Multi-Vehicle Crash in Bergenfield, New Jersey - Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.

Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. | July 3, 2025 | Car Accidents |

On Thursday evening, June 26, 2025, around 5:45 p.m., a serious crash shut down the intersection of New Bridge Road and Woodbine Street in Bergenfield, NJ. According to the Bergenfield Police Department, a Chevrolet utility truck heading south on Woodbine struck a parked car. That impact caused a mechanical failure where the accelerator jammed and sent the truck crashing into a utility pole, continuing through the intersection and slamming into three more vehicles. One vehicle overturned, and a traffic light pole was knocked off its base and fell on top of a car. In total, five vehicles were affected in the crash. Thankfully, all five adults in the crash only suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The damage still caused EMS, fire crews, and utility workers to close the intersection for hours, with New Bridge Road not reopening until almost midnight.

Even though preliminary reports suggest that no one was critically hurt, multi-vehicle crashes like this can lead to injuries, insurance disputes, medical bills, and complex legal questions. That’s why it’s so important for accident victims to know their rights and have someone on their side to fight for them.

Possible Defendants:

The legal analysis required from these facts can be a bit complex when presented to an experienced personal injury attorney. The analysis starts with questions regarding the utility truck driver’s action, causing him to hit a parked car. Was he negligent? Did he hit an illegally parked car? Was there a mechanical defect in his truck causing his accelerator to stick? Was the truck recently serviced by a repair shot? Was the telephone pole that was struck too close to the curb?

The Injuries:

Then there are the injuries. Often, accident-related injuries without any broken bones are typically called “soft tissue injuries.” But it is not uncommon for these injuries to be far worse than fractures because injuries to the spinal discs, ligaments, and tendons often do not heal and are permanent. They may typically require weeks, months, and perhaps years of medical treatment that may include physical therapy, pain management injections, and even surgery.

In most cases, if there are no fractures or bleeding, most people shrug off initial pain and even refuse to go to a hospital for evaluation. Hours and even days later, pain sets in. The body parts that show bruising start to hurt and stiffen. The pain usually gets worse as the days pass by. Pre-existing and age-related conditions could have been aggravated by this truck accident.

Most neck injuries are caused by the “whiplash” effect of being rear-ended. Fortunately, seat belts prevent car occupants from hitting the dashboard or windshield; however, since seatbelts pin a person’s hips into the seat, the forward thrust of a person’s body will commonly cause a low back injury due to the force of the collision because their hips stay in place while their body was violently thrusted forwards or sideways. And these neck and back injuries are often painful and may require surgery.

Insurance:

And then there are insurance questions. Who is responsible for medical bills? If a person’s injuries arose from a motor vehicle collision, then the injured person’s medical bills are paid by his or his resident relative’s auto insurance policy. What about their lost wages, property damage, and rentals? These are of immediate concern, especially when a car is declared totaled by an insurance carrier. If they have collision coverage and if liability, meaning the cause of the accident, is in dispute, then it is best for them to get things started with their own insurance carrier. They will get repaid from the at-fault insurance carrier.

The aftermath of an automobile collision may be overwhelming and can leave a person wondering what to do next. Having a lawyer can make all the difference in how they recover both physically and financially.

According to Garry R. Salomon, a former Bergenfield resident and Partner at New Jersey’s personal injury law firm, Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., “It is best to call a qualified injury lawyer as soon as possible for some free advice as to your options and to warn you about what to say or not to say on recorded lines and answering self-serving insurance company forms.”

Salomon’s firm has been helping injured drivers, passengers, and pedestrians for over 40 years, and with over $1 billion recovered in verdicts and settlements for our clients and their families, we’re here to help. In fact, Garry R. Salomon co-authored, together with attorney Jeffrey E. Salomon, The Consumer’s Guide to New Jersey Personal Injury Claims 2^nd edition 2024, which is a book designed to help people who have been injured due to someone else’s negligence. The book can be purchased on Amazon.com; or a free copy can be shipped by calling Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.

What are the rights of the utility truck operator?

The answer to that depends upon whether or not he caused the crash. If he did, his employer’s insurance company would be responsible for all his losses. As far as his on-the-job injuries are concerned, he will likely benefit by making a workers’ compensation claim against his employer and may receive a final cash settlement if he has permanent injuries.

Are Permanent Injuries Required?

The answer, as it pertains to the accident victims, is no, because in cases when a commercial vehicle, such as a utility truck, causes injuries, a person can sue for any and all injuries, whether permanent or temporary injuries.

Common Injuries After a Car Accident

After a car accident, it’s common for the accident victim to feel shaken up, but even if there are no visible injuries, that doesn’t mean that they are fine. Car crashes can cause serious long-term injuries, some with symptoms that take a while to appear. The first step after an accident should always be to get checked out by a doctor to make sure that they do not suffer from any underlying injuries. These injuries range and often include:

Whiplash and neck injuries, such as ruptured or herniated discs
Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Back and spinal cord damage
Broken bones, like ribs or limbs
Internal bleeding
Skin lacerations, rashes, and bruising
Dental injuries
Psychological trauma and PTSD
In extreme cases, death

These injuries can affect an accident victim’s ability to work, to socialize with their friends, to enjoy their hobbies – it can change their entire lifestyle. Medical costs add up quickly, and even with good insurance, they may still be left paying out of pocket. If their injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, it is best for them to consult with an experienced and skilled New Jersey personal injury car accident attorney to see if they have the right to seek compensation before they sign away their personal injury claim as part of a property damage settlement.

How Can Accident Victims be compensated for their losses?

Generally, there are three types of damages recoverable

Economic – medical bills, wage and salary losses, including future losses
Non-Economic: physical and emotional pain and suffering for injuries, disabilities
Property Damage Losses

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Actually Help

Right after a crash, an accident victim’s main priority should always be their health. But once they are safe, the next steps can be confusing. Whose insurance pays for what? What if the at-fault driver’s coverage isn’t enough? How are they going to handle the medical bills, insurance, and normal life, all on top of trying to heal?

That’s where an experienced New Jersey car accident attorney comes in.

Investigating the accident scene, speaking to witnesses, and getting the full police report and body cam videos under the New Jersey Freedom of Information Act.
Identifying all responsible at-fault parties that contributed to the accident
Communicating with insurance companies
Gathering medical records and proof of damage
Helping their clients recover from their injuries, money for medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering

A law firm such as Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. represents clients on a contingency fee basis. This means that a client pays nothing unless the accident lawyer wins their case.

It is Important to Choose the Right Lawyer for Your Case

If you or a family member has been injured in a car accident and is looking for a New Jersey personal injury lawyer with a proven track record, you’ve come to the right place. At Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., we’ve been representing victims of motor vehicle accidents for over four decades. We’ve helped more than 35,000 clients recover the money they needed to get their lives back on track. And we’ve secured over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements on their behalf.

Contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. Today!

Whether it’s a five-car pileup like the one in Bergenfield or a rear-end crash on the Garden State Parkway or New Jersey Turnpike, we know what it takes to win. If you’ve been in a car accident in Bergenfield, NJ, or anywhere in Bergen County, don’t wait to get legal help. The sooner you talk to a qualified injury lawyer, the better your chances are of getting full compensation. At Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., we’ve been helping injured people stand up for their rights for over 40 years. We offer compassionate, skilled legal representation to ensure that you receive compensation for your losses.

Clients seeking experienced personal injury lawyers in Teaneck, NJ, or the surrounding Bergen County area can contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. at 1-800-LAW-2000 or via email at info@dsslaw.com. Our firm offers free, no-obligation consultations and second opinions, and has offices throughout New Jersey and New York City.

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Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.’s, founding and managing Partner, Garry R. Salomon, Esq., has successfully recovered multi-million-dollar settlements for victims of serious auto and truck crashes. During his career as a trial lawyer, he has earned awards and recognition for his legal accomplishments and devotion to his clients. He is certified as a Civil Trial Attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey an honor bestowed upon less than 2% of all New Jersey lawyers. The National Trial Lawyers, an educational organization for trial attorneys has recognized him in New Jersey as a member of the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers.” In the past 201 Magazine has listed him as one of “Bergen’s Top Trial Lawyers.” For over 15 years, he has been selected as a “SuperLawyers” by Thomson Reuters Corporation in its annual SuperLawyers list; and Garry Salomon has further been recognized by Martindale Hubble, a highly respected and reputable attorney peer review rating organization conferring upon him their highest rating as an “AV” rated attorney. For over 25 consecutive years, Garry has been a member of the Board of Governors of the New Jersey Association for Justice (NJAJ) and contributes twice a year to legal conferences and seminars attended by trial lawyers.

He is a co-author of The Consumer’s Guide to New Jersey Personal Injury Claims a clear, practical, and easy-to-understand guide to help New Jersey residents understand their legal rights after being injured due to someone else’s negligence. To request your own free copy of The Consumer’s Guide to New Jersey Personal Injury Claims call 1-800-LAW-2000.

For Rating Methodology See:

SuperLawyers Selection process – Super Lawyers

Top 100 Trial Lawyers Contact Us – The National Trial Lawyers

NJAJ Board Membership About New Jersey Association for Justice

Martindale Hubbel AV Peer Review Ratings & Client Review Awards | Martindale-Hubbell®