Over $1 Billion in Verdicts and Settlements

Car Accident Lawyers in New Jersey

Car Accident

Helping Car Crash Victims In New Jersey Recover Money From Insurance Companies Since 1981

Have you or a loved one been in a car accident in New Jersey recently? Are the insurance firms giving you a low settlement, and are you looking to gain maximum compensation for your pain and suffering? Davis, Saperstein, & Salomon, PC is a car accident law firm in New Jersey with over 40 years of experience successfully representing clients in car accident injury cases. With over four decades of experience, the partners and associates of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, PC have won over $1 billion in combined settlements and verdicts.

The firm’s partners are all certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Civil Trial Attorneys and are experts in all types of car wreck accidents. They accept your case on a percentage and do not get paid unless they win your case.

Most Notable Results From Our New Jersey Car Accident Lawyers

Some of our most significant car accident case wins include:

  1. $20,400,000 judgement for a woman hit by a drunk driver in New York City.
  2. 56 year old pedestrian hit by a car in Weehawken – $5.1 Million Settlement.
  3. Rear-end Collision – $1.3 million settlement for a woman hit by another driver.
  4. $1.2 million settlement for a driver permanently injured due to a rear hit.
  5. $1.2 million settlement for a man hit by a pizza delivery vehicle at an intersection.

Any compensation you receive for a car accident injury covers:

Why Should You Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident in New Jersey?

While you may be able to handle a New Jersey car accident injury claim on your own in some very simple personal injury cases, working with a lawyer will usually be in your best interest. This is especially true if your crash resulted in serious personal injury or the loss of a loved one.

Insurance companies know what is at stake in auto accidents. They will aggressively protect their profits. Your lawyer, on the other hand, will protect you and seek the maximum amount for you. As a study by the Insurance Research Council found, car accident victims with legal representation typically collect insurance payouts that are, on average, 3.5 times higher than the payouts that people without a lawyer collect.

Throughout your case, an experienced New Jersey auto accident lawyer from Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., will provide many valuable services to you such as:

Conduct a thorough investigation of your car crash.

You should never rely on the police report or an insurance company’s findings. Your car accident attorney can conduct an independent investigation that gets the facts straight. The investigation can include collecting evidence from the scene, interviewing witnesses and consulting experts in accident reconstruction.

Assessing your physical, emotional and financial harm.

Your auto accident lawyer will review your medical records, consult with medical and life care-planning experts and take many other steps to determine the full extent of your damages.

Reviewing your New Jersey accident case with you.

You deserve a frank discussion about the options available to you and the potential value of your case. You also should know what steps will be involved in pursuing your options as well as how long your case may take to resolve. Your lawyer from Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., will make communication with you a top priority.

Filing all necessary accident reports and paperwork.

A car accident requires you to file and serve numerous documents with insurance companies, courts and other lawyers. Your attorney will make sure to properly and timely file all paperwork involved in your case.

Preparing your accident case for settlement.

At Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., we prepare cases for success at trial. This approach allows our lawyers to resolve many car accident claims through settlements.

Taking your case to trial.

Insurance companies often challenge liability or the amount of damages that a car accident victim seeks in a claim. If this occurs in your case, we will be ready to fight in court for the compensation that you and your family deserve.

In addition to these services, a New Jersey car accident attorney from Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., can assist you if you encounter problems with your motor vehicle repair or replacement or with your medical treatment. You can also expect to receive regular updates about your case and prompt responses to your questions.

Our accident attorneys represent personal injury victims and their families in New Jersey on a contingency fee basis. So, you will pay no legal fees unless we obtain a verdict or settlement for you.

What is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident in New Jersey?

Settlements in New Jersey can range from $10,000 to $50,000 for smaller injuries, such as bruises, to over $1,000,000 for traumatic injuries including brain damage. Settlement amounts are based on injury type, severity, lost income, future expenses, and future emotional trauma. Our lawyers will work to get the maximum possible settlement based on all available facts and information.

How much do car accident attorneys cost?

The cost of a hiring a car accident lawyer varies with the firm and the amount of money recovered. Many firms offer free consultations. We also do not charge you upfront – we offer services on a contingency basis. That means that you only pay when we get a result for you, be it a verdict or a settlement.

What Type of New Jersey
Auto Accident Insurance Policy Do You Have?

Your rights after an auto accident in New Jersey will depend on your auto insurance policy. Your car accident attorney from Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. in New Jersey, can review your policy with you and explain your rights.

Generally, an auto insurance policy in New Jersey will include one or more of the following five types of coverage for motor vehicle accidents:

Personal injury protection (PIP)

This covers your medical expenses that arise from an automobile accident. You can also buy PIP that covers other motor vehicle accident-related expenses such as lost income and the cost of hiring someone to help care for your home and your family. You can also choose coverage that provides death benefits and funeral expenses.

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Liability

This covers the bodily injury and property damage that others suffer in an auto accident that you cause.

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Uninsured motorist (UM)

This covers the losses that you sustain when a driver who lacks legally required auto insurance causes your accident.

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Underinsured motorist (UIM)

This covers the difference between what the at-fault driver’s liability policy covers and your total damages (up to your UIM policy limits).

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Collision & comprehensive

Collision covers damage to your vehicle in an accident, regardless of who is at fault, while comprehensive covers non-collision damage such as that caused by theft or vandalism.

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When you buy auto insurance in New Jersey, you can choose between two types of policies:

With this policy, you can choose between $15,000 and $250,000 in PIP coverage. Even if you choose a lower limit, you may still get up to $250,000 in PIP coverage for serious injuries such as permanent or significant brain injury, spinal cord injury or disfigurement. Additionally, a Standard policy can include:

  • Bodily injury liability – As low as $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident and as high as $250,000 per person/$500,000 per accident.
  • Property damage liability – As low as $5,000 and as high as $100,000 or more per accident.
  • UM/UIM – You can purchase UM/UIM up to the amounts you select in liability coverage.
  • Collision/comprehensive – You would have the option to purchase these forms of coverage.
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With this policy, you can receive $15,000 in PIP coverage or, as with a Standard policy, up to $250,000 for certain injuries. Additionally, this policy provides $5,000 per accident in property damage liability coverage and gives you the option to buy $10,000 in bodily injury liability coverage. UM/UIM coverage is not available. Some insurers offer collision and comprehensive coverage as an option.View Next

Regardless of what type of policy you choose, you can sue a driver who caused your accident for economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages. However, your ability to sue for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering will depend on what policy and/or “right to sue” option you choose.

If you choose a Basic policy, you will have a Limited Right to Sue for non-economic damages. In other words, you cannot sue the driver unless you suffer one of the following serious injuries:

  • Loss of a body part
  • Significant scarring or disfigurement
  • Displaced fracture

If you choose a Standard policy, you can choose a Limited Right to Sue or Unlimited Right to Sue. If you choose the No Limitation on Lawsuit option, you can sue the other driver for economic damages regardless of what type of injury you suffer.

Are you ready to discuss your case? Contact us now to set up a free consultation.

How Do You Pursue Compensation After a New Jersey Car Accident?

When you get into a car accident in New Jersey, your first option is to file a PIP claim. You can receive these benefits regardless of whether you or someone else caused the crash. This is why people often refer to PIP benefits as “no-fault benefits.” Your New Jersey auto accident lawyer from Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., can help you to file this claim. Your attorney can also deal with your insurance company if you run into any obstacles with your claim.

If another driver caused an accident that harmed you or a loved one, you can sue the driver for economic damages. Depending on which auto insurance policy and “right to sue” option you have chosen, you can also sue the other driver for non-economic damages. In some situations, you may need to turn to your own UM/UIM coverage to cover the full amount of your damages.

Your ability to recover compensation in a car accident claim will depend on whether you establish that the other driver was at fault. Some of the common causes of  car accidents are:

investigating new jersey car accident - abogado de accidentes de auto
  • Driver inattention
  • Driving at unsafe speed (given traffic and weather conditions)
  • Making a turn or lane change without checking mirrors or blind spots
  • Tailgating (or following too closely, which is a frequent cause of rear-end collisions)
  • Failing to yield the right of way
  • Failing to obey traffic signals

As our law firm investigates your case, we may discover that the underlying cause of an accident harmed you or a loved one was drunk driving, distracted driving or driving while overly fatigued. Additionally, we may discover that you can hold another party liable for your auto accident such as the driver’s employer or a business or social host who served alcohol to the driver. Our goal will always be to identify all parties responsible for the harm you have suffered and to determine all sources of compensation available to you.

Your own fault could be a factor in the amount of damages that you recover in a car accident lawsuit in New Jersey. Under the state’s modified comparative fault scheme, you can be barred from any recovery if you are more than 50 percent at fault for your crash. If you are less than 50 percent at fault, you can recover damages. However, your damages would be reduced according to the percentage of fault assigned to you.

The lawyers at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., will vigorously protect your rights. We will aggressively fight any attempt by an insurance company to blame you for an accident and reduce the amount you recover.

Types of New Jersey Car Accidents We Handle

  • Drunk-driving accidents
  • Drugged-driving accidents
  • Speeding and reckless driving
  • Hit-and-runs
  • Wrong way accidents

We have handled thousands of different car collision injury cases. Only one thing remains the same, no matter the type of case, the insurance companies are going to look out for their profits and not your recovery. Let us help you fight the insurance companies and get the compensation you need to recover from your auto accident injuries.

Related Blog: How long does a car accident settlement take?

Car Accident FAQs

What’s the best way to respond to insurance companies that call me after an automobile accident caused by another driver?

Understanding New Jersey Automobile Insurance / Car Insurance People injured in New Jersey automobile collisions and highway accidents caused by the carelessness of others have strong legal rights. But it is crucial to avoid saying anything or doing something that undermines your own case. A person injured in an automobile accident has many critical decisions to make in the days after an automobile crash. It’s important not to make those decisions without experienced counsel. Under the terms of your insurance policy, you are required to give a statement to your own automobile insurance company. But some accident victims make the mistake of speaking to an insurance claims adjustor representing the at-fault driver who caused the accident. You may believe it is okay to talk since you weren’t at fault in the traffic collision. Unfortunately, some people unknowingly hurt their own claims by giving the other driver’s insurance company information they’ll use to deny or minimize their claim.

If you have been in an automobile accident, it’s important to consult an experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyer who is skilled at handling automobile accidents and negotiating with insurance companies. Insurance companies will have experienced accident lawyers representing their interests. You should too. Hiring an experienced NJ auto accident lawyer to stand up for your interests is one of the most important decisions you can make after a serious automobile accident.

For more than 30 years, the skilled car accident attorneys at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., have focused their legal talents on assisting people seriously injured through the carelessness of others. Our law firm, serving all of New Jersey, is highly regarded throughout the New York metropolitan area for the quality of the counsel and legal representation that our personal injury attorneys provide. We are justifiably proud of our record of success in representing more than 30,000 accident victims in cases involving automobile, motorcycle, trucking, pedestrian, construction site and other kinds of personal injury accidents.

Call our auto accident lawyers today at (800) LAW-2000 or use our online form to receive a free initial consultation. Translators for all languages are available.

Home and Hospital Consultations Available—No Fee if No Recovery.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Case?

It varies, but most claims are resolved within several months to several years.  Usually, higher value claims take longer to resolve.

Can You File a Car Accident Claim Without a Police Report in NJ?

Some minor insurance claims may be filed without a police report. However, NJ law requires you to file an accident report with the police for all incidents with personal injury, death, or property damage over $500. Police reports can be crucial to defending your claim.

What should I do immediately after a car accident in New Jersey?

Call 911 and report the crash to the police, seek medical attention for yourself and any injured passengers, exchange information and photograph the other drivers’ license registration, license plates and insurance cards, document the scene, take photos of the vehicle positions, property damage, take a video statement from any eye witnesses with their name and phone numbers.

What happens if I own a car that is registered to me and is uninsured in NJ and I get hurt in a crash?

You may be barred from suing and limited in recovering damages — even if the other driver was at fault.

Do I have to go to court for my car accident claim?

Not always. Most cases settle out of court. But if you are injured, never file a claim in Small Claims Court because if you settle there, you will not be able to pursue a claim for personal injuries.  Talk to a lawyer first.

Will the court award punitive damages in NJ car accident cases?

Rarely. Punitive damages apply only in extreme cases of gross recklessness or intentional harm.  Insurance carriers normally do not cover punitive damage claims. They are often effectively used in the context of suing a drunk driver for their gross negligence or disregard for the safety of others.

How is the value of my car accident claim determined?

It’s based on medical bills, lost wages, severity of injuries, pain and suffering, liability, and the available insurance coverage.

What if I was hurt in a crash while visiting NJ?

You may still bring a claim under NJ law if the crash occurred in the state. In fact, under New Jersey’s “Deemer” law, you may be entitled to up to $250,000 in medical coverage.

Can I sue a car manufacturer for a defect that caused my crash?

Yes, under a product liability theory, if a defect contributed to your injuries.  You must take action to preserve your vehicle prior to repair.

The police accident report about my car wreck contains factual errors. Should they be corrected?

This happens frequently. Whether in Newark, Hoboken, Jersey City, or another community, police write an initial report based on a brief investigation of an accident. The report may contain inaccuracies or false assumptions. If a police report contains errors or you disagree with the officer’s conclusions, you should promptly file an amendment to the police report with the investigating police department. An experienced auto accident lawyer can advise you on drafting an amendment. Once the accident report is finalized, police in New Jersey may be reluctant to change the report. You may have to speak to the police captain to file a statement to be added to the report.

The law firm of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., based in New Jersey, is highly regarded throughout New Jersey for the quality of the counsel and legal representation that our NJ car accident lawyers provide. The focus of our practice is representing people who were injured in accidents through the negligence of others. We are justifiably proud of our record of success in representing more than 20,000 accident victims in cases involving medical malpractice, defective drugs, automobile accidents, truck accidents and bus accidents, motorcycle accidents, and other kinds of personal injury accidents. We have obtained millions of dollars in settlements, verdicts and workers’ compensation claims on behalf of our clients.

Call our auto accident lawyers today at (800) LAW-2000 or use our online form to receive a free initial consultation. Translators for all languages are available.

Home and Hospital Consultations Available—No Fee if No Recovery.

My automobile was wrecked beyond repair and the at-fault driver’s insurance company is refusing to reimburse me for what I believe the car is worth. My own insurance company is of little help. Should I file a small claims suit?

No. Filing a small claims lawsuit is one of the biggest mistakes you can make after a New Jersey car accident. Why? In New Jersey, there is a legal rule called the “Entire Controversy Doctrine” that permits you to file only one lawsuit per event. By filing a lawsuit in small claims court, you may unknowingly give up your right to file a lawsuit for personal injuries or financial losses that would provide a much large recovery.

You would be well advised to consult with an experienced New Jersey car accident attorney to protect your legal rights.

For more than 30 years, the skilled attorneys at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., have focused their legal talents on assisting people seriously injured through the carelessness of others. Our experienced automobile accident lawyers understand how crashes occur and how to help people recover. Our law firm, based in New Jersey, is highly regarded throughout New Jersey for the quality of the counsel and legal representation that our personal injury attorneys provide.

Call our auto accident lawyers today at (800) LAW-2000 or use our online form to receive a free initial consultation. Translators for all languages are available.

Home and Hospital Consultations Available—No Fee if No Recovery.

Do previous driving accidents or insurance settlements affect your chances of collecting compensation in a car accident lawsuit?

Generally not. In fact, the law in New Jersey specifically allows for compensation for a pre-existing injury or medical condition which may have been aggravated by the accident. As a matter of fact, this is exactly the explanation of the law that is read to a jury by the judge before they begin their deliberations.

You can be sure, though, that insurance company investigators will delve into your driving record and look at any insurance claims you have made. The insurance industry keeps records of all your past claims. They’ll try to use this information to discount your claim, if possible. Inform your lawyers of any past accidents and any past claims. Your attorney needs to be aware of this information to negotiate effectively on your behalf. Also inform your lawyer of any past bankruptcies or contemplated bankruptcies, unpaid child support, divorces and past criminal convictions. Your conversations with your attorney are confidential.

A previous insurance settlement or car accident that was your fault in no way prevents you from bringing a successful personal injury claim for an automobile accident caused by another driver. But your attorney needs to have this information at hand and be prepared to respond to it if an insurance company brings it up as part of auto accident settlement negotiations.

The law firm of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., based in New Jersey, is highly regarded throughout New Jersey for the quality of the counsel and legal representation that our NJ personal injury lawyers provide. The focus of our practice is representing people who were injured in accidents through the negligence of others. We are justifiably proud of our record of success in representing more than 30,000 accident victims in cases involving medical malpractice, bus, train and boating accidents, automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, and other kinds of personal injury accidents. We have obtained millions of dollars in settlements, verdicts and workers’ compensation claims on behalf of our clients.

Call our auto accident lawyers today at (800) LAW-2000 or use our online form to receive a free initial consultation. Translators for all languages are available.

Home and Hospital Consultations Available—No Fee if No Recovery.

What Steps Should You Take After a New Jersey Car Accident?

We hope the above information has helped you to understand your legal rights and options after you get into a car accident in New Jersey. You should speak with an auto accident attorney from Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., as soon as possible in order to discuss the specific facts in your case.

As you prepare for your free consultation with an accident injury lawyer from our firm, please consider taking the following steps:

01 | Get medical treatment.

A doctor should examine you, diagnose any injuries you have suffered and start you on a course of treatment. The doctor’s diagnosis will play a critical role in your claim.

02 | Notify insurance company.

You should report your accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. You only need to give basic facts. However, you should never accept a settlement from your insurer or any other party’s insurance company until you speak with your car accident lawyer first.

03 | Get copy of police report.

The crash report will provide many important details about your accident and help your personal injury lawyer to conduct an investigation. You can contact the local law enforcement agency that prepared the report. You can also go online to order a copy of the report:

  • Go the New Jersey State Police website for a non-toll road crash
  • Go to www.BuyCrash.com for a crash on the New Jersey Turnpike or Garden State Parkway
  • Go to the Atlantic City Expressway Authority website for a crash on that stretch of road.

04 | Keep all records and other evidence.

Gather and store copies of any medical bills, vehicle repair bills and receipts of other accident-related expenses. Also, hold on to any photos from the accident scene or photos of your injuries. Keep any contact information of eyewitnesses.

05 | Write it down.

Take a moment and write down everything you can recall about the accident. Writing out the details of the accident while they are fresh in your mind will help to jog your memory down the road.

06 | Avoid social media.

You should not discuss your crash or your legal case on Facebook, Twitter or other social media sites. You may also want to consider taking a break altogether from social media until your case is resolved. An insurance company may try to use any comments or photos you post on social media against you.

Get Help Today

To learn more about your legal rights and options after an automobile accident, we encourage you to read the extensive car accident resources content on our law firm’s website as well as our book, The Consumer’s Guide to New Jersey Personal Injury Claims. The soft cover version of the book is free to all New Jersey residents who call our office for a copy. You can also download a copy for a minimal fee on Amazon.com.

Call Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., at 1-800-LAW-2000 or reach our law firm online today. Our law firm can provide a timely, free consultation about your accident case. You will pay no attorney fees unless our motor vehicle accident attorneys secure a financial recovery for you.