New Jersey Attorneys for Accidents Caused by a Truck Driver on Stimulants
Were you involved in an accident involving a commercial truck? Was the crash caused because stimulants impaired the driver’s abilities? If so, you might be entitled to financial compensation, and the New Jersey truck accident lawyers of Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers can help. The trucker put you in a dangerous situation and should suffer the consequences of their actions. You can hold them liable for their poor decision and recover the financial award you need to compensate for your losses.
A stimulant is a psychoactive drug that can increase a person’s brain activity. It can temporarily elevate someone’s awareness, mood, and alertness. Some stimulants are harmless, like coffee. However, controlled substances, such as methamphetamines and cocaine, can significantly affect a driver’s physical and mental functioning. Unfortunately, many truck drivers must keep up with demanding schedules and may rely on stimulants to stay awake on long drives. That can cause a range of adverse symptoms that increase the likelihood of an accident.
Call our Truck Accident Lawyers
At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, our team of New Jersey truck accident lawyers knows the aftermath of a large truck crash can be scary and overwhelming. You might not know what to do next or how to handle an insurance claim. You can depend on us to put our experience and skills to work during your case. We will advocate for your rights and fight hard for the maximum compensation you deserve. Call us for a free consultation at (973) 364-8300 today.
Why You Need Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers On Your Side
Many accident victims focus on attending their doctor’s appointments to heal their injuries. They also have to figure out how to afford their medical bills, reaching thousands of dollars. No one should deal with this stress when they didn’t cause the accident. We know you don’t want the additional responsibility of handling an insurance claim. When you hire us, we can take over your case and complete each step of the process on your behalf.
Insurance companies typically look out for their interests. They don’t want to provide a large settlement to a victim because that’s less money for them. If possible, they will look for any valid reason to deny your claim or offer a lowball settlement and hope you accept it. They might use intimidation tactics to scare you into believing you don’t deserve more money, even if you do. With Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers in your corner, you can feel confident knowing you’re in experienced and capable hands. We won’t let the insurance company bully you.
While you’re getting treatment for your injuries, our team will focus on the legal aspects of your case. We know which state laws, federal regulations, and deadlines we must follow. We can use our knowledge and resources to perform an investigation and collect crucial evidence for your case, such as:
- Police reports
- Results of the trucker’s blood or chemical tests
- Photos from the accident scene
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Video surveillance
- The truck driver’s employment history, criminal records, and prior accident reports
- Documentation of doctor-prescribed stimulants with adverse side effects
- The trucking company’s policies on drug use and drug testing
- Copies of your medical records
Having a dedicated and compassionate New Jersey truck accident lawyer to guide you through the legal process can put your mind at ease. You have a better chance of receiving higher compensation with an attorney than if you handle your case alone. We know how to overcome obstacles we might face and can negotiate with insurance companies for the settlement you’re owed for your suffering.
Common Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents
Every state in the country, not just New Jersey, relies on commercial trucks to transport furniture, food, consumer products, and other necessities to everyday life. The trucking industry is also highly competitive. Truck drivers typically get paid by the mile. They might face pressure from their employers to stay on schedule and meet delivery deadlines. When that happens, truckers might decide they need help staying awake to make it through their 10-hour driving shifts.
Although stimulants can keep these drivers awake behind the wheel, they can have dangerous side effects. Stimulants, such as amphetamines, can cause someone to become impulsive and make rash driving decisions. They can also interfere with a person’s judgment and distort their perception of their ability to drive safely. Additionally, stimulants can cause truckers to speed or behave aggressively. All of these behaviors can cause devastating accidents with other vehicles.
The most common injuries associated with truck accidents that result from a trucker using stimulants are:
- Crush injuries
- Concussion, traumatic brain injury, and other head injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Psychological trauma, such as anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder
- Paralysis
- Lacerations, burns, and bruises
- Soft tissue injuries
- Disfigurement
- Spinal cord injuries
- Disability
- Loss of limb or amputation injury
Long-term effects can result from a truck accident. If you sustained severe injuries, you could have a disability that prevents you from working or taking care of yourself. Some people suffer from chronic pain and other symptoms requiring ongoing physical therapy and other forms of treatment. You shouldn’t be responsible for the cost of your medical care when someone else is at fault for the crash. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers can help you hold the truck driver accountable for their careless actions.
Possible Compensation You Can Recover After a Truck Accident in New Jersey
New Jersey uses a no-fault system when determining who to pursue for compensation after an accident. That means you must turn to your auto insurance company first. State law requires all motorists to buy personal injury protection (PIP) with a minimum coverage limit of $15,000.
When you file a PIP claim, your medical providers will send your bills to the insurance company for upfront payments for your treatment. The insurer will continue paying for these expenses until you exhaust the limit on your policy. Most people choose to purchase the minimum required limit, but coverage can go up to $250,000.
Once you use your PIP benefits, you could file a claim with the trucking company’s insurance company. Federal regulations require them to purchase liability coverage for their truck drivers. There are minimum limits they must hold depending on the weight of the commercial truck and the type of cargo it contains. The lowest possible liability coverage is $300,000, but it can go as high as $5 million if the driver transports hazardous freight.
You can pursue compensation for various losses in the accident when you file a liability claim. They could include:
- Medical bills
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers can request copies of all documentation associated with the accident and review your total losses to estimate the monetary value of your case.
While calculating a reasonable dollar amount to compensate for your past and future losses, we might consider some of these factors:
- The type of injury and how severe it is
- Court documents from any pending criminal case against the truck driver
- The impact of the accident on your quality of life
- The length of your recovery period
- Your total medical expenses
- The amount of time spent away from work to treat your injuries
- The amount of evidence showing the trucker’s impaired driving abilities
- The effects of the crash on your spouse or children
- The estimated cost of medical care or daily assistance you might need in the future
We will aggressively negotiate with the insurance company for the full and fair compensation you need and deserve. If they refuse to settle or deny your claim, we might be able to file a lawsuit and argue your case in court.
New Jersey Laws Regarding Lawsuits
Every state requires accident victims to comply with a statute of limitations if they want to sue someone for compensation. You must follow This strict timeframe, or you could lose your right to hold the truck driver liable for the injuries they caused. New Jersey has a two-year statute of limitations. You must file your lawsuit within two years of the accident date. If the deadline passes and you try to file anyway, the court will likely dismiss your case, and your opportunity to pursue compensation through the court system will be lost.
Besides seeking compensation for things like medical bills and emotional distress, you could also pursue punitive damages. Instead of compensating you for your losses, it punishes the defendant for their misconduct and aims to deter similar behavior in the future. A jury might award you with punitive damages if you can prove using clear and convincing evidence that the truck driver acted with malice or a willful or wanton disregard for other people.
Contact Us
Your New Jersey personal injury attorneys with Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers have decades of experience representing clients like you. We have recovered over $535 million in settlements and jury verdicts. You will receive the personalized one-on-one attention you deserve when you hire us. We treat every person who walks through our office doors as a priority.
If you were involved in an accident with a truck driver on stimulants and want to pursue compensation, call us at (973) 364-8300 for your free consultation.
Written by: Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers Last Updated : August 27, 2024We 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.
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