To protect your legal rights and help you receive the compensation that you are owed, consult our New Jersey truck accident lawyers at the Omni Injury and Accident Law by calling 646-736-4184. If you have questions or are ready to get started on your claim, contact us now to schedule your free consultation.
After a truck accident in New Jersey, you may have to manage medical expenses, lost income, and negotiation with the insurance company. Due to their sheer size and weight, trucks often cause severe injuries that need serious medical attention.
How Our Jersey City Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You
A tractor-trailer accident happened, and now you are left wondering what to do next. The world of truck accident claims and truck accident settlements can be confusing for those who are unfamiliar.
We take a comprehensive approach to every claim, giving each client’s case the attention it deserves. Our New Jersey truck accident lawyer can assist you with your:
Truck accident investigation: An attorneymay review the evidence, police reports, witness statements, and accident scene documentation. A thorough investigation may help to make a fault determination and build a solid foundation for your claim.
Claim filing: We can handle the claim filing process. It includes gathering and submitting the appropriate paperwork.
Settlement negotiations: Our legal team can put their skills to work and manage negotiations, advocating for your interests and a fair settlement.
Litigation process: When truck accident lawsuits become necessary, we will handle the going to court and trial preparation. We can help you understand what to expect and represent you inside and outside of the courtroom.
Calculate the Damages: Your lawyer will calculate both the economic and non-economic damages you have experienced due to the accident. These extensive damages include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Represent You in Court: Your attorney will be prepared to represent you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations with the insurance provider. Taking your case to court involves filing a personal injury lawsuit.
If you are suffering, you do not need to fight alone. Contact the Jersey City truck accident lawyer with your questions and to get started on the claim process.
We Handle All Types Of New Jersey Truck Accident Cases
Our New Jersey truck accident lawyers understand every situation is unique, and so is every truck accident case. Therefore, we thoroughly investigate the accident to understand what occurred and create a strategy for your accident claim. Some examples of truck accidents we can help with include:
Jackknife accidents: Jackknifing occurs when the semi and the trailer move together into a “V” shape. These accidents occur when the trailer moves too far forward, essentially folding onto the truck.
Underride accidents: Underride accidents occur when a small vehicle like a car or motorcycle drives underneath a semi. These often occur in rear-end collisions.
Override accidents: Similarly, an override accident happens when a truck drives over the top of a vehicle.
Wide turn accidents: Tractor-trailers require extra space to navigate turns. In some cases, these wide turns can lead to collisions with other vehicles, particularly front-end collisions or sideswipes.
Tire blowouts: Tire blowouts can cause truck drivers to lose control of their CMV leading to crashes. Blowouts can also create road hazards due to the tire debris.
Blindspot accidents: Semis have much larger blindspots than other types of vehicles. When a driver fails to check their blindspot or proceed with caution, it can cause crashes.
Unsecured cargo: Improper loading or secured cargo can create several different hazards. Cargo may fall off the truck into traffic, or the load may shift causing the driver to lose control of the trailer.
Other types of accidents with semi-trucks include rollover accidents, front-end collisions, rear-end accidents, and lane change accidents. These accidents may occur because of truck driver errors, trucking company negligence, or poor driving conditions.
Causes of Truck Accidents In New Jersey
Commercial truck accidents occur for a variety of different reasons. While some factors may be environmental like the weather, in many cases these accidents happen because of a negligent driver, trucking company, loader, or manufacturer. Understanding the different causes and identifying the responsible party is important for determining truck accident liability. Some common truck accident causes are:
Truck driver fatigue: Drowsy or reckless driving has been shown to be as dangerous as drunk driving. If a trucker nods off at the wheel, crashes can happen.
Distracted driving: Whenever a driver takes their attention off the road, accidents may occur. Cell phones, radios, food and beverages, and speaking with other occupants are common distractions.
Intoxicated driving: Impaired driving is dangerous in any vehicle. If a truck driver is intoxicated, they may have issues with cognition, senses, and motor skills leading to accidents.
Speeding: Semis already have a much longer stopping distance than passenger cars. This distance increases with speed. Driving too fast can make it difficult to control and stop the truck, causing crashes.
Inexperienced drivers: Driver errors are more likely to occur if an inexperienced trucker is behind the wheel. These drivers may not know how to handle certain situations and may underestimate distance, leading to collisions.
Failure to comply with trucking regulations: Federal trucking regulations such as hours-of-service regulations and others are in place to keep road users safe. If a driver or trucking company does not comply with these rules, accidents can occur.
Improperly loaded cargo: Unsecured, overloaded, or improperly loaded cargo can cause the driver to lose control of the trailer. Additionally, cargo may fall off the trailer causing a collision.
Poor vehicle maintenance: All vehicles should be road-worthy. If a semi is not well-maintained, it may cause truck accidents.
Defective products: Defective products and equipment on a semi may cause issues for the driver. When this occurs, crashes may result.
Equipment failure: If equipment fails, the semi may not operate properly. This can result in truck accidents.
Bad weather: Poor visibility, high winds, and slippery roads can make it challenging for drivers to keep control of their vehicle. These conditions can cause large trucks to crash.
Road hazards: Debris, potholes, animals, and other objects may cause a truck driver to lose control. If this happens, it may lead to an accident.
Types of Injuries Sustained in New Jersey Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can cause catastrophic injuries. In serious cases, victims may be left with permanent and debilitating injuries and even in more minor cases, it may take weeks or months to heal. Outside of physical suffering, many victims can face emotional and mental health concerns like PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Some other common truck accident injuries are:
Broken bones: Fractures are a common injury caused by the force and trauma of a crash. Serious breaks may require surgery and rehabilitation.
Lacerations: Cuts from broken glass, metal, and objects in the vehicle cab can happen in an accident. Deep cuts may require stitches and leave scars.
Soft tissue injuries: Sprains and strains of muscles, ligaments, and tendons can happen due to the unnatural movements caused by impact. Rest, physical therapy, and other medical interventions may be necessary.
Whiplash: Whiplash is caused by the head whipping backward and forward during a crash. This is a common neck injury caused by accidents and may require chiropractic care or other medical treatment.
Neck and back injuries: Stress, strain, breaks, and other damage to the vertebrae, muscles, and nerves in the back can be caused by a collision. Rest and physical therapy may be necessary.
Traumatic brain injuries: A TBI occurs when the brain bounces inside of the skull. Concussions are a common, minor type of brain injury. Serious injuries can cause memory, cognition, and motor skills issues.
Spinal cord injuries: Breaks, severing, and damage to the vertebrae, discs, and nerves in the spinal column can be serious. Victims may experience pain, muscle weakness, and even paralysis.
Permanent scarring: Burns, lacerations, and scars from surgery can be permanently disfiguring. These injuries may be painful and distressing for victims.
Wrongful death: Unfortunately, a loved one may lose their life in a truck accident. This can leave surviving family members grieving and struggling financially.
If you were injured or lost a loved one, contact us to schedule your free case evaluation. We can handle the insurance claims and settlement negotiations, so you can take the time you need to heal.
Total New Jersey Truck Accidents by County From 2017-2024
5178 truck accidents took place in Middlesex County, which was 14.31% of the total accidents. Following that was Bergen County with 4165 truck accidents, which is 11.48% of the total. Union County had 3100 truck accidents, which is 8.55% of the total. Essex County had 2929 truck accidents which is 8.08 of the overall total, and Hudson County had the least with 2550 truck accidents which contributed to 7.03% of total accidents.
Of the counties listed, all five are among the top seven most populated counties in New Jersey. Interestingly, Union County, with more than 200,000 fewer residents than Essex and Hudson County combined, reports more truck accidents than both counties.
Fatal Truck Crashes in New Jersey
In 2022, New Jersey saw 646 fatal crashes. Of these accidents, 112 large trucks were involved, according to data from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. Moreover, a total of 108 people were killed in crashes with trucks.
Nationally, 120,190 semis were involved in fatal and injury traffic crashes in 2022. These accidents resulted in a total of 160,608 injuries with 5,936 fatalities. This number was up from 5,821 in 2021. Approximately 70% of the people killed in these crashes were occupants of other vehicles.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover From a Truck Accident Claim?
The worth of your claim will depend on the types of damages you are owed. In New Jersey, victims may recover for economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
Economic damages and non-economic damages are intended to compensate the injured party for their losses. Punitive damages, however, are imposed to punish the defendant for their behavior.
Economic Damages:
Economic damages are the actual financial losses you have suffered due to your injury and can be calculated easily through bills and receipts. These are losses like
Medical expenses: These include costs that include treatment, hospitalization, medications, and other services related to health care.
Lost wages: It includes income missed from work due to an injury or medical condition.
Disability: An ailment, whether physical or mental, which restricts the performance of routine activities or work.
Non-economic Damages:
Non-economic damages are intangible losses. These are much more difficult to quantify and include damages like
Pain and suffering: It relates to physical discomfort or any other after-effect of an injury.
Emotional distress: Involves mental trauma, anxiety, or depression sustained from the incident.
Loss of consortium: It affects the companionship, support, or love of the spouse or other half that the injured person gets deprived of.
Punitive Damages:
You can also claim punitive damages for cases of gross negligence to ensure the at-fault party is held accountable and that such actions are not repeated in the future. Moreover, New Jersey caps punitive damages at $350,000 or five times the amount of compensatory damages. There is no statutory cap on compensatory damages.
Who is Liable for My Truck Accident Injuries in Jersey City?
When analyzing truck accidents, establishing fault is challenging owing to numerous parties being involved. Every situation is different, but in most cases, the principal parties that can be held responsible for your injuries include
The Truck Driver
The blame can also rest with the truck drivers themselves, as they could be distracted, speeding, driving under the influence, or simply breaking federal safety laws. If the driver’s behavior was the cause of the accident, the driver could be liable.
The Trucking Company
Trucking companies have been known to commit negligence and, in failing to observe vehicle inspection, driver training, and other safety measures, can be held liable. It is the same in the instance where the company leased the vehicle to an incompetent or reckless driver.
The Truck Manufacturer
If a malfunction like a brake failure, or having the wrong steering system caused the accident, the supplier of those parts as the truck manufacturer may be found guilty under product liability law.
Cargo Trainers
An improper calculation of the load or securing cargo can result in imbalance and potential rollover. For example, the party responsible for the security of the cargo or the loading company may be liable for the accident.
Third-Parties
Other motorists, roadway maintenance personnel, or civic authorities responsible for the safety of the road may, in some cases, have a hand in the accident. For example, truck accidents can be caused by potholes on the road, faulty traffic signals, and even construction works that have not been properly displayed warning signs.
Truck Accidents Statute of Limitations in New Jersey
In New Jersey, you have just two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Failing to file within this deadline, known as the statute of limitations, may mean forfeiting your right to recover damages for your injuries. With such a short timeline, it is critical to take quick action to preserve your rights.
There are a few exceptions to this two-year deadline. An experienced New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer can review the facts of your case and see how the statute of limitations rules apply. They may also help with making a timely filing and securing your rights.
Need Legal Assistance? Contact Our Jersey City Truck Accident Attorney
Our Jersey City truck accident lawyers at Omni Injury and Accident Law, P.C. provide caring and skilled legal help. We are dedicated to fighting for fair and just compensation for your or your loved one’s injuries.
Commercial truck accidents occur for a variety of different reasons. While some factors may be environmental like the weather, in many cases these accidents happen because of a negligent driver, trucking company, loader, or manufacturer. Understanding the different causes and identifying the responsible party is important for determining truck accident liability. Some common truck accident causes are: