1. Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, workers’ compensation, dangerous products, defective medical devices, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, intersection accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial trucking accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving crashes, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, construction site accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, PIP claim assistance, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, workers’ compensation claims, verbal threshold analysis
Background: Founded in 1981 by childhood friends Sam Davis, Garry R. Salomon, and Marc Saperstein. The firm has recovered over $1 billion for clients and achieved recoveries of $1 million or more in over 25 cases. The firm employs more than 25 attorneys and has 14 lawyers Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Civil Trial Attorneys. The firm maintains an on-staff physician to review complex medical issues and on-staff investigators. BBB accredited. Members of the American Association for Justice, New Jersey Association for Justice, and the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America. Multiple attorneys recognized by Super Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell. Named to Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report. Notable recoveries: $28 million (premises liability), $20 million (construction site accident), $15 million (premises liability).
Location: 1 Gateway Center, Suite 2600, Newark, NJ 07102
Contact: (973) 854-1000 | (800) 529-2000 | https://www.dsslaw.com/newark/
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7, contingency fee (no fee unless case is won), meetings available at convenient locations, staff speaks over 12 languages
2. Schreck Personal Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall injuries, premises liability, workers’ compensation, wrongful death, drunk driving accidents
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, head-on crashes, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial truck accidents, pedestrian knockdowns, slip and fall injuries at commercial properties, negligent snow removal accidents, construction accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, PIP claim assistance, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, workers’ compensation benefits assistance
Background: Established in 1982 by Fredrick Schreck, with his son Jarrett Schreck joining in 2009. The firm is located two blocks from the Essex County Courthouse at 575 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The attorneys have decades of combined experience handling personal injury matters throughout New Jersey. Notable settlement: $575,000 for automobile accident victim who sustained lumbar injuries requiring fusion surgery after a collision on the George Washington Bridge.
Location: 575 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Newark, NJ 07102
Contact: (973) 622-5531 | https://www.schreckpersonalinjurylawyer.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement (no recovery, no fee)
3. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, workplace injuries, construction accidents, slip and fall accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Vehicle collisions on New Jersey Turnpike and Interstate 280, intersection accidents, rear-end crashes, head-on collisions, multi-vehicle pileups, construction site injuries, premises liability, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, PIP claim filing, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, evidence gathering, fault determination, medical bill assistance, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, workers’ compensation navigation
Background: Named a Top 40 Law Firm by the New Jersey Law Journal. Attorney Edward P. Capozzi is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Attorney Charles X. Gormally is Certified as a Civil Trial Attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. The firm serves Newark, Essex County, and all 21 counties in New Jersey. The attorneys have extensive experience navigating New Jersey’s no-fault insurance system and verbal threshold requirements.
Location: 360 Lafayette Street, Unit B, Newark, NJ 07105
Contact: (973) 364-8300 | https://www.njlawresults.com/newark-nj-personal-injury-lawyer/
Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee basis
4. Todd J. Leonard Law Firm
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, intersection accidents, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, failure to yield accidents, speeding accidents, wrongful death from vehicle collisions
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, PIP claim assistance, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, verbal threshold analysis, evidence preservation, accident reconstruction, medical record review, lost wage documentation, pain and suffering claims
Background: Over 35 years of experience representing car accident victims. The firm has represented thousands of clients and recovered millions in damages. Attorney Todd Leonard has been selected to the New Jersey Super Lawyers list since 2011. He is Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney, a credential requiring thorough examination, peer recognition, and extensive experience. The firm tracks Essex County accident statistics and has extensive knowledge of dangerous roadways including State Highway 21, Route 20, and Route 21.
Location: Serving Newark and Essex County (main office in Denville, NJ)
Contact: (973) 920-7900 | https://www.lawleonard.com/newark/car-accidents/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
5. New Jersey Injury Lawyers, P.C.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, toxic exposure, product liability
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, head-on accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, dismemberment cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, PIP claim assistance, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical record review, evidence collection, lost wage documentation, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Founded by Michael F. Boland, Esq. The firm focuses on representing individuals injured due to negligence throughout New Jersey. The attorneys handle cases involving auto collisions, slip-and-fall accidents, product liability, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injuries. The firm provides personalized attention to each case and guides clients through the complex New Jersey insurance and legal systems.
Location: Newark, NJ (serving Essex County and all of New Jersey)
Contact: (862) 227-4030 | https://new-jersey-injury-lawyers.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee (no fee unless settlement obtained)
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in New Jersey
Statute of Limitations:
Personal injury claims arising from car accidents must be filed within two years from the date of the accident. Property damage claims also have a two-year statute of limitations. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years from the date of death. Claims against public entities have shorter notice requirements.
No-Fault Insurance System:
New Jersey is a “choice no-fault” state. Under the no-fault system, each driver’s own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers medical expenses and certain financial losses regardless of who caused the accident. PIP coverage pays for medical treatment, lost wages (income continuation benefits for Standard Policy holders), replacement services, and death/funeral benefits (Standard Policy).
Insurance Policy Options:
New Jersey drivers choose between a Basic Policy and a Standard Policy. The Basic Policy includes: $5,000 property damage liability per accident and $15,000 PIP per person per accident (up to $250,000 for catastrophic injuries like permanent brain or spinal cord injuries). The Standard Policy includes higher limits: $15,000/$30,000 minimum bodily injury liability (up to $250,000/$500,000), $5,000 to $25,000 property damage, $15,000 to $250,000 PIP, and optional uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Verbal Threshold (Limitation on Lawsuit Option):
Basic Policy holders and Standard Policy holders who select the “Limitation on Lawsuit” option are subject to the verbal threshold. This restricts the ability to sue for non-economic damages (pain and suffering) unless the injury meets specific criteria: death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement or scarring, displaced fracture, loss of a fetus, or permanent injury (a body part has not healed and will not heal to function normally). Injuries must be certified by a physician based on objective clinical evidence (MRIs, X-rays) within 60 days of filing an answer.
Zero Threshold (Unlimited Right to Sue):
Standard Policy holders can pay higher premiums to select the “No Limitation on Lawsuit” option, which allows them to sue for pain and suffering for any injury, regardless of severity.
Minimum Insurance Requirements (Effective January 1, 2023):
Standard Policy minimums: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, $25,000 property damage per accident. The previous minimums of $15,000/$30,000/$5,000 were increased. PIP minimum remains $15,000 for Basic Policy and is adjustable for Standard Policy. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage minimums: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident (matching bodily injury limits).
Comparative Negligence:
New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule. An injured party can recover damages as long as they are not more than 50% at fault for the accident. If the injured party is 51% or more at fault, they are barred from recovery. Damages are reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the injured party.
Damage Caps:
New Jersey does not cap compensatory damages (economic or non-economic) in personal injury cases. Punitive damages are capped at five times the compensatory damages or $350,000, whichever is greater, under the Punitive Damages Act.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage:
UM/UIM coverage is optional for Basic Policy holders but available with Standard Policies. It protects drivers when the at-fault party has no insurance or insufficient coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does New Jersey’s no-fault insurance system affect my car accident claim?
A: New Jersey’s no-fault system means that after a car accident, you file a claim with your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance for medical expenses and certain financial losses, regardless of who caused the accident. Your PIP coverage pays for medical treatment immediately without waiting to determine fault. However, your ability to sue the at-fault driver for additional damages (particularly pain and suffering) depends on your policy’s “tort option.” If you have the verbal threshold (limitation on lawsuit), you can only sue for non-economic damages if you suffered a qualifying serious injury such as death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, displaced fracture, loss of a fetus, or permanent injury. If you have the zero threshold (unlimited right to sue), you can pursue pain and suffering for any injury. Property damage claims are separate from no-fault and can be pursued against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance.
Q: What is the verbal threshold and how do I know if it applies to me?
A: The verbal threshold, also called the “limitation on lawsuit option,” is a restriction on your right to sue for pain and suffering that applies if you selected this option (or have a Basic Policy). Under the verbal threshold, you can only sue for non-economic damages if your injury meets specific criteria defined in N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8: death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement or scarring, displaced fracture, loss of a fetus, or permanent injury. To prove permanent injury, a treating physician must certify, based on objective clinical evidence such as MRIs or X-rays, that the injury has not healed and will not heal to function normally. This certification must be provided within 60 days of filing an answer in a lawsuit. Check your auto insurance policy’s declarations page to see which tort option you selected. If you’re uncertain, an attorney can review your coverage.
Q: What are the minimum insurance requirements for drivers in New Jersey?
A: As of January 1, 2023, New Jersey drivers with a Standard Policy must carry minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage (25/50/25). Personal Injury Protection (PIP) minimums are $15,000 for a Basic Policy and adjustable for Standard Policies. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage must match bodily injury limits ($25,000/$50,000). These minimums increased from the previous 15/30/5 requirements that had been in place for decades. A Basic Policy provides only $5,000 property damage liability and $15,000 PIP with no bodily injury liability coverage. Drivers should consider higher limits, as minimum coverage often proves inadequate in serious accidents.
Q: How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Newark?
A: In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims from car accidents is two years from the date of the accident. This deadline applies to both bodily injury and property damage claims. If you fail to file a lawsuit within two years, you lose your right to pursue compensation through the courts. However, you should file your PIP claim promptly after the accident, as insurance policies require timely notice. Claims against public entities (such as New Jersey Transit or municipal vehicles) have shorter notice requirements and filing deadlines. If the accident resulted in death, the wrongful death statute of limitations is also two years, calculated from the date of death rather than the accident date. Given these time constraints, consulting with an attorney promptly after an accident is advisable.
Q: Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for a Newark car accident?
A: Yes, New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can recover compensation as long as you were not more than 50% at fault for the accident. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any damages. If you share fault but are 50% or less responsible, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you suffered $100,000 in damages but were found 30% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $70,000. This system is more favorable than contributory negligence states (where any fault bars recovery) but still requires careful attention to fault allocation. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys often try to shift blame to injured parties. Documenting the accident scene, obtaining witness statements, and working with an experienced attorney can help establish the other driver’s liability.