Traffic accidents remain one of the top public health risks in our region. According to data provided by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), there are approximately 20,000 crashes reported each year in Hudson County alone. Many thousands of people across the state suffer severe, even life-altering injuries in automobile wrecks.
This raises an important question: How much can you sue for in a motor vehicle accident claim in New Jersey? The answer depends on several factors, including your ability to establish liability and the extent of your damages. In this article, our Jersey City auto accident attorney explains the key things to know about how much you can sue for in a car accident claim in New Jersey.
Background: New Jersey is a No-Fault Car Accident State (Non-Serious Injuries)
New Jersey is one of a minority of U.S. states that operates under a no-fault auto insurance standard. The New Jersey no-fault statute applies to minor and moderate car accident claims—including personal injury claims. In effect, this means that you do not “sue” the at-fault party for your damages after a minor or moderate crash. Instead, you make a claim through your own no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.
You Can Sue for a Car Crash in New Jersey if You Suffered a “Serious” Injury
New Jersey does have a fault-based personal injury claims process for serious car accidents. If you or your loved one sustained a “serious injury” as defined under state law, you can bring a personal injury lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver, at-fault truck company, or other negligent defendants. How much you can sue for will depend primarily on the following two factors:
- Liability: New Jersey has a comparative negligence law for fault-based auto accident claims. Each party to a collision can be held legally responsible for their proportionate share of the blame for the crash. The amount you can recover in a car accident claim in New Jersey varies based on your ability to establish fault.
- Damages: The core purpose of a car accident lawsuit in New Jersey is to ensure that the victim receives compensation for their damages. In effect, this means that the amount you can sue for will be based on your actual economic and non-economic losses. The greater your damages, the greater the value of the case. You may be able to sue for property damage, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Call Our New Jersey Car Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
At The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone, our Jersey City auto accident lawyer has the professional expertise that you can trust. If you or your loved one was seriously hurt in a crash, we are here to help. Give us a call or get in touch with us online for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. With a law office in Jersey City, we provide legal representation to auto accident victims throughout North Jersey, including in Union City, Bayonne, North Bergen, West New York, and Fort Lee.
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