Truck Accident Attorney in New Jersey

Seeking Justice for Truck Accident Victims

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, significant 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, significant truck accidents are significantly more likely to result in severe injuries or death.

We take significant truck accidents seriously at The Law Offices Of James C. DeZao, P.A.. 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 you are entitled to 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. The truck owner or employer is often liable for the driver’s negligence.  

Have you been injured in a truck accident in New Jersey? Call The Law Offices Of James C. DeZao, P.A. today at (973) 358-6134 or contact us online to discuss your case and explore your options for seeking justice!

Common Factors Contributing to Truck Accidents in New Jersey

Truck accidents can happen for numerous reasons, many of which can be prevented. By recognizing these common causes, truck drivers, companies, and other road users can take the appropriate measures to prevent dangerous situations. Some of the most frequent causes of truck accidents include:  

• Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers are often required to work long hours, which can lead to fatigue. When drivers do not get adequate rest, it affects their ability to make sound judgments, react quickly, and focus on the road, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
• Distractions While Driving: Like passenger car drivers, truck drivers can become distracted by in-cab devices like smartphones, GPS systems, or other distractions. This takes their attention away from the road and can lead to accidents.  
• Neglected Maintenance: Regular maintenance is crucial for the safe operation of commercial trucks. If truck owners or operators fail to maintain their vehicles—such as neglecting brake checks or tire replacements—mechanical failures can occur, which may result in accidents.
• Excessive Load: Trucks carrying too much weight can be more difficult to control, especially in challenging weather conditions. Overloading can also affect braking and stability, making the truck more prone to accidents.
• Adverse Weather Conditions: Weather such as rain, snow, fog, and icy roads can create hazardous driving conditions for truck drivers. If drivers don’t adjust their driving to these conditions, the risk of an accident increases.

By thoroughly investigating the causes of a truck accident, our team can determine liability and fight for the compensation you deserve.

What Types of Compensation Can You Recover in a Truck Accident Claim?

After a truck accident, the impact on your life can be severe, affecting your physical health, emotional well-being, and financial stability. In New Jersey, personal injury law is designed to help victims recover compensation for these losses and restore them to their pre-accident condition as much as possible. Types of damages you may be able to recover include:

• Medical Costs: This includes immediate and future healthcare expenses, such as hospital bills, surgeries, medications, therapy, and long-term care needs.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to time away from work and potential future income loss if you cannot return to your previous job or role.
• Pain and Suffering: Payment for the physical pain, emotional turmoil, and psychological distress resulting from the accident and its impact on your life.
• Property Loss: Reimbursement for repairing or replacing your damaged vehicle or any other personal belongings affected by the accident.
• Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the emotional and practical support you no longer receive from a loved one due to their injury or death.
• Punitive Damages: In certain situations, you may qualify for punitive damages if the responsible party’s actions were incredibly reckless or intentionally harmful.

Standing Up to Insurance Companies After a Truck Accident

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 only look 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 at home or work. They will try to find anything they can use against you so 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 Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Case?

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 indicate systemic negligence throughout a trucking company.

Trucking companies are responsible for overseeing all the operations of their drivers. In addition to hiring competent drivers, 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 must take breaks, stay well-rested, and behave responsibly. The law limits 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, significant truck accidents happen because someone fails 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?

Our team of investigators will ask and answer all these questions as we build a case against the truck driver, the trucking company, the shipper, and/or the truck manufacturer.

Pursuing Wrongful Death Claims After Fatal Truck Accidents in New Jersey

Because significant 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 reimburse 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. The 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 adequately compensated for the loss of your loved one.

Reach out to a compassionate New Jersey truck accident lawyer today to get the justice your family deserves!

How to Safely Drive Near Large Commercial Trucks

Driving near a large commercial truck is daunting and stressful. You’re worried they can see you, wondering if they will come into your lane unannounced and if they are following too closely behind you. These are valid worries when driving on a major highway or minor road.

Here are some tips you can follow to make sure you are safe when near a large commercial truck:

• When merging, allow for plenty of room so the truck does not hit you
• When changing lanes, allow for plenty of room
• Stay out of the truck’s blind spots (sides, rear, and even the front)
• If you cannot see the truck driver in the truck’s side-view mirror, the driver cannot see your vehicle
• If you are changing lanes in front of a truck, accelerate so you are far enough away from the truck
• Do not drive in the middle lane with a truck on either side of you
• Do your best to yield the right of way to trucks, as they cannot stop as quickly as your vehicle
• If a truck is following too closely behind you, safely move to another lane of travel

Contact Our New Jersey Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you’ve been injured in a trucking accident or lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, an experienced New Jersey truck accident lawyer at The Law Offices Of James C. DeZao, P.A. can help. Remember, truck accident cases are subject to a statute of limitations (a time limit), so you should contact an attorney immediately to ensure you do not waive your right to possible compensation. We accept most trucking-related cases on a contingency basis, which means you will only pay for our services once we’ve recovered money in your case.

Contact The Law Offices Of James C. DeZao, P.A. now to schedule your FREE consultation with our truck accident attorney in New Jersey!