The first hours after a crash in New Jersey decide two things: how well you recover, and how strong your claim will be. Most of the mistakes that cost injured people money happen in the first week, usually before they talk to a lawyer. This checklist goes through what to do at the scene, with your doctor, and with the insurance companies.

The short version

  • Call 911. New Jersey law requires you to report any crash with an injury, a death, or $500 or more in property damage.
  • Take photos of everything before the cars are moved.
  • See a doctor within a day or two, even if you feel "fine."
  • Open your PIP claim with your own insurer quickly.
  • Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company.

At the scene

1. Make the scene safe and call 911

If you can move, turn on your hazard lights and get out of traffic. Then call 911. Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-130, a driver involved in a crash that causes injury, death, or property damage of $500 or more must report it to the police right away. These days almost any bumper repair costs more than $500, so call every time.

The officer will write a New Jersey Police Crash Investigation Report (form NJTR-1). That report records the drivers, insurance details, witnesses, a diagram, and often the officer's opinion of what happened. Insurance adjusters read it before anything else.

2. Exchange information, and nothing more

Get the other driver's name, address, phone number, license number, plate number, and insurance company and policy number. Take a photo of their license and insurance card. Be polite, but don't apologize or talk about who caused the crash. A reflexive "I'm so sorry" can show up later in an insurance file as an admission.

3. Document everything

Your phone is the best evidence you will ever have. Before the cars are moved, take:

  • Wide shots showing where each car ended up, and close-ups of all the damage
  • Skid marks, debris, traffic signals, stop signs, and anything blocking the view
  • Road conditions, weather, and lighting
  • Any visible injuries, such as cuts, bruises, or seat-belt marks
  • Names and phone numbers of witnesses. Independent witnesses are worth their weight in gold.

Look around for cameras at gas stations, stores, and homes with doorbell cameras. Many systems record over their footage within days, so write down where they are.

In the first 72 hours

4. Get medical care, even if you feel fine

Adrenaline hides pain. Neck and back injuries, concussions, and disc herniations often take a day or two to show up. Go to the ER, urgent care, or your own doctor. Tell them exactly how the crash happened and every place that hurts, even if it seems minor.

That first record matters. Insurance companies look for gaps between the crash and your first treatment, and they argue that a gap means you weren't really hurt. Getting seen promptly closes that argument before it starts.

5. Open your PIP claim

New Jersey is a no-fault state for medical bills. Your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays your medical bills no matter who caused the crash. Call your own insurer, report the accident, and ask for a PIP claim number. Doctors will need that number to bill your treatment. Our PIP guide explains what PIP covers and what it doesn't.

6. Be careful with the other driver's insurer

Within a day or two, the at-fault driver's insurance company will probably call. The adjuster may sound friendly and ask to "just get your side on tape." You are not required to give them a recorded statement, and you shouldn't before you understand your injuries. Read what not to say to an insurance company before you talk to anyone.

Once the police report is ready, check it for mistakes. Our guide on how to read a police report explains each section.

In the weeks that follow

7. Follow your treatment plan and keep records

Go to every appointment, physical therapy session, and follow-up. Keep a folder (paper or digital) with:

  • Medical bills, explanation-of-benefits letters, and receipts for prescriptions and mileage
  • Letters from any insurance company
  • Pay stubs and a note from your employer showing the time you missed
  • A short journal: how you feel each day, what you can't do, what you missed

That journal sounds small, but it often turns into the most convincing evidence of pain and suffering. Juries and adjusters respond to specific details ("I couldn't lift my daughter for three months") much more than general ones.

8. Stay off social media

Insurance companies routinely check claimants' Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. A photo of you smiling at a barbecue can be used to argue you weren't really hurt, even if you were in pain the whole time. Set your accounts to private and don't post about the crash, your injuries, or your activities until the case is over.

9. Understand your tort option

Look at your auto policy's declarations page and find your "lawsuit option." Most New Jersey drivers have the limitation on lawsuit option, also called the verbal threshold. It limits when you can sue for pain and suffering. Here's how the verbal threshold works and which injuries meet it.

10. Talk to a lawyer before you sign anything

Never sign a release, a settlement check, or a broad medical authorization from the other driver's insurer without having it reviewed. Once you sign a release, the claim is over for good, even if you later find out you need surgery. A consultation with a New Jersey personal injury lawyer is free, and lawyers work on a contingency fee, so there's no cost unless you recover.

The deadline you can't miss

In New Jersey you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2). If a government vehicle or a dangerous public road was involved, you may have to file a formal notice of claim within 90 days. See every New Jersey injury deadline in one place.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to call the police for a minor accident in New Jersey?

If anyone is hurt, or the damage is $500 or more, yes. Because nearly every repair costs more than that, the safe answer is to call the police after every crash. A police report also protects you if the other driver changes their story later.

What if the other driver has no insurance or drives off?

Your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can step in and pay for pain and suffering and other losses a liable driver would have paid. Report hit-and-runs to the police right away, because UM claims usually require prompt reporting.

Should I go to my own doctor or the ER?

Either one, as long as you go quickly. If you have any head injury, confusion, severe pain, or numbness, go to the emergency room.

How long will my case take?

A straightforward claim can settle in a matter of months once treatment ends. Cases that go into litigation in New Jersey Superior Court usually take one to two years. Settling before you know the full extent of your injuries is the most common way people leave money on the table.