A serious truck accident can be both physically and emotionally devastating. The sheer size of a commercial truck or tractor-trailer lends itself to catastrophic losses when involved in an accident. Sadly, fatal crashes involving large trucks have increased by nearly 50 percent in the last 10 years.
If you were injured in a truck accident in New Jersey, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your pain and suffering. You are not required to retain a lawyer to pursue a truck accident claim. However, such cases are often complex and are rarely straightforward. An experienced truck injury lawyer can help you to navigate the legal system and negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf so that you can focus on your recovery.
Below, we will discuss reasons why it is often advantageous to hire a lawyer after a truck collision. Doing so can ease your stress and give you peace of mind as you work to put your life back together after a serious big rig accident.
When Multiple Parties May Be Liable for the Accident
Pursuing damages after a passenger vehicle accident usually involves negotiations between the two drivers and their insurance companies. In a truck accident, multiple parties could be found at fault for the crash, making your claim far more complex.
Parties that could be liable for an accident include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The manufacturer of the truck and its parts
- The mechanic or repair shop
- The shipping and loading company
- Government entities
- Another driver
A truck injury lawyer will work to establish the facts of your case and identify all liable parties so that you can attain maximum compensation for your losses.
When Various Insurance Companies May Be Involved
When there are several parties to a truck accident case, likely more than one insurance policy or company is also involved. This instantly complicates your claim. Dealing with insurance companies can be confusing and extremely frustrating.
Insurance adjusters rarely have your best interests in mind; negotiating with them is notoriously frustrating. Unfortunately, insurance companies will go to great lengths to pay out as little as possible to injury victims.
A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can pursue the insurance claim for you and ensure that you are not taken advantage of by the insurers.
Depending on Local Trucking Laws and Regulations
Many New Jersey State laws, as well as federal mandates, are in place to regulate the trucking industry. Any violations of these regulations can be presented as evidence of negligence in your truck injury case.
Federal trucking regulations that may apply to your accident claim involve, but are not limited to, the following:
- The number of hours the driver had been behind the wheel
- Driver qualifications, including meeting requirements for a commercial driver’s license and medical fitness
- Truck maintenance, repair, and inspection requirements
- Truck and driver insurance requirements
- Driver’s log and performance records
- The proper transportation of any hazardous materials being carried
Such regulations are put in place to support the trucking industry and protect the general public. You have the right to expect that the truck driver and the company he or she works for uphold the rules. If one or more parties are found to be negligent, your attorney will make every effort to resolve the injury case in your favor.
When You Are Partially At Fault for the Accident
It may be that you bear a degree of responsibility for the truck accident in which you were involved. If this is the case, you may still be able to pursue a claim and collect a percentage of damages from the trucking company and others.
New Jersey is a comparative negligence state when it comes to vehicle accidents. Under this law, you can seek compensation from the other party as long as you are found to be less than 50 percent liable for the accident. The amount of damages awarded is reduced by the percentage that you are considered to be at fault.
If your actions contributed in any way to the truck crash, it would be beneficial to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. The truck driver, the trucking company, and others will undoubtedly do all they can to put as much blame on you as possible, but a lawyer can help to ensure that the proceedings are fair and that you get the greatest amount of compensation you are legally entitled to receive.
When You Sustained Significant Damages in the Accident
Commercial trucks are large vehicles that often transport heavy or hazardous materials. An 18-wheeler is no match for your passenger vehicle. It is no wonder that truck accidents often result in critical injuries with life-long repercussions.
The more serious your injuries are, the more complicated the litigation becomes.
You should contact a truck accident lawyer if you suffer such injuries as:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Broken or fractured bones
- Facial injuries
- Burn injuries
- Amputation of limbs
- Vision loss or blindness
Such injuries significantly impact your quality of life. Under these circumstances, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Anxiety and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident
- Wrongful death
If your damages are high, it is all the more critical that you receive the compensation you deserve. Often, accidents that result in serious injuries or loss of life lead to complicated lawsuits. You need legal guidance to steer you through such trying circumstances.
Contact a New Jersey Truck Injury Lawyer for Advice
Resolving an insurance claim or pursuing a lawsuit in the aftermath of a truck accident can be a huge burden to take on yourself. The seasoned and compassionate personal injury lawyers at Judd Shaw Injury Law are the advocates you need during this stressful time.
Having a dedicated truck injury lawyer on your side can give you the confidence you need to get your life back on track after an accident. Our accident attorneys go above and beyond to support and defend injury victims across New Jersey.
We hold negligent drivers and companies responsible when their actions result in the harm or death of innocent people – and with our No Fee Guarantee®, you won’t pay us anything unless you get money for your claim. Contact Judd Shaw Injury Law at (866) 909-6894 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.
Content edited by personal injury attorney Judd Shaw. From the beginning, Judd established a set of Core Values laying out the pursuit for excellence in client service. He is a regular host of the Working The Wow podcast, with the belief that providing an exceptional client experience is just as important as delivering a quality service or product. You can find us in Red Bank and Tom‘s River, New Jersey.