A single crash on Route 4 can leave you with mounting medical bills and a car you can’t drive. New Jersey law puts strict limits on what injured drivers can recover, and one wrong move early on can quietly shrink your claim. A Hackensack car accident lawyer at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. can get involved early and protect your claim.
The biggest obstacle most victims never see coming is New Jersey’s verbal threshold, a rule that can bar you from recovering pain-and-suffering damages unless your injury meets a specific legal standard.
We know how to document injuries so they clear the threshold and hold insurers accountable. Call Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. today at (201) 585-9111 or use our online contact form for a free case review.
Why Choose Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. as Your Hackensack Car Accident Lawyer
Choosing a firm with a proven local track record protects your claim from the very beginning. Since opening in Fort Lee in 1974, we have recovered more than $300 million for injured clients. Our lawyers know the courts, the roads, and the insurance carriers that fight these cases.
Over 100 Years of Experience
Our attorneys bring more than 100 years of combined trial experience to every case. That depth matters when a claim heads toward the Bergen County Justice Center on Main Street. Insurers know which firms are willing to try a case and which will fold.
Proven Results
We have secured major recoveries for drivers hurt in car crashes. One driver received $2,800,000 after crashing into the side of another vehicle that pulled into his path, and another recovered $1,700,000 after being rear-ended at a red light.
Recognized by Our Peers
Our work has earned recognition from Super Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America, and Best Law Firms 2026 by Best Lawyers. We hold an AVVO 10.0 rating and membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. These honors signal to insurers that our cases are built to win.
Direct Access
We answer your questions personally and keep you informed at every stage. You speak with a lawyer, not a call center. That access gives you clarity when you need it most. Reach us anytime at (201) 585-9111 or through our online contact form to start your free consultation.
Nothing but praise for Maggiano, DiGirolamo, and Lizzi. I have never seen such a fantastic display of teamwork at all levels of the firm. (As an aisde, everyone one who works at the firm was extremely courteous and kind – character traits that one would not typically associate with a law firm. )
Furthermore, the legal results brought about by Mr. Maggiano’s tireless litigation efforts on our behalf were very fair and just. If you ever find yourself in a car accident, be sure to consult Maggiano, DiGirolamo, and Lizzi.
I have been a practicing personal injury lawyer in New Jersey for over twenty years. I knew Michael Maggiano by reputation and when I was involved in an automobile myself I went to him to handle my case. I learned that the reputation was well founded and he has an outstanding law firm, very efficient and professional. He and his staff were always available and helpful during every step of the process and the resultant settlement was excellent. I could not recommend Mr. Maggiano and his firm more highly. Thank you to all at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi .
The Office of Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi have been so helpful in my case that I just wanted to stress to anyone needing an attorney who has been in an accident that this office is the best. From the beginning of my case I was treated as number one. Mr. Maggiano and staff always kept me informed of the entire process of my case. I even had a driver, Juan, from their office, take me to my medical appointments because I no longer have an automobile. It just made me feel so much more relaxed. This is a law firm makes you feel right at home as soon as you come in. There were many times that I had questions and I would speak to Mariel, Mr. Maggianos’s paralegal and she would always be there to help
Do You Qualify for a Car Accident Claim in New Jersey?
You can file a car accident claim in New Jersey if another driver’s negligence caused your injuries and you meet the state’s insurance requirements. However, your right to recover compensation for pain and suffering can depend on the type of auto insurance coverage you selected and whether your injury meets the state’s verbal threshold.
The verbal threshold, also called the Limitation on Lawsuit option, restricts when certain injured drivers can sue for non-economic damages. It doesn’t necessarily prevent you from seeking payment for medical expenses or other financial losses.
Instead, you generally must show that the crash caused an injury that falls within one of the serious-injury categories recognized by New Jersey law.
The verbal threshold can be satisfied by any of the following:
- Death: The crash caused the death of the injured person.
- Dismemberment: The crash resulted in the loss of a limb or another body part.
- Significant Disfigurement/Scarring: The injury caused a serious and lasting change in appearance.
- Displaced Fractures: A broken bone moved out of its normal alignment.
- Loss of a Fetus: The crash caused the loss of a pregnancy.
- Permanent Injuries: A herniated disc, torn ligament, nerve injury, or another condition can qualify when objective medical evidence shows that the affected body part or organ has not healed to function normally and will not do so with further treatment.
Sorting out whether your injury qualifies takes medical proof and legal skill. We work with treating physicians to document the full extent of your harm and position your claim to clear this barrier.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Hackensack?
Seek medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident, even if your injuries seem minor. Prompt treatment protects your health and creates the medical record your claim may depend on.
After a Hackensack car accident, you should:
- Get Medical Attention: Adrenaline can mask pain, and injuries such as whiplash, concussions, and herniated discs may not appear until hours or days later.
- Follow Your Treatment Plan: Attend follow-up appointments at Hackensack University Medical Center or other providers and keep records of your medical care. Delays or gaps in treatment can give an insurance company grounds to dispute the severity of your injuries.
- Obtain the Police Report: Request a copy of the report prepared by the Hackensack Police Department. It can help document where the crash occurred, who was involved, and what the responding officer observed.
- Preserve Photos and Records: Save photographs of the vehicles, the accident scene, visible injuries, repair estimates, medical bills, and missed work records.
- Avoid Recorded Statements: Don’t give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement before understanding how it could affect your claim.
- Contact a Lawyer: A Hackensack car crash lawyer can preserve evidence, handle insurance communications, and help you pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.
Who Is at Fault for Your Hackensack Car Accident?
Fault falls on the driver or party whose negligence caused the crash, and proving it requires solid evidence. Route 17 and Route 4 see a steady stream of collisions due to sudden lane changes, tailgating, and drivers misjudging merges at high speed. Establishing who acted carelessly is rarely as simple as it looks.
New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning your recovery drops by your share of fault and disappears altogether if you’re more than 50% responsible. Insurers exploit this rule aggressively, trying to pin blame on you to cut what they pay.
This same dynamic affects motorcyclists facing comparable comparative-fault risks and pedestrians struck in Hackensack crosswalks.
Liability can extend beyond the other driver, reaching parties you might not expect:
- Employers: When a driver was working at the time, their employer may share responsibility, a common issue in commercial truck collisions on Route 17.
- Government Entities: A poorly designed intersection or neglected roadway can shift some fault onto a public agency.
- Vehicle Manufacturers: A defective brake or tire that contributed to the crash can create a product liability claim.
Our Hackensack car accident lawyers investigate every angle to identify all responsible parties. Naming the right defendants often expands the compensation available to you.
How Insurance Adjusters Try To Reduce Hackensack Car Accident Claims
Insurance adjusters often reduce claims by questioning injuries, disputing treatment, and pushing injured drivers toward quick settlements. An early offer can arrive before you understand the full extent of your injuries, and accepting it generally prevents you from seeking more compensation later.
New Jersey’s no-fault system adds another layer because your own Personal Injury Protection coverage usually pays initial medical expenses regardless of who caused the crash. Insurers may dispute whether treatment is necessary, delay authorizations, or challenge the connection between your injuries and the collision.
Adjusters may also review your medical history and argue that a prior back, neck, or joint condition caused your current symptoms. We respond with medical records and other evidence showing how the crash caused or aggravated your injuries.
Our car accident attorneys in Hackensack handle insurer communications, document your losses, and challenge attempts to delay, undervalue, or deny your claim.
How a Hackensack Car Accident Lawyer Builds Your Case and Pursues Compensation
The Hackensack car accident lawyers at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. build your case by gathering the evidence needed to prove fault, documenting your injuries, and calculating the full extent of your losses.
We collect police reports, medical records, photographs, witness statements, repair estimates, and employment records, then consult appropriate experts when liability or long-term harm is disputed.
That evidence can support compensation for:
- Medical Expenses: Past and future treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, diagnostic testing, and other care related to the crash.
- Lost Income: Wages you missed while recovering and reduced earning capacity if your injuries limit the work you can perform.
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life when your claim satisfies any applicable verbal-threshold requirement.
- Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle and other personal property damaged in the collision.
- Out-of-Pocket Costs: Transportation expenses, household assistance, medical equipment, and other necessary costs caused by the accident.
- Permanent Impairment or Disfigurement: Compensation for lasting physical limitations, scarring, or changes to your appearance and daily life.
Your Hackensack car crash attorney also manages deadlines, filings, insurer communications, and settlement negotiations while you focus on recovery. Careful documentation helps show not only what the crash has already cost you, but also how the injuries may affect your health, work, and independence in the future.
If the insurer refuses to make a reasonable offer, our attorneys can file a lawsuit and prepare the case for trial in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen County.
How Long Do You Have To File a Car Accident Lawsuit in New Jersey?
You generally have two years from the date of a New Jersey car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing that deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation, even when the other driver was clearly at fault.
Different deadlines or tolling rules can apply in limited situations, including claims involving injured children or public entities. Our attorneys identify the deadline that applies, preserve the necessary evidence, and file your lawsuit on time.
Verdicts and Settlements
$1,170,000 - Multiple Injuries Sustained
An elderly couple suffered multiple injuries in an auto accident; aggravated injuries suffered a few months later in a subsequent auto accident.
$1,700,000 - Rear-Ending Accident
A 50-year old housewife was injured when her car was rear-ended while stopped a traffic light.
$2,250,000 - Unable to Work Post-Crash
A Union Electrician was hit on the Garden State Parkway North, causing him to spin and hit the median barrier. The injuries sustained required two back surgeries following the aggravation of pre-existing stenosis leaving him unable to work.
FAQ for Hackensack Car Accident Lawyer
Do I Need a Hackensack Car Accident Lawyer for a Minor Crash?
A Hackensack car crash lawyer protects your claim and often increases its value enough to justify the help. Even a seemingly minor crash can involve hidden injuries and disputed fault, both of which can reduce your recovery. Insurers treat unrepresented drivers as easy targets for low offers.
What Is the Verbal Threshold in New Jersey?
The verbal threshold is a rule that limits lawsuits for pain and suffering unless your injury meets a defined serious standard. It applies to most New Jersey drivers based on their insurance policy choice. Meeting this standard requires clear medical proof of a qualifying injury.
Who Pays My Medical Bills After a Hackensack Car Accident?
Your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays initial medical bills under New Jersey’s no-fault system, regardless of who caused the crash. This coverage applies up to your policy limits. Additional recovery for costs beyond PIP may come from the at-fault driver.
What if the Other Driver Was Uninsured?
Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage on your own policy can compensate you when the at-fault driver has no insurance. New Jersey requires this coverage on most auto policies. We help you pursue these claims, which insurers sometimes contest as strongly as any other.
How Is Fault Decided in a Bergen County Car Accident?
Fault is decided by evidence showing which driver acted negligently, weighed under New Jersey’s comparative negligence rule. Police reports, witness statements, and crash reconstruction all factor in.
Your financial recovery shrinks with any share of fault assigned to you, so strong evidence matters.
Get the Help You Need Today
Every day you wait gives the insurance company more time to build its case against yours. The attorneys at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. are ready to protect your rights and pursue the full compensation your injuries demand.
Call (201) 585-9111 now or complete our online contact form for a free consultation. Visit us at Court Plaza South, 201 Main St., Suite 206, Hackensack, NJ 07601.
Hackensack Office
Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C.
Court Plaza South
21 Main St., Suite 203
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone: (201) 585-9111
