Were you injured in an accident in Newark, NJ?

At Rispoli & Borneo P.C., we invite you to contact our office for a free, confidential case review with a Newark personal injury lawyer.

If you were hurt on a Newark street, in a store, or at a job site, you may be dealing with hospital bills, insurance companies, and other stressors. These pressures tend to arrive all at once. At Rispoli & Borneo P.C., we have represented injured New Jersey residents since 1994. From our Elizabeth office, we serve clients in Newark and throughout Essex County. Our Newark, NJ personal injury lawyer can review what happened and explain your options at no cost. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.

Personal Injury Lawyer Newark, NJ

A personal injury attorney in Newark, NJ represents people who were hurt because someone else failed to act with reasonable care. The careless party might be a driver who ran a red light, a landlord who ignored a broken stair, or a contractor who left an open trench unguarded. Your attorney investigates the incident, calculates your losses, negotiates with the insurer, and files a lawsuit if the insurer will not pay a fair amount.

Essex County recorded 5,534 crashes involving injuries in 2022, according to NJDOT crash records. Each one can mean emergency care, missed paychecks, and a claim that the other side’s insurer will review closely.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Newark

Our Newark personal injury attorneys represent people hurt in crashes, falls, and workplace incidents. Some claims involve one careless driver and one insurance policy. Others involve a property owner, a subcontractor, and multiple carriers, each pointing at the others.

Car accidents. Crashes at downtown intersections and on I-78 and I-280 often turn on questions of speed, distraction, and right of way. We collect the police report, photographs, and witness accounts before presenting the claim.
Truck accidents. Box trucks and tractor-trailers move through Newark every day on their way to Port Newark and the airport. One crash can involve the driver, the trucking company, and a maintenance contractor.
Motorcycle accidents. Riders can suffer fractures and head injuries even at city speeds. Early proof of the other driver’s conduct matters.
Pedestrian accidents. A person on foot has no protection when a turning driver fails to yield. We examine signal timing, crosswalk markings, and nearby camera footage.
Bicycle accidents. Cyclists are struck by opening car doors, right-turning vehicles, and drivers who pass too closely. We identify every policy that may apply.
Scooter accidents. Scooter and moped riders are hard for some drivers to see. These claims can raise unusual coverage questions.
Construction accidents. Falls from scaffolds, falling objects, and trench collapses cause serious harm on building sites. If a contractor other than your employer caused the injury, a claim against that company may be possible alongside workers’ compensation.
Work accidents. Warehouse, delivery, and transportation workers get hurt in vehicle crashes and equipment incidents. We also look for an outside party who contributed to the harm.
Slip and fall accidents. Property owners and managers are expected to address hazards they know about or should have found. Wet floors, broken steps, and poor lighting are frequent causes.
Wrongful death. When a crash or fall takes a life, certain family members can bring a claim for the losses that follow.

Why Choose Rispoli & Borneo P.C. as My Personal Injury Lawyer in Newark, NJ?

Prosecution and Civil Litigation Experience

Vincent S. Rispoli, Jr. spent four years as an Assistant Prosecutor in the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office before forming the firm in Elizabeth in 1994. He holds a business degree, magna cum laude, from Suffolk University and a law degree from Nova School of Law. He has been admitted in New Jersey and Florida since 1989.

Michael Borneo began as a litigation associate in California, where his work included personal injury and product liability matters. He graduated summa cum laude from Villanova University, earned his law degree with honors from GW Law. He joined the firm in 1999. His practice today includes motor vehicle, slip and fall, and trucking injury claims.

Direct Access From the First Meeting

Mr. Borneo meets with each potential client in person before the firm is retained. Our staff speaks Spanish and Portuguese. Those details make it easier to work with a personal injury lawyer in Newark, NJ from the first conversation through the end of the claim. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with us.

What Is Important to Understand About a Personal Injury Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Personal Injury Cases

Liability comes first. To recover, you generally must show the other party owed you a duty of care, breached it, and caused your injuries. New Jersey follows modified comparative negligence, so you can still recover if your share of fault is not greater than the defendants’ share. Your award is reduced by your percentage.

Recoverable damages often include:

Medical expenses: emergency care, surgery, therapy, and future treatment.
Lost income: wages missed during recovery and reduced earning ability.
Pain and suffering: physical pain and emotional distress tied to the injury.
Loss of enjoyment: activities you can no longer do as before.
Punitive damages: available only in limited circumstances and capped under N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.14 at five times compensatory damages or $350,000, whichever is greater.

Auto claims carry several factors to consider. If your policy includes the limitation on lawsuit option, you can recover pain and suffering only for certain listed injuries, while economic losses such as medical bills and lost wages remain recoverable.

What Are Important Aspects of a Personal Injury Case?

Small decisions early in a claim can affect its value later. These are the issues a Newark personal injury lawyer watches most closely.

Video disappears. Store and traffic cameras can record over footage quickly.
Gaps in care raise doubts. Insurers question injuries when treatment stops and starts.
More than one policy may apply. Your own auto coverage, the at-fault party’s liability insurance, and uninsured motorist coverage can all come into play.

What Is the Personal Injury Case Timeline?

Most claims follow a similar path. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2, a lawsuit generally must be filed within two years of the injury.

Medical treatment begins. Your health comes first, and your records become the foundation of the claim. Some clients ask how to handle medical costs while the case is open.
Investigation. We gather reports, photos, video, and witness statements.
Demand. Once your condition stabilizes, we send the insurer a written demand with supporting records.
Negotiation. The insurer responds, and we decide with you whether a settlement offer is fair.
Litigation. If talks stall, we file in Superior Court and move the case through discovery toward trial.

What Should You Bring to Your Personal Injury Consultation?

Bring what you have of the following information. Missing items are fine; we can request most records ourselves.

Police or incident report number
Photos of the scene, vehicles, and injuries
Medical bills, discharge papers, and appointment records
Insurance cards and any letters from adjusters
Pay stubs showing time missed from work

A Newark, NJ personal injury attorney from our firm handles the first consultation, and it is free. You can expect to walk through what happened and leave with a clear sense of your options.

Most Dangerous Locations for Personal Injury in Newark

Several Newark intersections appear on the NJDOT screening list of Essex County locations where pedestrians and cyclists were involved in crashes from 2016 through 2020.

Dangerous streets:

Market Street downtown: crossings at Broad Street, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and Park Place rank near the top of the county list.
Broad Street: intersections at Brunswick, Franklin, and Walnut Streets each recorded serious injury crashes.
Ferry Street in the Ironbound: the Jackson Street and Jefferson Street crossings both appear on the list.
Bergen Street at 18th Avenue: a crash involving a pedestrian or cyclist here resulted in a death during the study period.
Avon Avenue at South 12th Street: seven crashes, including one serious injury.

Dangerous highways:

McCarter Highway (Route 21): a pedestrian safety report counted five pedestrian deaths on this road from 2009 through 2011.
Routes 1&9: commercial trucks and passenger cars share lanes near the port and airport.
Interstate 78: crosses the city’s south side and meets the Turnpike near the airport.
Interstate 280: links downtown Newark to communities west of the city.
New Jersey Turnpike: runs along Newark’s eastern edge past Port Newark.

Reach Out to Rispoli & Borneo P.C. to Schedule a Consultation

An injury claim moves faster when the evidence is gathered early. Your first meeting with our Newark personal injury lawyers is free, and an attorney will review the facts with you then outline the next steps. Our phones are answered around the clock, so you can reach us anytime. Contact us to arrange your appointment.

Personal Injury Statistics in Newark, NJ

Essex County records tens of thousands of crashes in a typical year, and Newark sits at the center of that traffic. Interstates, port routes, and dense downtown streets all run through the city. State and federal agencies track the results.

33 deaths so far in 2026. As of October 22, 2026, State Police data listed 33 traffic deaths in Essex County. Eighteen were pedestrians.
24,497 crashes in one year. NJDOT crash totals show Essex County recorded that many crashes in 2021.
Fatalities up 14 percent. From 2023 to 2024, New Jersey traffic deaths rose 14 percent and pedestrian deaths rose 32 percent, according to the Governor’s office.
84 workers killed. New Jersey recorded 84 fatal work injuries in 2024, and transportation incidents caused 36 of them, according to BLS fatality data.

In Essex County this year, pedestrians account for more than half of all traffic deaths, compared with 130 of 424 statewide over the same period. For the people injured rather than killed, the aftermath usually means months of treatment, time away from work, and a claim against an insurer focused on limiting what it pays. Work injuries follow a similar pattern. Transportation incidents were the most frequent cause of fatal work injuries in New Jersey in 2024, at 43 percent, and the construction sector tied for the most deaths with 17. Delivery drivers and construction workers hurt in Newark may have both a workers’ compensation claim and a negligence claim.

Common Factors of Personal Injury Cases in Newark

No two claims resolve the same way. In our work as Newark personal injury lawyers, these factors tend to shape the result more than any others.

Clear proof of fault. A police report, video footage, or an independent witness can settle the liability question early. Without that proof, the insurer will argue someone else caused the incident. Weak liability evidence is also one of the reasons cases get rejected at the outset.
Your share of responsibility. Adjusters look for any sign you contributed, such as crossing outside a crosswalk or glancing at a phone. Even a modest percentage reduces the recovery. Challenging an inflated fault estimate can change a claim’s value considerably.
The severity of your injuries. Fractures, surgery, and permanent limitations carry more weight than soft tissue strains. Some conditions, such as concussions, are easy to overlook in the first days. Documenting all the injuries you report from the beginning protects the claim’s value.
Consistent medical care. Follow your doctor’s plan. Missed appointments and long gaps give the insurer an argument that you healed sooner than you did, or that something else caused your symptoms.
Available insurance limits. A strong claim against a driver with a minimal policy may be capped by that policy. Other sources can include a vehicle owner’s coverage, an employer’s commercial policy, or your own underinsured motorist benefits.
Pre-existing conditions. An old back or knee injury does not bar a claim. The question becomes how much the new incident made the condition worse. Answering it usually requires prior medical records and a treating doctor’s opinion.
What you say to adjusters. Recorded statements and social media posts can be used to suggest you are less hurt than you claim. Short, factual communication is safer.
Timing. Evidence fades and witnesses move. Settling too early can leave future treatment uncovered, while waiting too long risks the filing deadline. Knowing your claim’s value requires a full picture of your recovery.

Newark Personal Injury Lawyer FAQs

How much does it cost to talk to a personal injury attorney in Newark?

Your first consultation with Rispoli & Borneo P.C. is free. We use that meeting to learn what happened, review any documents you bring, and tell you whether we believe you have a claim worth pursuing. You can ask about fees during that meeting. Many people want to understand attorney costs before they call, and we are glad to answer those questions directly during the consultation.

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in New Jersey?

Most personal injury lawsuits in New Jersey must be filed within two years of the date of injury. Some exceptions can pause or extend that period, such as when the injured person is a minor. Missing the deadline usually ends the right to recover in court, no matter how strong the facts are. Because investigation and treatment take time, it helps to speak with an attorney well before the two-year mark approaches.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault?

Yes, in many cases. New Jersey reduces your compensation by your percentage of fault but allows recovery as long as your share is not greater than the defendants’ share. If a jury found you 20 percent responsible for a crash, for example, your award would be reduced by 20 percent. Insurers often exaggerate a claimant’s role to cut the payout. So evidence about what the other party did is important.

Should I give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company?

You are generally not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer, and it is wise to speak with an attorney first. Adjusters ask questions designed to pin down details before you fully understand your injuries. A casual answer such as “I’m fine” can be quoted later to minimize your claim. Your own insurer may have different rights under your policy, so review those terms before declining.

What if I was hurt on the job in Newark?

Workers injured on the job usually receive workers’ compensation benefits regardless of fault. You may also have a separate claim if someone other than your employer caused the injury, such as a negligent driver, a property owner, or a subcontractor. Depending on the facts, you may be able to file both claims at once. That second claim can include pain and suffering, which workers’ compensation does not pay.

What happens if I was injured in an Uber or Lyft?

A rideshare accident can involve several insurance policies. The coverage that applies often depends on whether the driver was logged into the app, waiting for a ride request, or carrying a passenger at the time of the crash. Passengers, other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians may all have claims, and each may be dealing with a different insurer. Trip records from the rideshare company can help show which insurer is responsible.

How long will my personal injury case take?

Timelines vary. A claim with clear liability and injuries that heal within a few months may resolve in under a year. Cases involving surgery, disputed fault, or several defendants can take longer, especially if a lawsuit is filed and the parties exchange evidence in discovery. We generally advise waiting until your doctors can describe your long-term condition before settling, since an early settlement cannot be reopened later.

Will my Newark personal injury case go to court?

Many personal injury claims resolve through negotiation without a trial. Filing a lawsuit is sometimes necessary to move an insurer, and that filing does not mean the case will end in a courtroom. Lawsuits arising in Newark are generally heard in the Superior Court in Essex County. Insurers tend to take a claim more seriously once it is clear the injured person is ready to go to trial.

What if the driver who hit me had no insurance?

Your own auto policy may include uninsured motorist coverage, which can pay for injuries caused by a driver without insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage may apply when the at-fault driver’s policy is too small to cover your losses. Hit-and-run crashes can raise similar coverage questions, especially when the other driver is never identified. Your declarations page lists these coverages and their limits, so it is worth bringing to your consultation.

Can my family bring a claim if a loved one died in an accident?

Yes. New Jersey law allows certain family members to pursue a wrongful death claim when negligence causes a death. These claims can address lost financial support and the loss of services and guidance. A separate claim may cover the pain the person suffered before death. Families often have questions about which relatives can file, and those answers depend on the circumstances.

Important Resources for Newark Personal Injury Cases

What Are Important New Jersey Legal Resources for Personal Injury Cases?

These official sources explain New Jersey’s rules on deadlines, fault, and damages.

The comparative negligence statute, N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1, sets the shared-fault rule.
The punitive damages charge shows how New Jersey juries are instructed on punitive awards.
The state’s lawsuit option guide explains how auto policy choices affect pain and suffering claims.
The Judiciary’s complaint filing packet describes how civil injury lawsuits begin.

What Are Important Local Resources for Newark Personal Injury Cases?

After an accident in Newark, you may need a police report, emergency care, or information about the courthouse that will hear your case. The following offices and hospitals serve the city.

Newark Police Division: (973) 733-6000
University Hospital (Level I Trauma Center): (973) 972-4300
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center: (973) 926-7000
Essex Vicinage, Superior Court: (973) 776-9300

Rispoli & Borneo P.C. does not endorse and is not affiliated with any of the organizations listed above. These resources are provided for informational purposes only.

About Rispoli & Borneo P.C.

At Rispoli & Borneo P.C., Michael Borneo has led the firm since 2001. Before joining the firm, he served as national counsel for SmithKline Beecham in the Phen-Fen diet drug litigation while at a California firm. Today, the firm represents injured people across Union, Essex, Middlesex, and Monmouth Counties. We are committed to bringing a sense of justice and fair compensation to those who have been injured. Contact us today to speak further about your personal injury case.

What Our Clients Say

★★★★★

“Mike Borneo and his firm has and continues to represent me in a very difficult workers comp accident case. I was severely injured when a large truck hit me while I was walking back to my vehicle while working construction at night on a high speed roadway. He constantly kept me informed, and always had time to explain things in a way I could understand.” – Lisa Mishlinski

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Additional Resources for Newark Personal Injury Cases

Contact Rispoli & Borneo P.C.

If you were injured in Newark in an accident, the next step is having a conversation about compensation. We offer a free initial consultation. We will listen to what happened, review your records, and tell you where your claim stands. There is no obligation to hire us. Calls to our office are answered 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with a Newark personal injury attorney.

Newark Personal Injury Attorney