Multi-Vehicle Crash Closes Lanes on Rte 22 in Hillside, NJ

Hillside, NJ (July 2, 2026) – On Thursday morning, July 2, a multi-vehicle collision shut down lanes of U.S. Route 22 East in Hillside and caused significant delays along the busy commuter corridor.

The Hillside Fire Department and Hillside Police Department responded to the wreck at Hillside Avenue and South Long Avenue interchange, close to the commercial strip near 440 Route 22 East. A sedan and an SUV were both involved, and photos from the scene showed extensive front-end damage and a debris field spread across several lanes.

Emergency units worked to secure the area and closed portions of the center and left lanes while crews cleared debris and contained leaking fluids from the vehicles.

The full extent of injuries of those involved has not been disclosed. 

The investigation remains active. 

We hope everyone involved recovers fully. 

Why Getting Checked Out After a Crash in Hillside, NJ Matters

A medical evaluation right after a crash can catch injuries that aren't obvious at the moment, since adrenaline usually masks pain until hours or even days later. This matters for a multi-vehicle collision, where drivers in vehicles further back in the chain sometimes feel fine at the scene but develop symptoms once the shock wears off. 

Waiting to see a doctor can also create problems beyond physical recovery. Insurance companies tend to look for gaps between the date of a crash and the date someone first sought treatment, and then use that gap to argue the injury wasn't serious or wasn't connected to the collision at all. To get evaluated promptly creates a medical record that ties the injury directly to the crash, which becomes important if a claim is ever questioned later.

Under New Jersey's PIP requirements, medical costs from a crash are generally covered regardless of fault, but that coverage typically depends on treatment beginning within a set window after the collision. 

A car accident lawyer can help make sense of how those deadlines interact with a person's specific policy, especially in a multi-vehicle wreck where more than one driver's coverage might come into play. New Jersey's modified comparative negligence rule also means a person's own medical documentation can factor into how fault gets divided if the case is disputed.

If you have been involved in a crash in New Jersey, we can guide you through the legal aftermath. At Metro Law, we have extensive experience working with accident victims across the state to help them walk through the legal journey while fully understanding their options. 

We can explain to you how your medical documentation can connect to your claim. To learn more, call Metro Law at (800) 469-6476.