When a massive tractor-trailer collides with a smaller vehicle, the consequences can be catastrophic. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in New Jersey, you need a dedicated and experienced truck accident lawyer to fight for your rights.
Reach out to Grossman Law, one of New Jersey’s most trusted personal injury law firms. Over the last 27 years, we’ve obtained millions of dollars in compensation for New Jerseyans hurt in truck accidents, including large commercial truck crashes. We fearlessly stand up to trucking companies and insurers in pursuit of our clients’ maximum compensation.
Talk to us at Grossman Law in a free consultation. We don’t charge lawyer fees until we win for you. Call us today at (877) 996-5529.
What Makes Tractor Trailer Truck Accidents Different from Car Accidents?
Tractor-trailer accident cases can be highly complicated, particularly when they involve trucking companies that operate across multiple states. This is especially true in New Jersey’s metropolitan areas. Jersey City serves as a major route for truck drivers transporting cargo from the port in Newark, traveling along Route 95 to and from New England and beyond.
In addition, a fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which is 20 to 30 times more than the average passenger vehicle. This disparity often results in more severe injuries and higher fatality rates for occupants of smaller vehicles.
Truck accidents also often involve complex regulatory issues, including state and federal rules. Federal trucking laws are enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations govern everything from driver fatigue limits to cargo loading standards, making it critical to have an attorney who understands these nuances.
With these unique factors, you’ll need a lawyer who has specialized experience with truck crash cases. At Grossman Law, our legal team has extensive experience handling and successfully litigating these types of motor vehicle accident claims.
Common Causes of Tractor-Trailer Accidents in New Jersey
Several factors contribute to truck accidents, including:
- Driver fatigue: Long hours on the road can lead to truck driver exhaustion, impairing their reaction times.
- Improperly loaded cargo: Shifting or unsecured loads increase the risk of rollovers and jackknifes.
- Mechanical failures: Poorly maintained brakes or tire blowouts can lead to catastrophic failures.
- Reckless driving: Common issues are speeding, tailgating, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Weather conditions: Rain, snow, or fog can make it difficult for large trucks to stop or maneuver safely.
Understanding the root cause of your accident is crucial for building a strong case.
Determining Liability in a Tractor-Trailer Accident
When a tractor-trailer accident occurs, identifying the responsible party is rarely simple. Unlike standard car accidents, multiple parties beyond just the driver may share liability. Tractor-trailers are often owned, leased, or maintained by different companies, making it necessary to evaluate various potential sources of fault.
Any of the following entities may be responsible for a tractor-trailer accident:
- The truck driver – The truck driver may be personally responsible for injuries if their own negligent actions led to the accident.
- The truck owner – The person or company that owns the tractor-trailer could also be liable if, for example, they violated truck maintenance standards.
- The trucking company – In many cases, the trucking business that employs the driver or oversees truck operations may be “vicariously liable” if their employee caused the crash during work. There are also cases where the company is directly liable if, for instance, they violated safety regulations.
- The leasing company – Tractor-trailers are often leased to the driver. If the leasing company cut corners on safety, they could be found additionally responsible.
- The truck manufacturer – If tractor-trailer parts malfunctioned due to a defect, the manufacturing company could be held liable.
- The loading company – The party responsible for securing or distributing cargo within the trailer may be found at fault if cargo issues caused the truck to crash.
- The inspection company – The business handling safety checks and regulatory compliance must uphold the strictest standards. If they failed their duty and an accident occurred, they may face liability.
- The maintenance company – Likewise, the entity in charge of performing routine maintenance and repairs on the vehicle could be found liable if they were negligent in their duties.
With so many potential liable parties, determining fault in a tractor-trailer accident is far more complex than in a typical car crash. The legal process can be challenging, requiring thorough investigations and expert legal representation.
How to Prove Negligence in a Truck Accident Case
Proving negligence involves establishing four key elements:
- Duty of care: The truck driver and trucking company had an obligation to operate safely.
- Breach of duty: They violated this duty through negligent actions or omissions.
- Causation: Their breach directly caused your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered measurable harm as a result.
Evidence such as black box data, driver logs, and eyewitness testimony can be critical in proving your case. Our personal injury attorney at Grossman Law is particularly experienced in these complex truck cases. We know what evidence to look for and where, so that we can determine and prove the liability of all negligent parties.
What Types of Injuries Are Common in Truck Crashes?
Due to the immense force involved, injuries from truck accidents are often severe and life-altering, such as:
- Spinal cord injuries: These can result in partial or complete paralysis.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Often caused by head trauma during the collision, TBIs can range from mild to severe brain damage.
- Fractures and broken bones: Due to the massive impact force in a truck crash, these are often complex fractures that need extensive treatment.
- Catastrophic injuries: These include amputations, burns, and internal organ damage.
Victims may face years of medical treatment and rehabilitation, making fair compensation essential.
What Compensation Can You Receive for a New Jersey Tractor-Trailer Accident?
If you have suffered injuries in a tractor-trailer accident, you may be wondering whether you qualify for compensation for your injuries and other related losses. If negligence played a role in causing the accident, personal injury law offers you legal protection, allowing you to file a claim in New Jersey’s civil courts to seek damages.
The term “damages” refers to the financial compensation you may be entitled to receive for your injuries and other losses resulting from the accident. These damages can include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Medical expenses – Hospital stays, surgical procedures, physical therapy, and rehabilitation
- Diagnostic testing – Expenses for lab tests, X-rays, and imaging scans necessary for diagnosing and treating your injuries
- Prescription medication costs – The cost of medications required for pain management and recovery
- Future medical expenses – Estimated costs of ongoing treatment related to accident-related injuries
- Lost wages – Income lost due to time off work for recovery
- Lost benefits – Compensation for unused vacation days or sick leave due to your accident injuries
- Loss of future earnings – If your injuries limit your ability to work and earn a living in the future
- Pain and suffering – Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish caused by the accident
- Loss of enjoyment of life – If your injuries impact your ability to engage in activities you once enjoyed
- Loss of companionship or consortium – If your injuries affect personal relationships, including those with your spouse or family members.
Some damages, such as the loss of quality of life, do not have a fixed monetary value. In such cases, the New Jersey courts will assess the details of your personal injury claim and determine an appropriate financial amount for these non-economic losses.
How Does New Jersey Law Impact Truck Accident Cases?
New Jersey follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning that your compensation may be reduced if you are found partially at fault for the accident. However, you cannot recover damages if you are more than 50% at fault.
Additionally, New Jersey has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. Missing this deadline could bar you from recovering any compensation.
Steps to Take After a Tractor-Trailer Crash
- Seek immediate medical attention for any injuries.
- Report the accident to law enforcement.
- Gather evidence at the scene, including photos and witness contact information.
- Avoid speaking with insurance companies without legal representation.
- Contact an experienced tractor-trailer accident attorney as soon as possible.
These steps will help protect your rights and strengthen your case.
Large Truck Crashes: How Long Will My Case Take?
In New Jersey, the statute of limitations (deadline) for filing a semi-truck accident lawsuit is two years from the date of the crash. If you fail to file within this timeframe, you risk having your case dismissed permanently for being untimely.
While two years may seem like a long time, it’s crucial to act quickly to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Evidence can disappear faster than you expect, and witnesses’ memory may fade. At the same time, the at-fault party’s defense team may already be moving to build a solid refutation of your claim.
Speak to us at Grossman Law as soon as possible. Your consultation with us is free, and our contingency fee system means you won’t have to pay us a cent until we obtain compensation for you. You risk nothing by approaching our team.
For Your New Jersey Trailer Truck Collision Case, Contact Us at Grossman Law Today
A tractor-trailer accident can change your life in an instant, leaving you with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about the future. You don’t have to face this battle alone. At Grossman Law, we have the experience, resources, and dedication to fight for your rights and maximize your compensation.
The trucking companies and insurers have aggressive legal teams — so should you. Let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on recovery. Time is limited, as New Jersey law only gives you two years to file a claim, so don’t wait.Call us today at (877) 996-5529 for a free consultation. Let us help you secure the justice and compensation you deserve.