      
   4.9146 reviews

Do I Need a Lawyer If I Was Rear-Ended?

Request a Case Review

Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C.

10b9db026d89119e951a851045ac17eee7784f79

Written/Reviewed By:

Barry S. Kantrowitz, Esq.

Last Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Read Time: 4 mins

Legal counsel isn’t always necessary after being rear-ended, but specific circumstances can make a seemingly straightforward claim a complicated matter. An experienced car accident attorney has the knowledge and qualifications to protect your interests after a rear-end crash.

Even if you live in no-fault insurance states like New Jersey and New York, you will likely benefit from a legal advocate. Many motorists think that filing an accident claim on their own is a simple affair. However, dealing with insurance companies is anything but easy. Skilled attorneys are familiar with insurance companies’ tactics and know how to secure the compensation rightfully owed after a collision.

Even no-fault insurance can be complicated

All motorists in no-fault states are required to insure themselves against damages and injuries resulting from accidents. The purpose of no-fault insurance coverage is to minimize litigation and take liability out of the equation. If you are rear-ended by another driver in New Jersey or New York, you would turn to your insurance to cover accident-related expenses– regardless of who is at fault. This is part of Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which covers a certain amount of lost income, medical expenses, and other reasonable costs.

While the claims process for PIP seems simple, there are eligibility requirements, deductibles, deadlines, and limitations. The system is usually much more efficient than suing another driver for car accident damages, but there are downsides. Your insurance carrier may dispute certain parts of a claim for minor technicalities. In fact, some people have had to take legal action against their own insurance after being unfairly denied no-fault benefits.

Were serious injuries sustained?

A rear-end accident at low speeds is unlikely to result in serious bodily injury, but those that take place on the interstate and highways are an entirely different story. It’s always a smart idea to get legal help if your injuries will potentially exhaust no-fault benefits. Generally speaking, only injuries that are considered serious impairments qualify victims for legal action. This includes fractured bones, amputation of a limb, permanent disfigurement, loss of a fetus, and scarring.

The car accident lawyers at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. can determine whether your accident is compensable under this threshold, allowing you to seek damages for pain, suffering, and other non-economic losses in a personal injury lawsuit.

Recoup the entirety of your losses

It’s almost always assumed that the rear driver is at fault for these collisions. But that’s not always the case. Although the driver who hit you may have been following too closely, you may be partially to blame if your tail light was broken or you failed to signal a turn or lane change.

If your vehicle’s brake lights weren’t working, or you stopped on a busy road for no valid reason, you may be held at least partially accountable for being rear-ended. It is precisely situations like these where having a lawyer is invaluable. Your attorney will understand contributory negligence doctrines in New Jersey and New York, where liability is assigned in terms of a percentage of fault to each party.

A lawyer can help you recover compensation from the rear-ending driver by building a strong claim that shows their actions or behavior were negligent. Even the most minor fender benders can become an uphill battle as adjustors try to minimize settlement payouts and shift blame. Without an attorney in your corner, the insurance company can delay claims under false pretenses in the hopes of getting you to accept a lower settlement just to get closure.

Contact us for a free consultation

While you don’t always need a lawyer after being rear-ended, it’s a great way to safeguard your rights in accidents that are more serious. The legal team of Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. knows how to navigate the legal system and help car accident victims in Bergen County, New Jersey, and Rockland County, New York. Reach out today for more information or to schedule a free consultation.

Why Trust Us?

150+ Reviews

50+ Years of Service

Full-Service Law Firm

Client Reviews

    
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   LWelsh 
 16 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Clever and efficient.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Kenny Perlow 
 37 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. KGG Law, and Barry Kantrowitz in particular, set the bar high for what a thorough, practical, strategic, compassionate and smart lawyer can be. Everything about Barry's advice and representation was exemplary and the stress mitigation that resulted was invaluable. On top of that, the ultimate result Barry achieved was beyond what was reasonable to expect and we are forever grateful. Often, people say that you hire a lawyer to prevent a problem. Sometimes, unfortunately, you need an attorney to solve a problem and I could not recommend Barry and his firm any more highly in that regard.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Aliza Ali 
 101 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My dad had a great experience with this law firm. From the very beginning, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and always willing to answer our questions. They kept us informed throughout the entire process and made what could have been a very stressful situation much easier to handle. We truly appreciated their dedication, honesty, and hard work. Thanks to their support, my dad felt confident every step of the way. We are very grateful for everything they did and would highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for reliable legal representation.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Jana Montero 
 104 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a wonderful experience working with Sam Smith. He was very responsive, thorough, and easy to work with from start to finish. He walked me through everything clearly and made what started as a very stressful situation for me into something completely manageable. I would not hesitate to recommend him and the firm!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Mike Sakmann 
 110 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I sought legal advice regarding an employment matter and had an excellent experience working with Sam Smith, Esq. at KGG Law. Sam was thorough, attentive, and took the time to listen carefully to my concerns before providing clear, thoughtful guidance. I appreciated the professionalism and care shown throughout the process, and I would confidently recommend KGG Law to anyone in need of legal assistance.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Liz Hecker 
 116 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can't say enough about this firm. They manage to comfort you during the whole legal process while staying professional and doing what is right. I would recommend them to anyone and also hire them again if I need legal help.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Brandy Miller 
 139 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate is the best. She helped me very quickly, and was very attentive with all of my needs. So thankful for her
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Mike Greenspan 
 152 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate Carballo is a dedicated, passionate, and creative attorney whom I had the pleasure to lecture with at a state trial lawyer's conference. Kate's lecture demonstrated how she uses her innovative and "out-of-the-box thinking" to achieve outstanding results for her injured clients. That Kate is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney is a testament to her skills, experience and commitment to excellence.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Jonathan Sampson 
 159 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Was referred to KGG law by a friend and could not have asked for better legal representation. They walked me through every step of the process after my accident and began every call with “ how are you feeling” which was just one example of how much they care about their clients. They handled my case very efficiently, professionally and courteously. My attorney Kate Carballo was a rock star! So clearly experienced, she consistently made me feel at ease with the process. Highly recommend
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Vinnie Kung 
 162 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great experience with the team at KGG Law. While it was a traumatic time for our family, they made it very easy for us and explained all of our options. They even performed due diligence to make sure that after our settlement, there would be no further issues which I think is even more important than the settlement itself. Thank you!

see all reviews