Personal Injury Law in New Jersey
Key rules for personal injury claims in New Jersey — statute of limitations, fault system, damage caps, insurance requirements, and government claim deadlines.
Key Points — New Jersey
- 01No-fault auto with verbal threshold option
- 0290-day government notice deadline — extremely strict
- 03Modified comparative fault — barred at 51%+ fault
- 04Punitive damages cap at 5x compensatory or $350,000
Rules at a Glance
- Statute of Limitations
- 2 years from the date of injury
- Fault System
- Modified comparative fault (51% bar) — New Jersey bars recovery if the injured person is 51% or more at fault.
- Damage Caps
- No general cap. Punitive damages capped at 5x compensatory or $350,000, whichever is greater.
- Government Notice Deadline
- Written notice within 90 days for claims against government entities under the NJ Tort Claims Act.
- Auto Insurance System
- No-fault — No-fault state. Drivers choose between 'basic' and 'standard' policies. Standard includes the option to choose 'limitation on lawsuit' (verbal threshold) or 'no limitation on lawsuit.'
- Minimum Liability Coverage
- 15/30/5 (basic), higher for standard.
- Workers' Comp Deadline
- Report as soon as practicable. File claim petition within 2 years.
Fault System in New Jersey
New Jersey bars recovery if the injured person is 51% or more at fault.
Auto Insurance in New Jersey
New Jersey is a no-fault state. No-fault state. Drivers choose between 'basic' and 'standard' policies. Standard includes the option to choose 'limitation on lawsuit' (verbal threshold) or 'no limitation on lawsuit.'
Minimum required liability coverage: 15/30/5 (basic), higher for standard..
General information only. This page explains common concepts in plain language. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary by state and change over time. For any specific situation, consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.