New Jersey Car Accident Laws: Deadlines, Fault Rules & Insurance
A plain-English guide to the rules that shape a car accident claim in New Jersey — how long you have to file, how the state handles fault, whether it's a no-fault state, and the minimum insurance drivers must carry. If you were injured and want help, we can connect you with a vetted, New Jersey-licensed attorney in our network.
General information, not legal advice. Filing deadlines and fault rules change and have many exceptions. The figures below are a starting point only — confirm the details of your specific case with an attorney licensed in New Jersey before relying on them.
Filing Deadline
2 Years
Statute of limitations (injury)
Fault Rule
Modified Comparative Negligence
No-Fault Auto?
Yes
Min. Liability
$15,000 / $30,000
Worth knowing in New Jersey
New Jersey is a PIP/no-fault state. This is one of the two states where the CarInjuryLaw.com network's own attorneys are directly licensed.
The deadline to file in New Jersey
New Jersey generally gives injured people 2 years from the date of a crash to file a personal-injury lawsuit. Miss it and the court will almost always refuse the case, no matter how strong it is. The clock can run differently for claims involving a government vehicle, an injured minor, or a death, so the single most important early step is to confirm your actual deadline.
How New Jersey handles fault
New Jersey uses modified comparative fault: you can recover as long as your share of fault stays below the state's bar (generally around half), with compensation reduced by your percentage.
No-fault vs. at-fault in New Jersey
New Jersey is a no-fault auto state. After a crash you generally turn first to your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for medical bills and certain wage losses, no matter who was at fault. You can step outside no-fault to sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only when your injuries cross the state's threshold.
Minimum insurance in New Jersey
Drivers in New Jersey must carry at least $15,000 / $30,000 in liability coverage. Those minimums are often far below what a serious injury actually costs, which is why your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can end up being the coverage that matters most.
Injured in New Jersey? Talk to a New Jersey-licensed attorney.
CarInjuryLaw.com is a referral service. We'll connect you with a vetted attorney admitted in New Jersey for a free case review — no cost and no obligation to hire.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in New Jersey?
New Jersey's personal-injury statute of limitations is commonly cited as 2 years from the date of the crash. Deadlines have important exceptions (for minors, government defendants, and wrongful death, among others) and can change, so confirm the deadline that applies to your specific case with a New Jersey-licensed attorney before relying on it.
Is New Jersey a no-fault or at-fault state?
New Jersey is a no-fault auto state. After a crash you generally turn first to your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for medical bills and certain wage losses, no matter who was at fault. You can step outside no-fault to sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only when your injuries cross the state's threshold.
What happens if I was partly at fault for the New Jersey crash?
New Jersey uses modified comparative fault: you can recover as long as your share of fault stays below the state's bar (generally around half), with compensation reduced by your percentage.
What is the minimum car insurance required in New Jersey?
New Jersey's minimum liability limits are commonly cited as $15,000 / $30,000. Minimum coverage is often far less than a serious injury actually costs, which is why underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage matters. Confirm current requirements with the New Jersey insurance regulator or a licensed attorney.