Auto Accident Lawyer in Union County, NJ
Hurt in a car accident in Union County? With 11 major highways crossing through the county—including Route 22, the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, and I-78—Union County sees thousands of traffic accidents every year. From fender benders on local roads to catastrophic crashes on the highway, auto accidents can change your life in an instant. At Kessler, DiGiovanni & Jesuele, LLC, we’ve spent decades fighting for accident victims right here in our home county. Our Cranford office puts us at the heart of Union County’s highway network, and we know these roads and their dangers firsthand.
Union County’s Dangerous Roads and Intersections
Union County’s exceptional transportation infrastructure—11 major highways, 25 bus routes, and countless local roads—makes it both an economic engine and an accident hotspot. Understanding where accidents occur is crucial to understanding how to prevent them and pursue claims when they happen.
Route 22: The County’s Most Dangerous Highway
U.S. Route 22 runs through the heart of Union County, and it’s one of the most dangerous roads in New Jersey. The worst section is near Union Township, which recorded 466 accidents with 95 injuries in a recent reporting period.
Route 22’s hazards include:
- Chaotic left turns across multiple lanes of traffic
- High-speed rear-end collisions at traffic signals
- Pedestrian strikes at busy retail crossings
- Commercial vehicle crashes involving trucks accessing Route 22 businesses
- Head-on collisions from improper U-turns
The Route 22 and Garden State Parkway interchange in Union Township is particularly dangerous, combining heavy local traffic with commuters entering and exiting the highway.
Routes 1 & 9 in Elizabeth and Linden
The Routes 1 & 9 corridor through eastern Union County has some of the deadliest intersections in New Jersey:
- East Jersey Street & Routes 1 & 9, Elizabeth – 9 fatalities recorded
- East Grand Street & Routes 1 & 9, Elizabeth – 7 fatalities recorded
- North Avenue & Routes 1 & 9, Elizabeth – High pedestrian crash rates
- Routes 1 & 9 in Linden – Heavy truck traffic from the port creates constant hazards
These intersections combine heavy traffic volume, high speeds, pedestrian activity, and complex lane configurations to create extremely dangerous conditions.
Interstate 78
I-78 runs through Union County connecting Pennsylvania to Newark. The section near Union Township has seen significant accident activity, including:
- Commuter rush hour crashes
- Commercial truck accidents
- Merge-related collisions at interchanges
- Weather-related multi-vehicle pileups
Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike
Both highways pass through eastern Union County:
Garden State Parkway
- Heavy traffic through Clark, Rahway, Linden, and Elizabeth
- Dangerous interchanges at Route 22 and Route 82
- Congestion-related rear-end collisions
New Jersey Turnpike
- Runs through Elizabeth and Linden
- Port truck traffic creates commercial vehicle hazards
- High-speed crashes with severe injuries
Local Roads with High Accident Rates
Beyond highways, Union County’s local roads present hazards:
- Morris Avenue (Union, Springfield) – Heavy commuter traffic
- Central Avenue (Westfield, Clark) – Commercial corridor accidents
- Broad Street (Elizabeth) – Urban congestion and pedestrian risks
- Park Avenue (Plainfield, Scotch Plains) – Residential area speeding
- St. Georges Avenue (Rahway, Linden) – Industrial traffic mixing with residential
Types of Auto Accidents We Handle
Car Accidents
From minor fender-benders to catastrophic crashes, we handle all types of car accidents throughout Union 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
Union County’s proximity to Port Newark-Elizabeth means heavy commercial truck traffic on local roads. Truck accidents cause catastrophic injuries due to vehicle size differences:
- Semi-truck and tractor-trailer accidents
- Delivery truck collisions
- Construction vehicle accidents
- Garbage truck and utility vehicle crashes
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable on Union 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 572,000 residents and busy commercial districts, pedestrian and bicycle accidents are tragically common:
- Crosswalk violations
- Failure to yield to pedestrians
- Distracted driving strikes
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Bicycle dooring and right-hook accidents
Rideshare Accidents
Uber and Lyft vehicles are common throughout Union County, creating unique insurance complexities when accidents occur.
Injured in a Union County Car Accident?
Don’t deal with insurance companies alone. As your local law firm, we fight for accident victims throughout all 21 Union County municipalities.
Call (908) 232-2040 for a Free Consultation
No fee unless we win • Se Habla Español • Home visits available
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
Union County Auto Accident: Key Facts
- No-fault state: Your PIP covers initial medical bills regardless of fault
- Verbal threshold: Most policies require permanent injury to sue for pain and suffering
- Two-year deadline: File your lawsuit within 2 years of the accident
- Report accidents: NJ law requires reporting accidents with injury or significant damage
- Free consultation: We evaluate your case at no cost
Why Union County Accident Victims Choose Us
We Know These Roads
We drive Route 22, I-78, and the Parkway ourselves. We understand the hazards at the Route 22 jughandles, the chaos of Routes 1 & 9 through Elizabeth, and the dangers at every major Union County intersection.
We Know Union County Courts
Auto accident lawsuits in Union County are heard at the Union County Superior Court in Elizabeth. 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 Union 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 Union County
- Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt
- Move to safety if possible without leaving the scene
- Exchange information with other drivers (license, registration, insurance)
- Document everything – Take photos of damage, skid marks, traffic signals, weather conditions
- Get witness contact information
- Report the accident to police (required for injury accidents)
- Seek medical attention even if you feel okay – some injuries appear later
- Don’t admit fault or give recorded statements to insurance adjusters
- 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.
Contact Our Union County Auto Accident Lawyers
If you’ve been injured in a car accident anywhere in Union County—on Route 22, the Parkway, the Turnpike, 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
Serving accident victims throughout all 21 Union County municipalities. Your neighbors. Your advocates.
Auto Accidents in Union County Cities
Visit our city-specific pages for more localized information:
Other Legal Services in Union County
We also handle these practice areas throughout Union County:
Auto Accidents Lawyers in Other NJ Counties
We also serve clients throughout these New Jersey counties:
Serving All of New Jersey: While we have dedicated pages for major counties and cities, we represent injured workers and accident victims throughout the entire state. Contact us for a free consultation regardless of your location.