Short answer: This article explains the key facts, eligibility issues, settlement factors, deadlines, and source-backed updates related to this legal topic. Results vary by case facts, evidence, jurisdiction, and representation.
Paterson, New Jersey ranks #30 among America’s riskiest driving cities in the 2026 Allstate Best Drivers Report, with drivers experiencing a collision once every 7.44 years on average, compared to a national average of 10.86 years. If you’ve been injured in a crash in Paterson, a Paterson car accident lawsuit can help you recover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Paterson Car Accident Lawsuit Data: A Sunday Night Intersection Tragedy
Around 8:20 p.m. on June 7, 2026, a male pedestrian was struck and killed while crossing at the intersection of Madison and Third avenues in Paterson, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office. The victim was taken to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The driver remained at the scene and has not been charged, and the Prosecutor’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances of the crash.
This tragedy adds to a pattern of serious pedestrian and vehicle crashes across Paterson in 2026, part of a broader trend affecting drivers throughout Passaic County. Paterson’s dense street grid, heavy commercial traffic, and mix of pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles at older, sometimes poorly lit intersections continue to create serious safety challenges for road users of all kinds.
Types of Paterson Car Accident Claims We Handle
- Pedestrian accidents at Paterson’s busy city intersections
- Nighttime and low-visibility collisions throughout residential neighborhoods
- DUI and impaired driving crashes throughout Passaic County
- Multi-vehicle collisions on Route 20, Route 21, and I-80
- Rideshare and delivery vehicle accidents throughout the city
- Hit-and-run collisions where the at-fault driver flees the scene
New Jersey Car Accident Law: Fault Rules and Deadlines
New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can recover damages as long as you are found 50% or less at fault for a crash, with your compensation reduced by your percentage of responsibility. New Jersey is also a choice no-fault state, meaning drivers select either “limited tort” or “unlimited tort” coverage, which affects your ability to sue for pain and suffering after a crash.
New Jersey law generally requires car accident lawsuits to be filed within two years of the crash date under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2. If a government entity is involved, such as the City of Paterson due to poor road design or inadequate lighting, a separate notice of claim is typically required within 90 days. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to compensation.
Injured in a Paterson Car Accident?
Pedestrian and nighttime crashes often involve disputed fault. Use our free calculator to estimate your case value, or call now for a no-cost case review.
Compensation Available After a Paterson Car Accident
Victims of Paterson car accidents may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, future rehabilitation costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and property damage. In fatal pedestrian crashes, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver, and in some cases, against a government entity responsible for dangerous intersection conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The driver who hit me wasn’t charged with a crime — can I still sue?
Yes. Criminal charges and civil liability are separate matters. A driver can be held civilly liable for negligence in a car accident lawsuit even if no criminal charges are filed.
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Paterson?
New Jersey law generally allows two years from the date of the crash under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2, though claims against a government entity require a notice of claim within 90 days.
Does New Jersey’s limited tort option affect my ability to sue?
If you selected limited tort auto insurance coverage, you may face additional hurdles suing for pain and suffering unless your injury meets a “permanent injury” threshold, so it’s important to have your policy reviewed by an attorney.
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