[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/blog\/new-jersey-car-accident-laws-in-a-nutshell\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/blog\/new-jersey-car-accident-laws-in-a-nutshell\/","headline":"New Jersey Car Accident Laws in a Nutshell – What Every NJ Driver Needs to Know","name":"New Jersey Car Accident Laws in a Nutshell – What Every NJ Driver Needs to Know","description":"Car accidents are stressful, confusing, and often life-changing, and most drivers, after being involved in a crash, are not sure what to do or what their legal rights are. That\u2019s why every NJ driver needs to have a basic understanding of New Jersey\u2019s auto insurance laws and how they affect...","datePublished":"2025-05-13","dateModified":"2026-02-02","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/blog\/author\/dsslaw\/#Person","name":"Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.","url":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/blog\/author\/dsslaw\/","identifier":12,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/645d493126a7be6f90be911a6e7d4382c0cd63874673097832081394c8bcf8ab?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/645d493126a7be6f90be911a6e7d4382c0cd63874673097832081394c8bcf8ab?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/bg-logo.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/bg-logo.jpg","width":192,"height":90}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DSS-Blog-FT-Image-Template-24.png","url":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DSS-Blog-FT-Image-Template-24.png","height":500,"width":600},"url":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/blog\/new-jersey-car-accident-laws-in-a-nutshell\/","about":["Car Accidents"],"wordCount":964,"articleBody":"Car accidents are stressful, confusing, and often life-changing, and most drivers, after being involved in a crash, are not sure what to do or what their legal rights are. That\u2019s why every NJ driver needs to have a basic understanding of New Jersey\u2019s auto insurance laws and how they affect you if you are involved in an automobile collision.\u00a0 So, here\u2019s what you need to know in a nutshell.New Jersey Car Accident LawsNew Jersey Is a No-Fault StateNew Jersey has a “no-fault” insurance system, called Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which means your own household\u2019s auto insurance policies pay for your medical bills up to the amount of your PIP coverage, no matter who caused the car accident. \u00a0Even if you do not own a car, your PIP benefits will be paid by the nearest blood relative of your living within your household and that should not affect their insurance costs.Report on the AccidentIf you did not cause the collision, it is always best to call the police to the accident scene.\u00a0 In New Jersey, any accident that causes injury, death, or property damage over $500 must be reported to the police within 10 days after the collision. If you don’t report an accident, it can lead to penalties or even a suspended license.What If You\u2019re Partially at Fault?New Jersey uses a comparative negligence rule. This means that if you\u2019re found to be partially at fault for the accident, your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault and your damages totaled $100,000, you could still recover $80,000. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you will not be able to be paid for your injuries or financial losses.Strict Statute of LimitationsIn New Jersey, you have a limited time to file a car accident lawsuit, which is called the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation or legal action altogether.2 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim6 years to file for property damage90 notice to public entitiesUp to age 20 for an injury to a minorYou Can Choose Limited or Unlimited Right to SueWhen buying car insurance in New Jersey, you\u2019ll be asked to choose between a limited right to use or an unlimited right to sue. This choice can greatly affect your legal options after a crash, so review your insurance contract carefully before choosing to make sure you fully understand the policy.The basic principles are:Limited Right to Sue: \u00a0Also called Limited Tort and Verbal ThresholdLower premiums, but fewer options to sue for pain and suffering, unless the injuries are permanent injuries to a body part.Unlimited Right to Sue: Higher premiums, but you can sue for pain and suffering regardless of injury severity.\u00a0 Also known as No Threshold or Zero Threshold.Commercial Vehicle Exception:\u00a0 If injured by a commercial vehicle such as a truck, bus, or tractor-trailer, you automatically have no threshold and you sue for both temporary and permanent injuries.What Damages Can You Recover in a Lawsuit?If your injuries meet the legal threshold to sue, you may be entitled to recover damages for:Medical bills (past and future)Lost wages and reduced earning capacityPain and sufferingEmotional distressProperty damageAny out-of-pocket expensesLosses to your spouseAn experienced personal injury attorney can help estimate the full value of your claim, fight for your right to compensation including pain and suffering, and help guide and support you through the complex legal process.Hire an Experienced New Jersey Car Injury LawyerNavigating New Jersey car accident laws and insurance claims on your own is tough. That\u2019s why having an experienced NJ car injury attorney in your corner makes all the difference with your case.At Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., we\u2019ve been standing up for accident victims across New Jersey for over 40 years. We\u2019ve secured over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements and helped over 35,000 clients and their families. Our award-winning legal team knows how to fight for your rights to get the compensation you deserve.Get a Free Book about New Jersey Personal Injury Claims:Davis, Saperstein & Salomon P.C. Partners Garry R. Salomon and Jeffrey E. Salomon co-authored the second edition of The Consumer\u2019s Guide to New Jersey Personal Injury Claims (2nd edition 2024) available at amazon.com or by calling 1-800-529-2000.Injured in a Car Accident? We’re Here for You.If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, don\u2019t wait! Whether you have been injured in a car accident, slip and fall, a fire, or require representation for a claim, the personal injury attorneys at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. offer compassionate, skilled legal representation to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.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 lawinfo@dsslaw.com. Our firm offers free, no-obligation consultations and second opinions, and has offices throughout New Jersey and New York City.About the AuthorLatest PostsDavis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.Since 1981, the compassionate personal injury lawyers at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon have been delivering results for our deserving clients. We are solely committed to helping injured individuals, never representing corporations.\u00a0No matter how large or small your personal injury case is, you can trust that it is important to us.NYC Construction Accident - The Dangers of Jobsite Falls and Workers' RightsSteven Benvenisti Advocates for HALT Drunk Driving LawDavis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. Named #1 Law Firm"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"New Jersey Car Accident Laws in a Nutshell – What Every NJ Driver Needs to Know","item":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/blog\/new-jersey-car-accident-laws-in-a-nutshell\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]