Piscataway Rear-End Accident Lawyer

Key Takeaways

  • William P. Mikita, senior partner at Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, has practiced law in New Jersey since 1994 and holds New Jersey Supreme Court certification as a Civil Trial Attorney.
  • At Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, learning about your legal options costs nothing because the initial consultation is free of charge. 
  • New Jersey bars recovery if you carry 51% or more of the fault, and you generally have two years to file a lawsuit.
  • Middlesex County recorded 62 road deaths in 2024, the most of any New Jersey county, and Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, has proven results for rear-end accidents between $125,000 and $250,000.

Why Piscataway Drivers Choose Mikita & Roccanova, LLC

Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, represents injured drivers from its main office in Piscataway. William P. Mikita is a Piscataway resident who knows these roads and these neighbors. Here is what sets Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, apart:

  • Experience: Mr. Mikita has practiced since 1994 and serves as the trial attorney for Mikita & Roccanova, LLC. He holds admission in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, both federal district courts, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • Recognition: Thomson Reuters selected Mr. Mikita to the New Jersey Super Lawyers list in 2015 through 2018 and again in 2022 through 2025.
  • Memberships: Mr. Mikita belongs to the New Jersey Association for Justice, the New Jersey Bar Association, and the Middlesex County Bar Association.
  • Rear-end results: Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, won a $250,000 verdict for a George Washington Bridge rear-end crash that led to a neck fusion and two lumbar surgeries, a $160,000 settlement for back surgery after the defense called the impact too small, and a $125,000 settlement for a truck driver rear-ended on Interstate 95 while working.
  • Larger cases: Early in his career, Mr. Mikita served on the plaintiffs’ litigation team in the Pier 34 collapse in Philadelphia, which produced a $29,600,000 settlement.
  • Client reviews: Clients rate the firm highly, praising Mr. Mikita and his team for their respectful, friendly, professional service and their ability to answer questions and deliver results.
  • Language: Mikita & Roccanova, LLC serves Spanish-speaking clients, and Se habla español.

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Rear-End Collision Cases Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, Handles in Piscataway

Piscataway packs 60,804 residents into about 19 square miles, and Rutgers campuses and corporate offices add commuters every day. Route 18, Interstate 287, and Stelton Road force sudden braking at every merge, ramp, and signal, and Rutgers football game days at SHI Stadium add more traffic. Nationally, about 29% of reported crashes are rear-end accidents, and federal research found that 87% of rear-end crashes involved a driver who failed to watch the traffic ahead.

Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, handles rear-end claims involving passenger cars, commercial trucks, rideshare vehicles, and chain-reaction pileups. These claims fall under the broader category of car accidents. They also differ from other types of accidents because the proof often depends on following distance, braking, and vehicle damage.

Who Is Usually at Fault in a Rear-End Crash?

New Jersey law bars a driver from following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, given speed, traffic, and road conditions (N.J.S.A. 39:4-89). Courts treat a violation of that rule as negligence, so insurers and juries usually assign most of the blame to the driver in the back seat.

However, New Jersey does not treat every rear-end crash as automatic fault. Exceptions include a driver who cuts in and brakes hard, a car that stops with dead brake lights, a driver whom a third vehicle shoves forward, and a vehicle that reverses into traffic. If a jury finds you 20% at fault, your award drops by 20%, and at 51% or more you recover nothing. Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, identifies the liable parties and builds the proof that keeps your share of fault low.

Common Injuries From Rear-End Accidents

A rear impact whips your head and spine forward and back. Common injuries range from sprains and strains to life-altering damage, including:

  • Whiplash and other neck sprains and strains
  • Herniated discs and back injuries that sometimes require surgery
  • Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
  • Shoulder and wrist injuries, including fractures
  • Internal bleeding or organ damage that feels like a stomachache at first

Compensation After a Rear-End Crash

Your own personal injury protection coverage pays your medical bills regardless of fault, and standard policies default to a $250,000 limit unless you chose less. A lawsuit against the at-fault driver covers what that coverage does not.

New Jersey drivers choose between two lawsuit options. If you selected the limitation on lawsuit option, often called the verbal threshold, you can sue for pain and suffering only after death, dismemberment, significant scarring, a displaced fracture, loss of a fetus, or a permanent injury that objective medical evidence supports. Claims commonly include:

  • Medical expenses beyond your personal injury protection limit, including therapy and surgery
  • Lost income and reduced earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress, including anxiety and sleeplessness

How Much Does It Cost to Hire Mikita & Roccanova, LLC?

The initial consultation with Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, costs nothing. New Jersey Court Rule 1:21-7 caps a contingency fee in an injury case at 33 1/3% of the first $500,000 recovered, with lower percentages on larger amounts, and the fee agreement must be in writing. At Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, we will always explain our fee terms before you sign anything.

Where You File a Piscataway Rear-End Claim

Most Piscataway rear-end lawsuits are filed in the Civil Division of the Middlesex County Superior Court at 56 Paterson Street in New Brunswick. Piscataway police respond to crashes on local roads, and state police patrol Interstate 287 through the township. Ask the responding officer whether the report notes following too closely, because that finding can support your claim.

You must file within two years of the crash under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2, and the clock generally starts on the crash date.

Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents

  • Distracted driving, including phones and navigation screens
  • Tailgating on Route 18 and Interstate 287
  • Speeding, which lengthens stopping distance
  • Sudden stops in heavy traffic and at signals along Stelton Road
  • Rain, snow, and wet leaves that reduce traction

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover if I partly caused the crash?

Yes, if a jury finds you 50% or less at fault. The jury reduces your award by your percentage of fault.

Does a minor-impact crash still support a claim?

Yes. Insurers often argue that a low-speed impact cannot cause serious injury. Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, answered that argument with a medical expert in a rear-end case that ended in a $160,000 settlement for a client who needed back surgery.

What should I do at the scene?

Call 911, photograph the scene, collect insurance and witness details, and see a doctor the same day.

Piscataway Rear-End Accident Lawyer at Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, Will Fight for Your Recovery

Insurance adjusters move fast to limit what they pay. The Piscataway rear-end accident lawyer at Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, will review your crash, explain your options, and answer your questions. Visit our website or call us today at 732-705-3363 to schedule a free consultation. We have offices in Piscataway and Hazlet, NJ, and we serve clients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.