Personal Injury Lawyers In New Jersey For Canadians Involved In Car Accidents

New Jersey is a beautiful US state located next to the Atlantic Ocean and a stone’s throw away from New York City and Philadelphia. A popular destination for Canadian and US Snowbirds, New Jersey is famous for its boardwalk entertainment, delicious diner offerings, and the bright lights of Atlantic City.

It is also one of the states in which Canadians travel through to head south for the winter. Unfortunately, when travelling, New Jersey car accidents can turn vacation fun and frolics into a real-life nightmare.

What Should You Do If You’re Involved in An Accident Outside Your Home Province?

• Your top priority is always the health and safety of you and your family. Be sure to seek out medical attention immediately.
• Make sure the police are contacted.
• If possible, take a picture of the other driver’s licence and insurance, and a picture of the licence plate.
• Call your insurance company and report the accident.
• Contact the Snowbird Helpline as soon as possible for advice.

New Jersey Car Insurance

As of January 1, 2023, New Jersey minimum liability protection rose from $15,000 to $25,000. Currently, all standard car insurance policies must provide at least:

• Bodily injury liability coverage– $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
• Property damage liability coverage– $25,000 per accident
• Uninsured motorist coverage
• Underinsured motorist coverage – This is probably the most important provision in your own car insurance policy. Every owner and driver of a car should make sure their car policy provides this coverage. If you are involved in an accident involving a car driver who is inadequately insured, your own insurance company will step in and make up any financial shortfall (subject to certain financial limitations).

The New Jersey Serious Injury Threshold

Importantly, New Jersey insists that car insurers provide Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to anyone involved in a car accident.  This is available regardless of who was at fault for the accident.  It provides limited medical coverage for those suffering injuries from a car accident.

You must submit claims to your own car insurer for SAB or PIP benefits. This can become exceptionally complicated if your contractual rights reside in a different state or province.

SEE ‘Canadian Snowbird Information’.  

New Jersey Car Accidents. Can You Pursue a Personal Injury Claim Against Those Responsible?

From the time of a New Jersey car accident, drivers have 10 days to file a written accident report. You should report your accident if it resulted in injury or death. And/or if vehicle damage or property damage exceeds $500.

After that, you have two years from the date of your New Jersey car accident to file a personal injury claim against those responsible.

Injured Canadian and US residents can bring a personal injury lawsuit in New Jersey if:

1. They are not at fault for the accident; and,
2. You pass the state’s serious injury threshold

Briefly, you need to be suffering:

• Death
• Dismemberment
• Significant disfigurement or significant scarring
• Displaced fractures
• Loss of a fetus
• Permanent injury (other than disfigurement or scarring)

Sound complicated? It is! Any potential claimants need to speak to a personal injury lawyer in New Jersey who understands the state’s personal injury laws and is familiar with cross border insurance coverages. Ultimately, based on the facts, your lawyer needs to guide you through the legal system.

Cross-Border Accident? Here’s Why You Need Snowbird Accidents for A Personal Injury Claim In New Jersey.

For 35 years, Snowbird Accidents has been assisting Canadian Snowbirds and US Snowbirds involved in car accidents and other personal injury accidents across North America. Very few lawyers and attorneys understand the complexity of cross-border accidents.

Snowbird Accidents has been helping seriously injured Canadian Snowbirds and US Snowbirds protect their rights and remedies and get the treatment and care they need. We understand it is not only the injured party that may require assistance. Loved ones can face significant challenges also.

Snowbird Accidents arranges for you to speak to some of the best personal injury lawyers in New Jersey who are experienced with cross-border accidents. They work collaboratively with other lawyers and attorneys in various states and provinces to protect you and your family’s legal rights and remedies.