm.”

Evette — Google review

“George Morton, Esq. of the Epstein Law Firm is a brilliant attorney who helped my wife after a traumatic, near-death incident when we were pedestrians struck by a car on the sidewalk. The staff at the Epstein Law Firm is always responsive and attentive. George in particular did a fantastic job for us; he got us a better result than we thought possible and was remarkably compassionate throughout the entire process. What was the worst day of our lives has been put behind us thanks to the exceptional team at the Epstein Law Firm.”

Esad — Google review

“High recommend is an understatement. Incredible guidance, service, professionalism, and overall support through a complicated, emotional process.”

Josie — 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.

Key Legal Deadlines for Ringwood Car Accident Claims

DeadlineWhat It Means
2 yearsStatute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in NJ (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2). Miss this and you lose your right to sue permanently.
90 daysNotice deadline if your claim is against a public entity — a city bus, a county road defect, NJ Transit (NJ Tort Claims Act, N.J.S.A. 59:8-8).
51% ruleNJ’s modified comparative negligence: you can recover damages as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault (N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1).

Sources: N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2; N.J.S.A. 59:8-8; N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1.

What To Do After a Car Accident in Ringwood

The steps you take in the hours after a crash protect both your health and your legal claim:

  1. Check for injuries and call 911. Get medical help on the way immediately — even if injuries seem minor.
  2. Move to safety if possible. Get vehicles out of travel lanes, turn on hazard lights.
  3. Call the police. A Ringwood Police report creates the official record your claim depends on.
  4. Exchange information. Name, insurance, license plate, and phone number from every driver involved.
  5. Document everything. Photograph all vehicles, damage, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signals, and your injuries.
  6. Get witness information. Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw what happened.
  7. See a doctor within 24 hours — even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks injuries; medical records link them to the crash.
  8. Notify your insurance company promptly, but stick to basic facts.
  9. Do not admit fault — not to the other driver, not to police, not to insurance. Do not give a recorded statement before speaking with a lawyer.
  10. Call a car accident lawyer before the evidence disappears and the deadlines run.
What to do after a car accident in Ringwood, New Jersey: 7-step checklist infographic
What to do after an accident in Ringwood, New Jersey — a 7-step checklist. View full size

Car Accident Lawyers by Town

The Epstein Law Firm, P.A. has office locations nearby at:

Contact our Rochelle Park office today at (201) 231-7847 or our Englewood Cliffs office at 201-734-3763 for a free consultation.

Ringwood Car Accident Lawyers Answer Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Car Accident Claims

A driver will experience a collision once every ten years, on average. These car accidents could cause injuries that change people’s lives or just cause minor property damage. If you have been in a car accident, you probably have a lot of questions, no matter what the circumstances. The Epstein Law Firm is a dependable source for Ringwood residents who have suffered injuries in all kinds of auto accidents. Our track record of success in cases of wrongful death and personal injury shows that we know what we’re doing and are dedicated.

The information provided here provides broad responses to some frequently asked questions about auto accidents. Call us at 201-231-7847 to arrange a free initial consultation to talk about your accident and your injuries.

The Epstein Law Firm

Get Help With Your Car Accident Claim

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Free car accident consultation from The Epstein Law Firm in Ringwood

Medical bills, lost wages, and pain after a Ringwood 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

Related Injury Resources

What is the deadline for submitting a personal injury claim?

The two-year statute of limitations in New Jersey applies to claims for personal injury and wrongful death. A wrongful death claim must be filed within two years of the accident date. Practically speaking, though, you should consult a lawyer well before the two-year mark. In a car accident, especially one that caused serious injuries, your lawyer will want to look at the scene and the cars involved. Generally speaking, the longer you wait to file a claim, the harder it will be to put together the best damage claim.

What are punitive damages? Are they accessible in the case of my auto accident?

Punitive damages are the third type of damage, and they may be given if the person or group who hurt you did so on purpose or in a way that was especially shocking. Punitive damages are only intended to punish the party that was at fault for your accident. For instance, we may have a compelling case to support punitive damages if you were hurt in an accident brought on by a defective product in the car and the manufacturer was aware of the issue (and benefited from it). In drunk driving accidents, punitive damages are frequently awarded.

What should I do following a collision?

You should call the police right away if you or someone in your car is in an accident. An accident report will be written and submitted by the police. This report can provide important details concerning your accident. Take pictures of your automobile, the other driver’s car, and the accident scene with your phone if you are able to do so. With the other driver, you should exchange insurance information but refrain from talking about the collision any further. You run the risk of having your statements at this time used against you.
Additionally, you ought to get medical help. An ambulance will show up at the accident scene if there are major injuries. Even if you don’t think you require emergency care, you should nonetheless have a doctor examine you to check for injuries. The reason for this is that if you put off getting medical help, the insurance provider might argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident. After receiving medical attention, you ought to speak with a lawyer.

The insurance provider has made me a settlement offer. Do I have to accept it?

Before accepting any settlement offer, you should always consult with a qualified auto accident attorney. Once you accept, you are unable to request more money, even if you incur more costs. Keep in mind that if insurance companies are aware that you have legal counsel to explain your rights, they are much more likely to make a reasonable settlement. Even your own insurance provider has a financial incentive to offer the smallest settlement.

What if the other motorist alleges that I caused the collision?

The “modified comparative fault” principle is used in New Jersey. This implies that in order for you to be awarded damages, a jury must determine that the other driver was more than 50% to blame for the collision. Your recovery may be diminished by your percentage of culpability after your case reaches this point. As a result, if the jury determined that you were 10% to blame for the accident despite having received $100,000 in damages, your recovery would be $10,000 less, or $90,000.

What is insurance with “no fault”?

Personal Injury Protection, usually known as PIP, is another name for no-fault insurance. You do not need to demonstrate that the other driver was at fault for the collision if you have PIP. Although drivers have the option of choosing between a standard policy and a basic policy, this coverage is mandated in New Jersey. Both PIP coverage and more bodily liability coverage are included in the standard insurance.
Your ability to sue the other motorist is a different aspect of your auto insurance coverage. You can save some money by choosing a “restricted right to sue” option when purchasing your coverage. If the other driver caused the collision, however, you cannot sue them for your pain and suffering unless you suffer permanent harm. A displaced fracture, the loss of a limb or other body part, a major disfigurement, or scarring are all considered permanent injuries under New Jersey law. You may also file a claim if the accident results in the loss of a fetus or the death of a loved one.

Testimonials

We want to express our deepest gratitude for the exceptional work you did to insure that our father’s unfortunate accident did not go unrecognized; my dear dad would have appreciated your professionalism, unstoppable work ethic and most of all your compassion every step of the way. Please know we have the highest regard and the utmost respect for you.

Deb & Joe

Thank you again for all of your help, support and advice. You’ve made a trying and difficult time much easier to deal with for my family and myself. You will never have any idea how much your efforts were, and will forever be appreciated.

F. D.

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