If you or your loved ones have been involved in an accident with a semi-truck or tractor-trailer in New Jersey or New York, you may be wondering how you can recover from this fiasco. It can be extremely overwhelming to face physical pain, property damage, and mounting bills, especially all while trying to figure out what you should do to protect your rights. At this stage, it is crucial to understand that you do not have to face this situation alone.
The best way to make sure your rights are protected after a truck accident is to speak with a qualified legal professional about your case. So call Judd Shaw Injury Law without delay. At our law firm, we pride ourselves on being there to protect our clients’ rights through each and every step of this journey.
We prioritize efficiency and results while keeping our clients’ needs as our main motivator. Call us 24/7 for a free, no-risk consultation at 1-866-909-6894.
The Main Differences Between Car Accidents and Truck Accidents
Of the 38,824 traffic accident fatalities in the United States in 2020, some 584 were in New Jersey. However, only a small percentage of these were the result of a truck accident. Therefore, these collisions are relatively rare, which is a good thing considering their serious consequences.
These are a few factors that differ between truck accidents and car accidents:
- Truck accidents tend to cause more property damage, due to the fact that they weigh 20 to 30 times as much as a car
- Occupants of other vehicles may suffer more serious injuries due to the size and destructive nature of truck accidents
- There are higher fatality rates among car occupants involved in truck accidents
- Multiple parties may be at fault for any given truck accident, including the truck driver, the trucking company, or those responsible for its maintenance
Many more factors may be present, as each truck accident is unique. If you or your family member is suffering the aftermath of a large tractor-trailer or semi-truck accident, you may have the right to receive compensation for injuries and property loss.
After a truck accident, you may be suffering physical pain, lost property, financial strain, time missed from work, and an emotional toll. But you do not have to suffer alone.
Finding a diligent personal injury lawyer with experience in handling New York and New Jersey truck accident cases is an excellent way to ensure that your rights are protected. Contact Judd Shaw Injury Law to find out more.
How to Protect Your Rights Immediately After Your Accident
While the immediate aftermath of an accident with a large truck can be extremely chaotic, there are a few things you can do to help yourself later. If you are able, it is important to try to gain as much information as you can at the scene of the collision. Try to get every driver’s and eyewitness’s contact information, take photos of the entire scene and all vehicles involved, call the police, and keep track of any information you can glean from the reporting officers or from the other driver involved.
Of course, priority number one is for you to be examined by a doctor straightaway, even if you do not initially feel any injuries at first. Seeing a medical professional starts the record of your injuries and treatment, which you will need later on, in order to seek compensation by means of a legal claim.
Also, remember to report the crash to your insurance company. However, make sure not to admit any fault or to speak to the other parties’ insurers until after you consult with a trusted lawyer.
While focusing on your physical recovery should be the main focus at this time, you also should take some steps to ensure your financial recovery. For example, gather medical records, police reports, crash scene evidence, and as much contact information as possible. All this will make it more possible to protect your legal right to compensation.
Additionally, speaking to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your truck accident can help you put your best foot forward. At Judd Shaw Injury Law, for example, we understand the toll that your accident can take on your life, and we want to help you be compensated for all you’ve suffered. Call us on day one, and you will get a legal team with experience and the resources to protect your rights every step of the way.
Things That May Put Your Rights at Risk
By following the above guidelines, you will likely be in a good place to move forward with your truck accident insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. However, you should also be aware of what to avoid in order to ensure success.
For example, it is important that you:
- Do not throw any paperwork away, whether the contact details you jotted down at the accident scene, receipts for prescription medication, or quotes for the damage to your vehicle. Keeping detailed records will help you to ensure you get all of the compensation you are entitled to.
- Never admit fault to the other party or their insurance company. While it is sometimes our instinct to apologize, this is a situation where strict adherence to the facts is vital. We recommend having very little communication with the other party and their insurer until after you speak with a qualified lawyer.
- Do not accept the other side’s first settlement offer without legal counsel. Insurance adjusters or attorneys working for the other party will try to get you to accept the lowest amount possible. Protect your rights by refusing to sign or agree to anything without first talking the decision over with your lawyer.
If you avoid the above pitfalls, your chance of recovery markedly increases.
Last but not least, you should not needlessly delay seeking legal counsel after your accident. The sooner you get started speaking to a lawyer, the better protected your rights can be.
Judd Shaw Injury Law Protects Your Rights
Truck accidents are more complicated than your average car accident, and we know this through experience. We center our work around our clients’ needs, and we want to help protect their legal rights from attack by insurance companies or anyone else. In our years of experience in helping accident victims in New Jersey, we have a track record of success.
When you hire Judd Shaw Injury Law, you get a legal team with a deep understanding of personal injury law. Additionally, we know how to gather vital evidence to your case from trucking companies and even government agencies.
When we take on your case, we will use all the weapons in our arsenal to fight for your right to a just legal settlement. We also operate on a contingency fee basis, which means that you do not owe us a penny unless we recover money on your behalf. If this sounds great to you, how can you get started?
First, schedule an appointment with us. We offer free case evaluations with no risk to you. Contact us at 1-866-909-6894 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our car accident attorneys have years of experience fighting for New Jersey auto accident victims, and we want to help you protect your rights.