Do I Have to Report a Car Accident in New Jersey?

Yes, you must report any car accident in New Jersey that causes more than $500 in damage or results in injuries or death.

You must also report any accident that the other driver flees from.

If you were hurt in a crash that wasn’t your fault, a Jersey City car accident lawyer may be able to help you get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.

When to Report a Car Accident in New Jersey

At Morelli Law Firm, our lawyers are committed to empowering our clients, so we’ve put together this information telling you exactly what types of accidents must be reported in New Jersey.

Accident Involving Injuries or Deaths

New Jersey state law mandates that any car accident that causes injuries must be reported to the police.

Since some injuries don’t show up right away, it’s always a good idea to have the police come to the site of any car accident to fill out a report.

Accident With Property Damage

You must file a police report for any accident that causes more than $500 of damage in the state of New Jersey.

Anything more significant than a tiny dent or scratch can easily cost more than $500 to fix, so it’s best practice to have the police come fill out a report for a car accident that causes any amount of property damage.

Hit-and-Run Accident

Fleeing the scene of an accident is a crime, so if you were the victim of a hit-and-run, you should contact the police so that:

• They know you didn’t flee the scene
• They have a chance of finding the driver who fled so you can hold them accountable for your injuries
• You can use the police report to get your insurance company to pay for your damages with your uninsured motorist coverage

Consequences for Not Reporting an Accident

Failing to report an accident in New Jersey can have numerous consequences ranging from simply annoying to absolutely devastating, including:

• Not being able to get compensation for any injuries you sustained or any damage that happened to your vehicle
• Struggling to get auto insurance in the future if insurers discover you failed to report an accident
• Fines up to several thousand dollars
• Having your driver’s license suspended or revoked
• Criminal charges filed against you for leaving the scene of an accident

How a New Jersey Car Accident Attorney Can Help You

Something you should know about us is that while some law firms fear the courtroom, we live for it.

Even if we don’t have to take your case to trial, the insurance companies know that we’re willing to go to court if that’s what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve for your serious injuries.

Here are some of the ways an experienced New Jersey car accident attorney from Morelli Law Firm can help you.

Investigate the Crash and Collect Evidence

Our highly experienced team will investigate the accident and collect evidence, including things like:

• Traffic camera footage
• Bodycam videos
• Dashcam footage
• Eyewitness statements
• The police report
• Your medical records

Negotiate With Insurance Companies

You don’t have to let the insurance company bully you into accepting a settlement that doesn’t cover all your needs.

We can negotiate with the insurance adjuster on your behalf. Since they know we aren’t afraid to go to trial, they are much more likely to offer us a fair settlement than they are to offer you one.

Go to Trial, if Necessary

If the insurance company refuses to offer you the money you’re entitled to, we’re fully prepared to take your case to trial to fight for every dollar you deserve for the life-changing injuries you suffered thanks to somebody else’s negligence.

Whether we can negotiate a settlement with the insurance company or whether we go to court, our compassionate attorneys will fight hard for the compensation you deserve.

How Much does a Car Accident Lawyer in New Jersey Cost?

We don’t want to add to your financial stress during this difficult time, so we work on a contingency fee basis at Morelli Law Firm.

Rather than asking you for any money upfront, we’ll take a percentage of the money we get for you.

No money for you means no money for us, so schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you need a New Jersey car accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm on your side to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Our attorneys have more than 40 years of combined experience, and we’ve used that experience to recover over $1 billion for our clients.

Let us put our experience to work for you. Schedule a free initial consultation today to find out how much your case may be worth.