New Jersey Truck Accident Lawyer

Semi-trucks are an important part of American commerce, transporting goods across the country every day. The people who drive these trucks keep the United States economy moving. However, truck accidents are unfortunately common and often result in severe and even fatal injuries.

If a truck causes an accident, the truck company may be held financially accountable for any losses that stemmed as a result. If you have questions about your legal rights and options for compensation after an 18-wheeler collision, speaking to the qualified personal injury attorneys at Shulman & Hill may bring some answers. Call today to connect with our New Jersey truck accident lawyers.

Truck Accident Statistics

According to the National Safety Council, fatal crashes involving large trucks increased by 31 percent between 2011 and 2020, with 4,965 deaths occurring in 2020 as a result of semi-truck accidents. 71 percent of those deaths were passengers and drivers of other vehicles on the road. With an average of nearly 14 deaths per day, it is important that commercial trucks take all reasonable safety measures to help prevent accidents.

What Causes Truck Accidents in New Jersey?

Truck accidents can happen due to any number of reasons, with many different parties being potentially liable for the resulting damages. Here are the most common causes of 18-wheeler accidents in New Jersey:

Inclement Weather

Severe weather can impact travel significantly, especially for a semi-truck or tractor-trailer. Any vehicle is at risk of slipping, hydroplaning, or spinning out during rainy or snowy weather, but the size and mass of a large commercial truck make it that much harder for a driver to stop in adverse weather conditions. New Jersey is no stranger to rain and snow, so weather conditions may certainly impact travel for truck drivers on our roadways.

Reckless Driving

Whether on the part of the truck driver or another vehicle, reckless driving is a contributor to many NJ truck accidents. This may include distracted driving, driving under the influence, and excessive speed.

Overexertion

Because of the demanding schedule that comes with driving a commercial truck, drivers sometimes spend too many hours driving, which can impair their concentration and contribute to New Jersey truck accidents. To combat overtiredness and reduce accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration imposes limits on the amount of time truck drivers may spend on the road and how often they must take breaks. Shipping companies who force their employees to drive in violation of these regulations could be held liable for an accident if it can be shown that they put the driver in an unreasonably dangerous situation.

Truck Mechanical Problems

Sometimes, a trucking accident is not the fault of the truck driver at all. In cases where a truck mechanical issue causes or contributes to an otherwise preventable accident, the truck company may be held responsible for the accident if they failed to regularly inspect the vehicle and address known problems.

Improperly Loaded Cargo

Some semi-truck collisions are caused by improperly loaded cargo. The employees whose job it is to load cargo must do so with reasonable care. Overloading a trailer or loading cargo in a way that makes the truck unstable could constitute negligence on the part of those employees, which could also create vicarious liability for a truck driver’s employer in the event of an accident.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

The injuries sustained in a New Jersey truck crash can be severe and even life-threatening. Due to the size and weight of most large commercial trucks, accidents involving smaller cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians are typically serious. Here are some of the injuries someone may suffer in a truck accident:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – TBIs are typically caused by blunt-force trauma. The impact of a semi-truck collision often causes an accident victim to hit their head on the door, steering wheel, or roof of their car. This can cause bruising or bleeding in the brain, potentially leading to long-term cognitive impairments.
• Broken bones – Human bones are unfortunately no match for the amount of force with which a truck collides into a car, especially if that truck is moving at highway speeds. Fractures in the limbs, skull, ribs, and even spine are relatively common.
• Internal bleeding – Blunt-force trauma can impact the body in serious ways. Those who suffer injuries that cause internal bleeding may not even realize it at first. Signs of internal bleeding include weakness, numbness or tingling (often on one side of the body), and a sudden and/or severe headache.

When to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in NJ

New Jersey is a no-fault state so regardless of who may have been at fault for the accident, certain expenses are covered by each individual’s insurance policy. This means that if you are an insured motorist who has been injured in a truck crash in New Jersey, your medical bills should be covered by your insurance.

However, your insurance will not cover pain and suffering and may not compensate you for the full extent of your financial losses. If another party caused your accident, such as a truck company, you may be able to recover additional compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit. The money secured through a successful truck accident lawsuit can be life-changing as trucking collisions can result in injuries that cause lifelong pain, restrictions in mobility, loss of earning potential, and more. A New Jersey truck crash lawyer at Shulman & Hill may be able to help you figure out whether filing a personal injury lawsuit is the right choice for you.

Call Our New Jersey Truck Accident Attorneys Today

If you or a loved one were injured in a trucking collision due to someone else’s negligence, contact Shulman & Hill today. Our New Jersey truck accident lawyers are prepared to fight for the maximum settlement or verdict and help you move forward.