Truck Accident Attorney in New Jersey

We Go Above & Beyond for Our Clients

Large commercial trucks are intimidating. They are much larger than your vehicle and behave so differently on the road that you have likely felt some apprehension when driving near one. Unfortunately, large truck accidents are a reality of the roadways in our country, and too often, they’re severe, and even fatal. Owing to their enormous size and the conditions in which truck drivers are sometimes asked to operate, large truck accidents are significantly more likely to result in severe injuries or death.

At The Law Offices Of James C. DeZao, P.A., we take large truck accidents seriously. If you’ve been injured because of a trucker’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation for all your damages. Family members who have tragically lost a loved one in a truck crash may also have a claim for wrongful death. An experienced truck accident attorney can help you fight for justice and claim every dollar to which you are entitled under the law. You should know that commercial truck drivers and their employers are subject to higher safety standards according to New Jersey personal injury law. In many cases, the truck owner or employer is liable for the driver’s negligence.

We have many years of experience in successfully seeking justice for victims so they can move on with their lives. Call us at (973) 358-6134 to schedule a consultation.

Personal Injury Claims for Large Truck Accidents

Those injured in large truck accidents can recover for a wide range of physical, emotional, and economic damages. The goal of New Jersey personal injury law is to put you in the same position you were in before the accident (or as close to that as possible). Usually, such restitution takes the form of financial compensation. Our truck accident attorney will fight for your full recovery. Auto accident cases — including commercial truck accidents — usually involve insurance companies. Insurers have large legal teams and will do their best to pay you as little as possible. That’s why you need an experienced attorney on your side.

At The Law Offices Of James C. DeZao, P.A., we’re used to taking on insurance companies. We know how to handle them. The insurance companies are only looking out for themselves and will make a lowball initial offer. An adjuster will be sent to investigate your injuries, including possibly watching your every move when you are at home or work. They will try to find anything they can use against you so that they do not have to pay for the claim you filed against the truck driver. You must speak with a truck accident attorney before accepting any settlement offer made by an insurance company, even if you are hurting financially and need to pay your bills.

Who is to Blame for Your Truck Accident?

Truck accident cases are often more complex than a typical car accident because it is more common for multiple parties to be at fault. Whereas many car accidents can be chalked up to driver error, truck accidents may be indicative of systemic negligence throughout a trucking company.

Trucking companies are responsible for overseeing all the operations of their drivers. In addition to being in charge of hiring competent drivers in the first place, trucking companies generally determine how much their employees drive, establish break schedules, maintain their vehicles, and load cargo into the trucks. Negligence in any of these responsibilities can result in accidents.

Additional liable parties may include:

• Those responsible for building and maintaining the roads
• Businesses and social hosts, in cases of drunk driving
• Vehicle manufacturers

Rules of the Road for Commercial Truck Drivers

Commercial truck drivers are required to take breaks, stay well-rested, and behave responsibly on the road. The law puts caps on how many hours they can drive before getting some sleep. Employers must also be careful about who they entrust with the authority to drive their trucks. Often, large truck accidents happen because someone failed to play by the rules. Our firm will investigate the accident to determine whether the employer and/or driver complied with trucking laws. Even if they did, the driver may still have been negligent in their performance on the road.

An investigation into a truck accident conducted by an attorney will begin with these questions:

• Did the truck driver falsify the hours of service log?
• Did the driver fail to take the required breaks?
• Did the truck have a recall notice that was never handled?
• Did the truck driver fall asleep at the wheel?
• Was the driver impaired?

All these questions will be asked and answered by our team of investigators as we build a case against the truck driver, the trucking company, the shipper, and/or the manufacturer of the truck.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits Involving Large Truck Accidents

Because large truck accidents are so often fatal, wrongful death lawsuits are commonly part of the litigation process. Under New Jersey personal injury law, certain family members are allowed to sue a negligent party if the negligence results in a loved one’s death. Wrongful death lawsuits are intended to recompense family members who have suffered emotionally or financially. Lost benefits and wages, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering are all recoverable under wrongful death law. An attorney can help your family take action after suffering a wrongful death.

The loss of a loved one for any reason is unbearable. It can become overwhelming and difficult to move forward when your loved one dies due to the negligence of another person or a company. Wrongful death of a loved one rips the person from your life. You didn’t have time to say goodbye like you do when an elderly relative passes away or when you lose a family member who has battled a lengthy illness. Our attorneys will handle your case with extreme care and diligence, so you are properly compensated for the loss of your loved one.

Call us at (973) 358-6134 to start the legal process.