Helping Car Accident Victims and Their Families in New Jersey Secure Compensation for Personal Injury Claims
From overcrowded I‑76 fender benders in Camden to late-night coastal crashes on the Atlantic City Expressway, car accidents in southern New Jersey happen fast, and insurers race even faster to deny or delay fair payouts. The New Jersey car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Craig A. Altman level the field. We dig in, lock down evidence, and force insurance companies to pay full financial compensation.
South Jersey Crash Snapshot
606 lives lost and 574 fatal crashes statewide in 2023.
Pedestrian deaths surged 29% in 2024, hitting a 36‑year high of 221 fatalities.
Nearly 270,000 total crashes occurred each pre‑pandemic year; volumes rebounded after a 2020 dip.
From our Vineland office, we fight for injured South Jersey residents across Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Cumberland, Atlantic, Cape May, and Salem Counties.
Why New Jersey Drivers Trust The Law Offices of Craig A. Altman After a Wreck
Decades of crash case wins. We’ve battled GEICO, State Farm, and every major automobile insurance company. They know we won’t settle for pennies.
Rapid scene preservation. Investigators secure dash‑cam footage, black‑box data, and 911 tapes within hours so evidence doesn’t vanish.
Full‑stack medical support. Orthopedists, neurologists, and PTs treat on liens, so you get care now, not after a verdict.
Trial‑ready reputation. When adjusters stall, we file. When they low‑ball, we try the case. That’s Tough Cases. Tougher Lawyers.
New Jersey Laws That Shape Your Case
Law / Rule | What It Means for Your Claim |
|---|---|
Two‑Year Statute of Limitations (N.J.S.A. 2A:14‑2) | You have 2 years from the crash date to file a negligence lawsuit. Miss the deadline, and the claim is barred. |
Modified Comparative Negligence (N.J.S.A. 2A:15‑5.1 – 5.3) | You can recover damages if you are ≤ 50 % at fault. Your award is reduced by your share of blame. |
No‑Fault PIP & Lawsuit Threshold (N.J.S.A. 39:6A‑8) | PIP pays medical bills first. Choosing the “verbal threshold” lowers premiums but limits pain‑and‑suffering suits to serious injuries; selecting “no limitation” preserves full rights. |
No Caps on Compensatory Damages (Common‑law; N.J.S.A. 2A:15‑5.12 (punitive cap)) | No ceiling on economic or non‑economic damages in auto‑injury cases. Only punitive damages are capped. |
Contingency Fee Limits (N.J. Ct. Rule 1:21‑7) | Attorney fees are generally capped at 33 ⅓% of the first $750k, sliding downward for higher tiers. No fee unless we win. |
Motor Vehicle Accident Cases Our Law Firm Handles
We’re more than New Jersey car accident lawyers. If it rolls on South Jersey roads and someone is injured, we’re ready.
Accident Type | Typical Causes | Why You Need an Experienced Car Accident Attorney |
Tractor-Trailer & Truck Accidents | Driver fatigue, overloaded rigs, underride, and jackknife | FMCSA regulations, multiple insurance layers, event-data recorders, and corporate defendants |
Motorcycle Accidents | Left-turn violations, blind-spot merges, and road hazards | Helmet-law nuances, rider bias by jurors, and high-impact injuries |
Bicycle & Pedestrian Injuries | Dooring, failure to yield, and distracted driving | Comparative-fault fights, pedestrian PIP gaps, severe orthopaedic/brain trauma |
Rideshare & Delivery Driver Crashes | App distraction, tight deadlines | Uber/Lyft insurance tiers, contractor vs. employee status |
Bus & Transit Accidents | Sudden stops, negligent maintenance | Government-entity notice deadlines, sovereign-immunity defenses |
Rear-End & Chain-Reaction Pileups | Tailgating, weather, speed variance | Multi-party fault apportionment, disputed property damage |
On-the-Job Vehicle Accidents | Company errands, delivery routes | Dual recovery: personal injury lawsuit + workers’ compensation benefits |
If your injuries were caused by a motor vehicle, call us. Odds are, we’ve litigated a case just like yours and won.
Damages We Fight For In Car Accident Claims
Whether you’re coping with whiplash or a life‑altering spinal cord injury, you shouldn’t pay a dime for someone else’s negligence. We partner with trauma physicians, life‑care planners, and forensic economists to calculate what your injuries will cost today and decades from now.
Economic Damages | Non‑Economic Damages |
Emergency room bills, surgeries & lifelong medical expenses | Pain and suffering |
Prescription costs & durable medical equipment | Emotional distress & PTSD |
Lost wages, overtime & future earning capacity | Loss of enjoyment of life |
Vehicle repair or total‑loss value | Loss of consortium |
Vocational retraining & household‑service replacement | Scarring, disfigurement & permanent disability |
Wrongful death damages include funeral costs and loss of financial support for surviving families. We also pursue punitive damages when drunk driving or hit‑and‑run drivers show “willful or wanton disregard” for safety.
Common Car Accident Injuries Sustained in South Jersey
Even “minor” collisions can unleash major harm. Here are the injuries we see most often, and why prompt, specialized care (and legal action) matters:
Injury | What It Looks Like | Why It’s Serious |
Whiplash & Soft‑Tissue Strains | Neck stiffness, headaches, limited range of motion | Can mask herniated discs that worsen without imaging and targeted therapy |
Spinal‑Cord & Back Trauma | Herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, numbness, paralysis | May require fusion surgery, lifelong rehab, and home modifications |
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) | Confusion, memory loss, mood swings, even without loss of consciousness | “Mild” TBIs trigger long‑term cognitive and emotional deficits, driving up lifetime costs |
Fractures & Crush Injuries | Broken ribs, wrists, legs, pelvis; compartment syndrome | Multiple surgeries, hardware implantation, chronic pain, and mobility limitations |
Internal Bleeding & Organ Damage | Abdominal pain, deep bruising, dizziness | Often missed in ER scans, delays can be fatal and drive wrongful‑death claims |
Burns & Air‑Bag Abrasions | Blistering skin, facial scarring | High infection risk, costly grafts, and significant disfigurement damage |
Psychological Trauma (PTSD) | Flashbacks, anxiety, insomnia | Mental health care is compensable under NJ law alongside physical injuries |
Objective medical records build a stronger personal injury claim and help us demand full value from every insurance company involved.
What to Do After a Car Accident in New Jersey
Call 911 and request police. A crash report (Form NJTR‑1) is mandatory for injuries/property damage over $500.
Seek medical treatment immediately. Even “minor” pain can mask a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury.
Document the accident scene. Photos, video, and witness contacts disappear fast.
Notify your insurance company, but never give a recorded statement to the other driver’s carrier.
Call our New Jersey car accident attorneys before evidence fades and deadlines pass.
New Jersey Car Accident FAQs
What is the average car accident settlement in NJ?
Recent analyses place moderate injury settlements for less, with severe cases for catastrophic harm often at much higher settlements. Every case hinges on medical evidence, fault, and insurance limits.
How long does a car accident lawsuit take to settle in NJ?
Simple claims may resolve in 6–12 months; complex or catastrophic cases often run 1–2 years or more as doctors determine future care costs and insurers fight liability.
Can I sue for pain and suffering with the "verbal threshold"?
Yes, if your injuries meet the statute’s permanent‑injury categories, such as displaced fractures, significant scarring, or loss of a body part.
Is it worth suing an insurance company?
Insurers bank on lowball offers. A lawsuit applies pressure, opens discovery, and often increases settlement value. Our courtroom record gives us leverage to demand maximum compensation.
How are car accident lawyer fees calculated in New Jersey?
Under Rule 1:21‑7, our New Jersey auto accident lawyers work on contingency, meaning there are no upfront fees, and their percentage comes from the recovered compensation, but it slides down as the amount rises.
How do I choose the best car accident lawyer in New Jersey?
Look for proven trial results, focus on personal injury law, rapid client communication, and resources to front case costs, all qualities that define the legal team at the Law Offices of Craig A. Altman.
Ready for Tough Representation? Get a Free Consultation Today
Delay lets evidence vanish and statutes run. Our New Jersey personal injury lawyers handle cases across Camden, Gloucester, Burlington, Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem Counties. If you’re recovering, we’ll come to your hospital or home. Call or click the button below to get started with a free consultation.
$20 Million
Wrongful Death in New Jersey
$2 Million
Longshoreman Injury in New Jersey
$1.3 Million
Workplace Injury in New Jersey
$1 Million
Workplace Accident in New Jersey
$825,000
Workplace Injury in New Jersey
$750,000
Individual Harmed by an Exploding Thermos
$550,000
Neck & Back Injuries
$440,000
Workplace Injury in New Jersey
$400,000
Motor Vehicle Accident
$300,000
Minor with a Broken Leg
$300,000
Injuries Resulting From a Trip & Fall
$250,000
Pedestrian Accident
Injured? Tell Us Your Story. We’ll Handle the Rest.
Call To Speak To A Lawyer For A Free Case Evaluation.
Cases We Handle in New Jersey
Injured at work, in an accident, or in a slip-and-fall in New Jersey?
From comparative-fault rules to the Workers’ Compensation Act, the Altman Team knows New Jersey law inside out. Whether your claim arises in Mercer, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Cumberland, Salem, or Cape May County, we will protect your legal rights and help you get every dollar you deserve.
You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.