Essex County Personal Injury Lawyer

If you were injured anywhere in Essex County — in a crash on I-280, Route 21, or the Garden State Parkway, a pedestrian collision in Newark or East Orange, or a fall in a store or workplace in Montclair, Bloomfield, or Livingston — the days afterward can feel overwhelming. Between medical bills, insurance adjusters, and missed time at work, it is hard to know what comes next. Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC has represented injured people across Essex County for decades. Below are answers to the questions we hear most often from Essex County residents.

Fast Facts – Personal Injury in Essex County

Essex County is one of New Jersey’s most populous counties, anchored by Newark and including East Orange, Irvington, Bloomfield, Belleville, Nutley, Montclair, West Orange, and Livingston.
Heavy traffic on I-78, I-280, the Garden State Parkway, Route 21 (McCarter Highway), and Route 3 — plus port and airport trucking near Newark — makes serious car, truck, and pedestrian crashes common countywide.
Injuries across the county range from urban pedestrian, bicycle, and rideshare crashes in Newark and the Oranges to suburban intersection and slip-and-fall accidents in the western townships.
Personal injury claims in Essex County are governed by New Jersey law, which generally gives injured people two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit.
Personal injury lawsuits in Essex County are filed at the Essex County Superior Court in Newark, and insurers often make a fast, low offer before the full extent of an injury is known.

Many of the injuries we handle in Essex County happen where heavy traffic meets dense population — the truck corridors near Port Newark and the airport, the I-280 and Garden State Parkway interchanges, and the busy downtowns of Newark, Montclair, and Bloomfield. Documenting exactly where and how your injury happened is one of the most important early steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do first after a personal injury in Essex County?

Get medical attention right away — Essex County is served by University Hospital and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair, and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston. If you are able, photograph the scene, gather the names and contact information of any witnesses, and report the incident — to the police after a crash, or to the property owner or manager after a fall. Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance company before speaking with a lawyer.

How do I know who is responsible?

Responsibility depends on the facts. In an Essex County car or truck crash it may be another driver or a company; in a fall it may be a property owner or manager; in a workplace injury a third party may be liable alongside a workers’ compensation claim. Frequently more than one party shares fault, and identifying everyone responsible is central to recovering full compensation.

How long do I have to file a claim in New Jersey?

In most New Jersey personal injury cases you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Claims involving a public entity — such as a hazardous condition on a county road or public property — can require formal notice within just 90 days, so acting promptly protects your rights.

Will the insurance company offer me a fair settlement?

Often not. A first offer is commonly far below the real value of a claim, particularly before treatment is complete and the lasting effects of an injury are known. A lawyer can assess the offer, total your true losses, and negotiate for a fair outcome.

What compensation can I pursue?

Depending on your case, recoverable damages can include medical bills, future treatment, lost income and reduced earning capacity, property damage, and compensation for pain, suffering, and the disruption to your daily life.

Why hire Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC?

We have represented injured clients throughout Essex County and northern New Jersey for decades, and our attorneys include New Jersey Supreme Court–certified Civil Trial Attorneys who lecture for the Essex County and Hudson County Bar Associations. Members of our team speak Portuguese and Spanish, and we handle the insurance companies and the paperwork so you can focus on recovering.

Local Resources in Essex County

If you have been injured in Essex County, these resources may help:

Emergency and follow-up care: University Hospital in Newark, Newark Beth Israel and Clara Maass Medical Centers (RWJBarnabas Health locations), and Mountainside Medical Center (Hackensack Meridian Health locations).
Court information: personal injury lawsuits for Essex County are filed at the Essex County Superior Court in Newark. You can find court details in the New Jersey Courts directory.
Accident reports: your local municipal police department, or the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office for serious crashes, can help you obtain a police report.

Next Steps

If you or a loved one was injured anywhere in Essex County, we are glad to talk through your situation at no cost. Call Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC at (201) 997-0030 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.

Lia Abrams

Highly Recommend Matthew R. Romo, Jr., Esq. I had a truly outstanding experience working with Matthew R. Romo, Jr. He was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly responsive throughout the entire process. What impressed me most was his ability to explain complex legal matters in a way that was easy to understand, making me feel confident and informed every step of the way. Matthew genuinely cared about my case and always made time to answer my questions, no matter how small. His attention to detail and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome truly set him apart. If you’re looking for a trustworthy, compassionate, and skilled attorney, I highly recommend Matthew R. Romo, Jr. He made a stressful situation much more manageable, and I’m grateful for his support.

michele conti

If you ever find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being injured in a car accident, look no further! Forget all those big billboard lawyers and call this firm immediately. Diane Cordoso handled 2 cases for me... I had the bad luck of being hit more than once in a short period of time.... Diane, Maria, her assistant, and the entire team are compassionate, professional, and are perfect examples of what you need in these situations. They communicate every step of the way and are always on the ball. I sincerely hope to never have to use their services again lol... I've had enough careless drivers hit and injure me thanks... BUT God forbid I'm ever in that horrible situation again, I know who to call. If your attorney isn't getting the job done, call this firm! TODAY!

Megi Verzivolli

Great service provided from day 1. I would recommend to all friends and family.

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Really appreciated the thoughtful, proactive, kind, efficient, and respectful interaction during a time of tragedy and shock that I had never experienced before. I called and asked some questions about how they do business, after researching a bit online on what to ask a personal injury lawyer and find a good fit – I strongly advise anyone to do the same and not make a rushed decision. I highly recommend working with the team. I'm very glad I went them in the end – thank you for your help and for standing up for me when I wasn't able to. PS Diane is awesome (:

Ilzo Silva

“Gostaria de expressar minha imensa satisfação com o trabalho realizado pela advogada Diane Cardoso, do escritório Brady Reilly & Cardoso. Desde o início, fui tratado com profissionalismo, respeito e empatia. Diane demonstrou um conhecimento profundo da área jurídica e uma dedicação excepcional ao meu caso, garantindo que tudo fosse conduzido de forma clara e eficiente. Graças ao esforço dela, obtive um resultado muito positivo, e cada etapa do processo foi explicada detalhadamente, o que me trouxe muita tranquilidade. Recomendo Diane e o escritório Brady Reilly & Cardoso a qualquer pessoa que busque uma equipe competente, confiável e comprometida. Muito obrigado por tudo!

Thee best law firm in all of NJ. Mrs. Cardoso and her team surpassed our expectations. She was always available and posses great knowledge in law. Diane was kind to my mother and my child’s needs and defend our case to the fullest. I would recommend her to everyone. If you want a lawyer who is intelligent, caring and takes the cases to heart, then this is your go to person.

Peter Iorio

Highly recommended! The process was long due to my case beginning when COVID started but rest assure this law firm was with me the whole time. The communication was great. Not one time was I ever disappointed in the process. The outcome exceeded my expectations. Kathleen and her team are amazing. I know I was annoying at times and very restless about my case but they handled it well and when it was all said and done, they got me more than I expected! They work very hard to get you the most compensation you deserve! Again, highly recommended!!! Thanks team.

lauren macksoud

Diane Cardoso was amazing to work with. She held our hand during a stressful time for our family and provided not only comfort, but expert guidance to navigate the process. We are so grateful to have worked with Diane towards a successful settlement for our daughter. I cannot recommend her highly enough to anyone in need of legal assistance for a personal injury claim. Thank you Diane!

Jacqueline Armijos

Diane Cardoso is such a great lawyer! I am very happy with the results of my case. She is a trustful lawyer. Her law firm kept me informed of all the important details. I will definitely recommend her.