Auto Accident Lawyer in Essex County, NJ

Essex County’s Most Dangerous Roads

Essex County’s extensive road network—combined with New Jersey’s status as the most densely populated state—creates hazardous driving conditions. According to traffic safety studies, two of New Jersey’s most dangerous highways pass through Essex County.

I-280: One of New Jersey’s Deadliest Highways

Interstate 280, also known as the Essex Freeway, recorded 23.8 annual fatalities per 100 miles—more than double the state average of 11.5 fatalities per 100 miles. This makes it one of the most dangerous highways in all of New Jersey.

Why I-280 is So Dangerous:

• Outdated road design: The section from the Garden State Parkway eastward has serious engineering flaws
• Dangerous lane merges: Eastbound traffic must merge right just to stay on I-280, with five lanes eventually narrowing to two
• Traffic chokepoints: Lane reductions create bottlenecks leading to rear-end and sideswipe collisions
• Old NJ 58 viaduct: Often congested and unsafe for motorists
• Heavy truck traffic: Commercial vehicles add to congestion and crash severity

The I-280/Garden State Parkway interchange in East Orange is particularly hazardous, combining highway speeds with complex merging patterns.

Route 21: Running Through Newark

Route 21, a state highway running along the Passaic River through downtown Newark to Newark Airport, recorded 24.4 annual fatalities per 100 miles—also more than double the state average.

Route 21 Hazards Include:

• High speeds in urban areas
• Complex intersections with local streets
• Heavy truck traffic to and from Port Newark
• Pedestrian conflicts near downtown Newark
• Port-related commercial vehicle traffic

Garden State Parkway Through Essex County

The GSP passes through:

• East Orange – Interchange with I-280
• Bloomfield – Exit 148 area
• Montclair/Verona area – Heavy commuter traffic

Commuter rush hours see heavy congestion, rear-end collisions, and merge-related accidents.

Newark’s Urban Streets

Newark’s street grid presents unique challenges:

Broad Street – Major north-south artery with:

• Heavy traffic congestion
• Pedestrian hazards
• Bus and commercial vehicle conflicts

Market Street/Raymond Boulevard – Downtown commercial area with:

• High pedestrian activity
• Complex intersections
• Construction-related hazards

McCarter Highway (Route 21) – Industrial corridor with:

• Truck traffic from port operations
• High speeds on highway sections
• Urban intersections

Routes 1 & 9 Corridor – Through Newark to Elizabeth with:

• Some of New Jersey’s deadliest intersections
• Heavy truck traffic
• Complex interchange patterns

Suburban Essex County Roads

Beyond Newark, Essex County’s suburban roads have their own dangers:

Bloomfield Avenue (running through multiple towns) – Heavy commercial traffic, pedestrian activity in downtowns Valley Road (Montclair, West Orange) – Winding road with limited visibility South Orange Avenue – Busy east-west corridor Central Avenue (East Orange) – Urban traffic with pedestrian hazards

Types of Auto Accidents We Handle

Car Accidents

From minor fender-benders to catastrophic crashes, we handle all types of car accidents throughout Essex County:

• Rear-end collisions
• T-bone accidents at intersections
• Head-on collisions
• Sideswipe accidents
• Single-vehicle crashes caused by road defects or other drivers

Truck Accidents

Essex County’s proximity to Port Newark and Newark Airport means heavy commercial truck traffic on local roads. Truck accidents cause catastrophic injuries due to vehicle size differences:

• Semi-truck and tractor-trailer accidents
• Port container truck collisions
• Delivery truck crashes (Amazon, FedEx, UPS)
• Construction vehicle accidents
• Bus accidents (NJ Transit, school buses, tour buses)

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable on Essex County’s busy roads. We fight for riders injured due to:

• Drivers who fail to yield or see motorcycles
• Left-turn accidents at intersections
• Lane-change collisions
• Road defects and debris

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

With nearly 850,000 residents and busy commercial districts, pedestrian and bicycle accidents are tragically common in Essex County:

• Crosswalk violations
• Failure to yield to pedestrians
• Distracted driving strikes
• Hit-and-run accidents
• Bicycle dooring and right-hook accidents

Newark Penn Station and downtown Newark see particularly high pedestrian traffic, increasing accident risks.

Rideshare Accidents

Uber and Lyft vehicles are common throughout Essex County, especially around Newark Airport and transit stations. These accidents create unique insurance complexities.

Airport-Related Accidents

Newark Airport generates constant vehicle traffic:

• Accidents on airport access roads
• Parking garage incidents
• Rental car accidents
• Shuttle and bus collisions
• Rideshare accidents during airport pickups

Understanding New Jersey Auto Insurance

New Jersey is a no-fault insurance state with some unique features that affect your accident claim:

No-Fault Insurance (PIP)

Your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays for medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident. Standard PIP covers $15,000 in medical expenses, though higher limits are available.

Threshold for Lawsuits

New Jersey’s verbal threshold limits your right to sue unless you’ve suffered:

• Permanent injury
• Significant disfigurement
• Displaced fracture
• Loss of a fetus
• Death

If you selected the “no limitation on lawsuit” option, you can sue for pain and suffering regardless of injury severity.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Critical for protecting yourself when the at-fault driver has no insurance or inadequate coverage. We often pursue UM/UIM claims on behalf of clients injured by underinsured drivers.

What You Can Recover After an Auto Accident

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, ongoing treatment)
• Lost wages (past and future)
• Property damage (vehicle repair or replacement)
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Cost of household services you can no longer perform

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement
• Loss of consortium

Why Essex County Accident Victims Choose Us

We Know These Roads

We understand the dangers of I-280’s outdated design, the chaos of Route 21 through Newark, and the complexity of navigating Essex County’s urban and suburban streets. We use this knowledge to build strong cases.

We Know Essex County Courts

Auto accident lawsuits in Essex County are heard at the Essex County Superior Court at 50 West Market Street in Newark. We regularly appear there and know the local judges, court procedures, and opposing counsel.

We Fight Insurance Companies

Insurance companies are not on your side. They employ adjusters and lawyers whose job is to minimize your payout. We know their tactics and fight back aggressively.

We Get Results

We’ve recovered millions for Essex County accident victims. When insurance companies know we’re willing to go to trial, they offer fair settlements.

What To Do After an Auto Accident in Essex County

1. Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt
2. Move to safety if possible without leaving the scene
3. Exchange information with other drivers (license, registration, insurance)
4. Document everything – Take photos of damage, skid marks, traffic signals, weather conditions
5. Get witness contact information
6. Report the accident to police (required for injury accidents)
7. Seek medical attention even if you feel okay – some injuries appear later
8. Don’t admit fault or give recorded statements to insurance adjusters
9. Contact us for a free consultation before accepting any settlement

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

You may be able to recover under your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. We’ll review your policy and pursue all available sources of compensation.

How long do I have to file a claim?

New Jersey has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. However, you should contact an attorney promptly to preserve evidence.

Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance company?

We strongly recommend consulting with an attorney first. Insurance adjusters use recorded statements to find ways to reduce or deny your claim.

What if I was partially at fault?

You can still recover compensation if you were less than 50% at fault. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

How much is my case worth?

Every case is different. Factors include the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, lost wages, and the impact on your quality of life. We fight for maximum compensation in every case.

What if the accident was caused by a road defect?

If a dangerous road condition caused your accident, you may have a claim against the municipality or state agency responsible for road maintenance. These cases have special notice requirements.

Contact Our Essex County Auto Accident Lawyers

If you’ve been injured in a car accident anywhere in Essex County—on I-280, Route 21, the Parkway, or 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 accident victims throughout all 22 Essex County municipalities. Your advocates on the road to recovery.