There’s no way around it. If you drive in Jersey City, you will be on the road with large trucks. They’re a logistical necessity, but you may not feel safe on the road with them. Unfortunately, that fear is merited. A truck accident can happen so quickly that you may not even know what hit you. The devastating consequences of a truck accident could change your life forever. Hire a Jersey City truck accident attorney from Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers to help you with your accident claim.
That realization, the severity of your injuries, and the mounting pressure to pay medical bills can be overwhelming. How do you cope with the new direction your life is taking, and how can you get the compensation you deserve? The answer is simple: get an attorney on your side.
A Jersey City truck accident attorney from Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers can help you recover from your crash with a refilled bank account. Too many people are injured by commercial truck drivers in New Jersey. The irresponsible parties at fault for your crash should pay for their negligence.
You deserve fair compensation for your injuries. The Jersey City truck accident lawyers at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers can help. Contact us today at (201) 583-5765 for a free case evaluation.
Types of Truck Accident Cases Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers Can Handle
Not all truck accidents are created equal. There’s a huge variety of large and commercial trucks on New Jersey roads daily. The type of truck, who was driving it, and who owns it can all make a big difference in a legal claim. Your attorney will investigate who we should target to recover the maximum damages possible for your injury.
It takes a knowledgeable team experienced with truck accident cases to get victims the compensation they are entitled to. At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, we have the experience and resources to hold multiple parties responsible for large or commercial trucking accidents.
Here are some of the most common vehicles we see involved in accidents on New Jersey roads:
- Tractor-trailers
- Tanker trucks
- Garbage trucks
- Construction vehicles
- Flatbed trucks
- Tow trucks
- Delivery trucks
- Busses
Common Causes of New Jersey Truck Accidents
While outside factors like road hazards, defective parts, and weather conditions can all play a part in trucking accidents, most accidents are caused by human error.
In a study compiled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the driver was the critical factor in 87 percent of large truck crashes. Only 10 percent of accident cases they examined resulted from mechanical failure or a defective part.
Whether a driver is distracted, negligent, or just plain reckless, the human element results in large-scale accidents with serious and sometimes dire consequences.
These tend to be the most common causes of large and commercial trucking accidents:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Driver fatigue
- Unsafe driving behavior, including speeding, following too closely, aggressive driving, reckless lane changes, and not paying attention to blind spots
- Lack of adequate training or poor driving performance, such as overcompensating, poor directional control, and misjudging road conditions
- Equipment failure and defective parts
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Weather conditions
Consequences of Negligent Driving
Commercial trucks are heavy-duty machines that can weigh more than 80,000 pounds. The truck is a powerful machine capable of crushing anything in its path, and it carries heavy, sometimes dangerous loads that make an accident more unpredictable and destructive.
Trucks can be involved in several different accident scenarios. Each carries significant consequences for the passenger vehicles caught after the accident.
These are some of the more common types of accidents that trucks can be involved in:
Jackknife Accidents
These accidents happen when the truck’s trailer swings towards the cab, creating a 90-degree angle. Nearby cars can be swept up and dragged by the trailer. In some instances, the trailer blocks the entire roadway.
Rollover Accidents
Large trucks are prone to rolling over due to driver error and poor weather conditions. They are particularly dangerous to nearby cars that may be crushed under the truck or impacted by flying debris thrown from the trailer.
No-zone Accidents
A no-zone refers to the area of a truck where the driver is unable to see what’s near them by looking out their windows or using their mirrors. In other words, they’re blind spots. When a car drives in one of these blind spots, especially for a prolonged length of time, an accident can occur when the truck driver changes lanes or makes a turn.
Tire Blowouts
Large trucks carry heavy loads. These loads and the normal wear and tear of the road can put a strain on tires. A blowout occurs when a truck tire finally bursts. Losing a tire while traveling at speed can be extremely dangerous.
Rear-end Accidents
It takes a lot of time and power to slow down and stop a fast-moving, heavy vehicle. When drivers use poor judgment, are distracted, and speed or poor road conditions, they might be unable to slow their vehicle in time to prevent a rear-end accident.
Improperly Loaded or Improperly Secured Cargo
When cargo is not loaded or secured correctly inside a trailer or on top of a flatbed, it can create balance and maneuverability problems for the driver.
We are the trial attorneys with the experience and knowledge to get you the results you deserve. At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, we take time to get to know you, as well as your case. We are committed to excellence. It is important for our team to understand your fears, concerns and expectations. We are always available to answer any questions, and are willing to come to you if you are unable to come to us.
Contact Your New Jersey Personal Injury Attorneys
Truck Accident Compensation
Large truck accidents are often much more serious than passenger car accidents. That’s because truck accident injuries are more often catastrophic and permanently life-altering. While no two truck accident cases are alike, the compensation awarded to victims of serious injuries caused by truck crashes can be substantial.
Talking to an experienced truck accident attorney about the specifics of your crash is the best way to determine how much compensation you might be owed.
As a general rule of thumb, compensation for New Jersey truck accident cases may cover the following:
- Current or outstanding medical bills
- Future medical expenses related to the accident injuries
- Property damage or destruction
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning ability
- Disability accommodations
- Pain and suffering
Establishing Liability in a Truck Accident Case
Compensation for truck accident claims relies on liability or who’s at fault for the crash. The question of who’s to blame for your crash may be more complicated than you’d think.
It’s not simply identifying a negligent truck driver, although that’s part of the equation. While it may have been the driver’s actions that led to an accident, there are other factors to consider and other parties who might bear some responsibility for the crash.
Here are some examples of parties who could be held liable for a serious truck accident:
- Trucking company– There are a variety of reasons that a trucking company might be held liable for a serious accident. They may have failed to inspect their vehicle properly, improperly screened a driver’s background before hiring them, or improperly trained their drivers.
- Manufacturer– If a defective part in the truck is to blame for the accident, the manufacturer could be held liable for damages resulting from the accident.
- Cargo loaders– If improperly loaded cargo is partially responsible for an accident, the company in charge of loading that cargo may be held liable for damages.
Why It’s Important to Contact an Attorney Following a Truck Accident
Large truck accidents are not like regular car accidents. Most private individuals don’t have a team of insurance adjusters and lawyers on staff ready to drop everything and respond to a crash. Most large-scale trucking concerns do.
This team springs into action the second they’re notified of the accident. Their job is to mitigate their company’s liability and get out of it for the least money possible.
This means they may resort to ploys that attempt to manipulate or bully you into accepting a quick offer and signing away your legal rights. Their offer may not cover your medical expenses and personal property, especially if your injuries are extensive.
From day one, having a lawyer on your side means you’ll have someone fighting for your best interests. We can evaluate any offers from insurance companies and negotiate with them when they’re unfair.
Having your legal team investigate your accident’s circumstances is also crucial. Not all truck companies are upstanding, and they might resort to victim-blaming and other tactics to make you think that the crash was your fault.
They think you’ll settle for the small amount they offer you without question. It saves them money, which is their goal. Unfortunately, their gain is your loss.
An experienced attorney has the knowledge and resources to investigate the circumstances of a large truck accident thoroughly. They also can secure and maintain evidence critical to your case before it becomes lost or destroyed.
This evidence may include video recordings inside the truck’s cab, the electronic control module (the truck’s black box), driving records, safety inspection records, police reports, witness accounts, hiring records, and background screening information.
Let Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers Help You Put Your Claim in Motion
Large truck accidents are serious, and a lot of money is involved. That means you need serious legal representation to secure your rights and get the compensation you deserve. No trucking company’s legal team should tell you what your case is worth.
Get your advice. Trust the experience of the Jersey City legal team at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers at (201) 583-5765 to schedule a free case evaluation today.
