Auto Accident Lawyer in Bergen County, NJ

Bergen County’s Most Dangerous Roads

Bergen County’s road network combines high-speed highways with congested local roads—a recipe for serious accidents. According to recent statistics, Bergen County sees dozens of fatal crashes each year, with many more causing serious injuries.

Route 4 – Gateway to the George Washington Bridge

Route 4 is one of the most heavily trafficked roads in northern New Jersey, carrying commuters and commercial vehicles between the George Washington Bridge and suburban Bergen County.

Why Route 4 is dangerous:

• GWB congestion spillover – When the bridge backs up, aggressive lane changes and sudden stops cause accidents
• High-speed merging – Multiple access roads converge in short stretches
• Commercial vehicle traffic – Trucks and buses mix with passenger vehicles
• Limited signage – Drivers making decisions at high speed

Common accident types on Route 4:

• T-bone collisions at merge points
• Rear-end crashes from sudden stops
• Side-swipe accidents from aggressive lane changes
• Multi-vehicle pileups during heavy traffic

Hotspots:

• Forest Avenue intersection near commercial properties
• Teaneck Road interchange
• GWB approach during rush hours

Route 17 – Retail Corridor Dangers

Route 17 runs north-south through Bergen County’s retail heart, including Paramus, the nation’s top retail ZIP Code. The combination of shopping traffic, highway speeds, and constant turning movements makes it extremely dangerous.

Why Route 17 is dangerous:

• High-volume turning traffic – Vehicles entering and exiting shopping centers
• Pedestrian activity – Shoppers crossing between parking areas
• Commercial development – Constant driveway cuts
• Variable speeds – Traffic goes from highway speed to stop-and-go rapidly

Route 17 has been identified as one of the deadliest roads for pedestrians in Bergen County.

Route 80 – Interstate Dangers

I-80 runs through the northern portion of Bergen County, connecting to New York and Pennsylvania. This high-speed interstate sees:

• Tractor-trailer accidents
• Multi-vehicle pileups
• Speed-related crashes
• Weather-related accidents (ice, fog, rain)

Garden State Parkway

The GSP runs through eastern Bergen County, with exits serving Fort Lee, Teaneck, and other communities. Common accident causes include:

• Merge conflicts at exits
• Rear-end crashes in toll plaza approaches
• High-speed lane changes
• Fatigue-related accidents

Local Road Hazards

Beyond the highways, Bergen County’s 70 municipalities have their own dangerous roads:

• Tonnelle Avenue – Running through North Bergen, considered one of the state’s most dangerous
• Route 561/Essex Street – Identified as deadly for pedestrians
• Fort Lee roads – GWB-bound traffic creates constant congestion
• Downtown areas – Hackensack, Englewood, and Ridgewood see pedestrian and vehicle conflicts

Types of Auto Accidents We Handle

Multi-Vehicle Accidents

Bergen County’s congested roads frequently produce chain-reaction crashes involving multiple vehicles. These complex cases require investigating each driver’s actions to determine fault.

Rear-End Collisions

Common on Routes 4 and 17 during rush hour, rear-end crashes can cause serious whiplash, back injuries, and traumatic brain injuries even at low speeds.

T-Bone and Side-Impact Crashes

Intersection accidents at Route 4 and Route 17 access points often result in side-impact collisions, which can be particularly devastating due to limited protection.

Pedestrian Accidents

Bergen County’s retail density and walkable downtowns create pedestrian conflicts. Paramus shopping centers, downtown Hackensack, and Fort Lee see regular pedestrian accidents.

Bicycle Accidents

Local roads throughout Bergen County’s suburban communities see bicycle traffic, and accidents with motor vehicles cause serious injuries.

Truck and Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Routes 4, 17, 80, and the Turnpike carry heavy commercial traffic. Accidents involving tractor-trailers cause catastrophic injuries.

Rideshare Accidents

Uber and Lyft are popular throughout Bergen County, especially for trips to and from Manhattan. Rideshare accidents involve complex insurance issues.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

If you’re the victim of a hit-and-run, you may still recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage.

Understanding New Jersey Auto Insurance

New Jersey’s auto insurance system is complex. Understanding your coverage is crucial after an accident.

No-Fault Insurance (PIP)

New Jersey requires Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which pays for your medical expenses regardless of fault. However, PIP has limits and may not cover all your needs.

The “Verbal Threshold”

Most New Jersey drivers have a “limited right to sue,” meaning you can only sue for pain and suffering if your injuries meet the “verbal threshold”—permanent injury, significant disfigurement, displaced fracture, loss of a body part, or loss of a fetus.

The “Zero Threshold” Option

If you selected the “zero threshold” or “unlimited right to sue” option when purchasing insurance, you can sue for any injury without restrictions.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage, your own UM/UIM coverage can help. We help maximize these claims.

Injuries from Bergen County Auto Accidents

Car accidents cause a wide range of injuries, from minor to catastrophic:

Common Auto Accident Injuries

• Whiplash and neck injuries – Even low-speed impacts can cause lasting damage
• Back and spinal injuries – Herniated discs, compression fractures, paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries – Concussions to severe TBI from head impacts
• Broken bones – Arms, legs, ribs, pelvis, facial fractures
• Internal injuries – Organ damage, internal bleeding
• Cuts and lacerations – From glass, metal, and debris
• Burns – Vehicle fires, airbag burns, friction burns

Long-Term Impacts

Serious auto accidents can result in:

• Permanent disability
• Chronic pain
• Inability to work
• Need for ongoing medical care
• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)

Compensation in Auto Accident Cases

If you’ve been injured in a Bergen County auto accident, you may be entitled to:

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Property damage
• Out-of-pocket expenses

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium (for spouses)
• Permanent disability or disfigurement

Punitive Damages

In cases involving drunk driving or extreme recklessness, punitive damages may be available.

Why Bergen County Residents Choose Us

We Know Bergen County Roads

We understand where and why accidents happen on Routes 4, 17, 80, and local roads throughout the county. We know the accident hotspots, the traffic patterns, and the challenges of Bergen County driving.

We Investigate Thoroughly

We work with accident reconstruction experts, review police reports, obtain surveillance footage, and build strong cases to prove liability.

We Deal with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers working to minimize your claim. We level the playing field and fight for fair compensation.

We Go to Trial When Necessary

While most cases settle, we’re prepared to take your case to trial if the insurance company won’t offer fair compensation.

Major Intersections and Accident Hotspots

We handle cases throughout Bergen County, including accidents at:

• Route 4/Forest Avenue – Major merge and turn conflicts
• Route 17/Paramus Park – Shopping center access
• Route 17/Garden State Plaza – High-volume retail traffic
• Route 4/Teaneck Road – Congested interchange
• GWB approaches – Constant congestion and aggressive driving
• Tonnelle Avenue/North Bergen – One of NJ’s most dangerous roads
• Route 80 exits – High-speed merge conflicts

What To Do After a Car Accident in Bergen County

1. Check for injuries – Call 911 if anyone is hurt
2. Move to safety – If possible, move vehicles out of traffic
3. Call police – Get an official accident report
4. Exchange information – Get names, insurance, license plates of all involved
5. Document the scene – Photos of vehicles, damage, road conditions, injuries
6. Get witness information – Names and phone numbers
7. Seek medical attention – Even if you feel fine
8. Don’t admit fault – Let the investigation determine liability
9. Contact an attorney – Before speaking with insurance adjusters

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

Your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can compensate you. We help maximize these claims.

What if I was partially at fault?

New Jersey uses comparative negligence. You can recover damages even if partially at fault, minus your percentage of responsibility. If you’re more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover from the other driver.

How long does a car accident case take?

Timelines vary based on injury severity, treatment duration, and willingness to settle. We work efficiently while ensuring you receive maximum compensation.

Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?

No. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize claims. Contact us first, and we’ll handle all communications.

Contact Our Bergen County Auto Accident Lawyers

If you’ve been injured in a car accident anywhere in Bergen County—on Route 4, Route 17, near the George Washington Bridge, or on any local road—we’re here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Kessler, DiGiovanni & Jesuele, LLC
1150 Raritan Rd, Suite 100, Cranford, NJ 07016
Phone: (908) 232-2040

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Serving auto accident victims throughout all 70 Bergen County municipalities. Fighting for fair compensation on dangerous roads.