When a truck collides with a passenger vehicle in New Jersey, disaster follows. It is among the deadliest types of auto accidents in the United States. The reason is simple: the sheer size of the truck (and its potential contents) versus a passenger vehicle. The average truck with a fully loaded trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average passenger vehicle's weight ranges between 4,000 to 5,000 pounds. If you or a family member has been injured or killed in a truck accident, receiving fair and just compensation may be your only recourse for physical, mental, and emotional recovery.
Accidents involving 18-wheelers or commercial trucks are different from accidents involving passenger vehicles. There is a lot more involved. The truck driver is not the only party who may be liable. There are Federal regulations to consider, in addition to state laws. The mechanics involved in the truck, too, are quite different and may be relevant, making truck accident cases more complex.
The problem is this: an insurance company may not settle for what is fair. You may need to file a personal injury lawsuit. At Mongiardo Law Group, our truck accident attorneys in Passaic County can help you file a strong, well-documented claim, while advocating your rights and representing your best interests. Contact Mongiardo Law Group today at (973) 298-4557 or online to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Passaic County
Accidents involving semi-trucks or other types of commercial trucks are caused for any number of reasons.
Some of the most common include the following:
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Distracted driving
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Excessive speed
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Drunk or drugged driving
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Driving in high winds
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Unsafe lane changes
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Inadequate training
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Inexperience
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Excessive fatigue
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Defective truck parts
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Poor truck maintenance
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Shifting cargo inside the trailer
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Poorly-fastened cargo on a flatbed trailer.
Not all truck accidents are caused by the truck driver or an issue with the truck. Other causes may include environmental conditions, poor road design, or another driver's error. In the end, there may be several causes that lead to the accident, which makes these cases more complex than other types of auto accidents.
Common Types of Injuries in New Jersey Truck Accidents
No matter how it is caused, a truck crash often leads to severe, life-threatening, life-changing, or fatal injuries for the occupants of the passenger vehicle. Though fatalities often result from semi-truck collisions, there are other serious injuries that can have life-changing effects on the victims. These injuries include the following:
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Spinal injuries
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Broken and fractured bones
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Crushing injuries
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Severe or life-threatening lacerations
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Internal bleeding and damage to internal organs
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Traumatic brain injuries
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Nerve damage
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Paralysis
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Limb dismemberment
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Burn injuries
In some cases, certain injuries can lead to additional compensation. For example, if a victim is left scarred or unable to work, he or she deserves more than someone who will fully recover.
Potential Liable Parties in New Jersey Truck Accidents
Truck accidents, especially commercial truck accidents, are different from other accidents involving only passenger cars because, in part, a trucking company usually employs the truck driver involved in the crash. The trucker's employer or carrier may be legally responsible for the upkeep of the truck and truck driver's actions.
In addition to the truck driver and the carrier, several other parties may be liable for a truck accident, including the following:
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Manufacturer of the truck
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Manufacturer of truck parts
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Vendors providing services to the carrier (such as loaders)
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Owner of the cargo
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Local government or contractors responsible for highway design or maintenance
Why File a Personal Injury Claim for a Truck Accident in New Jersey?
Truck accidents are complex cases. Injuries sustained from them are often severe, and, as such, are extremely costly. Insurance companies may be happy to settle, but the offer will likely not reflect what is fair and just.
When insurance companies make an initial settlement offer, their first goal is to protect their own bottom line – not help the victim recover. They will try to cut costs by not thoroughly investigating the accident. This means the insurer may not uncover all the underlying causes and potentially liable parties (e.g., truck driver, trucking company, loaders, mechanics, etc.). Insurance companies will also try to avoid paying future medical bills, future lost wages, loss of earned income, and other expenses that you may not be aware of, but which the law allows you to recover.
By filing a personal injury claim, victims can pursue the compensation to which they are entitled.
Timing of the personal injury claim, however, is critical. There are deadlines you must meet in order to recover. If you miss certain deadlines, such as those imposed by statutes of limitations, you may not be able to recover anything. Thus, it is critical to your personal injury case to speak to a New Jersey truck accident lawyer today.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney in Passaic County Today
Truck accidents can be devastating for everyone involved. Make sure you get the compensation you deserve by hiring an auto accident lawyer at Mongiardo Law Group. Contact us today at (973) 298-4557 or online to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
