New Jersey Car Accident Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced New Jersey car accident attorneys who can navigate the state’s choice no-fault PIP system, the verbal threshold, and the modified comparative fault rule. Whether your crash happened on the Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, or anywhere from Newark to Atlantic City, we’ll match you with the right attorney — at no cost to get started.

Two years from the date of the crash for personal injury under N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-2 and 6 years for property damage. Claims against public entities under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act (N.J.S.A. § 59:8-8) require notice within 90 days.

New Jersey requires every driver to carry $15,000 in PIP coverage under N.J.S.A. § 39:6A-4, which pays your medical bills regardless of fault. You also chose between the "Limitation on Lawsuit" (verbal threshold) and "No Limitation" tort options. Under the verbal threshold, you can sue for pain and suffering only if your injuries fit one of six categories: death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, displaced fracture, loss of fetus, or permanent injury.

You file an uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) claim against your own policy. New Jersey requires UM/UIM coverage on every auto policy under N.J.S.A. § 17:28-1.1.

No, and you usually shouldn’t. Anything you say can be used against you under the 51% bar and verbal threshold. Refer the adjuster to your attorney or your own insurer.

It depends on medical bills, lost income, future treatment, vehicle damage, and whether you meet the verbal threshold (if elected). New Jersey does not cap non-economic damages in standard auto cases.

The same statute of limitations and fault rules apply, but New Jersey’s toll roads see heavy commercial truck traffic, out-of-state drivers, and high-speed multi-vehicle pile-ups. Federal trucking regulations and multiple insurers add complexity.

New Jersey car accident attorneys typically work on contingency: no upfront cost, paid a percentage of the recovery if they win. New Jersey caps contingency fees on a sliding scale under R. 1:21-7 — generally 33-1/3% on the first $750,000, with reduced rates above that.

Why Do You Need a Car Accident Attorney in New Jersey?

New Jersey records over 270,000 crashes each year, with serious injuries concentrated on the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and I-78/80/280. New Jersey’s choice no-fault system (N.J.S.A. § 39:6A) makes drivers elect between the "Limitation on Lawsuit" (verbal threshold) and "No Limitation" tort options. Under the verbal threshold, tort recovery for pain and suffering requires meeting one of six specific injury categories (N.J.S.A. § 39:6A-8). New Jersey is also a 51% comparative fault state.

When Do You Need a Car Accident Attorney in New Jersey?

Our network includes New Jersey car accident attorneys who handle every kind of case, including:

Types of Car Accident Cases in New Jersey

From the moment you connect with a New Jersey car accident attorney, they go to work protecting your claim. The most common case types we handle:

Not understanding that the "Limitation on Lawsuit" verbal threshold restricts pain-and-suffering recovery

Failing to elect "No Limitation" tort option when buying the policy if pain-and-suffering recovery is a priority

Missing the 90-day notice deadline under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act (N.J.S.A. § 59:8-8)

Accepting a quick settlement before the full extent of injuries is known

Giving a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurer without legal counsel

Missing the 2-year statute of limitations under N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-2

Not understanding that the "Limitation on Lawsuit" verbal threshold restricts pain-and-suffering recovery

Failing to elect "No Limitation" tort option when buying the policy if pain-and-suffering recovery is a priority

Missing the 90-day notice deadline under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act (N.J.S.A. § 59:8-8)

Accepting a quick settlement before the full extent of injuries is known

Giving a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurer without legal counsel

Missing the 2-year statute of limitations under N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-2

Common New Jersey Car Accident Mistakes

Even a small misstep can hurt your case. Here’s what to avoid:

How Much Do New Jersey Car Accident Attorneys Cost?

33%

Typical starting contingency fee — you pay nothing unless your attorney recovers compensation for you.

Car accident attorneys in New Jersey work on a contingency fee basis. New Jersey caps contingency fees under R. 1:21-7 on a sliding scale — generally 33-1/3% on the first $750,000, then 30% on the next $750,000, then 25% on the next $1 million. Case costs are typically advanced by the firm.

What Can Your New Jersey Car Accident Compensation Include?

Economic Damages

Medical expenses, lost wages, future care costs — no statutory cap. PIP offsets first $15,000 (or higher with elected limits) in medical bills.

Non-Economic Damages

Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment — recoverable if you meet the verbal threshold (or rejected the limitation). No statutory cap when recoverable.

Punitive Damages

Available under N.J.S.A. § 2A:15-5.12 for actual malice or wanton disregard. Capped at the greater of $350,000 or 5x compensatory damages.

Property Damage

Repair or replacement of your vehicle and personal belongings. Pursued through the at-fault driver’s property damage coverage.

Wrongful Death

Recovery for pecuniary loss including services and companionship under N.J.S.A. § 2A:31-1. No statutory cap in standard auto cases.

PIP Benefits

First-party medical (up to $250,000 for catastrophic injuries), wage-loss, and essential-services benefits regardless of fault under N.J.S.A. § 39:6A-4.

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DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

New Jersey Car Accident Attorneys

Why Do You Need a Car Accident Attorney in New Jersey?

When Do You Need a Car Accident Attorney in New Jersey?

Types of Car Accident Cases in New Jersey

Common New Jersey Car Accident Mistakes

How Much Do New Jersey Car Accident Attorneys Cost?

What Can Your New Jersey Car Accident Compensation Include?

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