Car Accident Lawyers in North Bergen
You’re driving to meet friends at your favorite coffee shop on Tonnelle Avenue, when it happens. You’re unexpectedly rear-ended or side-swiped. A car accident can upend your life in an instant, leaving you balancing medical bills, missed days at work, and an uncertain future. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in an accident, you need a North Bergen car accident lawyer who is a strong advocate and can fight for the compensation you deserve.
Overview of New Jersey Car Accident Laws
If you’ve been injured in a car crash in North Bergen, knowing the basics of New Jersey’s personal injury laws can help you make informed decisions. From how fault is assigned to when and how you must report a crash, these rules directly affect your right to compensation.
Negligence and Fault: How New Jersey Assigns Responsibility
To determine liability, the Garden State uses the modified comparative negligence rule, meaning:
- If you are 50% or less at fault, you can still recover damages, but your percentage of responsibility will reduce your compensation; and
- If you are more than 50% at fault, you will not receive any damages.
For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 in damages but held 20% at fault, you would receive $80,000. A North Bergen car accident attorney can build a strong case reflecting what happened while minimizing liability.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
New Jersey law gives you two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline could permanently block your ability to recover damages, even if you have a strong case. That’s why it’s critical to consult a North Bergen car accident lawyer early, while evidence is fresh and your legal options are open.
Don’t Forget to Report the Accident
If an automobile accident causes more than $500 in property damage, injuries, or death, drivers must notify the local police department immediately. Besides turning into a driving offense, failing to disclose a qualifying collision could complicate your insurance claim or legal action.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents can result from various factors, including:
- Distracted driving—texting or using a GPS while driving;
- Speeding—exceeding the posted speed limits or driving too fast for conditions;
- Driving under the influence—operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs;
- Reckless driving—including aggressive maneuvers, tailgating, or ignoring traffic signals; and
- Weather conditions—rain, snow, or fog, reducing visibility and road traction.
Identifying the cause of the accident is crucial in determining liability and pursuing a claim.
Types of Injuries from Car Accidents
From sudden rear-end collisions near Bergenline Avenue to multi-vehicle pileups during rush hour, car accidents here happen fast, and often with serious injuries, including:
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries cause neck, shoulder, or back pain that may worsen over time;
- Fractures and broken bones often require surgery, casting, and months of physical therapy;
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) affect memory, coordination, concentration, and mood; and
- Spinal cord injuries can result in nerve damage, limited mobility, or long-term disability.
Some injuries are visible while others live under the surface. After a crash, many people also suffer emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, or fear of driving after a traumatic collision.
A skilled North Bergen car crash lawyer can help connect your symptoms to the accident and begin documenting the true impact on your life.
Compensation Available After a Car Accident
The costs of a car accident extend far beyond the emergency room. Whether you’re unable to work, facing repeat surgeries, or dealing with lasting pain, the law allows you to seek financial compensation for the harm you’ve suffered, such as:
- Medical expenses from ambulance rides and hospital stays to follow-up care and prescriptions,
- Lost wages if your injuries kept you from working during your recovery,
- Pain and suffering for the physical pain and emotional strain you’ve endured,
- Property damage to repair or replace your vehicle and any personal items damaged in the crash, and
- Loss of consortium for the impact of your injuries on your family life or marriage.
A seasoned attorney can help evaluate every loss category and pursue a claim that reflects the actual value of your injuries and the disruption to your life.
Why You Need a North Bergen Car Crash Lawyer on Your Side
Insurance companies may seem helpful until it’s time to pay. That’s when they work hardest to protect their bottom line, not yours. An experienced legal advocate knows how to anticipate and shut down common tactics used to reduce or deny your claim, including:
- Blaming you for the crash—suggesting you caused or contributed to the accident to reduce liability;
- Downplaying your injuries—arguing that your pain is exaggerated or linked to a pre-existing condition;
- Delaying responses—hoping you’ll get frustrated and accept less than you deserve; and
- Twisting your words—using recorded statements out of context to discredit your version of events.
An attorney doesn’t just level the playing field. They build a case that demands full and fair compensation.
Your Recovery Starts with Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C.
With over 30 years of combined experience and millions recovered, we’re not just legal professionals. We’re your partner during some of the hardest days of your life. Serving clients throughout New Jersey and New York. Our firm is known for:
- Trial readiness. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, ensuring thoroughness and diligence.
- Personalized attention. You work directly with our attorneys, not just support staff.
- Proven results. We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.
- Community involvement. Our attorneys support local initiatives and programs.
Recognized as Best Lawyers in 2023 and Best Law Firm in 2024, we are committed to delivering exceptional legal representation. With a focus on client satisfaction and a dedication to achieving results, we guide you through the personal injury claim process with compassion and expertise.
Don’t Delay Compensation and Justice
Regardless of the injuries you or your loved one sustained, don’t wait to explore your options. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with our North Bergen car accident attorney. We’re here to help you get the compensation you’re owed and fully support you through every step of your case.
Resources:
- State of New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Filing an Auto Damage Claim with Another Insurance Company, link.
- State of New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Filing an Auto Damage Claim with Your Own Insurance Company, link.
- U.S. News & World Report, Common Car Accident Injuries: Overview (January 2025), link.
- National Safety Council, Injury Facts, link.