New Jersey is the most densely populated state, and the Turnpike and Garden State Parkway are among the busiest toll roads in the country. New Jersey is a choice no-fault state: the lawsuit option you picked on your own policy can decide whether you can claim pain and suffering.
Is New Jersey a no-fault state?
New Jersey is a choice no-fault state. New Jersey is a choice no-fault state. Drivers carry no-fault coverage, but the options chosen on your own policy can affect whether — and how easily — you can claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering.
New Jersey requires PIP. Drivers choose between a 'limitation on lawsuit' option (which restricts pain-and-suffering claims) and 'no limitation' when buying a standard policy.
Learn more in our guide to what a no-fault state is.
How does shared fault work in New Jersey?
New Jersey follows a modified comparative fault rule with a 51% bar. Your recovery may be reduced by your share of fault, and you generally cannot recover if you are found more than 50% responsible.
For example, if you were found 20% at fault for a crash in New Jersey, your compensation could be reduced by 20%. If your share reached the 51% bar, you could be barred from recovering from the other driver.
Read more: what comparative fault means.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, the general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the injury, with some exceptions.
Other deadlines can be much shorter. Your insurance policy may require prompt notice of the crash, PIP and uninsured-motorist claims can have their own timelines, and claims against a city, county or the State of New Jersey often need formal notice within months. Different rules can also apply to minors and wrongful death claims.
What are New Jersey's minimum car insurance requirements?
New Jersey requires drivers to carry at least $35,000 per person / $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. New Jersey phased in higher standard-policy minimums (35/100/25 from January 1, 2026). A low-cost 'basic' policy with lower limits is also available.
Minimum limits are often not enough to cover a serious injury. If the at-fault driver has little or no insurance, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, medical payments coverage or PIP may help. See what to do if an uninsured driver hit you.
What should I do after a car accident in New Jersey?
Get safe, get medical care and protect your evidence. These steps apply anywhere in New Jersey:
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt, and move out of traffic if it's safe — especially on busy roads like New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) or Garden State Parkway.
- Call the police and ask how to get the crash report. New Jersey generally requires reporting crashes that cause injury, death or significant damage.
- Exchange names, insurance and plate numbers, and photograph the vehicles, the scene and your injuries.
- Get the names and phone numbers of witnesses.
- See a doctor promptly, even if you feel fine — New Jersey PIP claims can depend on prompt treatment.
- Notify your own insurer, but be careful about giving the other driver's insurer a recorded statement.
- Talk to an independent New Jersey attorney before signing any release, keeping the two years deadline in mind.
Our full what to do after a car accident guide goes into more detail.
Where do car accidents happen in New Jersey?
Crashes happen everywhere, but traffic is heaviest in and around Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Trenton and Camden. Major routes include New Jersey Turnpike (I-95), Garden State Parkway, I-78, I-80, I-287 and US-1/9. Our attorney-matching service covers every county in New Jersey.