New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer
Barreto Law Firm is a personal injury law firm in Rockaway, New Jersey, led by attorney Elizabeth Barreto. The firm represents people injured in car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, rideshare, and other accidents throughout New Jersey. Consultations are free, and there is no fee unless you win. Elizabeth is licensed in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, and the firm speaks Spanish.
After a serious injury, you face medical treatment, lost income, and an insurance company whose interests are not yours. Barreto Law Firm handles the claim, the evidence, and the deadlines so you can focus on recovering. To discuss your case, call 862-418-3389 or contact the firm online.
New Jersey Personal Injury Law at a Glance
Deadline to sue (most injury cases): 2 years from the date of injury
Claims against a government entity: Written notice of claim generally required within 90 days
Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of death
Shared fault: You can recover if you are 50% or less at fault; your recovery is reduced by your share
Car insurance system: No-fault: your own PIP coverage pays medical bills regardless of fault
Pain and suffering after a car accident: May be limited by the verbal threshold ("limitation on lawsuit") on your policy
These are general rules with exceptions. A lawyer can tell you how they apply to your situation.
Why Clients Choose Barreto Law Firm
Direct access to your attorney. Elizabeth Barreto is the founder and managing attorney, and clients work with her directly. Read her background on The Firm page.
Insurance-defense experience, now used for injured people. Elizabeth has extensive experience in New Jersey state and federal courts and earlier defended corporations and insurance companies. She understands how insurers evaluate and contest claims.
Prepared to litigate. Most claims settle, but insurers take a case more seriously when the lawyer is ready to file suit and go to trial.
Clear communication in English and Spanish. The firm does not rely on translators. Sí, hablamos español.
No fee unless you win. Consultations are free, and your agreement is explained in writing before you hire the firm.
Cases We Handle
The firm represents injured people throughout New Jersey. See all practice areas.
Vehicle accidents: car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, rideshare (Uber and Lyft), and hit-and-run crashes
Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) claims: when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little
Premises liability and slip and fall: injuries caused by unsafe property conditions
Construction injuries: falls, equipment failures, and structural collapses
Serious and catastrophic injuries: including brain and spinal injuries, fractures, and permanent impairments
Wrongful death: claims brought on behalf of families who have lost a loved one
Compensation in a Personal Injury Claim
Depending on the facts and the insurance available, a claim may include past and future medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and scarring or disfigurement. No attorney can ethically promise a specific result. The value of a case depends on the evidence, the severity and permanence of the injuries, and the coverage involved.
New Jersey's No-Fault System: PIP and the Verbal Threshold
New Jersey is a no-fault state, and two features of your auto policy often shape a claim.
Personal injury protection (PIP) pays reasonable medical expenses from your own policy after a crash, regardless of who caused it, up to the limit you selected. Many policies carry up to $250,000 in PIP coverage, though drivers may choose lower limits.
The verbal threshold, also called the "limitation on lawsuit" option, restricts when you can sue for pain and suffering. If your policy has it, you generally must show a permanent injury or another qualifying injury defined by law. If you chose the "right to sue" option, this limit does not apply. Review your policy early, because this choice can change the direction of your case.
What to Do After an Accident
Call 911 and report the crash. Ask for medical help if anyone is hurt.
See a doctor promptly, even if you feel fine. Some injuries appear later, and medical records support your claim.
Document the scene. Photograph the vehicles, the location, and your injuries, and collect contact information from the other driver and any witnesses.
Be careful with insurers. Report the accident to your own insurer, but do not admit fault or give a recorded statement to the other side's insurer before speaking with a lawyer.
Consult a personal injury lawyer early. Deadlines begin on the day of the accident, and evidence is easier to preserve when you act quickly.
How We Handle Your Case
Consultation and investigation. We review what happened and gather the police report, medical records, photographs, and insurance information.
Documentation and demand. While you treat, we track your medical care and losses. When the time is right, we present your claim and negotiate with the insurer.
Litigation when necessary. If the insurer will not offer fair compensation, we are prepared to file suit and pursue your case in court. You make every final decision about settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in New Jersey?
In most New Jersey personal injury cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, the court will usually dismiss your case and you lose the right to compensation. Some situations change the timeline: claims against a government entity generally require a written notice of claim within 90 days, and claims involving minors or injuries discovered later may follow different rules. Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years of the date of death. Talk to a lawyer as soon as possible so deadlines are not missed.
How much is my personal injury case worth?
There is no fixed number. The value of a New Jersey personal injury case depends on how serious and permanent the injuries are, your medical treatment and future care, lost income, how clearly the other party was at fault, and how much insurance coverage is available. Be cautious of any lawyer who promises a specific amount before reviewing your records.
Do I have to pay anything upfront to hire a personal injury lawyer?
No. Barreto Law Firm offers free consultations and handles injury cases on a no fee unless you win basis. Your agreement is explained in writing before you decide to hire the firm.
Can I recover compensation if I was partly at fault?
Often, yes. New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can recover if you are 50 percent or less at fault, but your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover damages from the other party.
What is the verbal threshold in New Jersey?
The verbal threshold, also called the limitation on lawsuit option, is a choice on many New Jersey auto policies that limits when you can sue for pain and suffering after a car accident. To bring that kind of claim, you generally must show a permanent injury or another qualifying injury listed in the law, such as a displaced fracture, significant scarring, or a body part that has not healed to function normally and will not heal with further treatment. If you chose the right to sue option, this limit does not apply.
Should I give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company?
You generally must report the accident to your own insurer and cooperate with it. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company, and anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Speak with a personal injury lawyer before giving a recorded statement or signing any release.
What if the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough insurance?
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, your own policy's uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may apply, depending on the limits you purchased. These claims are made against your own insurer, which can still dispute the value of your claim. Elizabeth Barreto handles UM and UIM claims for injured New Jersey drivers and passengers.
Does Barreto Law Firm handle cases in Spanish?
Yes. Elizabeth Barreto and the firm speak Spanish and communicate with Spanish-speaking clients directly, without a translator. Sí, hablamos español.
Speak With a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer
Evidence fades and deadlines pass, so do not wait to get advice. Call Barreto Law Firm at 862-418-3389, email info@barretolawfirm.com, or contact the firm online to schedule a free consultation. You can also learn more about Elizabeth Barreto or visit the Barreto Law Firm home page.
Barreto Law Firm
100 Enterprise Dr., Suite 301
Rockaway Township, NJ 07866
Phone: 862-418-3389 (call 24/7)
Email: info@barretolawfirm.com
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, by appointment only
Attorney Advertising. The information on this page is for general purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.