Union County Truck Accident Lawyers

Truck accidents are among the most devastating types of motor vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, if you were involved in a truck accident, you are most likely facing a wide range of damages, from vehicle repairs to serious injuries. That said, the Union County auto accident lawyers here at The Mark Law Firm are dedicated to representing truck accident victims in New Jersey, and we stand ready to fight for the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled. Contact us for a free case evaluation today.

Why Hire Our Lawyers for Your Truck Accident Case?

Due to the size of the commercial vehicles involved and the speed at which they travel, New Jersey truck accidents result in some of the most life-changing injuries and fatalities. The complexity of commercial liability insurance policies and many other factors make truck accident litigation even more challenging to pursue.

The team at The Mark Law Firm has the experience, resources, and determination to provide the thorough and aggressive representation clients need and deserve. The firm is experienced in handling all types of truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, and municipal vehicle accident cases. Specifically, accidents involving tractor-trailers can be particularly complex due to factors such as improper cargo loading, inadequate driver training, and poorly maintained equipment, like brakes.

Similarly, dump truck accidents often result from high centers of gravity leading to rollovers, driver blind spots, and drivers operating under the influence or without proper qualifications. These incidents often necessitate expert accident reconstruction and involve multiple insurance companies.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents rarely occur because of a single factor. Instead, they are often the result of multiple failures involving drivers, trucking companies, maintenance providers, and sometimes even cargo loaders or manufacturers. Federal trucking regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration establish strict rules designed to reduce the risk of these accidents, yet violations still occur with alarming frequency. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents are as follows:

• Driver fatigue: Federal hours of service regulations limit how long commercial drivers may operate their vehicles without rest. Unfortunately, some drivers and companies ignore these rules in order to meet delivery deadlines. Fatigue significantly slows reaction time and impairs judgment, making it more likely that a driver will drift between lanes, fail to notice traffic slowing ahead, or lose control of the vehicle.
• Distracted driving: Truck drivers spend long hours on the road, and distractions such as mobile phones, dispatch devices, GPS units, or even eating behind the wheel can lead to serious accidents. Because trucks require more time and distance to stop than passenger vehicles, a momentary lapse in attention can have catastrophic consequences.
• Speeding and aggressive driving: Commercial trucks must obey posted speed limits and are often subject to lower speed requirements in certain areas. When a driver travels too fast for road conditions or follows other vehicles too closely, the risk of a rear-end or multi-vehicle collision increases dramatically.
• Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo: Cargo that shifts during transport can destabilize a truck, causing the driver to lose control. Overloaded trailers or improperly balanced loads may also increase the likelihood of rollovers or jackknife accidents.
• Inadequate vehicle maintenance: Trucking companies have a legal duty to inspect and maintain their vehicles. Worn brakes, defective tires, faulty steering components, and other mechanical problems can lead to devastating crashes if they are not identified and repaired.
• Driver inexperience or inadequate training: Operating a commercial truck requires specialized skills. Drivers must understand how to manage large vehicles in tight traffic conditions, on steep grades, and during inclement weather. Companies that rush inexperienced drivers onto the road without proper training increase the risk of serious accidents.
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol: Federal regulations impose strict limits on alcohol consumption for commercial drivers and require routine drug testing. When drivers operate trucks while impaired, the results can be disastrous.
• Failure to account for blind spots: Tractor trailers have large blind spots on all four sides of the vehicle. Drivers must exercise extra caution when changing lanes or merging into traffic. Failure to properly check these areas can lead to sideswipe collisions or vehicles being forced off the road.

Determining Liability

One of the most important questions after any truck accident is who should be held legally responsible. Determining liability in a trucking case is often more complex than in a typical car accident because several different parties may share responsibility for what happened.

Under New Jersey law, injured victims must prove that another party acted negligently and that this negligence caused their injuries. In the context of truck accidents, negligence can take many forms.

A truck driver may be responsible if they were speeding, driving while fatigued, violating traffic laws, or failing to follow federal safety regulations. Evidence such as police reports, electronic logging device records, dash camera footage, and witness statements can help establish whether the driver acted negligently.

However, the driver is not always the only responsible party. Trucking companies may also be liable in several circumstances. Employers can be held responsible for the actions of their drivers under the legal principle of vicarious liability when those drivers are acting within the scope of their employment. In addition, a company may be directly liable if it failed to properly train its drivers, encouraged unsafe scheduling practices, or neglected required vehicle maintenance.

Cargo loading companies may share responsibility when improperly secured or overloaded cargo contributed to the accident. Maintenance contractors could also be liable if faulty repairs or neglected inspections played a role in the crash. In some cases, manufacturers of defective truck components may be responsible if a mechanical failure caused the collision.

Recovering Compensation

Truck accidents often result in life altering injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and severe internal injuries. Victims may face months or years of medical treatment while also dealing with lost income and other financial burdens.

Under New Jersey personal injury law, individuals injured in a truck accident may be able to recover compensation for several types of losses. These may include the following:

• Medical expenses: This includes hospital bills, surgery costs, prescription medications, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and future medical care related to the accident.
• Lost wages: If an injury prevents someone from working temporarily or permanently, compensation may be available for lost income.
• Loss of future earning capacity: Some injuries prevent victims from returning to their previous occupations. In these situations, damages may be awarded for the long-term reduction in earning ability.
• Pain and suffering: This category includes compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and resulting injuries.
• Property damage: Victims may recover compensation for damage to their vehicles and other personal property.
• Permanent disability or disfigurement: Serious injuries that lead to lasting impairment or visible scarring may increase the value of a personal injury claim.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Injuries that prevent someone from participating in activities they once enjoyed may also be considered when calculating damages.
• Wrongful death damages: If a truck accident results in a fatality, surviving family members may pursue compensation for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and other related losses.

Ensure you file your claim within the state’s statute of limitations. Waiting any longer than two years will result in your being permanently barred from receiving compensation.

Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers in Union County, NJ

Don’t face the ramifications of a truck accident alone. Contact the knowledgeable and experienced Union County truck accident lawyers here at The Mark Law Firm for a free consultation today. We stand ready to fight for the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled.