Several Hurt After Vehicle Crosses Median on Rte 21 in Nutley, NJ

Nutley, NJ (July 27, 2026) – On Saturday night, a crash left several people seriously hurt on Route 21 near the Nutley-Belleville border. As reported by the Nutley Police Department, a vehicle crossed the median on Route 21 and struck two other cars.

The wreck occurred on the northbound side of Route 21 when the vehicle crossed into the oncoming lanes and collided with two vehicles traveling south. Passengers from the affected cars were taken to local hospitals for treatment.

The Nutley Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office continue to investigate the wreck. 

We are thinking of everyone affected as they work toward recovery.

When One Crash Involves Multiple Drivers, Who's Responsible in Nutley, NJ?

A cross-median crash raises a question that isn't always simple to answer: when one vehicle strikes multiple others, how does liability get divided among everyone involved? 

Untangling fault becomes more complex when three or more vehicles are involved, since each driver's insurance company may try to minimize its own client's share of responsibility.

When a vehicle is struck by another, the passenger may have a claim against the driver who struck them, but questions can also arise about speed, following distance, or road conditions among the other cars involved.

New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence standard, so an injured person can recover damages as long as they're found less than 51% at fault, though their recovery gets reduced by their own percentage of blame. 

In cases with multiple vehicles, the state also allows for joint and several liability in certain situations, which can affect how compensation gets divided among defendants. Because of how quickly stories can conflict between drivers, a car accident lawyer usually plays an important role in gathering police reports, witness statements, and any available traffic camera footage before details become harder to piece together.

At Metro Law, we have worked with families navigating claims that involve more than one driver. We can help you understand how New Jersey's fault rules might apply to your specific claim and answer your questions as you sort out next steps.

If you were involved in a crash, give Metro Law a call at (800) 469-6476 to talk through your situation.