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Bill > S3121
NJ S3121
NJ S3121Provides that limitation on lawsuit option does not apply in accidents caused by drunk or reckless drivers.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill provides that a person who has chosen the "verbal threshold," or limitation on lawsuit option, under a private passenger automobile insurance policy may nevertheless sue a tortfeasor for noneconomic damages when bodily injury is sustained in an accident if the tortfeasor is convicted of, or pleads guilty to, drunk driving, refusing to take a breathalyzer test, or reckless driving in relation to that accident, even if the verbal threshold requirements have not been met with respect to that injury.
AI Summary
This bill amends New Jersey law to allow individuals who have chosen the "limitation on lawsuit option" (also known as the "verbal threshold") on their car insurance policies to still sue for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, if they are injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, someone who refused a breathalyzer test, or a reckless driver. Normally, the limitation on lawsuit option restricts a person's ability to sue for such damages unless they have suffered a very serious injury, but this bill creates an exception for these specific types of egregious driving behavior, even if the injury doesn't meet the usual threshold.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S3121 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S3500/3121_I1.HTM |
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