Auto Accident Lawyer in Elizabeth, NJ

Elizabeth contains some of the deadliest intersections in the entire United States. The intersection of East Jersey Street and Routes 1&9 is tied for the most dangerous intersection in the country, and two more Elizabeth intersections rank among the nation’s worst. If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Elizabeth, you need an experienced auto accident lawyer who knows these dangerous roads and will fight for maximum compensation. At Kessler, DiGiovanni & Jesuele, LLC, we’ve helped countless accident victims recover damages for their injuries.

America’s Deadliest Intersections Are in Elizabeth

Elizabeth has earned a tragic distinction: it contains multiple intersections that rank among the deadliest in the entire United States.

East Jersey Street and Routes 1&9

Tied for the deadliest intersection in the entire country with nine fatalities. State data recorded 161 crashes in a single year at this location. The combination of multiple lanes, high speeds, and heavy pedestrian traffic creates an extremely dangerous environment that has claimed too many lives.

Routes 1&9 and East Grand Street

Just four blocks from the East Jersey Street intersection, this location recorded seven fatalities. The concentration of two such deadly intersections in close proximity points to fundamental problems with roadway design in the Routes 1&9 corridor.

North Avenue and Routes 1&9

With six deaths, this intersection completes Elizabeth’s deadly trio. Heavy city traffic combined with pedestrians creates constant crash risks.

Why These Intersections Are So Dangerous

• High-speed traffic on Routes 1&9, a major north-south artery
• Heavy pedestrian activity near retail centers and transit stops
• Complex lane configurations with frequent merging and turning movements
• Proximity to major destinations: NJ Turnpike, Newark Airport, Port Newark-Elizabeth
• Outdated road designs that haven’t kept pace with modern traffic volumes
• Commercial truck traffic serving the port and industrial areas

Other Dangerous Roads in Elizabeth

Beyond the deadly Routes 1&9 intersections, Elizabeth drivers face hazards on:

New Jersey Turnpike

The Turnpike runs through Elizabeth with multiple interchanges, including access to Newark Airport. High speeds, heavy truck traffic, and complex merge points lead to serious accidents.

Route 1/9 Corridor

The entire Routes 1&9 corridor from Linden through Elizabeth is notoriously dangerous, with poor sightlines and outdated design making the stretch near Newark Airport particularly hazardous.

North Avenue and Elmora Avenue

Major east-west arterials that see heavy traffic and frequent accidents, especially during rush hours.

Port and Industrial Areas

The roads serving Port Newark-Elizabeth and Elizabeth’s industrial corridors see constant commercial truck traffic, creating serious risks for passenger vehicles.

Types of Auto Accident Cases We Handle

Our Elizabeth car accident lawyers represent victims in all types of motor vehicle crashes:

• Car-on-car collisions including rear-end, side-impact, T-bone, and head-on crashes
• Truck and commercial vehicle accidents involving 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, and buses near the port
• Pedestrian accidents along the deadly Routes 1&9 corridor
• Motorcycle accidents on Elizabeth’s highways and local roads
• Bicycle accidents throughout the city
• Hit-and-run accidents where the at-fault driver fled the scene
• Uber, Lyft, and taxi accidents involving rideshare and for-hire vehicles
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims
• Multi-vehicle pileups on the Turnpike and Routes 1&9

Common Causes of Elizabeth Car Accidents

Our investigation of Elizabeth accidents frequently reveals:

Speeding and Aggressive Driving

High speeds on Routes 1&9 and the Turnpike turn minor mistakes into catastrophic crashes. Tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and road rage are common factors.

Distracted Driving

Cell phone use remains a leading cause of accidents despite New Jersey’s hands-free law. Drivers texting or using apps cause crashes throughout Elizabeth.

Drunk and Impaired Driving

Alcohol and drug impairment contribute to fatal crashes on Elizabeth’s roads, particularly late at night and on weekends.

Dangerous Road Design

Many Elizabeth accidents result from the outdated and confusing road designs, particularly along the Routes 1&9 corridor where multiple deadly intersections are concentrated.

Commercial Truck Negligence

Trucks serving Port Newark-Elizabeth and local warehouses create hazards when drivers are fatigued, improperly trained, or operating overloaded vehicles.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Elizabeth

The steps you take immediately after an accident can significantly impact your case:

At the Scene

1. Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone needs medical attention
2. Move to safety if possible, but don’t leave the scene
3. Call Elizabeth Police to report the accident and get an official report
4. Exchange information with other drivers (name, insurance, license plate)
5. Document everything—photograph damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and injuries
6. Get witness information including names and phone numbers
7. Don’t admit fault or apologize

After the Scene

8. Seek medical attention even if you feel fine—some injuries appear later
9. Report to your insurance company but be cautious about recorded statements
10. Keep all records including medical bills, repair estimates, and correspondence
11. Contact an experienced auto accident attorney before accepting any settlement

Understanding New Jersey Auto Insurance

New Jersey has unique auto insurance laws:

No-Fault Insurance (PIP)

Personal Injury Protection pays for your medical expenses regardless of fault, but has limits that serious injuries often exceed.

Lawsuit Threshold

Your policy’s verbal threshold may limit your ability to sue unless injuries meet severity criteria—permanent injury, significant scarring, or displaced fractures.

Comparative Negligence

You can recover damages if you’re less than 50% at fault, reduced by your percentage of fault.

Compensation Available in Elizabeth Car Accident Cases

Depending on your accident, you may recover:

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, future treatment)
• Lost wages during recovery
• Loss of earning capacity
• Property damage (vehicle repair or replacement)

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring and disfigurement

Wrongful Death Damages

If a loved one was killed, surviving family members may recover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.

Why Choose Our Elizabeth Auto Accident Lawyers

We Know Elizabeth’s Dangerous Roads: From the deadly Routes 1&9 intersections to the Turnpike interchanges, we understand exactly where and why accidents happen in Elizabeth.

Union County Court Experience: We regularly handle cases at the Union County Superior Court at 2 Broad Street and know how to present compelling cases to local juries.

Aggressive Against Insurance Companies: We fight back against lowball offers with thorough documentation and a willingness to go to trial.

No Fees Unless We Win: You pay nothing upfront—our fees come only from successful recoveries.

Proven Results: We’ve recovered millions for auto accident victims throughout New Jersey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Elizabeth? A: Two years from the accident date for personal injury, six years for property damage. Don’t delay—evidence disappears quickly.

Q: Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company? A: Be very cautious. Consult an attorney before giving recorded statements.

Q: What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance? A: Your uninsured motorist coverage may apply. We can help you navigate this process.

Q: How much is my case worth? A: Values vary based on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and other factors. We offer free consultations to evaluate your case.

Q: What if I was partially at fault? A: You can still recover if you were less than 50% at fault, though compensation is reduced by your fault percentage.

Contact Our Elizabeth Auto Accident Attorneys Today

Every day you wait can hurt your case. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and insurance companies use delays against you. If you’ve been injured in a car accident on Routes 1&9, the NJ Turnpike, or anywhere in Elizabeth, contact us immediately.

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

Free Consultation • Se Habla Español • Serving Elizabeth and All of Union County

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Proudly serving car accident victims in Elizabeth and throughout New Jersey including Newark, Jersey City, Linden, Plainfield, Westfield, and all Union County communities.