If you’ve just been in a car accident in New Jersey, the moments after the crash can feel overwhelming and chaotic. Knowing exactly what steps to take can protect your health, your legal rights, and your ability to recover full compensation. Here is what you should do immediately following a car accident in New Jersey — and why each step matters.

Step 1 — Check for Injuries

Your health comes first. Check yourself and all passengers for injuries before doing anything else. If anyone is seriously hurt, call 911 immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, do not skip this step. Some injuries — including whiplash, concussions, and internal bleeding — may not show symptoms right away. Adrenaline can mask pain in the minutes after a crash. What feels like soreness at the scene can turn out to be a serious injury hours or days later.

Step 2 — Move to Safety

If your vehicle is drivable and it is safe to do so, move it to the shoulder or side of the road to avoid blocking traffic and prevent a secondary accident. Turn on your hazard lights immediately. If the vehicles cannot be moved — or if anyone is injured — leave everything in place and wait for police and emergency services. Never leave the scene of an accident in New Jersey. Leaving the scene of an accident that caused injury or death is a criminal offense under N.J.S.A. 39:4-129 and can result in serious criminal penalties on top of any civil liability.

Step 3 — Call the Police

Always call the police after a car accident in New Jersey, even if the accident seems minor. A police report creates an official record of the accident that is crucial for your insurance claim and any future legal action. The responding officer will document the scene, gather statements, and note any traffic violations. Never agree to handle things privately without a police report — the other driver may tell their insurance company a completely different story once they leave the scene, and without a police report, it becomes your word against theirs.

Step 4 — Exchange Information

Exchange the following information with all other drivers involved in the accident: full name and contact information, driver’s license number, license plate number, insurance company name and policy number, and vehicle make and model. Also note the names and badge numbers of any responding police officers. If there are multiple vehicles involved, get this information from every driver — not just the one you believe caused the crash.

Step 5 — Document the Scene

Use your phone to photograph everything at the scene before anything is moved. Take photos of all vehicles involved and the damage to each, the accident location and road conditions, any visible injuries, traffic signs or signals nearby, and skid marks or debris on the road. Take wide shots and close-ups. If the crash happened at an intersection, photograph the signal and any posted speed limits. These photos can be critical evidence if the other driver later disputes what happened or how the accident occurred.

Step 6 — Gather Witness Information

If anyone witnessed the accident, get their name and contact information right away. People leave quickly, and once they are gone, they can be nearly impossible to track down. Witness testimony can be invaluable — especially in New Jersey, where the modified comparative negligence rule means that fault matters. Under New Jersey law, you can recover compensation as long as you are less than 50 percent at fault for the accident. However, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. Independent witnesses who can confirm the other driver ran a red light or was speeding can make a significant difference in how fault is assigned.

Step 7 — Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if you feel fine after the accident, see a doctor as soon as possible — ideally the same day. Many serious injuries, including internal bleeding, whiplash, and traumatic brain injuries, do not show symptoms right away. Delaying medical treatment can also seriously hurt your legal case. Insurance companies look for gaps in treatment and will argue that if you did not go to the doctor right away, you must not have been seriously hurt. Getting evaluated promptly creates a medical record that connects your injuries directly to the accident.

In New Jersey, most drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance as part of the state’s no-fault system. This means that after a car accident, you file a claim with your own insurance company first — regardless of who caused the crash — and your PIP coverage pays for your initial medical expenses. This is important to know because it affects how your medical bills get paid in the days and weeks after the accident. An attorney can help you navigate this process and make sure your PIP benefits are being applied correctly.

Step 8 — Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your insurance company promptly. Stick to the basic facts of what happened and avoid speculating about fault or the extent of your injuries until you have spoken with an attorney. While you are required to report the accident, you are not required to give a recorded statement without legal advice. Be aware that New Jersey’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. If you do not file a lawsuit within two years, you will generally lose your right to recover compensation — so do not wait too long to understand your options.

Step 9 — Do Not Admit Fault

Never admit fault at the scene of the accident, even if you think you may have contributed to the crash. Fault is a legal determination that depends on many factors — road conditions, vehicle defects, traffic signals, and the actions of all drivers involved. Anything you say at the scene can be recorded, quoted in a police report, and used against you later. Even saying “I’m sorry” can be interpreted as an admission of fault. Let the investigation determine what happened.

This is especially important in New Jersey because of the state’s tort election rules. When you purchased your auto insurance policy, you chose either “limited tort” or “unlimited tort” coverage. If you chose limited tort, your ability to sue for pain and suffering is restricted unless your injuries meet a certain threshold of severity. If you chose unlimited tort, you preserved your right to sue for pain and suffering regardless of the severity of your injuries. Understanding which option you selected — and how it applies to your case — is something an experienced attorney can help you sort out.

Step 10 — Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

Before speaking with the other driver’s insurance company, contact an experienced New Jersey car accident lawyer. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts and may try to get you to accept a quick settlement that is far less than what you deserve. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you give up your right to any future compensation — even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than initially thought.

It is also worth knowing that New Jersey requires drivers to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. If the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough insurance to cover your damages, your own UM/UIM coverage can fill the gap. An attorney can help you identify all available sources of compensation — including your own policy — so nothing is left on the table.

How Blaise Injury Law Can Help

At Blaise Injury Law, we represent car accident victims across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. Attorney Blaise Richards spent over five years working for a major insurance company and knows exactly how insurers evaluate claims, what they look for, and how they try to minimize payouts. That inside knowledge gives our clients a meaningful advantage from day one.

We handle every aspect of your case — from filing your PIP claim and dealing with the insurance companies to investigating the accident, gathering evidence, and negotiating the full settlement you deserve. You focus on recovering. We handle the rest.

If you have been injured in a car accident in New Jersey, contact Blaise Injury Law today for a free case evaluation. You pay nothing unless we win.

Call (856) 340-5685 or visit our contact page to get started today.