Jeff Varcadipane
December 9, 2025

Car accidents in New Jersey can cause serious injuries and financial strain. Securing a fair settlement is essential for recovery. In 2025, New Jersey operates under a choice no-fault system, where drivers select between a standard policy with a verbal threshold (limitation on lawsuit) or a basic policy with limited coverage. Understanding these options is crucial before pursuing compensation.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is required under New Jersey law, with a minimum of $15,000 per person, which helps cover initial medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. To recover non-economic damages like pain and suffering, the injured person must meet the verbal threshold unless the no-threshold option was chosen.
This blog explains how settlements generally work in New Jersey and how experienced lawyers can help maximize your compensation.
Understanding Car Accident Settlements in New Jersey
New Jersey’s verbal threshold option requires that to sue for pain and suffering, the injury must fall into one of six statutory categories, such as death, dismemberment, significant scarring, displaced fractures, or permanent injury. We often rely on medical documentation and expert testimony to establish these criteria.
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. In some cases, where the injury is not immediately apparent, the “discovery rule” may extend this timeframe.
Factors Influencing Settlement Value
Several factors affect the value of a car accident settlement:
- Injury Severity: Settlement amounts vary widely. Minor injuries like whiplash may plausibly range from $15,000–$50,000, while broken bones could range from $50,000–$100,000. Severe injuries such as permanent spinal injuries or traumatic brain injuries can result in settlements from $100,000 to $1,000,000+ depending on the circumstances.
- Medical Costs: Includes past and future medical expenses, therapy, and long-term care.
- Lost Income: Covers wages lost due to the injury and potential reduction in earning capacity.
- Comparative Negligence: Damages may be reduced if the injured party is partially at fault. No recovery is allowed if the injured party is more than 50% at fault.
- Insurance Limits: New Jersey minimums for bodily injury are $25,000/$50,000; uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) may provide additional compensation.
- Punitive Damages: Limited under New Jersey law to $350,000 or 5× compensatory damages.
How Lawyers Maximize Your Car Accident Settlement:
- Thorough Investigation and Documentation: Collecting police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert opinions to establish liability and permanence of injuries.
- Aggressive Negotiation: Insurers often offer low settlements. Lawyers negotiate using detailed life care plans, economic projections, and leverage of the statute of limitations.
- Overcoming Threshold and Fault Defenses: Securing medical certifications for permanent injuries and minimizing fault allocation in comparative negligence claims.
- Pursuing All Avenues: This may include exhausting PIP, filing third-party claims, and using UM/UIM coverage where applicable.
- Trial Readiness: Being prepared for court can pressure insurers to offer higher settlements.
Plausible Settlement Ranges in NJ Car Accidents
| Injury Type | Plausible Settlement Range | Key Considerations |
| Minor (Whiplash) | $5,000–$50,000 | Short recovery, low medical costs |
| Broken Bones | $50,000–$100,000+ | Surgery may be required |
| Permanent Spinal Injuries | $100,000–$500,000+ | May involve long-term disability |
| Traumatic Brain Injuries | $150,000–$1,000,000+ | Extensive care and rehabilitation |
| Wrongful Death | $500,000–$2,000,000+ | Economic and emotional losses |
⚠️ Note: These ranges are plausible estimates. Each case is unique and actual results may vary.
Steps to Secure Your Maximum Settlement
- Seek Immediate Medical Care: Creates documentation of your injuries.
- Report the Accident: Police reports are required for damages over $500.
- Collect Evidence: Include photos, witness statements, and financial records.
- Avoid Early Statements to Insurers: Always consult a lawyer before giving recorded statements.
- Hire a Lawyer Early: Act within the two-year statute of limitations to preserve your rights.
For minors, the statute of limitations is generally tolled until age 18, though specific rules can vary.
Why Choose Varcadipane & Pinnisi for Your NJ Car Accident Claim?
Serving Essex, Bergen, Hudson, and beyond, the firm works on a contingency-fee basis, meaning no upfront costs. compassionate advocacy ensures that both economic losses (medical bills, lost wages) and non-economic losses (pain, suffering) are properly valued.
Take Action to Maximize Your Settlement Today
Don’t let the complexities of New Jersey’s insurance laws reduce your recovery. Contact Varcadipane & Pinnisi, PC, for a free case evaluation at www.vplaw.com.
Jeffrey W. Varcadipane
Jeffrey W. Varcadipane is a Certified Civil Trial Attorney by the Supreme Court of the State of New Jersey and a Founding Partner of the Firm. He handles a variety of matters including civil and commercial litigation, appellate practice, real estate, and business law.
University: J.D. Fordham Law School
Bar Number: 29472005
Locations: New Jersey, New York, and Florida.
Let Us Fight For You
Need Help? Contact us 24/7
Free Consultation
(800) 616-2916
New York & New Jersey Personal Injury & Litigation Lawyers

