One car stops short, another swerves, and a third driver reacts too late. In seconds, a chain reaction wrecks vehicles and leaves New Jersey drivers searching for answers. With multiple versions of the crash, determining responsibility is not simple.
Who caused it? Who pays? And how does the law apply?
New Jersey has strict traffic and insurance laws that govern multi-car crashes, but protecting your rights depends on understanding how fault and compensation apply. At Petro Cohen, P.C., we represent drivers in these collisions, ensuring they are informed about their rights to recovery and helping fight for them to receive the compensation they deserve.
Here’s how multi-vehicle car accident claims in New Jersey work:
How New Jersey Determines Fault in a Multi-Car Crash
Three or more vehicles collide, and the questions start flying. Did the driver brake too late on the New Jersey Turnpike? Did someone merge without looking on Route 1? Did road debris force a sudden reaction on Interstate 295?
To answer these questions, insurance companies and investigators rely on hard evidence from the crash site, including:
- Police reports. Officers document what they see and hear at the accident scene, from traffic violations to witness statements.
- Video footage. Dashcams, toll booth cameras, and security feeds often capture the moments leading up to the crash.
- Vehicle damage and skid marks. The impact location, tire marks, and other signs of vehicle movement can reveal critical details about what caused a crash.
However, when multiple drivers are involved in a crash, responsibility does not always lie with just one person.
Comparative Negligence—Why Your Percentage of Fault Matters
In New Jersey, fault is not all or nothing—it is measured in percentages. Under comparative negligence law in NJ, each driver’s percentage of fault determines what they can recover—or what they might owe. A driver with less than 51% of the responsibility can still collect damages, but their payout shrinks based on their share of the blame.
For example, a driver awarded $100,000 but found 20% at fault for a crash receives only $80,000 in damages. Anyone who found 51% or more at fault loses the right to collect compensation.
Insurance companies use this to their advantage. The higher they push a driver’s fault percentage, the less they pay. That is why proving fault in multi-vehicle accidents in NJ requires solid evidence that leaves no room for dispute.
Joint and Several Liability—What It Means for Compensation
New Jersey law does not just determine fault—it decides who pays. Under New Jersey’s joint and several liability rule, if a driver holds at least 60% of the blame, they may have to cover the entire payout, even if others played a role in the crash.
This rule is especially crucial when one of the at-fault drivers carries little or no insurance. Instead of forcing an injured person to chase multiple drivers for small payments, the law allows them to recover from one with the ability to pay. It then becomes the at-fault driver’s responsibility to seek reimbursement from others who share fault for the accident.
How Insurance Works in Multi-Car Accidents
Filing insurance claims for multiple car accidents in NJ does not always follow a straight path. New Jersey follows a no-fault insurance system, which means a driver’s personal injury protection (PIP) policy covers medical bills up to the insurance limit, no matter who caused the crash.
However, New Jersey’s insurance laws allow injured drivers to seek compensation beyond PIP when their injuries meet the serious injury threshold. This compensation may include:
- Pain and suffering,
- Lost income, and
- Additional medical costs not covered by PIP.
When multiple drivers are involved, insurance companies often slow down the claims process while they sort through liability. Insurers may also use tactics to try to limit how much they pay, such as:
- Delaying claims while waiting for reports from local police departments,
- Reducing payouts by assigning more fault to accident victims, and
- Claiming injuries are minor to avoid covering anything beyond PIP.
If your claim includes lost wages, long-term medical care, or pain and suffering, you need strong documentation to help you secure full compensation.
Why Petro Cohen, P.C., Is the Law Firm You Need After a Multi-Car Crash
Multi-vehicle car accident claims in New Jersey can become tangled with conflicting statements, legal tactics, and complex claims. Without the right legal team, New Jersey drivers risk losing the compensation they deserve.
At Petro Cohen, P.C., we work to examine every detail of a crash, establish liability, and make sure our clients do not get stuck paying for someone else’s carelessness. Our team of personal injury advocates has decades of experience helping crash victims across New Jersey fight to recover the financial support to get their lives back on track, and we are prepared to help you.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Get the answers you need and the representation you can trust.
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