Cherry Hill Car Accident Lawyer
Last updated on May 11, 2026
After a car accident, many are unsure if they should contact a lawyer. If you are involved in a car accident, it is a good idea to contact a car accident lawyer to learn what your rights are. At Jacobs, Schwalbe & Petruzzelli, P.C., our Cherry Hill car accident lawyers are happy to answer your questions and offer legal advice.
Our legal team knows what it takes to maximize your results. Our car accident attorneys have years of experience and a track record of success helping clients like you throughout Camden County – from Cherry Hill to Clementon and every town in between. We also handle car accident cases in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas.
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Car Accident Statistics in Cherry Hill
Recent crash statistics show that Camden County reports thousands of motor vehicle accidents each year. On the same note, Cherry Hill also sees a steady number of serious car accidents each year. The high numbers are due to heavy traffic and dense population.
Cherry Hill has several high-risk areas for serious car accidents, including:
- Route 38 Corridor: Heavy traffic and frequent lane changes cause rear-end and side-impact crashes;
- Route 70: High-volume intersections with numerous T-bone accidents;
- Cherry Hill Mall area: Congested parking lots lead to pedestrian and vehicle accidents; and
- I-295 Interchanges: High-speed collisions occur during rush hour.
Many crashes cause serious injuries that need medical attention. That means victims have to deal with the hassles of dealing with insurance companies while trying to recover. However, that should not be the case.
We strongly believe negligent drivers should be held accountable. Our Cherry Hill car accident lawyers know local roads and local courts. With that knowledge, we fight the insurance companies to maximize your compensation.
Common Injuries Associated with Car Accidents
Some car accident injuries appear immediately, while others develop over time. Frequent car accident injuries are:
- Whiplash and neck injuries: Rear-end collisions force your head forward and backwards rapidly, straining neck muscles and ligaments, causing pain, stiffness and reduced mobility;
- Traumatic brain injuries: Your head striking the steering wheel, dashboard or window can cause concussions or more serious brain trauma;
- Spinal cord injuries: High-impact crashes can damage vertebrae or the spinal cord itself;
- Broken bones and fractures: Arms, legs, ribs and collarbones often break during crashes and sometimes require surgery;
- Internal injuries: Blunt force trauma can damage organs like the liver, spleen or kidneys;
- Cuts and lacerations: Broken glass, metal and deployed airbags cause cuts ranging from minor to severe; and
- Back injuries: Herniated discs and compressed nerves result from the sudden jarring motion of a crash, which can cause chronic pain.
At Jacobs, Schwalbe & Petruzzelli, P.C., we deal with the insurance companies for you and work closely with medical professionals who document your injuries properly to strengthen your case and maximize your compensation.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Every type of motor vehicle accident is different, and each presents its own unique challenges, depending on the facts. Our Cherry Hill car accident attorneys have the knowledge and experience to help you after any type of auto accident, including:
- Head-on or rear-end collisions
- Angle or side-impact accidents
- Drunk driving or distracted driving accidents
- Reckless driving or excessive speeding accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Uninsured or underinsured (UM/UIM) accident claims
Whether you have been injured in a crash involving a commercial vehicle or semi truck or you were seriously hurt in a motorcycle crash, our experienced motor vehicle accident lawyers can help you seek compensation for your accident injuries. In addition, our personal injury lawyers can also help bicyclists or pedestrians who have been hit by cars. When you are recovering from injuries that were caused by another’s negligence, let our experienced legal team help you recover maximum compensation and hold negligent parties accountable.
Statute of Limitations For Car Accident Claims
In New Jersey, car accident victims have just two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Under certain circumstances, you are required to give notice of the accident within just ninety (90) days. If you allow these deadlines to expire, you will likely forfeit your right to sue. For this and other reasons, it’s critical to consult a car accident attorney as soon as possible after an accident.
Proving Liability and Maximizing Your Compensation
Your right to sue after a crash will be determined, in part, by the type of insurance policy you selected. Whether you choose a policy with an unlimited right to sue or a limited right to sue, our attorneys can help you recover compensation for:
- Medical bills related to bodily injuries
- Property damage and loss
- Lost wages from time spent unable to work
- Pain and suffering for your injuries.
Our legal team conducts a thorough and independent investigation into the crash. We gather all available evidence, including video footage from area cameras, eyewitness testimony, cellphone records, data from each vehicle’s “black box” and more.
New Jersey and Comparative Negligence for Car Accidents
When you’re involved in a car accident in New Jersey, it is important to understand New Jersey’s laws with comparative negligence. Under New Jersey’s comparative negligence laws, you can seek compensation even if you were partially at fault, so long as the other driver was more than 50% at fault for the crash. The higher the percentage of fault we can prove, the higher your compensation may be.
Our car accident lawyers can help present your case effectively and work to minimize your percentage of fault, which will, in turn, maximize your potential compensation.
When an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Causes a Crash
It is illegal to drive without auto insurance in the state of New Jersey. Unfortunately, some drivers still get on the road without insurance. Thankfully, there is a way to protect yourself should you get in an accident with an uninsured driver.
You can purchase additional coverage on your own auto insurance policy to cover you in these instances. The most common types include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. Both are optional and can be added to your policy at any time. However, they cannot be added to your policy once you have already been involved in an accident.
Determining Responsibility for a Cherry Hill Car Accident
Identifying who is responsible for a Cherry Hill accident requires a careful review of how the collision occurred and which party failed to meet a legally recognized duty of care. This is important because New Jersey law allows injured individuals to pursue compensation when another driver or entity caused the crash through negligent or reckless conduct.
Multiple parties may be responsible for the incident, depending on the circumstances. Each potential source of liability must be evaluated through police reports, medical documentation, and other forms of evidence. Common liable parties include the following:
- Negligent drivers who engaged in speeding, distraction, impairment, or failure to obey traffic laws;
- Commercial vehicle operators who violated safety rules or exceeded hours‑of‑service limits;
- Employers of commercial drivers when inadequate training or improper supervision contributed to the crash;
- Vehicle manufacturers when a defect in design or construction played a role in the accident; and
- Government entities responsible for unsafe road conditions that were not corrected within a reasonable timeframe.
Our experienced team conducts a thorough, fact-based investigation to help identify all parties who played a role in the collision to get you the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
When to Contact our Firm After a Serious Car Accident
After a serious car accident in Cherry Hill, timing is critical. Early legal guidance safeguards your rights from the beginning and helps prevent common missteps that could weaken your claim. New Jersey’s statute of limitations generally provides two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, but key evidence can disappear long before that deadline. Moreover, certain claims such as those against public entities require formal notice within 90 days.
There are several situations in which contacting an experienced attorney promptly is particularly important. These include the following:
- When injuries require medical treatment and you need guidance on documenting your condition;
- When the insurance company contacts you and requests statements or authorizations;
- When liability is disputed or multiple vehicles were involved;
- When the crash involved a commercial truck or another vehicle subject to federal or state regulations; and
- When you are unsure how to calculate losses such as medical expenses, lost income, or long‑term impacts.
Reaching out as soon as possible allows our team to begin working on your case immediately. On your behalf, we can manage communications with insurers while protecting your rights to ensure your claim moves forward in accordance with New Jersey law.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
If you are involved in a car accident and are injured or think you may be injured, seek medical attention immediately. Injuries can also become apparent days, weeks or even months later. Some common injuries include broken bones, cuts and bruises, spinal injuries, neurological injuries, orthopedic injuries, or neck and back injuries.
The next thing you should do is report the accident to your auto insurance company. Be prepared for insurance claims adjusters. They may try to talk you out of seeing a car accident attorney. They work for the insurance company, whose primary goal is to pay out as little money as possible and as fast as possible. This often happens when your injuries are more serious than you realize.
You don’t have to handle the insurance companies on your own. When our firm is in your corner, we provide the guidance and advocacy you will need to recover the full compensation you are entitled to from the insurance companies.
Common Questions About Car Accidents in Cherry Hill
The following questions come from real conversations with people just like you – Cherry Hill residents who found themselves suddenly dealing with the consequences of a car crash. These answers provide honest guidance about what you might face in the days and weeks ahead.
What is considered a serious car accident?
An accident is serious when it causes significant injuries, substantial vehicle damage, or, tragically, loss of life. These accidents often involve high speeds, rollovers, head-on collisions, or T-bone impacts. When airbags deploy, vehicles are totaled, or anyone needs emergency medical care, you are dealing with a serious accident.
How long after a car accident can you file a lawsuit?
New Jersey law gives you two years from the date of the accident to take legal action. This two-year countdown starts ticking the moment your accident happens. Once this period ends, courts will likely dismiss your case, regardless of how strong your claim might otherwise be. Even though you have two years, building a strong case takes time. Your legal team will need to gather evidence, talk to witnesses while memories are fresh, and document your injuries properly. We recommend talking with our team as soon as possible after your accident, even if you are unsure about whether to pursue a lawsuit.
Should you report the accident to your insurance company?
Yes, you should report your car accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Most policies actually require you to notify them promptly after any collision, regardless of who caused it. However, while you must report the accident, remember that you do not have to accept their settlement offer. Insurance companies will often try to take advantage of claimants who are not represented by an attorney to settle a case early for a “low-ball” figure. Our team should handle these communications for you, ensuring you fulfill your reporting obligations without compromising your right to fair compensation.
Should you speak to the other driver’s insurance company?
We strongly caution against speaking directly with the other driver’s insurance company without a lawyer. When their adjuster calls, remember they work for a company with one main goal: reduce the amount they pay for your claim. Should representatives from the other driver’s insurance reach out to you, respond courteously but firmly. Let them know you are currently consulting with legal counsel and that your lawyer will contact them soon. This simple boundary protects your interests during this vulnerable time.
Why should I get a car accident attorney?
Having strong legal representation fighting in your corner after a car accident significantly levels the playing field. We know the tactics insurance companies use to minimize payments and how to counter them effectively. We handle the overwhelming paperwork and phone calls that flood in after an accident, allowing you to focus on what is really important: your physical and mental recovery.
Will the case go to trial?
Many prospective clients ask us if they will need to appear in court. In other words, will there be a trial? Statistically, the answer is likely no. Most personal injury claims settle out of court, as this is typically the fastest and most economical route for all involved parties. However, if the at-fault driver’s insurance company will not negotiate in good faith or a settlement agreement cannot be reached, we will not hesitate to take your case to trial and fight for you.
How much does a car accident attorney cost?
Our experienced car accident attorneys at Jacobs, Schwalbe & Petruzzelli, P.C., will represent you on a contingency basis. This means we will not charge you a retainer fee or bill you by the hour. You will not pay any fees until your case is won or settled and you get paid.
Consult A Cherry Hill Car Accident Lawyer For Free
After an auto accident, it can be a very stressful time. The last thing you want to worry about is fixing the damage to your car, getting a rental car and dealing with the insurance company.
At Jacobs, Schwalbe & Petruzzelli, P.C., our car accident attorneys are here to help you through the process from beginning to end. We pride ourselves on our willingness to help those who need our services. We encourage you to take advantage of our free initial consultation, where we can learn more about you, the accident you are involved in, and your injuries to determine if you have a claim or lawsuit. From there, we can present the options and next steps to you.
To learn how we can assist you or your family, contact us online or call us at 856-528-7991.

