New Jersey Truck Accident Lawyers & Tractor Trailer Attorneys

The most serious and fatal truck accident injuries will often involve a tractor-trailer truck. Tractor-trailer truck accidents occur far too frequently in New Jersey and across the nation. Some 300,000 accidents involving tractor-trailers happen every year throughout the United States. On average, there are 6,000 tractor-trailer accidents on New Jersey highways each year, leading to approximately 60 deaths due to such truck accidents.

Tractor-trailers and other types of truck accidents have a higher incidence of fatalities than car accidents due to their tremendous size and inability to control the truck once an emergency happens. Tractor-trailer crashes frequently impact multiple vehicles, resulting in numerous injuries or deaths. At Mazie Slater, our New Jersey commercial truck accident attorneys have extensive experience in handling cases for victims of truck accidents who have been injured, such as $5 million commercial truck settlement on behalf of a client who was hit by a tractor trailer and a $1.47 million  truck accident settlement for a man killed by a tractor-trailer on the New Jersey Turnpike.

These cases can become very complex as they involve trucking companies, multiple defendants, insurance companies, as well as federal and state laws that regulate the trucking industry. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Tractor Trailer & Truck Accident Causes

There are countless causes of tractor-trailer accidents on New Jersey roads each year. As aggressive New Jersey truck wreck attorney, we have extensive experience in handling such cases.

These crashes are usually caused by one or more of the following:

  • Driver error and fatigue
  • Reckless driving
  • Shifting loads
  • Improper maintenance
  • Overweight vehicles
  • Detachment of a wheel or tire from the tractor trailer truck into the roadway

Of the possible causes shown above, fatigue and poor judgment on the part of the driver are most frequently the cause of the crash. Tired drivers are more likely to exceed the speed limit, slam on the brakes and fail to pay attention to other traffic sharing the road with them. Tractor Trailer drivers who are in a hurry to get to their destination are more likely to drive in bad weather and through the night when they should be resting.

It can be challenging to establish legal liability in a tractor-trailer or truck accident. Trucking firms like to shift the blame for equipment failures to a third party. They might blame a poorly loaded truck on the company that put the merchandise in the trailer. They could accuse the tire manufacturer if a blowout occurred. They may also blame a truck maintenance company if the tractor-trailer truck’s tire or wheel falls off or separates and ends up in the New Jersey roadway. It takes an aggressive New Jersey tractor-trailer accident attorney to determine the exact cause by sifting through the evidence and having experts reconstruct the scene of the crash.

What are the Most Common Injuries During Truck Accidents in New Jersey?

Truck accidents in New Jersey can result in a variety of severe injuries due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. Common injuries include:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Often caused by a victim’s head striking a hard surface or experiencing a violent jolt.
  • Spinal Cord Injuries: Can lead to partial or complete paralysis, significantly impacting the victim’s quality of life.
  • Broken Bones and Fractures: Frequently occur in the limbs and ribs due to the immense force of a truck collision.
  • Internal Injuries: Damage to organs, which may not be immediately apparent but can be life-threatening without prompt treatment.
  • Severe Lacerations and Burns: Resulting from debris, glass, or fire, often requiring extensive medical care.

These injuries often necessitate significant medical treatment and can lead to lasting physical and emotional trauma. Our New Jersey truck crash lawyers are experienced in helping our injured clients with winning monies to help with medical bills as well as loss of work that can occur from these injuries.

Who’s Responsible for a Truck Accident?

After an expert decides what or who caused the crash, a truck accident attorney must prove culpability in a New Jersey court of law. In previous years, trucking companies hid actual ownership of the tractor-trailer to evade their liability. Independent drivers, maintenance companies, equipment manufacturers and leasing companies may be fully responsible or may share the responsibility for the crash. Workers who load the trailers or who connect the trailers may also be at fault.

What to do after a Truck Accident?

In the aftermath of a truck accident, it is crucial to take the following steps to protect your health, rights, and potential legal claims:

  • Ensure Safety: Move to a safe location if possible and check yourself and others for injuries.
  • Call Emergency Services: Contact 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance for anyone who is injured.
  • Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, get checked by a medical professional as some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
  • Document the Scene: Take photos and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
  • Collect Information: Obtain the contact and insurance details of all drivers involved, as well as contact information for any witnesses.
  • Avoid Admitting Fault: Refrain from making statements that could be interpreted as admitting fault, either at the scene or to insurance companies.
  • Consult an Attorney: Contact an experienced truck accident attorney to discuss your legal options and ensure your rights are protected.

Following these steps can help you navigate the complex aftermath of a truck accident and increase the likelihood of a successful legal outcome. Our experienced truck accident law firm can help guide you through the steps of pursuing a case and assigning fault.

What Damages can be awarded after a Truck Accident?

Victims of commercial truck accidents may be entitled to various types of damages to compensate for their losses. These damages can include:

  • Medical Expenses: Coverage for current and future medical bills related to injuries sustained in the accident, including hospitalization, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
  • Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to the inability to work during recovery, as well as potential future earnings if the injuries result in long-term disability.
  • Pain and Suffering: Awards for physical pain, emotional distress, and the overall impact of the injuries on the victim’s quality of life.
  • Property Damage: Reimbursement for the repair or replacement of the vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident.

These damages aim to help victims recover from the financial, physical, and emotional toll of a truck accident, ensuring they are fairly compensated for their losses. Experienced truck crash attorneys can help you determine what awards might be applicable to you and how to pursue them.

Tractor-Trailer or Truck Accident Attorneys Who Fight for Your Rights

At Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman, our aggressive New Jersey truck accident attorneys have extensive experience handling truck accident cases. We have been named to the Best New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyers list by the Best Lawyers in America publication for a reason. We are prepared to take on your case and recover maximum compensation for your personal injuries or loss.

The aggressive tractor-trailer and truck accident lawyers at Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman specialize in ensuring that victims of tractor-trailer accidents in New Jersey receive just compensation. We begin proving liability immediately after the wreck by gathering evidence from black boxes that detail braking patterns, operating speeds and the driver’s records. It is critical that this data is gathered as soon as possible after the crash occurs. Our commercial truck accident attorneys examine the inspection reports, take photos of the accident scene and document injuries. We scrutinize the official police report and the inspector’s documentation of the mechanical and electrical condition of the tractor-trailer.

Trucking companies have a battery of attorneys who will fight the case vigorously. If you were involved in a tractor-trailer accident, you need an equally committed law firm representing your interests. Our tractor-trailer accident attorneys do not stop until the case goes to court or is settled fairly.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a serious tractor-trailer accident, please contact the aggressive New Jersey truck accident lawyers at Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman. We will respond as possible to discuss your truck accident case.

New Jersey Truck Accident Lawyers & Tractor Trailer Attorneys

The most serious and fatal truck accident injuries will often involve a tractor-trailer truck. Tractor-trailer truck accidents occur far too frequently in New Jersey and across the nation. Some 300,000 accidents involving tractor-trailers happen every year throughout the United States. On average, there are 6,000 tractor-trailer accidents on New Jersey highways each year, leading to approximately 60 deaths due to such truck accidents.

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