1. Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, workplace injuries, workers’ compensation, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, product liability
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, rear-end accidents, intersection accidents, commercial truck accidents, construction accidents, premises liability incidents, multi-vehicle accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence gathering, medical expense coordination, lost wage documentation, pain and suffering claims, PIP claims coordination
Background: Firm founded in 1981 with over 40 years of experience helping accident victims. More than 25 attorneys serving clients. Has obtained more than $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for clients. Offices in ten locations including Jersey City, Teaneck, and Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
Location: Harborside Financial Center, 2500 Plaza 5, 25th Floor, Jersey City, NJ 07311
Contact: (201) 253-1023 | 1-800-LAW-2000 | https://www.dsslaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7. No fee unless successful recovery.
2. Zavodnick, Perlmutter & Boccia, LLC (ZPB Law)
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, workplace injuries, construction accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions on I-78, Kennedy Boulevard, NJ Turnpike, rear-end accidents, intersection accidents, scaffolding collapses, machinery accidents, site injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, PIP claims coordination, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: Firm has over 30 years of experience in personal injury law in New Jersey. Partner Joseph Boccia has extensive experience in local courts and handling claims throughout Hudson County. Attorneys handle cases from Journal Square to Greenville and throughout Jersey City neighborhoods including The Heights and West Side.
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey
Contact: (201) 984-4442 | https://www.jerseycitynjlawoffice.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee arrangement.
3. Bhatt Law Group
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, T-bone accidents, intersection accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, medical treatment coordination, PIP claims, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: Firm has provided legal representation to people in New Jersey for over two decades. Team of diverse, multilingual personal injury and criminal defense lawyers. Attorneys include former prosecutor providing advantageous perspective and certified defensive driving instructor with understanding of negligent driving causes. Jay Bhatt has secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey (with multiple offices throughout the state)
Contact: (201) 798-8000 | https://www.bhattlawgroup.com
Consultation: Free consultation available.
4. Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, rear-end accidents, intersection accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, PIP claims coordination, medical records documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Firm has more than 90 years of combined legal experience. Attorneys handle complex car accident cases and secure compensation for accident victims. Works on contingency fee basis.
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.hassonlawoffices.com
Consultation: Free case review and consultation available. No upfront fees.
5. Krivitzky, Springer & Feldman
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, workplace injuries, workers’ compensation, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, rear-end accidents, intersection accidents, construction accidents, premises liability incidents, commercial vehicle accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Firm has been fighting for accident victims and injured workers for more than 40 years. Has recovered $150 million for clients injured in all types of personal injury cases. Offers evening and weekend appointments and home or hospital visits throughout Northern New Jersey. Se habla Español.
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey
Contact: (201) 798-2711 | https://www.jerseycitylawyer.com
Consultation: Free consultation available with honest case assessment.
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in New Jersey
New Jersey operates under a no-fault insurance system with a choice system, meaning drivers can choose between a “limitation on lawsuit” option (limited right to sue) or a “no limitation on lawsuit” option (unlimited right to sue) when purchasing auto insurance.
Statute of Limitations: Personal injury claims arising from car accidents must be filed within two years from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline typically results in losing the right to pursue compensation. Claims against government entities have shorter notice requirements.
No-Fault Insurance (PIP): New Jersey requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage with minimum limits of $15,000. PIP covers medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. Drivers choose their deductible amount and coverage limits when purchasing insurance.
Verbal Threshold: Drivers who choose the “limitation on lawsuit” option (also called the verbal threshold) can only sue for pain and suffering if they sustain one of the following serious injuries: death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement or significant scarring, displaced fractures, loss of a fetus, or a permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability. Those who choose the “no limitation on lawsuit” option can sue for any injury.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: New Jersey requires liability coverage of $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $5,000 for property damage (15/30/5). Additionally, $15,000 in PIP coverage and $15,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage are required.
Comparative Negligence: New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar to recovery. Injured parties can recover damages if they are 50% or less at fault. If found 51% or more at fault, the injured party is barred from recovery. Compensation is reduced proportionally by the percentage of fault assigned.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: UM/UIM coverage is required with minimum limits matching bodily injury liability limits ($15,000/$30,000).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the deadline to file a car accident lawsuit in New Jersey?
A: New Jersey provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline typically bars you from pursuing compensation through a lawsuit. Claims against government entities such as NJ Transit or municipal vehicles have shorter notice requirements, typically 90 days to file a notice of claim. It is advisable to consult with an attorney promptly to ensure all deadlines are met.
Q: What is the verbal threshold and how does it affect my car accident claim?
A: The verbal threshold is a limitation on lawsuit option that New Jersey drivers can select when purchasing auto insurance to reduce premiums. If you selected this option, you can only sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering if you sustained a “serious injury” such as death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, displaced fractures, loss of a fetus, or a permanent injury. If you selected the “no limitation on lawsuit” option (standard policy), you can sue for any injury without meeting a threshold.
Q: How does New Jersey’s no-fault insurance system work?
A: Under the no-fault system, your own PIP insurance pays for your medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident, up to your policy limits. This provides prompt payment without needing to prove fault. However, PIP does not cover pain and suffering. To recover non-economic damages, you must either have selected the unlimited lawsuit option or meet the verbal threshold requirements if you selected the limited option.
Q: Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident?
A: Yes, but only if you were 50% or less at fault. New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $70,000. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any compensation from the other party.
Q: What should I do immediately after a car accident in Jersey City?
A: Ensure safety and call 911 if there are injuries. Exchange insurance and contact information with other drivers. Document the scene with photographs. Collect witness information. Report the accident to police. Seek medical attention promptly. Report the accident to your insurance company to initiate your PIP claim. Avoid admitting fault. Save all communications, receipts, and documentation related to the accident. Consider consulting with an attorney before providing recorded statements to any insurance company.