Auto Accident Lawyer in Passaic County, NJ

Passaic County’s Most Dangerous Roads

Passaic County’s position at the intersection of major New Jersey highways creates concentrated traffic patterns that lead to frequent serious accidents:

Interstate 80

Interstate 80 is one of New Jersey’s most traveled and most dangerous highways, running east-west through the heart of Passaic County:

Key Danger Points:

• Route 23 Interchange – Complex interchange near Wayne and Totowa
• Route 46 Merge Areas – Where I-80 and Route 46 traffic merge
• Paterson Section – High-volume urban highway segment
• Mountain Sections – Western portion through rugged terrain

Recent I-80 incidents in the area include multi-vehicle crashes, tractor-trailer accidents, and fatalities. The highway sees heavy commercial truck traffic traveling between New York and points west, mixing with local commuters.

I-80 hazards include:

• High speeds combined with congested conditions
• Commercial truck traffic from cross-country routes
• Complex interchanges with Routes 23 and 46
• Weather-related accidents in elevated sections
• Rear-end collisions in sudden slowdowns

Route 46

Route 46 runs parallel to I-80 and serves as a major commercial corridor through Clifton, Little Falls, and Totowa:

Danger Areas:

• Clifton commercial district – Heavy retail traffic, frequent turning movements
• Little Falls section – Congested intersections
• Totowa shopping areas – High pedestrian activity
• Route 3 transition area – Where Route 46 becomes Route 3

In early 2024, a devastating tractor-trailer crash with explosions killed a driver on Route 3 West near Valley Road in Clifton, near the Route 46 transition—highlighting the severe dangers of this corridor.

Route 46 hazards include:

• Constant turning traffic accessing retail and commercial properties
• Pedestrian crossings along the commercial strip
• Traffic signal timing creating backup and frustration
• Commercial delivery vehicles double-parking and blocking lanes
• Left-turn accidents at busy intersections

Route 23

Route 23 serves as the main north-south artery through Wayne and into the Highlands region:

Known Danger Zones:

• Wayne commercial area – Heavy retail traffic near shopping centers
• Alps Road intersection – Under reconstruction since 2022
• I-80 interchange – Complex merge and exit patterns
• West Milford section – Rural highway conditions with curves

Recent Route 23 incidents include:

• September 2024: Pedestrian crash that closed lanes for hours
• Multiple crashes with downed utility poles and wires
• April 2024: Multi-vehicle crash involving school buses at Paradise Road in West Milford

Route 23 hazards include:

• Speed differentials between through traffic and turning vehicles
• Pedestrian crossings in Wayne commercial areas
• Transition from urban to rural conditions heading north
• Construction zone confusion during ongoing intersection work
• Deer crossings in western sections

Route 21

Route 21 connects Paterson directly to Newark and sees heavy commuter traffic:

• Urban highway conditions through Passaic and Paterson
• Frequent on-off traffic
• Commercial vehicle congestion

Local Road Hazards

Passaic County’s municipal roads present their own dangers:

Paterson:

• Market Street – Busy urban arterial
• Broadway – Heavy commercial traffic
• Main Street – Downtown congestion
• Intersections near Great Falls – Tourist and pedestrian traffic

Wayne:

• Hamburg Turnpike – Major local route
• Ratzer Road – Near retail centers
• Black Oak Ridge Road – Curves and hills

Clifton:

• Main Avenue – Busy commercial corridor
• Broad Street – Dense traffic patterns
• Grove Street – Near Route 3 connections

Common Types of Auto Accidents in Passaic County

Passaic County’s traffic patterns lead to specific accident types:

Highway Pileups

The high-speed highways through Passaic County frequently see chain-reaction accidents:

• Sudden stops in heavy traffic on I-80
• Limited visibility conditions in mountain sections
• Tractor-trailer braking distances causing rear-end collisions
• Weather-related pileups during winter storms

Truck Accidents

Passaic County’s location on I-80—a major cross-country trucking route—means significant commercial vehicle traffic:

• Tractor-trailer crashes on I-80 and Route 46
• Delivery truck accidents on local roads
• Amazon and e-commerce vehicles in residential areas
• Construction vehicles on county roads

Intersection Accidents

The busy intersections along Routes 46 and 23 see frequent crashes:

• Left-turn accidents at commercial driveways
• Red-light running collisions
• T-bone accidents at busy intersections
• Failure to yield accidents

Pedestrian Accidents

From 2017 to 2021, Passaic County recorded 40 fatal or serious injury crashes involving pedestrians. High-risk areas include:

• Downtown Paterson
• Route 46 commercial corridor
• School zones throughout the county
• Transit stop areas

Drunk Driving Accidents

I-80 is part of “Operation Blarney Stone,” a multi-state effort to stop impaired drivers along the corridor. Despite enforcement efforts, DUI crashes remain a significant problem.

Weather-Related Accidents

Passaic County’s varied terrain—from urban areas to mountainous western sections—creates weather challenges:

• Ice and snow on elevated highway sections
• Flooding on low-lying roads
• Reduced visibility in storms
• Hydroplaning on wet highways

What To Do After a Car Accident in Passaic County

At the Scene

1. Check for injuries – Call 911 immediately if anyone is hurt
2. Move to safety – If possible and safe, move vehicles out of traffic on busy highways
3. Call police – Especially for injuries, significant damage, or if another driver is uncooperative
4. Exchange information – Names, insurance, license numbers, and contact info
5. Document everything – Photos of vehicles, damage, the scene, road conditions, and any injuries
6. Get witness contacts – Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the accident

After Leaving the Scene

1. Seek medical attention – St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, St. Mary’s General Hospital, and other Passaic County facilities can document your injuries
2. Report to your insurance – Notify your carrier of the accident
3. Don’t give recorded statements to the other driver’s insurance without consulting an attorney
4. Keep records – Save all medical bills, repair estimates, and accident-related expenses
5. Contact our office – Get legal advice before accepting any settlement offer

New Jersey Auto Insurance: What You Need to Know

New Jersey requires all drivers to carry auto insurance. Understanding your coverage is crucial:

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

PIP covers your medical expenses regardless of fault. Standard policies include $15,000 in PIP coverage, though higher limits are available and recommended given Passaic County’s highway dangers.

Liability Coverage

• 15/30/5 minimum – $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident bodily injury, $5,000 property damage
• Most drivers should carry significantly higher limits given the serious nature of highway accidents

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

This optional coverage protects you when the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance—essential in Passaic County where many drivers are underinsured.

Verbal vs. Basic Policy

• Verbal Threshold: You can sue for pain and suffering if you suffer serious injury
• Basic Policy: More limited rights to sue

Compensation Available After a Car Accident

Depending on your case, you may recover:

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Vehicle repair or replacement
• Rental car costs
• Out-of-pocket expenses

Non-Economic Damages

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

Why Passaic County Residents Choose Us for Auto Accident Cases

We Know Passaic County Roads

From the I-80 corridor to Route 46’s commercial stretches, from Route 23’s suburban traffic to Paterson’s urban streets, we understand how auto accidents happen in Passaic County and how to prove liability.

We Handle Complex Cases

Multi-vehicle pileups on I-80, tractor-trailer accidents, and cases involving commercial vehicles require sophisticated investigation. We have the experience and resources to handle these challenging cases.

We Fight Insurance Companies

Insurance companies minimize claims. We know their tactics and fight back aggressively to protect your interests.

We Prepare for Trial

When insurance companies won’t offer fair settlements, we’re prepared to take your case to court. This leverage produces better results.

No Fee Unless We Win

We advance all costs and only get paid when we recover compensation for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

If you carry uninsured motorist coverage, your own policy may cover your damages. We can help you navigate this process and maximize your recovery.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a car accident?

New Jersey generally allows two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. However, some cases have shorter deadlines, so consult an attorney promptly.

The insurance company offered me a settlement. Should I accept it?

Don’t accept any offer without legal advice. Initial offers are typically far below what your case is worth. Let us evaluate your claim before you decide.

Can I still recover if I was partially at fault?

Yes. New Jersey follows modified comparative negligence. You can recover damages as long as you were less than 50% at fault, though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

I was in an accident on I-80. How do I get the police report?

You can request crash reports online at https://www.njportal.com/njsp/crashreports/ or through the New Jersey State Police.

What if a commercial truck caused my accident?

Truck accidents involve additional complexities including federal regulations, multiple insurance policies, and often more severe injuries. We have experience handling these challenging cases.

Contact Our Passaic County Auto Accident Lawyers

If you’ve been injured in a car accident anywhere in Passaic County—whether on I-80, Route 46, Route 23, or a local road in Paterson or Wayne—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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Fighting for auto accident victims throughout all 16 Passaic County municipalities. Your advocates on the road to recovery.