The aftermath of a work zone truck accident in New Jersey can be overwhelming. These accidents often result in severe injuries, significant financial burdens, and emotional distress, on top of the major disruption to your job and life. Understanding your legal rights and options is crucial. The law affords compensation to victims of negligence, but claiming this compensation is rarely straightforward.
In New Jersey, get legal help from Grossman Law. We are a top-rated personal injury law firm with over 27 years of experience handling work site accident claims. Our legal assistance has resulted in deca-millions in settlements and verdicts for our clients. Talk to our experienced attorney in a free consultation. Call Grossman Law at (877) 996-5529 today.
What Are Work Zone Truck Accidents?
Work zone truck accidents occur in areas under construction or maintenance on New Jersey’s roadways. These zones often feature altered traffic patterns, reduced speed limits, and heavy machinery, creating unique risks for both motorists and workers.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 30% of all work zone crashes involve commercial trucks, making them particularly dangerous. Nationwide data also shows that in 2022 alone, 891 people died and 37,701 people got injured in work zone accidents, including motor vehicle drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and more. Thirteen of those deaths occurred in New Jersey.
Common Types of Work Zone Truck Accidents
Several types of truck accidents frequently occur in work zones, including angle collisions, rear-end crashes, and head-on collisions:
- Angle truck accident: This occurs when a commercial truck and another vehicle collide at an angle, such as one vehicle slamming into the side of another.
- Rear-end collision: This happens when the front of one vehicle crashes into the back of a commercial truck. These accidents typically occur when both vehicles are moving in the same direction.
- Head-on collision: This type of crash takes place when the front of a commercial truck collides with the front of another vehicle. It usually happens when the two vehicles are traveling in opposite directions.
- Sideswipe accidents: Narrow lanes increase the likelihood of trucks colliding with other vehicles.
- Worker-vehicle collisions: Construction workers are at high risk when drivers fail to follow safety protocols.
Injuries Resulting from Work Zone Truck Accidents
Victims of work site accidents often suffer severe injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord damage, sometimes leading to paralysis
- Internal organ injuries
- Broken bones or fractures
- Neck or shoulder injuries
- Amputation.
Beyond physical harm, many experience emotional trauma like anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These are called non-economic losses, which may also be compensable under the law.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
Victims of work zone accidents may recover:
- Medical expenses related to immediate treatment and ongoing care
- Lost wages due to inability to work after the accident
- Diminished ability to earn if there are long-term impairments or disability
- Damages for pain and suffering caused by physical and emotional trauma.
When you work with us at Grossman Law, we’ll examine all your financial and emotional losses to determine the full value of your claim. We can then negotiate aggressively with the at-fault party (or parties) to get you your maximum compensation.
Don’t settle with insurance companies before knowing what your case is truly worth. Reach out to us at Grossman Law and we’ll discuss your case in a free consultation.
Why Are Work Zones So Dangerous?
The following are common factors that make work sites and construction zones dangerous:
Hazardous Aspects of Commercial Trucks
Certain features of commercial trucks, such as their large size and heavy weight, make them challenging to operate even in normal traffic conditions. When these trucks navigate work zones with constantly changing road conditions, the risk for motorists increases significantly.
The Impact of Sudden Speed Reductions in NJ Work Zone Accidents
One major traffic adjustment in work zones is the reduction in speed limits. As vehicles approach these areas, drivers must merge into single lanes and reduce their speed accordingly. Commercial trucks require extra space and time to adjust their speed due to their extended braking distance, making sudden slowdowns particularly hazardous.
Rapid Traffic Changes
Work zones often create unpredictable traffic patterns, often requiring drivers to merge into narrower lanes. Some motorists may attempt risky maneuvers, such as abruptly cutting in front of commercial trucks, to avoid being stuck behind them. Although truck drivers cannot control the actions of other motorists, they must practice defensive driving, especially in work zones where traffic flow is constantly shifting.
Limited Visibility and Blind Spots
Commercial trucks have significantly larger blind spots than standard vehicles, commonly referred to as “no-zones.” These areas make it difficult for truck drivers to see nearby vehicles. As motorists merge in and around work zones, they risk remaining in a truck’s blind spot. If a truck driver fails to detect a nearby vehicle, a collision could occur, leading to severe injuries.
Additional factors that contribute to accidents in work zones include:
- Insufficient signage: A lack of proper warnings about upcoming changes can leave motorists unprepared for sudden adjustments.
- Heavy equipment placement: Construction equipment positioned too close to active traffic lanes can create obstacles, reducing maneuvering space for trucks and other vehicles.
Who Is Liable in a Work Zone Truck Accident?
Multiple parties may be responsible for a work zone truck accident. For example:
- The truck driver may be at fault for speeding or distracted driving.
- The trucking company may have cut corners on driver training or truck maintenance.
- Construction companies can be held accountable if they fail to implement proper safety measures.
- Other parties like subcontractors or equipment suppliers might share liability if their negligence contributed to the accident.
At Grossman Law, we know how to investigate a work zone accident to discover all liable parties. Doing so helps maximize your compensation, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you are considering a compensation claim.
How to Prove Negligence in a Work Zone Truck Accident Claim
More than identifying the at-fault party, you’ll need to establish that they were negligent and that their negligence led to your work zone accident. You’ll want to work with an experienced lawyer who knows how to gather evidence and build compelling arguments. Proving negligence involves:
- Collecting evidence like photographs and police reports
- Gathering statements from witnesses
- Consulting experts who can reconstruct the accident scene
- Demonstrating violations of traffic laws or OSHA regulations by responsible parties.
Our process at Grossman Law ensures that victims have a strong claim for compensation. We thoroughly investigate each case we take on, applying our specialized training and experience in accident claims to build a robust case.
Injured in a Work Zone Truck Accident? Get Legal Help From Grossman Law.
Work zone truck accidents can leave you facing life-altering injuries, mounting medical bills, and lost wages. You shouldn’t have to navigate this overwhelming situation alone. At Grossman Law, we are committed to fighting for your rights and holding negligent parties accountable. Our experienced attorneys understand the complexities of work zone crashes and will work tirelessly to secure the maximum compensation for your losses.Don’t let insurance companies undervalue your claim. Protect your rights and pursue what you deserve with the help of our trusted personal injury team. Call Grossman Law today at (877) 996-5529 to discuss your case with a skilled attorney. Time is limited — act now to protect your future!