What to do this week
Get examined, even if you feel fine.
Soft tissue injuries and disc herniations routinely show up days or weeks later. A gap between the crash and your first medical visit is the first thing the insurance company will use against you.
Report it to your own insurer.
Your PIP coverage pays your medical bills regardless of who caused the crash. Yes, even if it was your fault. Most people do not know this.
Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer.
You are not required to. They are not calling to help you.
Photograph everything.
The cars, the scene, the road, your injuries as they develop.
Write down what happened while you remember it.
Memory degrades fast, and you will be asked about this a year from now.
Do not accept a quick check.
Early offers arrive before you know what is wrong with you. Once you sign, it is finished.
The two things that decide your NJ car accident case
Your PIP coverage
It pays your medical bills first, no matter who was at fault. It has a deductible, it has limits, and how you elected it years ago changes everything. Most people have never read this part of their policy. Read the PIP guide →
The verbal threshold
When you bought your policy, you chose either “Limitation on Lawsuit” or “No Limitation on Lawsuit.” That checkbox, made years ago to save a few dollars a month, decides whether you can sue for pain and suffering at all, or whether you have to clear a legal hurdle first. It is the most consequential line in your policy and almost nobody knows they made the choice. Read the verbal threshold guide →
What we do
We take over the calls. We build the medical record. We deal with the liens. We tell you honestly what the case looks like, including when the answer is that it is not worth bringing. And if the other driver’s coverage is not enough, we go after your own underinsured motorist coverage.
Common questions
Do I need a lawyer for a car accident in New Jersey?
Not always. If there is no injury and no dispute about fault, you may not. If you were hurt, if the insurance company is disputing anything, or if you are being asked to give a recorded statement, talk to a lawyer before you talk to them. The call is free.
How long do I have to file?
Generally two years from the crash. If a government vehicle or public entity is involved, you may have as little as 90 days to file notice.
The crash was partly my fault. Do I still have a case?
Probably. New Jersey uses comparative negligence. You can recover as long as you were not more than 50% at fault, though your recovery is reduced by your share.
Will my rates go up if I use my own PIP?
PIP is what you bought it for. New Jersey law restricts surcharging for not-at-fault accidents. Do not let this fear stop you from getting treated.