If you are involved in a car accident, your first priority is your safety and that of everyone involved. 

1) Stay calm, check for injuries, and seek medical attention. Even if you feel fine, some injuries may not appear immediately, and prompt medical evaluation can help protect both your health and your claim.  

2) Report the accident to law enforcement. A police report can provide important documentation of the collision and may serve as valuable evidence later.  

3) Exchange information with the other driver, including names, contact details, driver’s license, vehicle registration numbers, and insurance information. Avoid discussing fault or making statements about who caused the accident.  Avoid sentences like “I’m sorry or I didn’t see you.” 

4) Document the scene if it is safe to do so. Take photos of damage to all vehicles, any visible injuries, road conditions, and any other relevant details. If witnesses are present, obtain their contact information.  

5) Preserve ALL evidence related to the accident. Keep copies of photographs, medical records, and police reports, and any other relevant evidence. Thorough documentation can help strengthen a future claim. 

Insurance companies may try to contact you shortly after the collision and request a recorded statement. This is a common tactic used by insurance companies to try to get you to sign away your rights before you fully understand them. Also, it is used as a tool to get information from you so that they may use it against you in the future. It is recommended to consult with an attorney before discussing fault, injuries, or settlement offers, as statements made early in the process may damage your claim. 

Uninsured motorist coverage under your own auto policy may provide compensation when the at-fault driver lacks insurance. That is why checking your insurance policy to make sure you have uninsured motorist coverage is very important. An attorney can review all available policies to identify potential sources of recovery. 

New Jersey's modified comparative negligence rule allows recovery as long as your fault does not exceed 50%. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of responsibility. At 51% or more, recovery is barred. The defense frequently raises shared fault, making early evidence preservation and thorough documentation critical. 

The value depends on the severity of the injuries, the cost of treatment, lost income, the applicable tort threshold, and the degree of fault. Cases involving permanent injuries and zero threshold coverage typically carry higher values than soft-tissue injuries subject to the verbal threshold. An attorney may provide a more specific assessment after reviewing the medical records, insurance policy, and facts of the collision. 

Most car accident claims resolve through negotiation or settlement before trial. If a fair resolution is not reached, the case may proceed through court-required ADR (mediation or arbitration) and, if necessary, to trial before a jury. Our attorneys prepare every case for trial so that our clients are in the strongest possible position regardless of when the case resolves. 

The timeline for a car accident case in New Jersey depends on the complexity of the injuries, the clarity of liability, and whether the case resolves through negotiation or proceeds to litigation. Cases involving severe injuries, multiple defendants, or disputed coverage issues may take longer. Our attorneys provide realistic timeline assessments during the initial consultation and keep clients informed at each stage. 

New Jersey's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2. Claims against government entities require a notice of claim within 90 days. Missing either deadline may eliminate the right to pursue compensation. However, it is very important that you reach out to an attorney right after an accident to make sure you are fully protected.